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Old 12-30-2018, 11:46 AM   #1
Bama Hammer
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New Truck!!

Hey guys, I know there are allot of opinions about the best trucks for towing our campers. But I want to know what y'all consider the best all around truck (price, reliability, tow capacity, gas mileage, comfort) out there. I assume most will take the chance to brag on their TV (please do!) just give some good details about why and what you would look for when shopping around. I have always been a Chevy man, but I'm not stuck with the idea of GM.. seems to me there are allot of good trucks out there and I'm trying to meet somewhere in the middle of price and performance.

Trailer info: Passport 2400BH maxing out just under 8k lbs. Will also be adding a canoe on top of the truck and generator in the bed for some trips. Could possibly have the need to carry an ATV in the bed as well (separate camping trips obviously). Usually travel with around 4 people and our dog.

Thanks for y'alls help!
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Old 12-30-2018, 12:18 PM   #2
JRTJH
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Here's one "professional review" that's probably biased more toward who buys the most advertising, but at least it's a start in answering your questions:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...paign=15541042
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Old 12-30-2018, 12:48 PM   #3
Kylemcmahon1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Hammer View Post
Hey guys, I know there are allot of opinions about the best trucks for towing our campers. But I want to know what y'all consider the best all around truck (price, reliability, tow capacity, gas mileage, comfort) out there. I assume most will take the chance to brag on their TV (please do!) just give some good details about why and what you would look for when shopping around. I have always been a Chevy man, but I'm not stuck with the idea of GM.. seems to me there are allot of good trucks out there and I'm trying to meet somewhere in the middle of price and performance.



Trailer info: Passport 2400BH maxing out just under 8k lbs. Will also be adding a canoe on top of the truck and generator in the bed for some trips. Could possibly have the need to carry an ATV in the bed as well (separate camping trips obviously). Usually travel with around 4 people and our dog.



Thanks for y'alls help!


Buy a 3/4 truck. Brand of your choosing and do not worry about anything. Get the gas and you could easily put a atv in the bed with no problems. A 1/2 ton would’ve way over cargo capacity with an atv in the bed. Half ton would haul it but you would be maxed out on your numbers with nothing else in the truck. 3/4 ton will make life easy and stress free while towing.
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Old 12-30-2018, 12:56 PM   #4
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The most important question is, what's best for YOU? Are you full timing? Are you pulling a heavy trailer, fifth wheel, toy hauler? A crew cab dually diesel works best for me. My toy hauler weighs in around 17000 lbs. That said, you will be better off with more truck than you need rather than a marginal truck. And if you ever get one of the newer diesel trucks you'll have a difficult time going back to a gas model. These trucks move these loads so effortlessly compared to the gas counterparts....let's just say if you tow with one for a week, you'll understand. As for a brand preference, I will just say they are all very capable. I have had one Chevy diesel and this is my second Ford. I've never had a Dodge but my brother has a 3500 with the old 5.9 and it gets the job done too. So, figure out what you need and keep in mind you may want a bigger RV in the future than what you're looking at right now, so always get more truck than less. My two cents, have fun!
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Old 12-30-2018, 01:50 PM   #5
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For me I’d own nothing but a diesel. For your RV a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel SRW would more than suit your current needs and many future needs. Dually’s are nice too..

I’ve owned 7 trucks over the years. All GMC. Ford and Dodge are also more than capable.

I like the reserve torque of the Diesel and love the six speed Allison in my current GMC.

I’d say in the long run the diesel is better suited for towing. Especially if you tow in the mountains like we do.

Research and read the valuable opinions of others on this group for a well rounded overview then purchase your truck.

Happy trails.
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Old 12-30-2018, 02:03 PM   #6
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I would say diesel for sure! 3/4 ton will be ok unless you want to tow and have an atv in the bed of the truck. If you want to do both at the same time, get a 1 ton.

