New guy Intro

[snadamo]

I just wanted to introduce myself. Been lurking a few months, and felt compelled to say hi to everyone.

I'll try to keep my story short. I currently own an f250 lariat 6.2L gasser. Owned for a little over a year. I pull the family travel trailer and is my daily driver. Trailer is 25' and loaded I'm ~7k. I also pull a friend's trailer w/ side by side on occasion. I live in the Phoenix area and usually take out the trailer 6-10 times depending on family vacation and hunting trip schedules.

I think my setup is great for most scenarios. I actually do like my truck alot. Where I absolutely HATE it, is going up any grade over 4%. I really don't like being stuck in 2nd gear engine revving over 5k Rpm going 25mph with my hazard lights on. So much so, I regret settling for a gasser and not getting a diesel when I bought this truck. While it only happens a handful of times per trip, it's enough for me to consider alternative power plants.

I know diesel ownership is more of a want than a need in my situation. I know of the potential increase in maintenance and repair costs as well. However, I THINK this is something I'd be able to handle if such a situation arises...plus I just really want one

Full disclosure, I've always been a Ford guy, up until recently never considered Ram as an option. After some research, they're my top candidate. I'm looking at 4th gen 2500/3500 models 2016-2018. 2019s are a bit out of my price range currently. Looking at Laramie trim 4x4. Mega cab would be nice but not necessary. We'll see what happens

Also want to say thanks to all for the information and opinions everyone has shared here so far. It's been very helpful in my research. I'd expect to use the search tool and ask a bunch of silly questions on things (e.g. maxcare and diesel specific stuff). Maybe one day soon I get to post pics of my new Ram.

So much for keeping it short!

Cheers and enjoy your weekend!

 

[dieselshadow]

Welcome!

I too had a really nice 3/4ton truck w/a gas V8. While it was a great rig and I liked it lot, it wasn’t the best towing machine out there. I really missed having the torque my old 12v Cummins had, so I broke down and bought a new ‘18 Ram 3500 this summer. I don’t regret it for a second. I doubt you will either.

 

[AH64ID]

As much as I think you should ditch your Furd for a Ram something is off.

The 6.2 is no slouch at either of its ratings. For curiosity do you have a under or over 10K GVW truck?

Either way I’ve pulled hills at higher speeds than 25 with heavier trailer and weaker motors. You should’ve have zero issues, aside from running out of fuel, maintaining at least 45 on grades with a 7K trailer and a 6.2. A friend ran a 6.2 and a 9K TT thru the Idaho mountains without issue or real complaint. Nothing like being slowed when he didn’t want to be.

HP is HP, if she’s revved up and making power that will convert to rear wheel torque. There is no reason you should be limited to 1st gear if the road isn’t too winding.

Are there other issues?

 

[Wiredawg]

Howdy SNadamo,.

Welcome and being an owner of a 2017 Laramie, I don't think you can go wrong with that trim level. Of the creature comforts, I REALLY like the cooled and heated seats. Mine is a 5500, but the trim inside the truck is the same. I have Ford and Chevy owner friends, so I'm more of a truck lover and beer lover... a Texan.

Anyhoo, feel free to ask any questions. There's also pretty good search engine on the TDR as well.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

Welcome to the TDR.

Chevy, Ford, RAM, it's all good in the end.

We lost power Sun thru Thursday with this last storm for around 35hr out total, on and off over that time period. During this made a few runs around town and saw their staging area for the out of town support for the tree and line crews, I'm truly amazed at how Ford has the market cornered in the Utility and Gov world. While you will see the occasional RAM, its gotta be 8-2 Ford. Almost never see a utility Chevy around here anyway.

Have just turned 18k mi with my '18 2500 gasser Tradesman it's been a great work truck and is very nice inside.

Enjoy your search.

 

[Wayne M.]

Welcome aboard!
I’ve a friend who tows a heavy 5er and he’s been through (all SRW), a 2nd gen, a 3rd gen Mega Cab, then a F350 6.2. That truck only lasted two camping seasons. He’s back in a later 3 gen. I feel it myself when I drive the gasser work trucks. There’s nothing like the torque rise of that I6 oil burner!
While I sort of agree with AH64ID above, I also understand your desire for a strong truck. The Cummins won’t disappoint.

 

[GrantP]

@snadamo You'll be in the left lane heading up I-17 with only 7k in tow with absolutely no problem in the new truck.

