GMC Denali or Dodge RAM?

[77cruiser]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

An exhaust brake might be nice but my 2007 Duramax didn’t come with that.

It might be simple with EFI live to get an ex. brake.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by sourdough

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. Tundras are OK for the weight they are designed for...brakes are weak.

I have no idea what the weight of that Airstream is, but based on your 32'+, yes he probably is. You could give me a new Airstream, but I wouldn't pull it with my Tundra. Shortly after buying it I put on new aftermarket rotors and pads on all four to increase the the braking ability. Night and Day.

[tech740]

If the Ram has the 68RFE stay away

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by tech740

If the Ram has the 68RFE stay away

And if a RAM has a Bosch CP4-2 Injection pump stay away!

[travelin texans]

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.

As has been discussed numerous times.
I think everyone here will agree that your Tundra can/will TOW, more like drag with a strap or chain, what it's rated for, we all saw it move/drag the Space Shuttle & tv ads don't lie. The only issue, a biggy by the way, is it doesn't have the payload to CARRY that weight. Having sufficient payload to CARRY the load is crucial when discussing hitching up & towing RVs, MOVING spacecraft or other heavy objects not so much.
There are 1 ton trucks RATED to haul/move 30-40k lbs, but don't have 6000-8000lb payload to CARRY that much weight in/on the truck, making that huge tow rating a worthless piece of information in the RV world & should not be published by the truck manufacturers.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming!
If I were buying new, GM or Ram would probably be decided by the flip of a coin (sorry Ford guys, yours wouldn't be in the running) &/or price depending on options. Both are great proven diesel options & good looking trucks.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

It might be simple with EFI live to get an ex. brake.

Nope... no tuner will ever go on my GMC. The LBZ with the 6 speed Allison brakes fine... stock with simplicity and reliability.

[linux3]

Every vehicle has good and bad years. Or good and not as good.
If you go to the car complaint website:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/
You will see that 2014 was not a good year for RAM pickups.
Granted most is about the 1500 but trucks is trucks.
I don't have a lot of emotion about any brand but I would do my research before buying a 2014 Ram.

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by linux3

Every vehicle has good and bad years. Or good and not as good.
If you go to the car complaint website:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/
You will see that 2014 was not a good year for RAM pickups.
Granted most is about the 1500 but trucks is trucks.
I don't have a lot of emotion about any brand but I would do my research before buying a 2014 Ram.

Biggest problem with the 2014 RAM was the track bar bracket, Y to dual radiatiors and lack of power fold mirrors on the high trim levels. Track bar bracket issues is mute at this point, all have been fixed. There are aftermarket Y's that are reliable and power fold mirrors are a personal choice. I bought a 2015 RAM 3500 4x4 CC SB SRW Laramie 58-59 months ago. It has been a great truck. Love the Aisin tranny with 3.42 gears. Towed at 24,500 combined without issue and is a freeway cruiser bob-tail. 80 MPH is only 1750 RPM and 19 MPG.

[RVGator]

I have a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. It’s only a 1500, but from a comfort perspective, handling, magnaride suspension it has been fantastic. Can’t go wrong with it.

[notanlines]

RVGator, nice grocery-getter you've got, but read the OP's statement again: "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" Your statement isn't relevant. Your truck isn't in the running to tow anything anywhere near his requirements.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by RVGator

I have a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. It’s only a 1500, but from a comfort perspective, handling, magnaride suspension it has been fantastic. Can’t go wrong with it.

I'll agree to the comfort, the ride, the handling & a good looking ride, but it doesn't have the payload (1500lbs IIRC) to tow/haul a RV of any size or weight like most 1/2 ton pickups, despite the ridiculous max tow rating the manufacturers advertise.

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by tech740

If the Ram has the 68RFE stay away

Guess I'm the luckiest guy in world... 2012 Ram 3500 (3.73) 68rfe... 145,000 miles towing a 13,000 lb fifth wheel to the tune of 100,000 plus miles without a hic-up. I had the fluid changed every 60-thousand. I would still be towing with it... "inattentive driver" cross into our lane and totaled it!

[RVGator]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

I'll agree to the comfort, the ride, the handling & a good looking ride, but it doesn't have the payload (1500lbs IIRC) to tow/haul a RV of any size or weight like most 1/2 ton pickups, despite the ridiculous max tow rating the manufacturers advertise.

Should have clarified I was only commenting on the comforts of the Denali trim package and was just stating that mine is only a 1500. Obviously the OP is looking for a 3500.

