New Truck Considerations

[Ltngdrvr]

Been looking at the RAM and Ford build and price pages, comparing prices for a 3/4 ton truck I would spec on a new order. I would have to order one to get what I want, not a single dealer in the country for either brand has anything close, reason being mostly because I absolutely do not want 4WD. Also, since I do not have a CDL and don't want to get one, I need to stick with a 3/4 ton, that makes for more higher paying trailers available to me to pull without getting into CDL territory, every pound higher GVWR on the truck reduces the GVWR trailer I can pull.

I do want comfort, so the least expensive trim level that gets me the comfort options I want is a Laramie for the RAM and a Lariat for the Ford, Laramie and Lariat sounds like marketing did that on purpose, huh?

Anyway, some options require getting a package that has stuff that I don't care about, more the RAM than the Ford, but guess that is the price of admission. The one big option that is something my current truck has, is the rear self leveling suspension, not available of course on the Ford, which is $1705 option on the RAM. But, on the Ford side, I get the big power engine and 10 speed trans in the 3/4 ton, the RAM only gets a 50 ft.lbs. bump over my current truck and the same 6 speed 68RFE trans, high output not available.

The other thing the Ford has over the RAM is a bigger back seat area, which is important to me because I use that as my sleeper while on the road. RAM no longer offers the Mega cab in 2WD, if they did that would be a big incentive.

Both trucks are as stated, 3/4 ton 2WD long bed crew cab's, silver exterior, black leather seats, not hard loaded, but pretty nicely packaged. With the 8 foot bed on each truck, you can get the big fuel tank, 48 gallons on the Ford, 50 gallons on the RAM, although it is $295 extra on the RAM. Extra fuel capacity is a big plus for each truck. Swap in my 60 gallon RDS aux tank from the current truck and I will have well over 100 gallons of fuel capacity on each truck, big money and time saver for me.

The RAM stickers for $67,835 while the Ford is right at 3K less at $64,970, optioning both as closely to each other as I can except for the rear suspension. Half of that price difference is the RAM self leveling rear, which is a big consideration, I really like it on my current truck, but having that extra power and better trans is a big plus for the Ford, along with the larger back seat area.

For towing, which is what I use my truck for, the big power on the Ford and the 10 speed will make it pull really well, the rear air suspension and the better exhaust brake on the RAM are its biggest towing advantages.

I'm leaning toward the Ford, but I am not going to be ordering anything so long as my current truck is staying fairly reliable still.

I know this is a RAM forum spot, so the opinions will be biased that way I'm sure, but I have to consider all aspects for which truck will satisfy me best.

 

[AH64ID]

Have you driven the Ford? I’ve driven my brothers 2017 a little, and no towing, but I really hate the layout of the interior. I’m 6’4” and feel 4’ tall in that thing.

You didn’t mention the weak exhaust brake on the Ford, but it’s weak.

Also, does Ford still offer the upgraded rear axle on the F-250? I think that would be very important for you and how you use the truck.

Does Ram only offer the 10K GVWR on the 3500 C&C?

 

[jgillott]

The other thing the Ford has over the RAM is a bigger back seat area, which is important to me because I use that as my sleeper while on the road. RAM no longer offers the Mega cab in 2WD, if they did that would be a big incentive.

I have a modern Ford Crew Cab and a 4th Gen Ram Crew. There is absolutely no comparison when it comes to interior space and rear seat room. The Ford is much, much larger in that rear seat area.

Also, at least up until a couple of years ago, Ford offered the F350 with a 10K GVWR package. I'm not sure if they still do on the 2021's, but it is something to consider.

 

[SnoKing]

Which one will be on the road and which one will be in the shop should be factored in.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Have you driven the Ford? I’ve driven my brothers 2017 a little, and no towing, but I really hate the layout of the interior. I’m 6’4” and feel 4’ tall in that thing.

You didn’t mention the weak exhaust brake on the Ford, but it’s weak.

