Community Forums

yesitsme11 · 05-12-2023, 03:19 PM

In 2017 I purchased my first Travel Trailer it was 36 feet long and as we signed the loan documents my wife found a 2003 Ford F350 Dually to tow it with. I really enjoyed this set up. Since then we moved up to a Diesel Pusher. I have a 2007 Monaco Cayman XL 36pdq that we purchased for the purpose of doing long road trips across the nation while I still work remote. I am still remote but my wife really doesn't like the Diesel Pusher and longs for our old travel Trailer. She has found several 5th wheels she likes. So I am looking for a reasonably price Dually, I am very Familiar with the PowerStroke 6.0L engine and issues but my wife would like to go a bit newer that puts us in the Powerstroke 6.4L engine. Honestly my #1 concern is safety which is why I went over kill on the Dually. I am looking at F450 and F350 Dually I like leather and all the bells and whistle's but should I be look at Chevrolet or Ram? I am just not familiear with them and I want to make a good decision. I am open to anyone that is looking at seling their truck in the Socal aread also. But is the DRW over kill? Is it better to get the f450 over the f350? I also want it 4 wheel drive which I know cost gas mileage but will improve traction since there will be times I will be in dirt and mud with the truck. Many Thanks in advance for your input. I am looking for truck first then trailer that will work with it.

**Camp CA** · 05-12-2023, 04:42 PM

Crew cab, DRW, long bed offers added stability for towing IMO. Consider a high output diesel for max hp and torque. This article compares the F350 to the F450 https://henryford150.com/f350-vs-f45...led_Comparison.

Please let the forum know what you decided and why.

BirchyBoy · 05-12-2023, 05:28 PM

If you’re in the Albuquerque area, my 2021 GMC Denali DRW will be available at a dealer soon. It is a great truck: comfortable, powerful and quiet.

Newmar2856 · 05-12-2023, 05:46 PM

I’d avoid the 6.4 It wasn’t as bad as the 6.0 but it certainly had its own issues. So, skip 2008-2010. I’d also skip 2011 as that was the first year of the 6.7 and it had a few bugs that they worked out later.

I’m not sure about GMC/Chevy during those years. I had a 2016 GMC dually and loved that truck, but we moved to a Class A and it fits our travels better than the truck and fifth wheel.

Toby Dog · 05-13-2023, 02:46 AM

Try to find a 2010,2011, or2012 Ram/Cummins. They were the first 3 years of the stronger frame and the last years not requiring DEF.
The Duramax trucks are also sound but they are expensive to repair if something goes wrong.

Cumminsfan · 05-13-2023, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Dog

Try to find a 2010,2011, or2012 Ram/Cummins. They were the first 3 years of the stronger frame and the last years not requiring DEF.
The Duramax trucks are also sound but they are expensive to repair if something goes wrong.

I had a 2012 Ram 2500 CTD for 6 years. They're terrible with regens. They need to be driven not putted around in. I now have a 2019 Ram 3500 CTD with DEF. It's much nicer to own. Oil changes on the 12 were around 4000 miles per the EVIC. Sometimes as low as 2900 miles if not towing. I now go a full year before changing oil.
If the OP could find one thats been deleted and has a good history I'd opt for that. Depends on where you live though as to EPA inspections.

tuffr2 · 05-13-2023, 09:54 AM

I remember that 2011 was a good year for trucks. GM had a new way better stiffer frame. Ford finally decided to build their own powerful diesel engine. Ram was also nice in 2011. I test drove a 2011 RAM 2500 diesel over night. I liked that truck. I ended up buying a 2012 Ford F-450 and had that truck 6.5 trouble free years. One minor emissions glitch that was fixed with a laptop and a software download.

You will want a rear camera and a few other nice features that were in the 2011 models. Google Generations of the 3 trucks then decide.

With the Ford 6.7 diesel (although not perfect) is a lot better than the previous engines. In 2011 the 6.7 produced less than 400hp and 800ft lbs of torque but a recall called all the trucks to the Ford dealer for a software upgrade to the above figures.

