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Old 01-30-2019, 04:37 PM   #1
RubyCJ
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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.
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Old 01-30-2019, 04:42 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 01-30-2019, 04:59 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 01-30-2019, 04:59 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xrated View Post
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.
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 ?
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Old 01-30-2019, 05:27 PM   #5
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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
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Old 01-30-2019, 05:33 PM   #6
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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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Old 01-30-2019, 05:37 PM   #7
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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?
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Old 01-30-2019, 05:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ View Post
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.
If it has the puck system, there will be five rubber plugs in the floor of the bed.
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Old 01-30-2019, 05:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ View Post
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?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php
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Old 01-30-2019, 05:56 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyCJ View Post
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?
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
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Old 01-30-2019, 06:13 PM   #11
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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

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Old 01-30-2019, 06:21 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Badbart56 View Post
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
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Old 01-30-2019, 06:23 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
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
I like the idea of a window sticker but the site says it is not yet available for the VIN. Thanks anyway !
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Old 01-30-2019, 06:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo View Post
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

Nice looking truck !
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Old 01-31-2019, 07:12 AM   #15
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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!
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Old 01-31-2019, 08:58 AM   #16
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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.
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Old 01-31-2019, 02:11 PM   #17
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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.
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Old 01-31-2019, 02:38 PM   #18
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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.
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.
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Old 01-31-2019, 03:14 PM   #19
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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
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:25 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
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
Poke sticks, Love it
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