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08-02-2020, 07:07 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Colville
Posts: 21
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GMC Denali or Dodge RAM?
Ok...so we have been looking for some time and doing lots of research to narrow down what we’re looking for in a new tow vehicle. We know we want a 3500, long bed, crew cab, under 100,000k miles, diesel...we have two trucks that we’re trying to decide between.
Truck #1: 2017 GMC Denali HD 3500 with 32k miles
Truck #2: 2014 Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 with 65k miles
Both are beautiful and check all of our boxes...Decisions decisions...Any thoughts or words of wisdom...I know I can count on you all☺️
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08-02-2020, 07:34 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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Based solely on the information you've provided, any OBJECTIVE decision is IMPOSSIBLE to make.
Suppose that the GMC has been wrecked and has a "rebuild title" or the RAM has been a "hot shot vehicle in the oil fields" for much of its life... Those "factors" would objectively rule out either truck even though they "appear pristine and clean"....
Look at maintenance records, tire condition, overall, look at how well the vehicle appears, hints for any problems, body repairs, rust, tape marks on the paint (where it's been repainted) and a host of other issues....
Is there any warranty or ability to buy a warranty with either truck? Towing history for both trucks? Abuse or lack of maintenance? Condition of the emission systems?
I've seen 2014 trucks around this area with rust that penetrates entirely through the fender wells and I've seen 2014 trucks around here that were never exposed to salt on the winter roads... So, even two "identical trucks with similar mileage" might well be a "reject that one because of body damage while accept the other because of no rust"....
There's far too much to consider that's completely unknown to make any objective recommendation......
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-02-2020, 07:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,180
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While the GM has half as many miles the Ram has a much higher GVWR and payload.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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08-02-2020, 07:46 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Northern, Indiana
Posts: 73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
While the GM has half as many miles the Ram has a much higher GVWR and payload.
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That’s a good point. Those loaded trucks are awesome but take down the tow ratings pretty quickly.
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08-02-2020, 08:37 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
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Pretty subjective. Which is better, blue or red? Either one should easily handle your Hideout. Which one do you like the best?
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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08-02-2020, 08:41 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,238
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GMC (Isuzu) engines and the Allison transmission are a formidable pair.
If the Ram has the Asian transmission with the Cummin diesel its just as good.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-02-2020, 09:21 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Lake Stevens
Posts: 764
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The 2017 GM has the Denso injection pump! Good! The 2014 RAM Laramie is missing the power fold mirrors that arrived in 2015. It may also have the dual radiators, with the troublesome Y pipe that breaks. There are after market Y's to solve the issue. On the RAM if the tranny dip stick is on the drivers side of engine, it has the HD Aisin Tranny. Great! Passengers side 68RFE RAM tranny. OK!
If SRW's the RAM will have 3.42 gears, that work well with the Aisin's lower 1st and 2nd gear, and not as well with the 68RFE.
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2019 Laredo 225MK for travel. Bighorn 3575el summer home in Washington, Park Model with Arizona Room for winters.
2015 RAM 3500 SRW CC SB Aisin Laramie
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08-02-2020, 10:25 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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I can cut to the chase...
Ram owners will tell you to buy the Ramy,
GM owners will tell you buy the GM
Ford owners will not comment
Toyota Tundra owners will tell you to "buy a Tundra, it can pull anything"
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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08-02-2020, 10:55 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Lake Stevens
Posts: 764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
I can cut to the chase...
Ram owners will tell you to buy the Ramy,
GM owners will tell you buy the GM
Ford owners will not comment
Toyota Tundra owners will tell you to "buy a Tundra, it can pull anything"
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But you did!! I am a RAM owner and was honest I my review of the two choices presented. Chris
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2019 Laredo 225MK for travel. Bighorn 3575el summer home in Washington, Park Model with Arizona Room for winters.
2015 RAM 3500 SRW CC SB Aisin Laramie
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08-02-2020, 11:17 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 352
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I'm a Ford homer...that being said you can't go wrong with either choice.
I guess it comes down for me the OEM towing gear the truck came with. Both motors are very stout and reliable
I obviously would go with the Ford as I love the power fold telescoping tow mirrors, and I'm just accustomed to the interior lay out.
I have a GMC 4500 / Isuzu 14` box truck at my business and it runs flawlessly without all the added emissions.
Great truck.
At the end of the day it's really what truck suits you[emoji106]
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08-02-2020, 01:30 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,395
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No mention of the things that are important if you want to go bigger towing a larger camper in the future. No mention of payload, engine/transmissioin so the choice boils down to which color you like. OR find which has the highest payload by checking the yellow/white sticker in the door frame and go with it so the site weight police never bother you. Although older Fords don't hold their value as well, this makes them a lot cheaper for the poor buyer like me. Just saying. And my Ford feels like a real truck and not a cushy GMC or Ram. To think about it, not sure if that is a real selling point bwhahahaha.
