Choices....new truck

[John N]

Thinking of getting a new truck, probably a 3/4 ton, crew cab and diesel. I tow my Scrambler to various events and plow snow with it. I don't have any particular brand loyalty, but it'll probably be a Ford or a Dodge due to local dealer availability. Since a lot of us tow and have trucks, thoughts on one vs. the other? Actual experience with reliability? I already have a 6.0 Ford diesel and not looking to repeat those issues. Pricing isn't too far apart.

 

[don87401]

Just buy the truck you like the best, I don't think reliability is much of an issue with all the brands any more. If you are going to get a lemon it can happen in any of then. I did the 2003 ford 6.0 rodeo too and still got 2008
ford and it has been fine.

 

[mr. boh]

AEV Ram sounds good to me.
http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/ram

 

[certifiablejeep]

I have had my 2500 Ram CTD Laramie Quad Cab since new in 2005... just turned 120K
Mostly stock, no major issues outside of the factory steering recalls (2 or 3 times now) and I can't say enough how much I enjoy it.

Tires, Brakes, Shocks, steering stabilizer, new driveshaft u-joints, a few lights, and a wiring harness to the rear door are the only issues I have had with it.
I do regular maintenance as recommended and I have no complaints.

I plan on keeping it hopefully another 9 years before I go new again.

I tow a 18' trailer 7500 GVW with Jeeps, wood, junk, etc. and have never had any issues.
It has the tow package and when towing I can see 17-18 mpg... normal 20mpg.
I don't hammer on it too badly, just take it easy.

I have owned 4 rams since the mid 90's and t his is the first diesel and it has definteily held up far better than the 1500 gassers, and those all had 120K+ miles on them and it had a lot of tow miles on them as well.

The news ones are pricey though, got a call the other day from the Dodge dealer, they wanted me to trade mine in, incentives, great deals, etc.
To replace it is close to $55K, which is like $10K more than the sticker was for the one I have... my fear is when I want to get one in 9 more years, am I looking at $75K for a truck

cb

 

[Polarfire]

I can't speak with any first hand experience but I do love the look of 3/4 ton Dodge trucks. I really love the Power Wagon but they don't have the diesel option. A friend has a 2014 1500 Ram with the 8-speed auto and is getting 24-28mph even around town. That trans is only in the 1500 though.

 

[Grey Fox]

Had 3 Dodge 2500 Diesels 99, 05, 10. Will be buying a new 15 in three or four months. The reason I'm sticking with Dodge is the Cummings motor, pulls hard and haven't had any engine issues. If I were buying a gas truck it would probably be a Chev or Ford cause I like the looks of their 1/2 tons. Also I'm not sure I could back this up with any educated reason but the Cummings has always been a good cold weather starter.

 

[trust]

John, I just replaced my 01 Dodge 2500 Cummins with about 400k miles on it, I did have to rebuild the trans twice and the injector pump once along with a bunch of lift pumps until I went aftermarket. I traded for an 06 Dodge 2500 Cummins. The 01 was a stripper but did everything I wanted and gave me about 20 mpg empty, the 06 is way more civilized, its a mega cab so it has loads or room but the mileage isnt close to the 01. It does have twice the HP so I guess the reduction in MPG shouldnt be a surprise. I've not had either of the other two so I cant comment on them but I'm generally happy with my Cummins'

good luck and enjoy the hunt!

 

[amcjeepman]

John, I just replaced my 2000 Dodge 2500 CTD with a low miles 2005 Dodge 2500 CTD. I put 75K trouble free miles on the truck only recently having to replace steering, trac bar & U joints. I was looking for ether on 05 or 06 as I think those offer best power drive train / least emission options.

 

[YJ_Aaron]

I've had a bunch of diesels probably a dozen. Bought a 2014 ram 2500 Cummins last February. Hands down best truck I've ever owned. I get 18.4 mixed driving and 21.6 on Highway both empty. Towing single jeep I average 15-16, towing 2 built jeeps on big trailer I average 12-13. Filling Def isn't bad either. I'd highly recommend the coil spring ride of 14 hands down better in all ways then my 03 Cummins or my 05.

