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08-05-2015, 09:14 PM
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#141
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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Does my intended usage warrant going with diesel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
A leaf sprung axle has problems with wheel hop under power. Axle wrap. Same for body movement against the suspension without a Panhard Rod.
Engine torque management and a five link coil rear suspension means the 2500 is going to be more sure footed under power. And more resistant to tripping hazards which should be a serious consideration. It is also better in crosswinds.
Hotchkiss drive is reliable, and can be made better. But it has its limits. And ride quality is not the main reason to choose another, more sophisticated type. But it can be "better" as perceived by passengers.
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In racing applications you are spot on but in the world of towing and hauling your examples are negligible.
Coil spring suspension on trucks was a new thing in the 60's only to find out later that when loaded it produced more sway and it was unpredictable thus the addition of a pan hard bar.Coils work much better on passenger cars and in racing but not so good with heavier loads on the rear.Also the multi progression rates that the multiple leaf springs provide could not be reproduced with coil springs so the ride quality when unloaded was compromised
Easy demonstration take a spring out of a ballpoint pen stand it up and compress it with your thumb.See how it reacts to a load?Same thing happens when a load is applied to your truck.
The automobile manufacturers realized this and went back to leaf springs in the rear for trucks.Now it is being touted as a new idea and the way to go but alas it's already been done but it is great for marketing.Rear leaf springs ride smoother when unloaded are more stable with less sway and have a more controlled progression due to multiple leafs which come into play one by one as the load increases.This applies to pickup trucks used for hauling payloads.For racing Baja etc...coils are the proven way to go due to little or no payload.
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08-05-2015, 09:27 PM
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#142
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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I don't think you understand, despite your examples. The differences are not negligible. My experience with tow vehicles from the 1970s says otherwise. And you'd agree were you to drive them.
Find some matches and do some testing. I have.
And understand that racing is applicable. Better trailer handling is directly related to better suspensions.
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08-05-2015, 10:36 PM
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#143
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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Does my intended usage warrant going with diesel?
Only negligible in our towing application as stated.I have spent 40 years in the automobile business.It has been my passion since I was a little boy.Also I have been fortunate enough to meet and spend time with the world best designers,engineers and production staff.I have attended many classes on the subject and hold numerous awards and accolades in multiple subjects relating to automobile product knowledge.I also have towed for many years.With my work I have received complementary new vehicles for personal use and evaluation since 1977 and they numbered in the hundreds.
I have driven on most of the major race tracks in the world and have driven the fastest most expensive supercars in the world.I could go on but it's pointless.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I like you have a little experience and knowledge in this subject and enjoy sharing it with people who are sincere in learning about vehicles.
I am also still eager to learn.So please explain your theory on how coil rear springs on a pickup are superior to leaf springs, please elaborate.
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08-06-2015, 08:25 AM
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#144
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Does my intended usage warrant going with diesel?
Have you towed the same travel trailer with otherwise comparable vehicles? Put them thru some hard paces? Try it out. Take the risk. See for your self.
Do you really believe those Chevy pickups were as bad as you recount, or did you use them? I didn't. Cars were then and now better. Some leaf and some coil rear back then. Broken pavement, crosswinds and the like, coil was better. Body didn't fight against tire traction. And MOOG had progressive rate coils then which worked as advertised.
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08-06-2015, 08:34 AM
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#145
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Going to test drive a 2015 Silverado Duramax 2500HD with LT trim later today. It has more features than the Ram Tradesman I test drove, more similar to Ram Big Horn trim and price.
Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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08-06-2015, 09:05 AM
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#146
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
Have you towed the same travel trailer with otherwise comparable vehicles? Put them thru some hard paces? Try it out. Take the risk. See for your self.
Do you really believe those Chevy pickups were as bad as you recount, or did you use them? I didn't. Cars were then and now better. Some leaf and some coil rear back then. Broken pavement, crosswinds and the like, coil was better. Body didn't fight against tire traction. And MOOG had progressive rate coils then which worked as advertised.
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Maybe this will help explain.
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08-06-2015, 07:48 PM
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#147
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie
Going to test drive a 2015 Silverado Duramax 2500HD with LT trim later today. It has more features than the Ram Tradesman I test drove, more similar to Ram Big Horn trim and price.
Kelvin
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Test drove a 2015 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab LT. Short Bed. Nicely equipped. Plenty of power and very quiet and you don't even know you are cruising at 70mph. Slate Grey is nice. Dealership pays for oil change services for 5 years and they allowed me to take the truck home for the wife to preview. We took an extended drive including mixed city and highway. After about 20 miles we both agreed the cloth seats are not comfortable enough for long trips compared to our cloth Tundra seats.
The Silverado appears to ride more car-like maybe because its longer wheelbase than the Ram 2500 CC Tradesman and my Tundra. The Ram Tradesman seats from my memory were more comfortable but the test drive wasn't very long. We are going to test drive a Ram Big Horn with the upgraded cloth seats. We will also be able to determine if the Ram is quieter.