Also, does Ford still offer the upgraded rear axle on the F-250? I think that would be very important for you and how you use the truck.

Does Ram only offer the 10K GVWR on the 3500 C&C?

Yes, I have driven the 2020 Ford, and driven my dad's 2014 extensively, no issues with the layout for me, just takes some getting used to it time, just like any other new vehicle.

And, I did mention the exhaust brake on the RAM being better, although the Ford is better than it used to be.

Don't know about any upgraded axle, so long as it meets the weight capacity it is fine.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Also, at least up until a couple of years ago, Ford offered the F350 with a 10K GVWR package. I'm not sure if they still do on the 2021's, but it is something to consider.

Why would that be a consideration??? F250 is 10K, why would I need a F350 with 10K?

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Which one will be on the road and which one will be in the shop should be factored in.

Don't understand this at all.

My RAM spent plenty of time in the shop over the years.

There's no telling which truck might be in the shop more or less.

 

[jgillott]

Why would that be a consideration??? F250 is 10K, why would I need a F350 with 10K?

I believe that it included the heavier rear axle that AH64ID mentioned plus the spring packs, etc. of the 350 at the 10K GVWR rating.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I believe that it included the heavier rear axle that AH64ID mentioned plus the spring packs, etc. of the 350 at the 10K GVWR rating.

Not any issue for me, my 2012 f250 handled all my pulling needs with it's standard axle and springs.
And, I sure don't want a rough ride, my 2012 F250 rode at least as well as my current RAM even without rear air suspension.

 

[AH64ID]

Sorry, missed the exhaust brake comment.

The rear axle comes into play because you want the lower GVWR to be able to tow more... sounds like a commercial numbers game which will allow you to work a 10K GVWR harder than a 12K GVWR, which should make you want the strongest 10K GVWR possible.

The commercial numbers game is why Ram offers the 10K GVWR 3500 C&C.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Sorry, missed the exhaust brake comment.

The rear axle comes into play because you want the lower GVWR to be able to tow more... sounds like a commercial numbers game which will allow you to work a 10K GVWR harder than a 12K GVWR, which should make you want the strongest 10K GVWR possible.

The commercial numbers game is why Ram offers the 10K GVWR 3500 C&C.

I don't want to tow more than the truck is rated for, I never tow a fully loaded GVWR trailer, so it will never make any difference, the standard axle will more than handle anything I do with it, my truck is never loaded higher than the axle weight rating.
The laws regarding the CDL requirement are all about the GVWR or GCWR, the ratings, not necessarily the actual weight.
The heaviest trailer I ever tow weighs 14k actual weight with a 16K GVWR.
Not at all worried about the axle in the 3/4 ton not holding up.

 

[NIsaacs]

My brother has a 2020 F-250, prior to that he had a 2019. He said you have to be careful when you stand on it, even loaded, it will accelerate so quick you will need to get in the passing lane first. He also said the exhaust brake works pretty good when you down shift several times to get the rpm's up. He likes the 250 over the 350 for the ride and says it will pack a load fine.

What I have found over the years, is, with a high profile wind resistant load, you don't need much exhaust brake. Sometimes even down hill requires some power.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/153558-brand-bashing.html

He pulled this load over the mountain out of Raton, NM in 4 gear, 3.55's at 55 MPH with his '19.

 

[SnoKing]

My brother has a 2020 F-250, prior to that he had a 2019. He said you have to be careful when you stand on it, even loaded, it will accelerate so quick you will need to get in the passing lane first. He also said the exhaust brake works pretty good when you down shift several times to get the rpm's up. He likes the 250 over the 350 for the ride and says it will pack a load fine.

What I have found over the years, is, with a high profile wind resistant load, you don't need much exhaust brake. Sometimes even down hill requires some power.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/153558-brand-bashing.html

He pulled this load over the mountain out of Raton, NM in 4 gear, 3.55's at 55 MPH with his '19.

