Ford owner looking at Rams...

[Killer223]

To the OP, all makes have issues, i really like the Fords, very roomy inside, and they have more inhouse parts, engine, trans, and axles i think, are all inhouse ford. where ram and GM out source engine, trans, axles. so something to be said for that.
But the ram is for many a better truck. if you work on your own trucks, the ram wins hands down. the fit n finish it above the other makes.
The ram is rated for lower HP and yet you see more ram truck towing (around here anyway) than the other 2 combined. be it horse trailers or RV's people choose the inline 6.
Just go the the dealerships, tell them first thing you are not going to buy a truck today,. but you would like to test drive some, and drive as many as you can. tank them for the time spent with you. and go down the road. NEVER buy the truck from a first visit, always tell them they need to work on the price and you have something you need to attend to. and he should e-mail/txt/call you within a week or so.
These trucks are awesome machines, i have 2. looking for 2 more, a 5th gen and a 1st gen.

 

[wingnut60]

SnoKing,
That service note could be for an '11 Ford Torqueshift (first year for 6-speed). Guess reflashing is a part of all new trucks...
Also, very familiar with Cummins12V98--have same brand fiver and on several same RV forums--if I took his word only, I'd already have a twin to his truck--very helpful guy.

RVTRKN,
Will have the 4.10 if I buy...

Killer223,
My 450s also have 'lost some weight'...shouldn't have to do that with any of the new ones.

Looking at the posts on the tow mirrors--that tow mirror situation might be enough to keep me in a Ford....sure look awkward to me.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Joe and I have emailed about this subject for a while. I sent this email to him 8/2/17. I understand he is having a hard time getting specific answers.




Hi Joe,
















I will send you several emails with pics. One shows how HD the brakes and front suspension are on the 13 and up Dually’s. Also shows the factory Rear air ride that I HIGHLY recommend, well worth the $1,300. It keeps the truck at a nice slightly high rear ride empty of fully loaded to 9,750# RAWR. It makes the truck easier to get in and out since it rides lower than the non air ride trucks and also has a better loaded and unloaded ride.
















Laramie is a nice trim level with leather available. I will say it’s nice but if you set in a Limited or LongHorn it will be hard to buy a Laramie. I know this from experience! The interior pics are from LongHorns, the Limited is basically the same but in a more black scheme. Still same high end finish and high quality leather. IMHO I do not like the look of the new Limited grill. I really like my LongHorn I can tow a 10 hour day and feel fine other then a bit tired the seats are so comfortable.
















I would highly recommend the 4.10’s, at 60 the RPM’s are about 1,750. The Exhaust brake is VERY good. I towed several miles of 14% downhill last summer locked in 2nd holding 30-35mph a nice speed for the grade even with the curving road.
















The AISIN can’t be beat it is a True Medium Duty Trans as it is used by several others in MD applications. They are basically bullet proof. The Cummins is a True MD engine as it is used in many other MD applications. The Bosch CP3 injection pump is another very dependable item. GM had enough of the CP4 pump same as Ford uses and went with a Denso pump for 2017. Lot’s of warranty claims. This is a biggie to me if going past the 100K warranty.
















Ford IMHO makes a very nice truck and would for sure consider if buying a GASSER. But the new 6.7 has had some issues with injection pumps and other items but they have corrected many of the issues. To me the engine is too complicated past warranty as in big cost to repair.
















GM would be my second choice if the RAM/Cummins was not available. Something interest is GM limits its towing to 23K, I am guessing with the new power the trans is only able to meet the SAE spec. I have read many times the Allison is in need of a big update. It is not as robust as the 3000 that is used in MD applications. The Ford trans has proven be be very reliable.
















The Cummins delivers it’s power at lower RPM’s and does not “feel” as fast or like it’s pulling as hard but it is.
















I don’t know where you travel most but I am usually West Coast and my 33-35K combined load is no struggle. Oh another thing the temps stay nice and low on the trans and engine no matter the outside temp or grades.
















