Pros and Cons of your TV

[Laredo Tugger]

I am looking to upgrade my TV. As the name say's I am towing a Laredo 350FB fifth wheel. Fully loaded around 13K.
I would like to pull the fifth wheel with a 350/3500 class SRW diesel TV.
My question is basically what do you like or dislike about your present or past TVs?
Not wanting to start a "mine is better because" contest. Just looking for honest feedback from those that have been where I am going. And the most Chevy post does not necessarily mean Chevy wins.
My preference right now, I am leaning toward the Ram 6.7L Cummins, but heard they are noisier than the other manufactures.
Guess that question is the opening bid.
Thanks,
RMc

[chuckster57]

No matter what brand you choose, having towed a large fiver with both a SRW and DRW, I wouldn’t do it without a DRW.

Ford 6.7 is quiet as a church mouse, Duramax and Cummins are both proven reliable power plants. Having worked on autos for the last 40+ yrs I can tell you:

The Allison transmission is awesome
The Aisian transmission is awesome
The new ford transmission is awesome

I would steer clear of the dodge transmission. I would avoid a ford with the 6.4.

Mine being a 1994 is probably not worth discussing in this thread other than to say it’s paid for, and only has 78,000 miles on it.

[travelin texans]

Diesel, no question, as long as it's equipped with the exhaust brake, the brand is up to you. Absolutely no Ford 6.0 diesel even if it's free!!!
I've had 2 - 3500 DRW Dmax/Allison GMCs totalling just over 300k miles & that combination has proven to be tough to beat. Ram with the Cummins/Asian tranny also a proven combo. Ford with the 6.7 may have FINALLY found an engine they can brag on since the 7.3, just my opinion since I'm NOT a Ford fan.
The 350/3500 SRW should handle what you've described without any problems as long as you don't decide to go bigger any time soon, then go with the wide hips of a DRW.

[Tbos]

I looked at all 3 but Ford and GM more seriously than Ram. The DW didn’t like the rear seat layout for passengers. The one thing I do like about he Ram is there is space in the engine compartment. I have a 2016 Ford F-350 6.7 Dually. A friend just bought a 2018 fully loaded GMC dually. Very sharp looking truck. His has 1500 lbs less payload. I have 5602 lbs. granted my truck is only an XLT. He hates where the def is under the hood. Ford has it next to the gas filler. On mine I dislike having to engage 4WD the old fashion way but there’s less to break that way. I bought mine used for a reasonable price. If you find a good deal they go pretty quickly. Have fun looking.

[Laredo Tugger]

This is good info from all and just what I was looking for. Seems each brand has it's pluses and minuses.
The search continues.
Thanks again,
RMc

[travelin texans]

I looked at all 3 but Ford and GM more seriously than Ram. The DW didn’t like the rear seat layout for passengers. The one thing I do like about he Ram is there is space in the engine compartment. I have a 2016 Ford F-350 6.7 Dually. A friend just bought a 2018 fully loaded GMC dually. Very sharp looking truck. His has 1500 lbs less payload. I have 5602 lbs. granted my truck is only an XLT. He hates where the def is under the hood. Ford has it next to the gas filler. On mine I dislike having to engage 4WD the old fashion way but there’s less to break that way. I bought mine used for a reasonable price. If you find a good deal they go pretty quickly. Have fun looking.

I don't like the DEF fill under the hood, but it prevents accidentally putting DEF in the fuel tank, which from reading diesel forums has happened numerous times with Ford's & Rams, they don't run well on water. DEF is 68% deionized water, 32% urea, so not a good fuel additive.
On mine it's only minor inconvenience having under the hood as I only need to add 2.5 gals (tank hold 5.3 gals) of DEF about every 3000-3500 miles. My '13 doesn't have a DEF gauge either, but just another minor inconvenience, when the "need to add" message comes on I have about a 1000 miles before running out & going into limp mode.
I've got a couple friends with Ram duallys that claim they need DEF at every fuel stop especially when towing.
Personally if I were to trade tomorrow it would be another GM or a Ram, as I said not a Ford fan, but any of them should get the job done.

[SC Dreamer]

I have had all brands over the years and will not make a suggestion there. I will say that I moved to drw many years ago and would not go back to srw hauling anything over 8000 lbs again.

