Our TG 341 lost it's tow vehicle!

[Joe Stanley]

Just sold our F 250 now it's time to search for a "gently used" 2010 - 2013 tow vehicle. Leaning toward a Ram 3500 but would like to hear opinions before making a purchase. Did not do enough research before buying the Ford (6L). Would like to be a little more informed this time. Thanks in advance!

[therink]

Are you considering a SRW or DRW 3500?

[Good Boy Sam]

Just bought a new 2015 Dodge Ram 3500 srw with Cummins Diesel about 2 months ago. Pulling my Keystone Cougar 28SGS,Pulled camper about 4 times now,That is most Awesome Pulling truck I ever had,Dont go test drive one.
Robin

[Hollywood 2979]

I have owned both SRW and DRW and have used them for hauling 24' and 40' goose necks and bumper pulls, myself, I prefer the DRW as you get more stability and less sway on the road as well as the added safety of the extra traction in the back, maintenance wise, they are not that bad just do the routine main. and they will last along time, I had over 250K on my 2006 DRW 4X4 crew cab, with airbags(Goodyear) and onboard compressor, the only real trouble I had was the front drive shaft needing u-joints at 120K, other them that it was pretty much trouble free, It pulled trailers about 3 times a day for 2 years straight, 3-5 days per week. I now have a 2014 3500, 4X4 with 75 gal Aux tank, 3.5" lift and road armor front and rear bumpers and 12K warn winch, custom full cab roof rack with LED light bars all the way around, waiting on Helwig air bags and compressor to arrive, pulling a Hideout 30RLDS, bumper pull, don't even know its back there.

[EVMIII]

Still new to 5ers, but not to towing and I'll add a couple of my thoughts.

If you are going to spend much time on the road, DRW is definitely the way to go. A bit cumbersome as a daily driver, but worth it when dragging the 5er.

I am a big fan of the Allison 6 speed transmission. Not a huge difference in the power of any of the manufacturers new diesels, but look closely at the transmissions.

Good luck with your search, safe and happy camping.

Bud

[HappyCamperMN]

Just sold our F 250 now it's time to search for a "gently used" 2010 - 2013 tow vehicle. Leaning toward a Ram 3500 but would like to hear opinions before making a purchase. Did not do enough research before buying the Ford (6L). Would like to be a little more informed this time. Thanks in advance!

We can all guess, but what were your issues with the 250?

[hemisareslow]

while the 2015 Ford's boast some pretty impressive numbers....it is tough to argue with the tried and true engine in the dodge....that being said.....it is also tough to overlook the Duramax and allison trans combination. Admittedly I am biased to the Duramax as I am the fleet manager at a Chevy dealer. If you can, try to get your hands on a 2010 duramax LMM motor. It is the last year you can get without having to use the DEF fluid. Combined with the 365 HP and 660 lb-ft of torque, the factory exhaust break and grade breaking capabilities of the Allison, it is really a tough combination to beat when towing. Let me know if I can answer any more questions or run any vin numbers for you. Mike

[fred1609]

We had a 2006 F350 fixlitre. We sold it and upgraded to a low mileage 2011 F350 with the 6.7 litre engine. What a difference. Night and Day from the 6 litre, which we had nothing but problems with. Go take on out for a test drive. It will blow you away. Also check out the youtube videos where the mechanic talks about the new engine versus the 6.4 and 6 litre. That engine is overbuilt. We haven't had any issues with it and it pulls like a beast.

[byrdr1]

We had a 2006 F350 fixlitre. We sold it and upgraded to a low mileage 2011 F350 with the 6.7 litre engine. What a difference. Night and Day from the 6 litre, which we had nothing but problems with. Go take on out for a test drive. It will blow you away. Also check out the youtube videos where the mechanic talks about the new engine versus the 6.4 and 6 litre. That engine is overbuilt. We haven't had any issues with it and it pulls like a beast.