I would call and talk to Dennis Dillon and Dave Smith both in Idaho, DS sells GM’s also.
















I am happy to answer anything else so let me know.
































Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Looking at the posts on the tow mirrors--that tow mirror situation might be enough to keep me in a Ford....sure look awkward to me."

NOT awkward at all! I really like the mirrors. IMHO not much of a reason to sway your decision. Come over to NW WA and I will let you drive my truck and even hook to your RV for a test run.

Order this and you will be more than happy!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Joe welcome aboard! You did join the best, oldest and most knowledgable RAM/CUMMINS Forum out there.

 

[Wayne M.]

Geez that's a nice rig on paper! I just gotta have chrome/ bright on a real truck.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Geez that's a nice rig on paper! I just gotta have chrome/ bright on a real truck.

It is in person.

Double towing in pic at 35,340# combined.

 

[wingnut60]

The twin to that Ram was in the RV park here in Woodburn with a large camper on it...

 

[Bob4x4]

To the OP, all makes have issues, i really like the Fords, very roomy inside, and they have more inhouse parts, engine, trans, and axles i think, are all inhouse ford. where ram and GM out source engine, trans, axles. so something to be said for that.
But the ram is for many a better truck. if you work on your own trucks, the ram wins hands down. the fit n finish it above the other makes.
The ram is rated for lower HP and yet you see more ram truck towing (around here anyway) than the other 2 combined. be it horse trailers or RV's people choose the inline 6.
Just go the the dealerships, tell them first thing you are not going to buy a truck today,. but you would like to test drive some, and drive as many as you can. tank them for the time spent with you. and go down the road. NEVER buy the truck from a first visit, always tell them they need to work on the price and you have something you need to attend to. and he should e-mail/txt/call you within a week or so.
These trucks are awesome machines, i have 2. looking for 2 more, a 5th gen and a 1st gen.

IIRC ford bought the block casting outside but does the machining and assy in house

 

[CBari]

If your around NE Arkansas you are welcome to drive mine with my LQ Horse trailer fully loaded trailer scales out 24,000. I have 3.73 and do well with them at times I wish I had 4.10 on the interstate in the hills some what with the cruise set it tends to down shift to 5th more than I would like but I can run as fast as I want and with the hydraulic breaks and the exhaust brake I have not trouble stopping the rig.

Little info on the different packages

All trucks ordered with the Cummins come with the same engine the 6.7l, but not all are loaded with the same horsepower levels. The horsepower levels are related to the transmission. The 6 speed manual transmission gets the lowest horsepower. The 6 speed dodge built 68rfe automatic gets the medium level horse power. The 6 speed Aisin automatic trans comes with the highest horsepower and torque rating. The Max tow package comes with Aisin trans and also 11.8in rear end with finned rear diff cover.

Finish packages
Tradesman is basic work package has some options but they are limited
SLT is comparable to the XLT package with lots of options They makes special package options for the SLT i.e. Lonestar, Bighorn. Some of these are only available is certain regions of the country.
Laraime is like the lariat basic leather package with different options.
Laraime Longhorn and Limited are the Luxury packages like King Ranch

The higher end the package the great the factory discounts.

My personal favorites are the 8.4 nav radio with back up camera. The in bed camera for the fifth wheel hooking is not that big of a deal as I can still twist in the seat and see what I am doing. I am big on four wheel drive because no more that it cost you will spend that much fixing what you tear up the one time you needed it and didn't have it. Hauling the weight you are talking about I would be looking at the Aisin equipped trucks. If you are in mountainous areas much I would be looking at a 4.10 rear end. I think most dealers won't stock what your looking for as when you add those option to the truck it gets expensive and the avg Joe looking at trucks that doesn't know any better thinks that those trucks are to expensive.