 

[Jim W]

I know diesel ownership is more of a want than a need in my situation. I know of the potential increase in maintenance and repair costs as well. However, I THINK this is something I'd be able to handle if such a situation arises...plus I just really want one

Hi, welcome to the Forum at TDR.

I would like to dispel the myth of high ownership cost of diesel VS a gas engine vehicles! This is my experience based on 12 years of ownership on my truck and 8 years on my wife's VW Jetta 2.0L TDI diesel. I track ever service charge on a spread sheet and the miles it has been performed at. On my truck I do have extra maintenance items such as a secondary fuel filter, more differential oil and transmission fluid since I have aftermarket Mag-Hytec covers on my truck. I do have a 4x4 and this does had extra cost to the truck for repairs but so, would a gas tuck that is a 4X4.

My maintenance cost is $0.12/mile and my fuel cost is $0.24/mile. I do pull heavy and have weighed my truck and trailer on a Cat scale. My wife's Jetta cost us $0.10/mile for maintenance and the fuel cost is $0.09/mile. So, to me my trucks cost are not out of line with my older 2001 Chevy 6.0L gas pick-up truck which was around $0.10 to $0.11 a mile in my memory serves my right.
Good Luck

 

[Cummins12V98]

Welcome!!!

I advise a 3500 SRW/DRW AISIN LongBed Factory Rear Air Ride 2015 or newer.

 

[snadamo]

As much as I think you should ditch your Furd for a Ram something is off.

The 6.2 is no slouch at either of its ratings. For curiosity do you have a under or over 10K GVW truck?

Either way I’ve pulled hills at higher speeds than 25 with heavier trailer and weaker motors. You should’ve have zero issues, aside from running out of fuel, maintaining at least 45 on grades with a 7K trailer and a 6.2. A friend ran a 6.2 and a 9K TT thru the Idaho mountains without issue or real complaint. Nothing like being slowed when he didn’t want to be.

HP is HP, if she’s revved up and making power that will convert to rear wheel torque. There is no reason you should be limited to 1st gear if the road isn’t too winding.

Are there other issues?

Thanks for your feedback. To answer your question, my truck is under 10k gvwr (just checked sticker; 9600). Personally, I don't feel as though something is off with the truck performance-wise (I am no mechanic though). Its my DD, so Im in it frequently and dont notice anything bizarre. Overall, it performs quite well. Flat roads are fine; downhill is quite amazing. It'll just hold speed and I seldom touch the brakes.

I may have over-exaggerated/embellished the lack of performance a bit in my first post, so I apologize if I did.

Where I really feel the letdown is where there's a 5-7% grade for a few miles at elevation. I always have 6th gear locked out and in TH mode. I struggle to maintain 45. In extreme cases where I slow down really bad, I put in manual shift mode and work between 3rd and 2nd and hope to keep it over 30mph (theres a particular part on AZ 260 east near the Rim where my kids hear certain expletives from their Dad ). I try to anticipate inclines and attempt to get the truck in the right Rpm range at the bottom of the hill. My rear axle ratio is 3.73, and not the optional 4.30. I know altitude plays a role in NA engine performance, but I am not sure if it's playing a big role here in my scenario...im probably between 5000-7000ft elevation when im hitting these inclines.

I get these engines are made to work like this, but to me there's something that doesn't sit right with me when I'm hauling my family around. It could be all in my head, it could be poor driving technique on my part. I think my logical self says what I have is good, but my impractical side says trade it in! When I bought this truck, I was wallowing back and forth on Gas vs Diesel as many do for months. But after a whole season of hunting and camping under my belt, I still feel that perhaps I should have gone with Diesel. My truck will do the job, albeit struggle at times. I guess i think I'd prefer to "over-truck" a bit more?

 

[Cummins2014]

Welcome!!!

I advise a 3500 SRW/DRW AISIN LongBed Factory Rear Air Ride 2015 or newer.

You missed the Megacab part. The rest is okay . Long bed

 

[snadamo]

You missed the Megacab part. The rest is okay . Long bed

DRW and long beds are a logistics issue for me, at least for now. My driveway has finite space. I wouldn't hesitate a 3500 AISN megacab or otherwise. What I am finding out in my area that SRW short bed 3500 w/AISIN kinda hard to find.

 

[HPSimpson]

Welcome to TDR
Great place many very experience owners with vast knowledge of Rams and Cummins engines.