I spent about 2 hours saturday am watching utube on the ford trucks and engines.. Funny. I want a 2011/12 f-350 and the wife is like we'll see.. I told her I was around 7 years to retirement and I needed to get one now so i can pay for it while still working. My 2003 7.3 is still going strong but it has 235K on it.
The new one WOW.. $58-68K.. Ouch...
randy

[Rosewood]

Hello Joe,
I have the same trailer. I knew I needed a bigger truck as soon as I bought it. I too looked at all three and chose a 2011 Chev 3500HD CC, 6.6l Dually.
2011 was the first year , I believe to need DEF It was also the first year of the upgraded frame and increased GVWR.
I haven't pulled mine yet with the new truck (the trailer is in indoor storage for the winter) but am confident that it will work well and be within the limits of the truck.
Greg

[Ram189]

I have a 2013 Ram 3500 DRW with that Asain transmission and the Cummins in it.
My buddy has a 2015 F350 diesel DRW.

He struggles to keep up on the hills. I work at a Chevy dealership and comparing mileage with the DuraMax and mine I get more than 2 - 3 MPG more than they do daily driving and 3 - 5 MPG better towing.

We see a lot of DuraMax check engine light issues also with different components that have failed.

[hdxbonez]

My 2013 SRW Ram 3500 with the 6.7 CTD and 68RFE trans gets about 10-11mpg towing and nearly 20 mpg running empty on the highway. DEF use is negligible. This is my second Dodge/Ram with the Cummins, I dont think I'd switch for any other brand right now.

[raineman]

I just got my 2014 3500 RAM DRW in November. After looking at the ford f350 and the RAM 3500, the RAM won. Much better finish on the inside and I love Cummins Turbo Diesel.

This video was the deal clincher for the RAM for obvious reasons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3CAnH7WIM

I would buy the same truck again.

[gtsum2]

another vote for ram 3500 and cummins here. I have 22k on my 2014 SRW and love it...daily driver also (can beat you up a bit on rough roads when riding empty though)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2

[notanlines]

Regardless of your choice, remember all three "big boys" are 430 hp, 840 torque and they all pull the same. Mainly keep the idea of DEF out of your mind. The cost of DEF and the use of it wont even matter to you.

[hemisareslow]

I just got my 2014 3500 RAM DRW in November. After looking at the ford f350 and the RAM 3500, the RAM won. Much better finish on the inside and I love Cummins Turbo Diesel.

This video was the deal clincher for the RAM for obvious reasons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3CAnH7WIM

I would buy the same truck again.

Out of curiosity....did you even consider a duramax? If not....why not?

[Javi]

Before I bought my current Ford I looked at the Rams primarily because I drove Ram duallys for years... yep... I went with the Ford for one big reason... I can't stomach the Ram towing mirrors.. :D

[vmyoung61]

We have a 2014 3500 Ram DRW. It has the Aisin transmission which (from the driver's perspective) operates a lot like the Allison. It also has the exhaust brake, which is awesome for towing over steep grades. This truck pulls our 40+' Big Sky with no problems at all. We love it. I don't know what the big deal is with the DEF. It doesn't take that much.

[Campy]

At risk f being bashed I researched a lot of different forums before I bought my towing truck. We looked at all three brands and got good and bad feedback from all but the Ram was the worst, everything from front end rebuilds every three years to lots of broken interior plastic parts. One Dodge mechanic told me that a "Dodge truck is just a sheetmetal shipping crate for the best diesel engine ever built". I don't know but I ended up with a Chevy Duramax and it's been trouble free so far.

[hemisareslow]

At risk f being bashed I researched a lot of different forums before I bought my towing truck. We looked at all three brands and got good and bad feedback from all but the Ram was the worst, everything from front end rebuilds every three years to lots of broken interior plastic parts. One Dodge mechanic told me that a "Dodge truck is just a sheetmetal shipping crate for the best diesel engine ever built". I don't know but I ended up with a Chevy Duramax and it's been trouble free so far.


lol i love that!!! But I still think the duramax engine gives it a run for its money

[vmyoung61]

I've had 4 Dodge diesels. 2001, 2005, 2014 3/4 ton and now the 2014 1-ton. Have never had a problem with any of them and they have all towed like beasts. My first diesel was a 1996 Ford Power Stroke. I loved it the first 60,000 miles. After that it was nothing but a major headache.