 

[certifiablejeep]

I've had a bunch of diesels probably a dozen. Bought a 2014 ram 2500 Cummins last February. Hands down best truck I've ever owned. I get 18.4 mixed driving and 21.6 on Highway both empty. Towing single jeep I average 15-16, towing 2 built jeeps on big trailer I average 12-13. Filling Def isn't bad either. I'd highly recommend the coil spring ride of 14 hands down better in all ways then my 03 Cummins or my 05.

Not trying to hijack, but how easy is it to fill the def and how much does that stuff cost and how often are you putting it in?
With the 2005, it doesn't have that setup, it came a year or 2 later I think... I have been hesitant because of a lot of horror stories you hear abouot that additive and how it affects the exhaust system... if it is warranted, then that is fine, but I don't want to pay more out of pocket costs, especially when the ending price of the rig is going to be in the high 50's.

cb

 

[hefavitzen]

If you check out this months' Motor Trend, they do a nice write up on the Silverado, F-150 and the Ram 1500. In this case, the Chevy and Ford trucks are gas and the Ram is diesel. The Ram wins, but you might want to check the article for their perspective.

 

[YJ_Aaron]

Def is about $3.00 a gallon easy to fill at pump or with 2.5 gallon jug from parts store. Don't burn much driving maybe gallon every 1000 miles towing that load about a gallon every 250 miles. 5th all on tank.

 

[John N]

At this point I'm leaning toward the Ram 2500 diesel crew cab if I can get the price a bit better than where I am at this point. Ford is willing to deal a lot more for a similar price/equipped truck though.

 

[certifiablejeep]

At this point I'm leaning toward the Ram 2500 diesel crew cab if I can get the price a bit better than where I am at this point. Ford is willing to deal a lot more for a similar price/equipped truck though.

Not sure if you have to deal with commercial plate tagging vs. non-commercial, but when I got my 2500 Ram, the weight was under the CT statute for commercial, the 350 (cheaper price from Ford at the time) was just over the limit... so I couldn't drive it on the non-commercial highways which I lived closer to than the non-commercial, so that was a deal breaker for me. It was more truck in the 350, but it had its limitations as well.

It was also a V10 or the big 8 gasser and not a diesel, so that was also kind of a deal breaker for me... it all depends on if you are apples to apples comparison on all aspects of what you want/need in the truck, I was just glad it was pointed out to me that there would/could be an issue with registration and driving restrictions.

Now, up in NH, no issues, so next time, I think I might go 3500 Ram Crew Cab, all depends on the $$$$$ and deals at the time. Dualie maybe too, we will see.

cb

 

[LetchcoreCJ7]

I don't see why anyone would want to put up with a diesel truck to pull a jeep. The new 1/2 ton trucks pull 7-9k lbs no problem. In fact the ecoboost I had never dropped below 5th gear up hill with the cruise control set at 75. Also diesel is nearly a $1 a gallon more. So any savings you get in gas mileage is gone when you fill it.

I've had
08 tundra 5.7l
11 F150 5.0l
12 F150 Ecoboost
14 Silverado 5.3l

All pull jeeps great.

 

[John N]

I don't see why anyone would want to put up with a diesel truck to pull a jeep. The new 1/2 ton trucks pull 7-9k lbs no problem. In fact the ecoboost I had never dropped below 5th gear up hill with the cruise control set at 75. Also diesel is nearly a $1 a gallon more. So any savings you get in gas mileage is gone when you fill it.

I've had
08 tundra 5.7l
11 F150 5.0l
12 F150 Ecoboost
14 Silverado 5.3l

All pull jeeps great.

My uses for the truck are more than pulling the Jeep or other vehicles. Part of my work is commercial property management, I'll have a snowplow on this truck, too. A half ton truck will not last long plowing, the frame, running gear and suspension can't take it; especially with the size plow I run (weighs 800 lbs.+ on the front end plus 600 lbs. plus in the bed for ballast). I've towed with both, I like bigger.

 

[certifiablejeep]

I don't see why anyone would want to put up with a diesel truck to pull a jeep. The new 1/2 ton trucks pull 7-9k lbs no problem. In fact the ecoboost I had never dropped below 5th gear up hill with the cruise control set at 75. Also diesel is nearly a $1 a gallon more. So any savings you get in gas mileage is gone when you fill it.

