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Random Quote: There are two ways to do everything....right and over.
I am in need of a new tow vechicle within the next 30 days. I want to buy within the next week.
Although I would rather have a Toyota. Toyota is just too slow this time around to get my business. So I have my eyes on Detroit.
Of course I could always pickup a older F350 for now and wait for Toyota to come out with their full ton truck.
I have a 30ft catamaran with twin suzuki 300 weighting in at 8500 lb dry. Triple axle trailer is 2400 lb. 230 gallon full fuel is 1500 lb.
So yes - I am taking the published max towing capacity with a grain of salt. For this load. I am leaning toward the Ford's 15000 lb capacity since my load is already 12400 lb as is - Chevy's capacity is already shot. Add my crew's fishing/diving gears I can easily surpass both GMC's/Dodge's capacity.
The choices:
2007 Ford F350 CrewCab 6.0L v8 PowerStroke Turbo Diesel 5-speed TorqShift 4x4 3.73 LB DRW - towing capacity is 15000lb
or
2007 Chevy F3500 CrewCab 6.6L v8 Duramax Turbo Diesel 6-Speed Allison 4x4 3.73 LB DRW - towing capacity is 12000lb
or
2007 GMC Sierra 3500 CrewCab 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel 6-Speed Allison 4x4 3.73 LB DRW - towing capacity is 13000lb
or
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 MegaCab 6.7L Curmmins Turbo Diesel 6-Speed 68RFE 4x4 3.73 SB DRW - towing capacity is 13450lb
I'm pretty convinced that Ford makes a good tow vehicle, since I just finished my second coast to coast round trip in a year with an F-250. The last trip was towing 12,060 pounds. With that said, however, I would not buy a 2007 or later Ford diesel. I'd probably avoid all 2007s of anyone's manufacture. The 2007s were the first to comply with new emission rules, all the way to having catalytic converters. Some people have had little trouble, others have had to return the trucks to the manufacturer on a buy back.
Find a clean, low mile 2005 or 2006 F-250 with the independent front suspension or a 2000-2003 with the 7.3 engine. The late 2003's and 2004s have the 6.0 and the solid front axle. Since the 7.3 is reputed to be the best engine, either buy an early truck with the 7.3 or a 6.0 with the better front suspension.
I would scrub that list and look for a Ford 2003, 7.3L. Buy a couple of CPS sensors for the glove box and you'll be set. Put a set of ART rotors on the front, Bilsteins or equivalent on the corners and if your interested, you can easily upgrade that motor/trans package. Keep the hp/torque values within reasonable specs, and you won't be dissapointed.
I have a 6.0L and will look for an older truck the next time. I've had pratically 0 issues with mine as of yet, knock on wood.
We have had several 1500 with Hemis for work trucks. Put an average of 55,000 miles per year on them with very few problems.
On the interstare 2 out of 3 large travel trailers & 5th wheelers are pulled by Dodges.
The Dodges have much more cab storage than the Fords which have virtually none.
Not true. To be truthfull Ford DIESEL trucks outsell the other three (GMC, Chevy and Dodge) combined in total sales. The Cummins ISB motor outsells the others but that motor is one of the past. It went into a whole lot of things. The true reason Ford outsells them is because of fleet and outsourced vehicles like tow trucks and ambulances. This past year Dodge finally came out with a chassis cab to compete but still not rated with the Ford.
BUT coming from an 04 F-350 owner with the 6.0 PSD I would not buy another 6.0. Am on the forth turbo on the truck. Third EGR valve. Second EGR cooler. Had the head gaskets and studs replaced from a turbo failure. The 6.4 may prove to be a new stroy but as others have mentioned basically all three motors are new for this year.
My next truck will be a Duramax. But not untill the Chevy ratings catch up to Ford. If they don't I will be stuck with another Ford due to capacities much like you. In addition to the F-350 take a look at the F-450 this year.
In addition there are soem good truck websites out there to look into issues with the brands. www.dieselstop.com for Fords. turbodieselregiater for Dodge and do a search for the Chevy.
My work truck is an 07 F350 4x4 V10. I like the tranny in this truck, especially in tow/haul mode in city traffic. It downshifts when you slow for a light and takes a little of the load off the brakes. I tow various size boats ranging from 22' (4000 lbs) up to 30' (12000 lbs). Overall, the chassis handles the weight very well. It rides much better with a trailer than without. The unloaded ride can be a bit harsh on bumpy roads. If it were my personal truck, it would have some weight in the bed to settle it down. The V10 is OK with power, but, again, if it were my own, it would have a diesel. I have almost 4000 miles on it with no problems. It is a marked law enforcement truck, and does get run hard sometimes.
I own an 07 Ram 1500 w/ Hemi. Overall, it tows my PF 2400 (5500 lbs) pretty good. Power is very good, brakes and chassis are good.
Look for the F 350 with auto but get the 4.11 ratio instead of the 3.73 Much better for a 15,000 lb load.
I have a 250 350 550 all diesel auto 4x4's and the F350 with the 4.11 will be more economical to drive and will
do the job with ease. The 3.73 ratio rearend causes the transmission to hunt too much with this much
trailer weight, with the 4.11 it is easier to stay in higher gears and works out to burn less fuel.
It's not been mentioned previously in this this thread, but HOW FAR DO YOU TOW?
Because if I was towing a load like that 50 miles each way on even a twice weekly basis, then I'd go ahead and add international and freightliner into the equation, it's almost too much for the big four, as you put it.
We have had several 1500 with Hemis for work trucks. Put an average of 55,000 miles per year on them with very few problems.
On the interstare 2 out of 3 large travel trailers & 5th wheelers are pulled by Dodges.
The Dodges have much more cab storage than the Fords which have virtually none.
Not true. To be truthfull Ford DIESEL trucks outsell the other three (GMC, Chevy and Dodge) combined in total sales.
What does that have to do with how many Dodges I see pulling campers compared to the others.
I am on the road a lot. Like I said, "On the interstate 2 out of 3 large travel trailers & 5th wheelers are pulled by Dodges."
I never said Dodge sells more trucks. In fact, by my observations, I see very few Gmc/Chevys pulling said trailers. At least on the Gulf Coast.
I wouldn't worry about the published tow ratings of the truck. Each truck is a little different. All I would worry about is not exceeding your axle ratings and the tire ratings of the vehicle. Try to get all vehicles that you are interested in weighed. don't go by the published curb weight. It won't be the same. Cummins is prob. the best engine out there for a light duty truck. I have heard and read that the Duramax is a good engine as well. Haven't heard alot about the new 6.4 from Ford. How about looking at the GMC/ Chevy 4500 and 5500 series medium duties. Pretty nice. Whole different animal. Just make sure that your truck GVWR and trailer GVWR don't add up to over 26k lbs. If they do, then you'll need a CDL.
Towing a boat safely - which of the big four