 

[Randomrunner12]

@snadamo Don't be afraid to look outside your area. When I bought my truck i wasn't looking for all the comforts since I was working the oilfields at the time and didn't want to destroy a REALLY nice truck. I was just looking for diesel to pull my trailers and with stand the high mileage I knew I would find.

I lived in FTW at the time I bought my truck and went all the way to Norman, OK to get mine. Got lucky cause it happened to be a HO model ST with power windows and locks. Thus far I have added things that I have wanted since I am no longer in the fields and can have the nicer things without fear of destroying them.

I don't feel you are going to have anymore issue towing anything with your new truck!!! Welcome to the family and can't wait to she the pictures.

 

[HVAC2]

I get mad at myself for not pulling the plug on our recent purchase of a 2018 Laramie years ago. New, 48k with 8 yr 125 max care. But we tow fulll time 4 to 5 months mostly in mountainous western terrain. The Cummins is a beast, mountain tamer for our 28 ATC. I would never go back. But its a tool, and used in that manner.

If yours is a daily driver, sporadic towing, you may want to look at a 2019 6.4l with an 8 speed/ 4.10. Ford's new big block 10 speed is intriguing. I was heading in that direction as our coach is less than 9klbs, but we experience huge wind loads, especially on nationwide trips in short periods of time( kids in Cali and New York).Diesel just shines in that application.

I learned buying an HD is a lesson in self examination of its intended use. Everything is a compromise, best of luck.

 

[Jim W]

In my very humble opinion I would/will never tow a trailer of any significant size with a gas engine vehicle!

Why? My main reason is filling up at a service station with the trailer attached! Most gas island pumps are orientated towards the station store. The truck and trailer are at least 40' in combined length, getting in and out those gas pump islands are an exercised in frustration. An the drivers of cars in any station will not give you a break in getting in and out. Most are clueless as what it takes to tow a trailer.

I have towed with a gas pick-up truck for my first 5er and after trying to fill that vehicle up with the trailer attached twice. I informed my wife that we either sell the trailer or buy a diesel pick-up truck and we will have one before we tow again! So, I am on my third 5er and my first diesel pick-up truck.

I fill-up at the diesel islands that the semis use when we are on the road. The diesel islands are orientated the correct way and for the most part the drivers of semis are courtesy to you when towing a trailer.

P.S. when hooked up the truck and trailer are 55' long and 13'-5" tall.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I personally like coming to the end of a 14% several mile grade with cool service brakes towing a combined 33k.

 

[SnoKing]

OP, I have what you want, however you can not have it, as I love it.

 

[snadamo]

@snadamo Don't be afraid to look outside your area. When I bought my truck i wasn't looking for all the comforts since I was working the oilfields at the time and didn't want to destroy a REALLY nice truck. I was just looking for diesel to pull my trailers and with stand the high mileage I knew I would find.

I have been looking around some old threads as well as some current ones regarding online/out-of-state purchases. I'm pretty flexible as long as it makes financial sense to do. Thanks for the advice!

If yours is a daily driver, sporadic towing, you may want to look at a 2019 6.4l with an 8 speed/ 4.10. Ford's new big block 10 speed is intriguing. I was heading in that direction as our coach is less than 9klbs, but we experience huge wind loads, especially on nationwide trips in short periods of time( kids in Cali and New York).Diesel just shines in that application.

I learned buying an HD is a lesson in self examination of its intended use. Everything is a compromise, best of luck.

I actually have had my eye on Ford's 7.3L "Godzilla" since they announced it (August?). Patiently waiting for the "first drive impressions" from people. That torque curve it has (~400lb ft @1500RPM) is very intriguing to me. Pricing may be out of my range but I'm still keeping that in the "maybe" pile if I decide to go with a gasser again.

Another thing for me to contemplate is my family is only going to get larger (in physical size and most likely quantity)...meaning that while the current trailer is a great fit for now, it wont hold all of us comfortably much longer. As a result, we may be getting a bigger TT or 5er within the next few years (which is bittersweet, because we REALLY like our trailer). All these things sways me towards diesel.

OP, I have what you want, however you can not have it, as I love it.View attachment 117434

HAHA! Very Nice rig SnoKing!


Thanks all for the warm welcome and the feedback is also greatly appreciated. When the time comes, I will be sure to post up some pics of the new rig!

 

[dieselshadow]

I think that big gasser is gonna hurt to drive. Just think of how thirsty that big fella will be. Even empty I’d be surprised if it returned decent fuel mileage.
I guess we’ll see soon enough huh?