I've had
08 tundra 5.7l
11 F150 5.0l
12 F150 Ecoboost
14 Silverado 5.3l

All pull jeeps great.

I have had a ton of gassers and after a ton of towing with them, clutches and transmissions just don't hold up.
Usually at 120-130K they start to literally fall apart.
It might be the east coast too with salt, but all in all, the heavy dutier (sp?) the truck, the longer it will last.
I am goign into my 10th year with this truck and it shows no signs of slowing down, all my gassers would not have lasted 10 years.

I can't afford to replace rigs every few years, it just is cost prohibitive.

cb

 

[jerseyjeeps]

I have had a ton of gassers and after a ton of towing with them, clutches and transmissions just don't hold up.
Usually at 120-130K they start to literally fall apart.
It might be the east coast too with salt, but all in all, the heavy dutier (sp?) the truck, the longer it will last.
I am goign into my 10th year with this truck and it shows no signs of slowing down, all my gassers would not have lasted 10 years.

I can't afford to replace rigs every few years, it just is cost prohibitive.

cb

U make notice of transmissions and clutches etc but what does that have to do with what is in front of it ? I think I see where u are heading with that post but since u are one of my best jeep buds I figured I'd break your nads a lil first in hopes that u elaborate for the better context value of the post

 

[certifiablejeep]

I guess I didn't elaborate on the engine issues enough.
From what I saw, the heat of the engine bay from the engines and the destruction of the engine bay and how it affects other components in there, like pretty much the entire A/C systems as well as the engines starting to mark their territory a lot more, starting to burn oil and cooling systems starting to break down seemed to happen to the ones I had after 130K give or take. I did that in a few years with both of them.

Again, this was after a lot of towing of Quads/Jeeps/cars, using the truck for commuting as well as what I would consider to be a lot of heavy duty yard maintenance. Back and forth trips to the dump with tons of debris in the back and bringing back landscape materials, etc. I also used it to do a lot of carpentry work and that involved a lot of demolition. I always maintained them (oil/filters/grease/lubrication/coolant flush/etc) from the dealership, but in the end, there is a reason they have 100K drive train warranties... they have been building trucks a lot longer than I have been alive.

As for my nads, you can set me straight anytime, when I post, sometimes all the thoughts in my brain don't come out.

I think it boils down all in how you use them and what experiences you have had with them... just like opinions, everyone has them, I just think that the diesels hold up better over time.
I had an 87 F350 dump that had over 300K on the clock before it started having some issues and it was pretty much abused in a commercial setting but always maintained.
That truck owed me nothing and actually is still running around the last time I checked with 400K on the clock and still the original diesel engine.

It is also time value of money I guess... pointed out, diesel costs $1.00 more... it was NEVER that way in the past. Up until about 7 years ago (forgive me if I don't have the exact date) it was far cheaper for diesel than gas, so it was more cost effective.

For the sake of argument in todays terms with gas and diesel the way it is going into 2015
You take a brand new gasser at say $40K, you pay $1.00 less per gallon, and it lasts 5 years and you get 150K out of it before any major engine work.
You take a brand new diesel at say $55K, you pay $1.00 more per gallon, and it last 10 years and you get 300K out of it before any major engine work.

Simple take away, you may have to buy a new gasser at the 5 year mark, which far exceeds the purchase price of the diesel even with the subtraction of the $1.00 per gallon.

I am sure I will get a lot of people picking apart the numbers, but this is just one persons experience and I still have the truck going on 10 years and probably can hope to roll it for another 5 (fingers crossed now that I jinxed myself)

cb

 

[LetchcoreCJ7]

I get the snow plow and longevity part. Also the fact that diesel was cheaper years ago made it a big advantage. I trade my trucks every 75k miles so I don't deal with longevity problems. I still get good trade in value with 75k or less miles. With diesel being 30% higher price, much higher engine cost, higher maintenance cost and that stuff you have to buy for the exhaust now I can't see owning a diesel for under 9-10k towing. If the engine goes at 150k you could replace it for $4-5k.

I did do 145k miles on the Tundra. Never did a thing to it. Didn't even have to chage the brakes. When I traded it was a tight as the day I bought it. I hate to admit it but that Tundra had by far the best build quality if all the trucks I have had.

Since the OP is sure he wants a diesel for his requirements I will stop now.