Did I find my forever tow vehicle?

[Rocketsled]

And could completely undo any cost savings you thought you were getting.

[vancouverbrian]

I think building a new box from a chassis only truck will blow the budget. That was the lens I was looking at. And when you are purchase a chassis only truck, there is usually only base features in the truck. So you dont get the options you may want/need.

I have no issue if someone researches the issues and costs of both options, But saving $1300 on a no bed truck does not seem to me to be saving money.

[avalanchehd]

First I would be careful, that may be a gas burner and would limit resale.
On the other hand don’t let anyone tell you how to spend your money.
I pull with an 07 4500 Kodiak, that I shortened and installed dually bed, it is an awesome tow vehicle.

[4everyoung]

F-550 or F-650 is the best way to go. If you can find a older one with the 7.3 it is the best. The 6.6 is good enough to do whatever you want. Put a flat bed on and tool boxes on the sides and go everywhere.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Javi

My work truck has a button that says heated mirrors... owned this truck since March of '15 and still ain't figured out why there is a button to heat the mirrors..

I'm convinced that you don't really need all them doodads and gimmicks in a pickup... although the heater is nice for winter driver I could and have done without it.. DW gets mad at me 'cause I'd rather roll the windows down than turn on the a/c... but I do that at home too..

The heat will defrost, and dry rain also.

[firestation12]

That's a 6.6L gas engine listed on the window sticker. The diesel option would have a 10 speed transmission. you'll need two gas tanks to get you to the next town when towing. The Ram truck is a keeper!

[Rocketsled]

How can you tell? Our Duramax is also 6.6L...and six speeds. (2017)

[4everyoung]

I messed up the F-650 has the 6.7 turbo diesel with automatic tran.

[firestation12]

Originally Posted by Rocketsled

How can you tell? Our Duramax is also 6.6L...and six speeds. (2017)

2 ways to tell if the truck’s engine is gas or diesel. 2020 and later diesels have the 10 speed tranny and two, the window sticker should list $9,700 charge for the diesel option.

[Mikebikeman]

I know the Ford Chassis cabs would have a worse ride than the pickup version due to the rear leaf spring design. The F350 chassis cab has a 2 stage 9+Aux rear spring where the F350 DRW has a 3 stage 2+1+Aux. More friction in the chassis cab springs. Looks like the Chevy is similar.

[Steve-o]

I have a Bullet 19FBPR, and when I bought it, had a 2015 Tacoma, 6' bed, 4.0L with 6600lb towing capacity. The camper is about 4600. Good to go, right? I loved the Taco, but traded it in for an F150. The Taco would tow ok up hills, and was stable. But the dang thing did so poorly on the interstate, I couldn't deal with it. It needed another gear or two. At 65 mph the gearing was wonky, flipping back and forth between 4th and OD. It lugged in OD and wound out around 4500 rpm in 4th gear.

I actually gained gas mileage in everyday driving with the F150 due to the 3.5 EcoBoost engine (19mpg avg - not towing). Like I said, loved the Tacoma, but it's not the tow vehicle for a TT IMO (unless they improved the gearing)