Community Forums

TinyLivinKim · 09-11-2016, 10:42 AM

HI All! We are in the process of purchasing a new or used truck to pull our 014 Keystone Montana 3150RL. I've heard to stay away from RAMS due to their transmissions...so we have been looking at Chevy 2500/3500HDs and Ford 350s. Any recommendations???

donnandon · 09-11-2016, 11:25 AM

"I've heard to stay away from RAMS due to their transmissions...so we have been looking at Chevy 2500/3500HDs and Ford 350s."

REALLY? Maybe 20 years ago....if you are looking at less than 10 yr old trucks, both the RAM 68RFE and optional Aisin are both excellent towing transmissions. Maybe you will reconsider based on more factual info, not just what you heard.

fvstringpicker · 09-11-2016, 01:00 PM

Any of the later models big three diesels would do it. When you look around it seems there are more Rams towing fifth wheel than the other two.

superk · 09-11-2016, 01:08 PM

If I were to buy a hauling pickup, it would be a ford, or a dodge. Chev makes great motors, and have great trucks, but we have a few chevs in the fleet at work and it seems they are always in for repair. the fords almost never ask for anything, and the dodges usually just small stuff like ball joints and tie rods are repeat offenders, ive seen plenty of u joints and even differentials, but the engine/tranny lives on.

jimcumminsw · 09-11-2016, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyLivinKim

HI All! We are in the process of purchasing a new or used truck to pull our 014 Keystone Montana 3150RL. I've heard to stay away from RAMS due to their transmissions...so we have been looking at Chevy 2500/3500HDs and Ford 350s. Any recommendations???

I have a 2008 Ram pick up truck with the 6.7 L Cummins and the 68RFE Auto transmission. I have over 99,000 miles on this truck. The transmission has operated flawlessly and the only thing I've had to do is services it every 40,000 miles replacing the two filters and transmission oil at every change.

I am a member of Turbo Diesel Register.com and a couple of members that haul professionally have over 300,000 + miles on them before overhaul. And it has been stated that the Aisin transmission just can't be broken,by members on that forum.

Bamaman · 09-11-2016, 07:41 PM

You need to drive all three trucks and negotiate with the dealer on the lowest price. You should also see what dealer you're the most comfortable doing business with.

Any of the three trucks will do the job.

I've had a F250 diesel for almost 13 years--last of the 7.3's. It's been fantastic and is possibly the last truck I'll ever need. The 2017 F250/F350 will be the most modern truck on the market for a long time. And if it's any consolidation, there are more F series diesels on the road than Dodge/Ram and GM combined.

But you deserve to try'em all out--and try out all local dealers.

jimcumminsw · 09-12-2016, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaman

And if it's any consolidation, there are more F series diesels on the road than Dodge/Ram and GM combined.

Yes; the other 10% of Fords trucks have made it home!

Now seriously where did you dig up that statically factoid from.

I do know that Ford sells more 1/2 ton trucks than any other manufacture but that is not a Heavy Duty Pick-up Truck with a diesel engine in the truck.

roothoss1282 · 09-12-2016, 09:02 AM

I drove both the Dodge and the Ford and they are both good trucks. I went with the Ford 350 DW but you can't go wrong with any of the big 3. Dodge has come a long ways I will give them that but I wasn't ready to jump ship LOL.

raineman · 09-12-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyLivinKim

HI All! We are in the process of purchasing a new or used truck to pull our 014 Keystone Montana 3150RL. I've heard to stay away from RAMS due to their transmissions...so we have been looking at Chevy 2500/3500HDs and Ford 350s. Any recommendations???

New one on me. Never heard of transmissions issues on a Ram. Good to do research instead of going off the rumor mill

gnirwin · 09-12-2016, 09:20 AM

Next to insulting a man's wife is insulting a man's truck's transmission. You will never get the answer you want on this message board. If you want to know which truck is most dependable there are better places to search. JD Powers, consumer Reports to name a few.

TinyLivinKim · 09-12-2016, 10:38 AM

Thanks everyone! Didn't mean to hurt any ones feelings! lol And as you can see I am researching and grabbing data

roothoss1282: what's the weight of your Montana? How do you like your Ford 350?

raineman · 09-12-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnirwin

Next to insulting a man's wife is insulting a man's truck's transmission. You will never get the answer you want on this message board. If you want to know which truck is most dependable there are better places to search. JD Powers, consumer Reports to name a few.

Respectfully, I could not disagree more. There are many posts about tow vehicles on this site, some from people who have been towing for longer than I have been alive (at 50+ years). If you are willing to toss that to the wind, then you didn't really want any help or advice.

roothoss1282 · 09-13-2016, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyLivinKim

Thanks everyone! Didn't mean to hurt any ones feelings! lol And as you can see I am researching and grabbing data

roothoss1282: what's the weight of your Montana? How do you like your Ford 350?

Its a 305 RL High Country and it gross's 14,400. Right now it goes about 13,000 and after pulling it with the 250 gasser it's really apples and oranges. Took it up Saluda grade going up to Ashville and was grinning the whole way. Going down hill the exaust braking was really good. I wish I could have hooked up with the Dodge but couldn't do that. Don't think you can go wrong with either but to answer your question. I couldn't be happier with the F-350 DW.

diesel2121 · 09-13-2016, 04:29 AM

I didn't like dodges tow mirrors and I thought ford was more comfortable for long trips and the tow mirror was a lot nicer, I couldn't be happier with the f350 drw