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01-30-2019, 04:37 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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Ford 350 DRW - Aluminum vs Chevy 3500 DRW
So we picked up a used 2012 Avalanche 345TG mid last year. Read a lot here and decided to weigh the rig with my Silverado 2500HD diesel. Yes I am over the max GVWR by 760# (pin weght is 2,640# - Loaded trailer weight 13,140#). I did check the tire and rear structure capacities and am not over the limits. We did a few short weekends then put it up for the winter.
We are looking at a larger truck now as we want to retire soon and go on longer trips - safely. I have only owned GM trucks and have been looking but find very few. I did find a 2018 Ford 350XLT DRW diesel at a good price. I have 2 questions:
1. It has an aluminum bed and doors and wherever else. Is there any thing to be concerned about the new but maybe not as strong bed with the fifth wheel hitch in it?
2. How do I find out if it has the factory puck system?
Thanks for the support.
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-30-2019, 04:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,198
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I'm sure there are plenty of guys on here that know a whole lot more about that kind of stuff than I do, but the 5ver hitch is not attached to the truck bed, it's attached to the frame of the truck, under the bed.
__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing
"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
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01-30-2019, 04:59 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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To echo xrated's comment, the fifth wheel hitch is mounted through the bed (doesn't even touch the bed if you have the Ford puck system) and Ford has 5 years of aluminum body experience on the F150 and now this is the 3rd model year (started in 2017) on the SuperDuty. After all the GM "toolbox dropping commercials" they have introduced "weight saving aluminum body panels" in their new truck lines, although they do make a comment that the bed remains "all steel" (but not the tailgate).....
If there was a problem with the aluminum body panels, it would be all over the internet, especially on every GM truck forum. It's just not a negative issue for anyone but oil field "hot shot delivery" vehicles. The rest of us "normal/sane" people who don't use forklifts to drop our tool boxes haven't had issues in any significant numbers.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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01-30-2019, 04:59 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xrated
I'm sure there are plenty of guys on here that know a whole lot more about that kind of stuff than I do, but the 5ver hitch is not attached to the truck bed, it's attached to the frame of the truck, under the bed.
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That's true however the rails for my hitch lay across the bed - bolted through it to a structure below. There must be some action going on with the bed ?
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-30-2019, 05:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
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Those rails are still attached to the frame not the bed of the truck.
As for using aluminum bed trucks in the oilpatch most guys I know in the field use a plywood (not OSB) box liner. Makes resale easier. JMO
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
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01-30-2019, 05:33 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Abilene
Posts: 26
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Pure rumor...but worth a quick internet search, I was told by a new ford daually owner something along the lines of...
“all this aluminum made the truck lighter, so the trailer pushes it around more than my last truck”
I’m skeptical, a Dually with a heavy pin weight should have all the weight it needs on the four rear tires.
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01-30-2019, 05:37 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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All good points, thanks. I won't discount the bed as a negative.
So I was looking for VIN decoders to tell me if the truck came with the fifth wheel puck system and any other options not listed in the add but no luck. It either does not have the pucks or I have not found a site giving option lists.
Any resource I can try?
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-30-2019, 05:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ
So we picked up a used 2012 Avalanche 345TG mid last year. Read a lot here and decided to weigh the rig with my Silverado 2500HD diesel. Yes I am over the max GVWR by 760# (pin weght is 2,640# - Loaded trailer weight 13,140#). I did check the tire and rear structure capacities and am not over the limits. We did a few short weekends then put it up for the winter.
We are looking at a larger truck now as we want to retire soon and go on longer trips - safely. I have only owned GM trucks and have been looking but find very few. I did find a 2018 Ford 350XLT DRW diesel at a good price. I have 2 questions:
1. It has an aluminum bed and doors and wherever else. Is there any thing to be concerned about the new but maybe not as strong bed with the fifth wheel hitch in it?
2. How do I find out if it has the factory puck system?
Thanks for the support.
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If it has the puck system, there will be five rubber plugs in the floor of the bed.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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01-30-2019, 05:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: USA and Canada
Posts: 870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ
All good points, thanks. I won't discount the bed as a negative.
So I was looking for VIN decoders to tell me if the truck came with the fifth wheel puck system and any other options not listed in the add but no luck. It either does not have the pucks or I have not found a site giving option lists.
Any resource I can try?
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php
__________________
2010 FZ 405
2011 F350 6.7 Dually w/Banks Power making 510 hp and 1065 ft/lbs torque
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01-30-2019, 05:56 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ
All good points, thanks. I won't discount the bed as a negative.
So I was looking for VIN decoders to tell me if the truck came with the fifth wheel puck system and any other options not listed in the add but no luck. It either does not have the pucks or I have not found a site giving option lists.