[flybouy]

To the OP,
You’ve been given a lot of info and opinions but no one here knows what condition either truck is in. I would suggest you find a local independent diesel shop with a good reputation. Take your candidates to them and get a pre-purchase evaluation. While it may cost $200-$300 it could save you from making a $10k mistake in future repairs.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by Alpine

Guess I'm the luckiest guy in world... 2012 Ram 3500 (3.73) 68rfe... 145,000 miles towing a 13,000 lb fifth wheel to the tune of 100,000 plus miles without a hic-up. I had the fluid changed every 60-thousand. I would still be towing with it... "inattentive driver" cross into our lane and totaled it!

If I had that luck I would still have my last truck. At 128k it blew the 68rfe while towing my 15k fifth wheel.

[ewbldavis]

I own a 2019 Denali HD Gasser - LOVE IT. Probably the comfy seats and Bose radio are favorite features.

I'm not much help though - two friends have Gas RAM's. Beautiful trucks - I'd drive 'em.

Look at Payload. My buddy's gas Ram has 700# more payload (higher GVWR too) then my GMC. I was intrigued by this...so might be worth looking at that value on both trucks.

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

I own a 2019 Denali HD Gasser - LOVE IT. Probably the comfy seats and Bose radio are favorite features.

Look at Payload. My buddy's gas Ram has 700# more payload (higher GVWR too) then my GMC. I was intrigued by this...so might be worth looking at that value on both trucks.

So part of the payload difference is due to the fact the gasser 2019 GM trucks only had 9500 lb GVWRs, (increased a bunch for the 2020s!) vs. the 10k for the Ram. Also the fact you have a Denali- you have every option they make, which just takes away from your payload, like the Bose radio you mentioned. What trim is his Ram?

[ewbldavis]

Most of it is the 10k GVWR. Two friends have 2019 Rams with 38XX payload. One is a work truck, other is a loaded Laramie...so not much to do with trim lol.

I do like the Ram WT trim...the options on Denali are nice, but the simplicity of the base model is oddly appealing.

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

Most of it is the 10k GVWR. Two friends have 2019 Rams with 38XX payload. One is a work truck, other is a loaded Laramie...so not much to do with trim lol.

I do like the Ram WT trim...the options on Denali are nice, but the simplicity of the base model is oddly appealing.

Those would have to be 3500's probably long boxes if diesels or 2500 gas rigs.

Only way a 2500 with 10,000 GVWR would have that much pay load is with a gas engine.


My 2015 3500 CTD 4x4 Aisin SB SRW Laramie W/O sun roof has Max Payload of 3664. GVWR is 11,700.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by Snoking

Only way a 2500 with 10,000 GVWR would have that much pay load is with a gas engine.


My 2015 3500 CTD 4x4 Aisin SB SRW Laramie W/O sun roof has Max Payload of 3664. GVWR is 11,700.

The pay load and towing capacity rating is somewhat misleading when you're comparing gas to diesel. Yes, these trucks can and will carry/pull these loads. By legal definition. But as far as comparing the performance between the gas vs diesel trucks carrying/pulling the same load, that's where the rubber meets the road.

If you've not actually towed with a diesel you might understand the concept of how the diesel performs, but until you feel the "seat of the pants" pulling that they can do so effortlessly, it's apples and oranges. While the gas version can support the weight, moving it is quite a different undertaking. The two trucks are not equal. Ever see a gas powered truck at a truck pulling competition? Even in the stock class?

The last gas truck I owned was a Chevy 2500 with a 5.7 and 5 speed stick. I towed a gooseneck trailer with a Massey Ferguson tractor with implements. Weighed about 11000 pounds. It sounded like I was gonna blow up the motor when I pulled up the hills. A friend of mine talked me into buying a 98 Chevy 2500 with the 6.5 TD and automatic transmission. Now first, the 6.5 was never a motor to brag about. But the difference in towing was SOOOO much different. The engine wasn't screaming. But it moved the load with much less fuss than the 5.7 did. With only 195 HP. It taught me about torque. That truck has over 300K miles on it and still sees farm duty today.

Granted, not everyone needs a diesel. Actually many of todays diesel trucks are merely a status symbol. Some are just daily drivers that have never pulled a load or even had anything loaded in the bed. Concrete Cowboys. And that's ok too. It's about a $9000 option. Not really a lot when your talking about $50-$70K trucks. If you have to wonder if you need one, you probably need one. And get the 3500/350 too while you're at it.

Or. stay with the gas if the diesel scares you. This is still America. We can do what we want. At least for now. Have a great weekend!