View attachment 126024

Like most Ford's it appears to need bags out back. Better ride empty, yep there is a reason!

 

[CToney]

If this is a business decision then towing mpg is the biggest thing affecting your bottom line besides maintenance and repairs. The 10spd automatic is unproven as of yet in the ford. I feel it would definitely contribute to fuel efficiency, especially towing up a grade. The 475hp and 1050 ft lbs of torque would be nice towing for sure. The DEF consumption would also be a factor. The DEF MPG with the Cummins is better but MPG sounds like its better with Powerstroke.

Is there a Powerstroke forum where you can get honest feedback? I bought a Ram Cummins because its the Devil I know. I like doing my own repairs. The Cummins engine allows me to do that. Do any Ford owners keep their trucks for 300,000 plus miles?

 

[SnoKing]

If this is a business decision then towing mpg is the biggest thing affecting your bottom line besides maintenance and repairs. The 10spd automatic is unproven as of yet in the ford. I feel it would definitely contribute to fuel efficiency, especially towing up a grade. The 475hp and 1050 ft lbs of torque would be nice towing for sure. The DEF consumption would also be a factor. The DEF MPG with the Cummins is better but MPG sounds like its better with Powerstroke.

Is there a Powerstroke forum where you can get honest feedback? I bought a Ram Cummins because its the Devil I know. I like doing my own repairs. The Cummins engine allows me to do that. Do any Ford owners keep their trucks for 300,000 plus miles?

Try www.bluekoolaid.com/forum/powerjoke

 

[CToney]

That link goes nowhere?

 

[NIsaacs]

That link goes nowhere?

I think that it was on purpose, just blue cool aid.

 

[AH64ID]

For S&G I went to the Ford site and built a F-250. They do offer a 9,900 GVW as an option. They also offer a HD Tow package that bumps the GCWR from 23,500 to 30,000. That’s where you get the bigger rear axle, same RAWR thou. So it looks like the small axle isn’t capable of the sustained power required to tow over 23.5K GCW. That’s plenty for most folks thou, and about a 15Klb trailer with an empty truck.

You can’t option the 9,900 GVW with the HD tow package on a F-250 thou.

You can get the full GCWR with the 10K GVWR option on the F-350 thou, which if I were looking at a Ford for what you do is how I’d go. Best of both worlds. Ford generally doesn’t change the rear suspension much between 250/350 so the ride should be similar, and both will be tougher than your air suspension Ram 2500.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

For S&G I went to the Ford site and built a F-250. They do offer a 9,900 GVW as an option. They also offer a HD Tow package that bumps the GCWR from 23,500 to 30,000. That’s where you get the bigger rear axle, same RAWR thou. So it looks like the small axle isn’t capable of the sustained power required to tow over 23.5K GCW. That’s plenty for most folks thou, and about a 15Klb trailer with an empty truck.

You can’t option the 9,900 GVW with the HD tow package on a F-250 thou.

You can get the full GCWR with the 10K GVWR option on the F-350 thou, which if I were looking at a Ford for what you do is how I’d go. Best of both worlds. Ford generally doesn’t change the rear suspension much between 250/350 so the ride should be similar, and both will be tougher than your air suspension Ram 2500.

When you option the HD tow package on the F250 it raises the GVWR to 10,800 pounds, thus cutting 800 pounds off the trailer GVWR I can tow legally.

 

[AH64ID]

When you option the HD tow package on the F250 it raises the GVWR to 10,800 pounds, thus cutting 800 pounds off the trailer GVWR I can tow legally.

Yep, playing the commercial numbers game. Silly that Ram doesn’t offer a 10K GVWR 3500 other than a C&C.

Is 800lbs worth the potential longevity increase with a stronger axle? Only you can answer that...

Then again there are the federal laws that allow you to modify GVWR. If it’s legal to increase it, it should be legal to decrease it.. thou not sure how that would work commercial.