I would buy the newest truck I could because they were changing the trucks every few years. If I were to buy a 2014 Ford dually then saw in 2015 they tweaked the engine I would buy the tweaked engine if I could.

Oh - the newer trucks ride better. Not perfect but better. They are also a lot more quiet.

Flyer15015 · 05-13-2023, 10:08 AM

2007 Kodiak with the LBZ diesel!!!!
They are bullet proof.

IMHO
Mike in Colorado

Toby Dog · 05-14-2023, 03:15 AM

The LBZs are truly awesome engines. Sadly they had a short run due to emission issues. I believe only the 07s with production dates in 06 had the LBZ.
Cummins also had some Jan 1 changeovers due to emission changes.

Dieselguy4 · 05-14-2023, 07:03 AM

I would look at 2015 and up trucks. Ford worked out most of the issues with the 6.7 powerstrokes. Rams with the Cummins and Gm Duramax are great also. Dually is the way to go. The F350 is a much better ride then the F450. 2017 F350 towing capacity was increased and frame upgrade makes to tow and ride much better. Ram has different hp/torque 6.7s and trans. I oped for the 4.10 gears in my 17 F350 dually diesel. It's a pulling monster. The 48 gallon fuel tank was a big selling point. Drive all of them.

tuffr2 · 05-14-2023, 07:47 AM

Dieselguy is correct - 2015 is the 2nd generation of the Ford 6.7 diesel. This engine produces 440 HP and 860 Ft lbs of torque. It fixed most problems of the 1st generation. I would buy a 2015 vs a 2014.
In 2017 Ford went to the aluminum body with an improved frame. I went from a 2012 F-450 to a 2017 F-250. The F-250 feels more solid.

So from 2016 to 2017 there was a change.
Then another change in 2020 with the torque monster engines.

In 2019 Cummins went to a graphite iron block. Lighter and stronger. Ford had this block since 2011.

GM has nice trucks in their recent redesign in 2020.

If you look at today's trucks vs 15 years ago you will see huge improvements.

bigb56 · 05-14-2023, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

I’d avoid the 6.4 It wasn’t as bad as the 6.0 but it certainly had its own issues. So, skip 2008-2010. I’d also skip 2011 as that was the first year of the 6.7 and it had a few bugs that they worked out later.

I’m not sure about GMC/Chevy during those years. I had a 2016 GMC dually and loved that truck, but we moved to a Class A and it fits our travels better than the truck and fifth wheel.

I agree that the 6.4 should be skipped altogether but I'll go further and say it is worse than the 6.0. The 6.4 is pretty much a throw away engine, the 6.0 can be rebuilt and bulletproofed resulting in a good strong non-SCR engine.

tuffr2 · 05-14-2023, 12:11 PM

I know you say you want a diesel but the new gas engines from Ford and GM could be a lot simpler to own and to buy.

I do know Ford will put the 7.3 in their dually trucks but don't know about GM with their 6.6 litre gas engine.

I had a 2012 diesel F-450 and liked the way that engine moved the truck. But I would like to drive a dually with the 7.3 Godzilla engine. I bet that engine will move that truck nicely too.

kdauto · 05-14-2023, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I know you say you want a diesel but the new gas engines from Ford and GM could be a lot simpler to own and to buy.

I do know Ford will put the 7.3 in their dually trucks but don't know about GM with their 6.6 litre gas engine.

I had a 2012 diesel F-450 and liked the way that engine moved the truck. But I would like to drive a dually with the 7.3 Godzilla engine. I bet that engine will move that truck nicely too.

GM will have the 6.6 gas in their duallies (I built one a few weeks ago). The new 2024 models will have the Allison branded 10 speed behind it too, so the big difference in Ford 7.3 gas 10 speed vs GM 6.6 gas w/10 speed should be more or less gone. I can't wait for test and actual use reports. I'm sure my 6.0 with a 10 speed behind it would make a world of difference.