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wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
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08-02-2020, 01:32 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Marion
Posts: 33
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I traded a 2015 duramax 2500hd for a new 2018 Ram cummins/aisin dually crew cab with 8 ft bed.
My duramax was short bed and I didn't want to have a sliding hitch, I also didn't want to upgrade the 20 inch tires.
Chevy insulted me at 3 different dealerships or I'd still have a chevy. I bought the Ram because I could afford it, lost a lot of bells and whistles.
I like the Ram fine, I think it's a little stronger than the duramax. Ram also has rear air leveling which I didn't think I needed but has turned out to work really well.
If both the trucks you were looking at were the same price I'd say buy the denali but there's no way they're the same price.
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2019 Montana High Country 384BR
2018 Ram 3500 Dually CCLB 4x4 with Cummins 6.7/Aisin Trans/3.73 rear end gear
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08-02-2020, 01:48 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snoking
But you did!! I am a RAM owner and was honest I my review of the two choices presented. Chris
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There are exceptions to every rule and I guess we are just exceptional!
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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08-02-2020, 02:59 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Being a GM guy I'd have to go with the Denali.
The Duramax/Allison is unbeatable in my opinion. I've had 2 of them with over 300k combined & 150k +/- miles of that towing heavy 5th wheels with no issues.
May want to check with GM as with only 32k miles & 3 years old it should have the remainder of 7year/100k mile warranty still in place.
The Cummins is a very strong engine & if it has the Aisin tranny it to would be tough to beat. With 65k miles & 6years old not sure about any warranty on it.
I'm guessing there's quite a difference in prices, but as I said being a fan & possible warranty I'd have to chose the Denali, but think you could not go wrong with either as long as you check them out closely beforehand.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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08-02-2020, 04:30 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,978
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GMC guy here... the six speed Allison is hard to beat... I like the lower miles on the GMC your looking at...
The Dodge ... if it has the AISIN transmission... and it should then it’s also a great combo with the Cummins diesel.
Lower miles on the GMC should mean brakes and overall suspension in better shape... depends on how it was used...
I have 129K miles on my GMC and still running original OEM brakes...
Both will serve you well with Diesel engines...
Let us know what you chose and many safe trips in the future
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2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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08-02-2020, 04:41 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Lake Stevens
Posts: 764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS
GMC guy here... the six speed Allison is hard to beat... I like the lower miles on the GMC your looking at...
The Dodge ... if it has the AISIN transmission... and it should then it’s also a great combo with the Cummins diesel.
Lower miles on the GMC should mean brakes and overall suspension in better shape... depends on how it was used...
I have 129K miles on my GMC and still running original OEM brakes...
Both will serve you well with Diesel engines...
Let us know what you chose and many safe trips in the future
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Using the Exhaust brake will cause the service brakes on all the modern diesels to last a very long time. Like someone else said, the RAM should be much lower in cost, so some of the savings could be spent on a RAM Maxcare extended warranty.
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2019 Laredo 225MK for travel. Bighorn 3575el summer home in Washington, Park Model with Arizona Room for winters.
2015 RAM 3500 SRW CC SB Aisin Laramie
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08-02-2020, 05:12 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Laramie
Posts: 4
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I'll put my 2 cents in. From what I've seen, in my line of work, Dodge Rams, do NOT hold their value! I do not tow with either one!
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08-02-2020, 05:27 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,083
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
I can cut to the chase...
Ram owners will tell you to buy the Ramy,
GM owners will tell you buy the GM
Ford owners will not comment
Toyota Tundra owners will tell you to "buy a Tundra, it can pull anything"
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I have to speak up - my Tundra will pull anything it's rated for. And no, there's no "Space Shuttle" listed on the yellow weight rating decal either.
__________________
2023 Cougar HT 23MLE
2020 F250 XLT CC 6.2 4WD
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08-02-2020, 05:56 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill-2020
I have to speak up - my Tundra will pull anything it's rated for. And no, there's no "Space Shuttle" listed on the yellow weight rating decal either.
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We've had many conversations about Tundra towing abilities etc. DW and I were sitting here in Shreveport this evening and I counted 4 Tundras around me with RVs on them. Most have a trailer in tow that looks OK. Next to me is one with a bed that is shorter than I've ever seen, billited fender covers, brush guard etc.....looking "tough". He's towing what looks like a 32'+ Airstream flying cloud or something. I can't imagine that he isn't overloaded and would love to watch him take off but looks like he's in for a while.
As we discussed, I think Toyota is building the Tundra to "look tough", touting the "towing" ability but have no idea about "carrying capacity". Buyers think they look stout, have a great reputation and jump on them thinking they've just bought themselves a real tow truck. Tundras are OK for the weight they are designed for...brakes are weak.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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08-02-2020, 06:04 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,978
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An exhaust brake might be nice but my 2007 Duramax didn’t come with that.
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2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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