[roadglide]

I have 2018 1 ton duramax Darnell. The truck is amazing but way under rated for GVW 23500 lbs . I had it on scale and hit that weight pulse some . Dodge and Ford are thousands over the 23500 GVW.

[captcolour]

+1 for the DRW. Allows you to upgrade the 5er down the road without likely having to upgrade the truck.

If you pump the DEF at a truck stop which is the cheapest way to go, there is less chance of putting DEF in the diesel tank. The separate small nozzle and the fact that you just pumped diesel in the other tank makes it highly unlikely you would put the DEF in the diesel tank.

[Frank G]

If you put all three side by side with comparable higher trim levels the Ram will be about 10K less out the door. If you do YouTube video's, TFLtruck, does a lot of heavy towing comparisons up the IKE Gauntlet. In the end, the 3 competitors preform about the same including mileage, and in cab noise. (the Cummins usually takes the mileage trophy)

Through the years there has been a lot of noise about the Ram 68RFE transmission. (I have one so I am biased) From my understanding most of the failures come from "Tuned" trucks with high HP. There are many transporters with over 500K on these transmissions. I have no issues with mine, and I pull a 13K Laredo. Over the years they have made modifications to accept the increased HP and Torque numbers.

[Alpine]

I would have purchased any of the three! The Ram was there and available when needed. I have no regrets.... 120,000 plus miles total... approximately 90,000 miles towing all over, up and down the United States with nary a problem with the transmission! Had the trany serviced at 60,000 and will again in three weeks!

[Laredo Tugger]

So far my take from responses is:
*DRW is safer and more stable. Du-ally noted. :lol:
*DEF service and usage is to be considered. And it sounds like the Ram is very thirsty for DEF when towing? (More so than the other two?)
*All 3 brands have significantly "toned down" the noise level in their cabs.
* The upgraded transmission (at least in the Ram) may not be necessary?
My scorecard: (I know I said this wasn't a contest,so just a summary of brand commentary is recognized here)
GM has an attractive truck with the DEF tank under the hood. The truck has more GVW?
Ford has come around the corner on their motor problems of the past.
The Ram is less expensive,has the best mileage and any of their "stock" transmission will do the job.
There are a few question marks in this post. Any help there would help.
Thanks,
RMc

[Frank G]

I watched a guy in the campground dump DEF fluid all over his new Chevrolet Duramax. Yep, on a step ladder trying to hold that 2.5gal jug guiding that dangling spout home. :facepalm:

In the DRW market GM has the lowest CGVWR, it still is enough for the RV market.

[Dave W]

Any of the big three will do the job. I would love a DRW but it just wont fit in my garage (SRW barely clears. mirrors extended wont). My Ford 6.7 at ~110,000 miles has served us faithfully though I have been proactive on a couple of their niggler problems

Supposedly, GM will be 'upgrading' their trucks for '19 to more closely match Ford and Ram.

[Laredo Tugger]

Dropped off the boat at the consignment sales lot. Good time of year to sell it so that cash will be welcome for the new TV.
Stopped at a Dodge dealer on the way home. I saw a 3500 DRW online that I thought I would check out. Pulled in,parked next to their truck,moved some stuff out of my truck so they could scope it for a trade value. Then waited,did a couple of laps around the new beast. I looked inside the dealership for some life. Nothing, Waited some more then said screw it,I'm not begging. Packed my stuff and left. Scratch that dealer off the list.
HER car gets the only garage we have so the fit in the garage problem is solved. It won't. I use a quality cover on mt truck and will do the same on the new one.
And yes I did check,the DEF fill on the Ram, it is right next to the fuel fill. Another thing I did while I was "waiting".
Gee Wally,looking at new trucks is pretty neat stuff huh?
How many of you are old enough to recall the origin of that statement?
RMc

[goducks]