The short list just got shorter.
Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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08-06-2015, 08:11 PM
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#148
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie
Test drove a 2015 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab LT. Short Bed. Nicely equipped. Plenty of power and very quiet and you don't even know you are cruising at 70mph. Slate Grey is nice. Dealership pays for oil change services for 5 years and they allowed me to take the truck home for the wife to preview. We took an extended drive including mixed city and highway. After about 20 miles we both agreed the cloth seats are not comfortable enough for long trips compared to our cloth Tundra seats.
The Silverado appears to ride more car-like maybe because its longer wheelbase than the Ram 2500 CC Tradesman and my Tundra. The Ram Tradesman seats from my memory were more comfortable but the test drive wasn't very long. We are going to test drive a Ram Big Horn with the upgraded cloth seats. We will also be able to determine if the Ram is quieter.
The short list just got shorter.
Kelvin
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Proof that comfort is all driver perception. I'm a long time GM guy. I have only ever owned 3 other non-gm's. My Audi, a Ford Mustang and this Ram.
When I went and drove the Silverado, I thought it was a turd. And a huge disappointment.
But, it's all in perception. Ram won me over. But there are still some points about it, where I think GM and Ford are a lil better. But Ram has really come a long way in putting the screws to the other guys. This is my subjective opinion.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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08-06-2015, 08:29 PM
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#149
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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You are right it's all about what is comfortable to you.
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08-07-2015, 12:00 AM
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#150
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,591
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moflash
Maybe this will help explain.
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Not worthy of being considered a trusted source IMO, given that the Youtube poster is "Dodge Chrysler Sucks Don't Buy Dodge Chrysler"
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08-07-2015, 07:17 AM
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#151
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,222
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We have the Big Horn trim level in the 2012 Dodge. I can drive it all day (10+ hours) and still be comfortable. The seats are a fabric that at least breathes some. Leather seats can be cold and clammy in the winter and hot in the summer. My Mercedes leather seats are vented to help keep retained body heat low.
I am short, so the Dodge fits my body pretty well.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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08-07-2015, 07:23 AM
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#152
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,320
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If I were shopping for a new road trip vehicle I think I would want to get a trim level high enough that would offer both heated and cooled seats. I had an opportunity to use these on a trip one time and was extremely impressed.
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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08-07-2015, 08:17 AM
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#153
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Our Ram is a Laramie trim package, and the leather seats are both heated & cooled and are not the slightest bit clammy. And like Switz, I can drive comfortably for long hours in it.
And I agree with the above. When we were shopping, it was LTZ trim for the Silverado, Lariat for Ford and Laramie for Ram I was looking at. I really liked the Platinum Ford F150 we looked at, but the Ram interior felt superior and I liked the seats a bit more.
But generally I look at top models.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moflash
You are right it's all about what is comfortable to you.
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True although I will say that sometimes you can buy what you thought was great only to learn later it's crap. And what you thought at the time was crap is actually superior. This is the realization that brought me around to using Apple hardware.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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08-07-2015, 09:07 AM
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#154
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 264
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As to diesel or gas, you don't need diesel and you can't really justify it on cost unless you are piling up the miles far in excess of what most of us tow. However, I am on my second diesel Ram (05, now a 14) because I greatly prefer towing with a diesel. The available torque, ability to climb grades at speed without the engine screaming at 5000 RPM, range, exhaust brake and ability for low stress refueling at truck lanes are all part of why the $9K cost premium is worth it to me.
As to brand, I would still not touch a Ford diesel. While the 6.7's are way better than the 6.4's were, the Powerstroke forums are still full of powertrain issues, primarily turbo failures and water in fuel issues that Ford denies warranty coverage for. I personally ran across 2 6.7 drivers this year that suffered turbo failures.
I did test drive a couple F250's before buying my Ram 2500 last year and I felt the new chassis/suspension design on the Ram's resulted in a superior ride, notably the relative lack of frame flex when going over things like speed bumps or potholes. Ford does have some cool features (tailgate step, retractable mirrors, etc). YMMV of course.
I didn't personally consider a GMC/Chevy due to not liking the exterior styling (square wheel wells) or the interior at the time. I also was not happy with GM for other reasons. However, my impression is the Duramax is a reliable motor. The only thing I would be slightly concerned about is I believe they are using the Bosch CP4 lift pump (like Ford) rather than the time-proven CP3 that is in the Ram/Cummins.
The exhaust brake in the new Rams is outstanding, more effective than what I have experienced in the Ford. Putting the transmission in Tow/Haul mode, turning on the exhaust brake to Auto and setting cruise control is a remarkable experience - I have gone down some pretty steep, long grades without ever touching the brakes.
As far as transmissions, I never had a problem with the auto in my 05 and the 68RFE in my new truck operates perfectly from what I can tell also. I actually thought the 15 F250 6.7 I drove shifted worse (less smooth) than the Ram.