Any resource I can try?
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Try putting the VIN into this website. The box for the VIN is about halfway down the page: https://researchmaniacs.com/VIN-Numb...cker/Ford.html
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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01-30-2019, 06:13 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,180
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Well looks like you have a couple leads for a Ford VIN decoder.
Now if you choose to look for a Ram then this Chrysler decoder will help.
https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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01-30-2019, 06:21 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Badbart56
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Thanks, I did not see it in the list so probably not on the truck. I may look under the bed liner for the 5 rubber plugs
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-30-2019, 06:23 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
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I like the idea of a window sticker but the site says it is not yet available for the VIN. Thanks anyway !
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-30-2019, 06:24 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Waterford
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
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Nice looking truck !
__________________
2013 Avalanche 345tg
2019 Silverado 3500 HD Dually Crew Cab 4wd Diesel
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01-31-2019, 07:12 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Being a GM fan myself, I'd stick with another GM, the Duramax/Allison is a tough act to follow. Number 2 choice would be the Ram with Cummins/Aisin combo.
I totally agree that aluminum bed commercial was hocus pocus, but so is Ford's commercial of being the best selling truck for xxx years. If you could group both GM models, Chevy & GMC, together they outsell Ford. Plus if you could subtract all the oilfield/construction/commercial lease Ford's that are only bought due to huge volume discounts then the numbers might be a bit different.
Not trying to start the truck wars, these are only my opinions!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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01-31-2019, 08:58 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 166
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I had Reese 5th wheel rails put in my 17 F350. There are insulators installed between all contact points where the steel parts of the rails could touch the aluminum.
__________________
Andy & Iacie G.
2017 Impact 361
2017 F350 4x4 6.7 Powerstroke
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01-31-2019, 02:11 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
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TT, did some Ford truck salesman bring someone’s wife back? Your info is wrong on the sales, Ford still costs more than the truck you drive, they still sell more than the truck you drive and it would be good if you got over yourself.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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01-31-2019, 02:38 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
TT, did some Ford truck salesman bring someone’s wife back? Your info is wrong on the sales, Ford still costs more than the truck you drive, they still sell more than the truck you drive and it would be good if you got over yourself.
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I said it was my opinion! Plus my wife has better taste than to run off with a Ford salesman!!
You have no idea what I drive or have driven. So you're not necessarily qualified to give me advice. I've most likely have driven/wore out more Ford's than you. But now that you've shown what kind of guy you are with your snarky remarks we can sit back let the rest give their opinions.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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01-31-2019, 03:14 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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2016 sales:
Ford F-Series 527,847
Chevrolet Silverado 380,176
Ram P/U 310,839
GMC Sierra 146,372
2017 sales:
Ford F-Series 896,764
Chevrolet Silverado 585,864
Ram 500,723
GMC Sierra 217,943
Do your own math if you're interested.
2018 sales are not completely available but the Detroit Free Press published an article stating that GM beats Ford in truck sales in 2018. The data includes sales for intermediate truck models for which Ford does not market in that style. So, if you deduct the Canyon and Colorado models, Ford bests GM in 2018.
Trucks, wives, favorite ice cream and even jeans brand (Wrangler or Levis) are all personal OPINIONS and best left on the RV table, not "fingered into the keyboard".....
PLEASE LEAVE THE TRUCK BATTLES TO SOME OTHER FORUM.... Facts are OK, opinions, well we all have one (and like another body part, they all stink) so please stop the back and forth about "My opinion".... We just don't need to "poke sticks" on this forum.
Thanks
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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02-01-2019, 02:25 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
2016 sales:
Ford F-Series 527,847
Chevrolet Silverado 380,176
Ram P/U 310,839
GMC Sierra 146,372
2017 sales:
Ford F-Series 896,764
Chevrolet Silverado 585,864
Ram 500,723
GMC Sierra 217,943
Do your own math if you're interested.
2018 sales are not completely available but the Detroit Free Press published an article stating that GM beats Ford in truck sales in 2018. The data includes sales for intermediate truck models for which Ford does not market in that style. So, if you deduct the Canyon and Colorado models, Ford bests GM in 2018.
Trucks, wives, favorite ice cream and even jeans brand (Wrangler or Levis) are all personal OPINIONS and best left on the RV table, not "fingered into the keyboard".....
PLEASE LEAVE THE TRUCK BATTLES TO SOME OTHER FORUM.... Facts are OK, opinions, well we all have one (and like another body part, they all stink) so please stop the back and forth about "My opinion".... We just don't need to "poke sticks" on this forum.
Thanks
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Poke sticks, Love it
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