I started towing with a 1/2 ton and upgraded to a 3/4 ton diesel after 1 year. The towing experience with the diesel is night and day difference and I am not constantly worrying if I am overloaded anymore.
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Old 12-30-2018, 02:09 PM   #7
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You do not need a diesel. I had a dodge with Cummins and tow a 11,000 lb travel trailer. Switched to a gas ford 3/4 ton and have never been happy. I did loose a lot of power. But in reality you do not need all the power that you get with the modern Diesel engines. Now if you are thinking about upgrading to a 5th wheel in the future then yes you should. I put 100,000 miles ever couple of years. For me the diesel breaks even compared to gas. Since I change trucks every 2 to 3 years no big deal if I up grade to a 5th wheel to upgrade truck. But the camper you are asking about a 3/4 ton gas with work great for you. And I get around 16 mpg in my gas 3/4 ton ford. With gas over a dollar cheaper than diesel my camper trips I save money over Diesel engine.
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Old 12-30-2018, 03:41 PM   #8
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The answer to your question depends on you. IF, and I say IF, you think the 2400BH is the largest trailer you will ever tow the answer is one thing. If not, it's a different ballgame.

With your current setup and plans I would go with either a 3/4 or one ton gas truck. Personally I would get a one ton - it would add maybe 6-800 lbs. to the payload (off the top of my head). I have the truck in my signature with a 3200 lb. payload which is pretty high for a 3/4 and much higher than most 3/4 diesels. With the trailer, 4 people, generator, canoe, puppy and an ATV you are going to want PAYLOAD. A properly equipped 3/4 gas can tow 15k or more (read axle ratio). I wouldn't but they are rated for that. Many love their diesels and I understand that, but, you don't have to have one to tow what you have. The gas engine will turn higher rpms, and struggle more at altitude and on steep grades, but will be just fine with what you have. IMO you just need to really love the increased torque or tow constantly to warrant all the increased costs of the diesel, and, the old adage of "it will pay for itself" doesn't work anymore. With the price difference for the engine and fuel, you can't make the numbers work. You won't get the money back on trade in either - you will get a substantial premium over a gas engine but you will never recoup your initial investment.

Now, the above is assuming you stick with what you have. On the other had , my personal guidelines, for me, are at 10-12k load (which you will probably be at or near with all the people and gear) I will get a diesel. The gas engine will get it done but I don't like to constantly be downshifting and running 3500 rpm.

What brand of truck? They all are good these days. I was a Ford man (loved my 59 F100 - the red swan), then a Chevy guy, then Ford again (14 new ones) and now a Ram guy. At the time I loved them all and currently think all of them have their strengths and weaknesses. I buy Ram's now because I like the dash layout and the 8.4 Uconnect with Nav, the seats, exterior and their gas engines vs the others. The way they put their option packages together gives you more bang for the buck without ending up buying tons of things you never wanted. And, at the end of the day, you get more truck for your dollar IMO. I've had 7 new ones so far and not had an issue with any of them. They have all been good trucks and my current one, with 71k, is just a really good truck. It's a 2014 and 2 years overdue for replacement but....I really like it.

Trying to meet in the middle of price and performance will go back to my first comments. At some point performance (diesel/torque) is going to be dictated by the requirements that you place on the vehicle. Currently you a gas engine will be OK (only the largest offered - read the specs, they are not all equal) with an optimal axle ratio (4.10?). At some point, if you push those load requirements up and up, the diesel expense won't be an option and that compromise between "price and performance" won't be available.

Long post but just some things to get you started thinking. I'm sure, no, I know, others will have their 2 cents to put in as well.
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Old 12-30-2018, 05:20 PM   #9
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I would buy a 1996 F250 with a 7.5L V8 with C6 transmission. All other trucks are no bueno!
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Old 12-30-2018, 06:35 PM   #10
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I had an ‘86 F250 with a 460/C6 on steroids. It pulled a house up a hill as long as there was a drinking trough at the top LOL.

7.7 MPG with old Jayco fiver. I’ll take my ‘94 Diesel all day long..same trailer was 10.3 mpg. 3 mpg may not seem like a lot but over 40 gals it’s a lot more miles between drinks.
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:20 AM   #11
Bama Hammer
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Thanks for all the advice. Just brought home a new (to me) 2017 Ram 2500HD 6.4L HEMI w/ 3.73 rear end! Won’t be able to test her out with the TT just yet, still too much snow/ice/salt on the roads.
But I already notice the large height difference from the 1500 Silverado I was previously using. Will most likely require a longer drop for my WDH hitch now. Gotta love how these upgrades all seem to require more upgrades haha!
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Old 01-24-2019, 04:02 AM   #12
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LOL.....Upgrades always cause more upgrades!
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