Dropped off the boat at the consignment sales lot. Good time of year to sell it so that cash will be welcome for the new TV.
Stopped at a Dodge dealer on the way home. I saw a 3500 DRW online that I thought I would check out. Pulled in,parked next to their truck,moved some stuff out of my truck so they could scope it for a trade value. Then waited,did a couple of laps around the new beast. I looked inside the dealership for some life. Nothing, Waited some more then said screw it,I'm not begging. Packed my stuff and left. Scratch that dealer off the list.
HER car gets the only garage we have so the fit in the garage problem is solved. It won't. I use a quality cover on mt truck and will do the same on the new one.
And yes I did check,the DEF fill on the Ram, it is right next to the fuel fill. Another thing I did while I was "waiting".
Gee Wally,looking at new trucks is pretty neat stuff huh?
How many of you are old enough to recall the origin of that statement?
RMc
I'd buy from that dealer in a heartbeat. Nothing like being able to look at it in peace and quiet. I hate it when a sales guy comes running out and greets me before I'm even out of my truck. Then wants to know everything about why I'm looking at said truck and then when I want to leave they play their BS games
I just bought a new Ram at the local dealer. I talked directly to the fleet sales guy. Very nice and pleasant without all the back and forth BS they throw at you.

[sourdough]

Dropped off the boat at the consignment sales lot. Good time of year to sell it so that cash will be welcome for the new TV.
Stopped at a Dodge dealer on the way home. I saw a 3500 DRW online that I thought I would check out. Pulled in,parked next to their truck,moved some stuff out of my truck so they could scope it for a trade value. Then waited,did a couple of laps around the new beast. I looked inside the dealership for some life. Nothing, Waited some more then said screw it,I'm not begging. Packed my stuff and left. Scratch that dealer off the list.
HER car gets the only garage we have so the fit in the garage problem is solved. It won't. I use a quality cover on mt truck and will do the same on the new one.
And yes I did check,the DEF fill on the Ram, it is right next to the fuel fill. Another thing I did while I was "waiting".
Gee Wally,looking at new trucks is pretty neat stuff huh?
How many of you are old enough to recall the origin of that statement?
RMc

I wouldn't be too hasty about scratching them off your list. I'm like the previous poster; I can't stand a salesman trying to second guess my every thought and pestering me with a zillion things I already know....or don't want to know - and I've told them that many times. You might just give them a chance when they know you want to actually look at the truck and want their attention.

[notanlines]

I’m not necessarily trying to take y’all to task here, but remember that car salesmen/women aren’t evil. They have spouses and kids, and some like to camp like us. Yes, I too am not keen on a pushy salesperson, and have even less patience with one who knows less than I do about their product. Remember, things could be worse.....they could sell RV’s!!

[B-O-B'03]

Gee Wally,looking at new trucks is pretty neat stuff huh?


Leave it to Beaver

Good luck on your search.

-Brian

[travelin texans]

Yep! That's cool daddy O!
I also agree on that dealership! Usually those folks are lined up like buzzards on a fence just waiting on fresh meat.
I've also went to the fleet sales area for my last 2 trucks & a much simpler process to deal with 1 salesperson the entire deal, none of running back/forth to the sales manager with every question or offer.

[Laredo Tugger]

I dislike a pushy salesman as much as the next guy,but it would have been nice to have the new truck opened up for a look and a peek under the hood.
I had a couple of hours and thought I would get some idea of what my out of pocket cost are going to be.
There are two (Ram) dealers locally and my neighbor the used car salesman say's he can get the best deal in the next state over. I won't write these guy's (today's dealer) off when it comes time to deal.
Thanks,
RMc
Oh yeah,that was the beaver. Showing my age I guess.

[roadglide]

[QUOTE=Frank G;285696]If you put all three side by side with comparable higher trim levels the Ram will be about 10K less out the door. If you do YouTube video's, TFLtruck, does a lot of heavy towing comparisons up the IKE Gauntlet. In the end, the 3 competitors preform about the same including mileage, and in cab noise. (the Cummins usually takes the mileage trophy)

Through the years there has been a lot of noise about the Ram 68RFE transmission. (I have one so I am biased) From my understanding most of the failures come from "Tuned" trucks with high HP. There are many transporters with over 500K on these transmissions. I have no issues with mine, and I pull a 13K Laredo. Over the years they have made modifications to accept the increased HP and Torque numbers.[/QUOTE
I'm detailing my duramax in see 7050 GARW that seems a lot for SRW 1 ton . What is the axle weight on your dodge Frank?

[Frank G]

6000 front, 6500 rear Ram 2500 4x4 CTD