My opinion is if you want diesel, buy a Ram or GMC based on what seems most comfortable and or attractive. If you go gas, all 3 are in play.
__________________
Keith & Barb
2016 30' Flying Cloud
2016 Ram 2500 diesel
Southeastern Camping Unit, WBCCI #1675
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08-07-2015, 09:55 AM
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#155
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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Khollister, I tend to agree with you, except on the gas engines,I don't think ford is very impressive.....
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08-07-2015, 11:58 AM
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#156
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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It's all in what you like.There are people on the Dodge forums with problems and the Chevy forums with problems.There are always problems with automobiles ( and people who drive them)But I have had two 6.7 diesels and had no trouble but I trade every 3 years.I am not a brand guy.I just buy what works and costs the least to drive and use.
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08-07-2015, 03:02 PM
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#157
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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We are hoping to travel extensively out west in a few years when I retire and I think a camper shell may be the best solution for pick up bed storage. We like our Tundra but the payload is skimpy and if I add a 200lb camper shell I'm more over payload and I'm sure we will need to pack a few more items for long trips. So we are looking at 3/4T for payload.
After test driving a Ram 2500 and Silverado 2500HD I don't think I would like the experience if they were gas powered so its diesel. We've never owned a diesel so rather than take a chance on a used one its new for us. To keep the cost down we are looking at less trimmed out models.
I've excluded Ford mainly because the XLT has outdate interiors and we don't like the fold down front seat console. None of the units in stock around me have rear view cameras. The F250 CC SWB only has a 26 gal tank.
The Duramax was at the top of my list but as in my previous posts we found the seats not comfortable enough.
Ram is the last choice. The only reason we are skeptical of Ram is the bad experience we had with a couple of Chrysler mini vans 15 years ago and the fact they are now part of Fiat. Fiat cars in the 70s were junk. I also don't like that Ram is assembled in Saltillo, Mexico. If BMW, Honda, Toyota, Kia, Mecedes and others build/assemble here so could Chrysler.
We are not in a rush but it would be nice to be able to knock out a could portion of a loan while I'm still working.
Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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08-07-2015, 03:17 PM
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#158
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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One thing about a gas truck is that a person never HAS to fuel where there is diesel spilled all over the ground....
#JustSayin...
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-07-2015, 04:05 PM
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#159
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2 Rivet Member
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
One thing about a gas truck is that a person never HAS to fuel where there is diesel spilled all over the ground....
#JustSayin...
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Or all over the nozzle. Gas is definitely a cleaner experience.
__________________
2015 Nash 24M
2014 Tundra DC Limited TRD (Sold)
2016 Ram 3500 CTD SRW CC
Blue Ox SwayPro
Still looking at Airstreams....
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08-07-2015, 04:19 PM
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#160
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4 Rivet Member
Rockingham
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by khollister
As to diesel or gas, you don't need diesel and you can't really justify it on cost unless you are piling up the miles far in excess of what most of us tow. However, I am on my second diesel Ram (05, now a 14) because I greatly prefer towing with a diesel. The available torque, ability to climb grades at speed without the engine screaming at 5000 RPM, range, exhaust brake and ability for low stress refueling at truck lanes are all part of why the $9K cost premium is worth it to me.
As to brand, I would still not touch a Ford diesel. While the 6.7's are way better than the 6.4's were, the Powerstroke forums are still full of powertrain issues, primarily turbo failures and water in fuel issues that Ford denies warranty coverage for. I personally ran across 2 6.7 drivers this year that suffered turbo failures.
I did test drive a couple F250's before buying my Ram 2500 last year and I felt the new chassis/suspension design on the Ram's resulted in a superior ride, notably the relative lack of frame flex when going over things like speed bumps or potholes. Ford does have some cool features (tailgate step, retractable mirrors, etc). YMMV of course.
I didn't personally consider a GMC/Chevy due to not liking the exterior styling (square wheel wells) or the interior at the time. I also was not happy with GM for other reasons. However, my impression is the Duramax is a reliable motor. The only thing I would be slightly concerned about is I believe they are using the Bosch CP4 lift pump (like Ford) rather than the time-proven CP3 that is in the Ram/Cummins.
The exhaust brake in the new Rams is outstanding, more effective than what I have experienced in the Ford. Putting the transmission in Tow/Haul mode, turning on the exhaust brake to Auto and setting cruise control is a remarkable experience - I have gone down some pretty steep, long grades without ever touching the brakes.
As far as transmissions, I never had a problem with the auto in my 05 and the 68RFE in my new truck operates perfectly from what I can tell also. I actually thought the 15 F250 6.7 I drove shifted worse (less smooth) than the Ram.
My opinion is if you want diesel, buy a Ram or GMC based on what seems most comfortable and or attractive. If you go gas, all 3 are in play.
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Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I appreciate it.
Dan
__________________
"The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask."
- Nancy Newhall
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