Remember that all Rams come std with a real exhaust brake. When trying to compare apples to apples look at what an aftermarket real exhaust brake cost for the other brands of trucks.

All of the brands of trucks can and sometimes to have issues now days I think it is the nature of the beast with as much electronics are on the trucks today. I came from a family that had nothing but Fords since the diesels came out and after I had a 7.3 that needed two engines in 100k miles I decided to make a change. (I realize that wasn't normal for the 7.3) I have never looked back and after my family drove some of my Dodges they changed too.

At the end of the day all three will the real job at hand which is get you and you trailer from point A to B. Pick the one you like best and is the most comfortable to you in the drivers seat as that is where you should spend the most time.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Here is one in PA with nice options. http://www.countrychryslerdodgejeep...xford-pa-99a86a920a0e0adf64ca6d771e6ccd1b.htm

 

[Jeff Knight]

Here is the window sticker. https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63RRKL4HG649989

 

[wingnut60]

CBari,
Thanks, that clears it up a lot.
Jeff Knight,
Thanks, but I am kind of limited to the south/southwest/west at this time. But that is very close to what I am looking for, even the red.

Another issue I am trying to resolve in my mind is the 32 gal tank vs the Ford 48....

 

[Wayne M.]

One thing Ram cant run with Ford on is configurations. This is the reason I believe Ford is king in commercial. The wheelbase and tank options are dizzying.

 

[gsbrockman]

Looking at the posts on the tow mirrors--that tow mirror situation might be enough to keep me in a Ford....sure look awkward to me.

You are joking......right?

 

[Wayne M.]

I hope we don't have to start the F bashing.... The F 6.7 has TWO water pumps

 

[wingnut60]

Possibly one is a spare?.....I could have used a spare engine.

gsbrockman,
Yes, it is kind of picky, but just don't like the looks of them when coming at me down the road, seem to stick farther out, but probably not.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Possibly one is a spare?.....I could have used a spare engine.

gsbrockman,
Yes, it is kind of picky, but just don't like the looks of them when coming at me down the road, seem to stick farther out, but probably not.

The F350 Lariat I had with a. 6.7 was a wonderful truck but after the third turbo and second engine I came running back to Ram/Cummins. I was scared to death of having to buy an engine out of warranty.

Get the Aisin if you are pulling that heavy. They don't seem to break. If you re ordering from Dave Smith, make sure any accessories you purchase are Mopar. They like to put no-name accessories on to make up for money lost on the sale of the rig. Just my experience with them.

 

[Wayne M.]

Possibly one is a spare?......

No. Actually your 6.4 has 2 cooling systems and water pumps too. You know that little black tank with the foreign car size rad cap? That's a whole separate system with an electric impeller pump and cooler to keep the fuel cool.
The 6.7 has 2 belt driven pumps (one looong belt) and a split/ dual radiator. One system is for the air to water intercooler that's nestled in next to the left battery. It has 2 coolant tanks as well.
The idea of road side fan belt service on any Ford Diesel is absurd, on a Cummins Ram, it's a possibility.
Not bashing, just telling it as it is.

 

[jgillott]

No. Actually your 6.4 has 2 cooling systems and water pumps too. You know that little black tank with the foreign car size rad cap? That's a whole separate system with an electric impeller pump and cooler to keep the fuel cool.
The 6.7 has 2 belt driven pumps (one looong belt) and a split/ dual radiator. One system is for the air to water intercooler that's nestled in next to the left battery. It has 2 coolant tanks as well.
The idea of road side fan belt service on any Ford Diesel is absurd, on a Cummins Ram, it's a possibility.
Not bashing, just telling it as it is.

Back when I was in grad school, they used to give us a project to create but not give us any guidance on how to do it. Only a simple "This is what we want you to design". You can't believe how complex some of the projects became to reach an outcome. I've never had the opportunity to have any access to Ford engineering, but I would love to see what goes on in their department. If their goal is to make something as complex as possible, they have certainly achieved it.