Dealer Knowledge or Lack There Of!

[olgoat]

Currently towing a 27FB AS GT with a 2015 3.5 EcoBoost F-150. Truck has plenty of power and if it is not extremely windy, it is quite stable. When the wind picks up it can be a bit white knuckle at times. But the bigger issue is payload, we simply cannot carry some of the "toys" we would like to, because we are out of additional payload.

This past weekend I looked at and drove a 6.7L Diesel F-250. Nice looking truck and with 2,187 payload a significant improvement over the F-150's 1477 payload. But I was surprised how little the sales person knew about the truck and she claimed to be the Fleet Mgr. She didn't know where to find payload, she didn't know about the trailer TPMS system (I showed it to her after a 1 minute search of the screen located it) and she didn't know the vehicle warranty. She was super friendly and not pushy at all.

I am a self proclaimed Ford guy, but today I thought I would consider my options and visited a GMC dealership, to look at a 2500. Had a super pushy salesman. I asked a few questions about trims and features and he knew the basics. I asked about the tow rating and he stated "It is a lot". My response - exactly how much is a lot. He said I could look it up online. I said let's do it together. He couldn't find it. Instead he took me to a board and showed me tow ratings. I pointed out to him the board was for the 1500 trucks. I found the 2500 board and showed him the ratings. I also asked what does the payload typically run on 2500 4wd crew cab diesel trucks, his answer about 8,000 pounds. I then asked if I could speak with someone who had a working knowledge of trucks and things went downhill from there. In the end the 2500 I looked at had a payload of 1929 pounds.

I am not bashing any brand, both Ford and GMC sales persons were pretty clueless but the GMC experience was a new low in vehicle research today.

The Ram 2500 I looked at 2 weeks ago was in the 1800 pound range, hardly an upgrade over the 1477 pound payload of my current F-150, so I didn't pursue that but I will say the salesperson was knowledgeable and very pleasurable.

[nvestysly]

Don't get me going. This subject has been a sore spot with me for a long time. Just can't get good help anymore!

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to sales staff for most products. It's not uncommon to know more about the product than the person selling it. Doesn't matter if it's a truck, an RV, retail products in a big box home center, etc.

Back to trucks... just about the only thing you need sales for is to take a test drive. Other than that, I wish they weren't involved with the process!

Depending on which brand you decide to buy it may be worth the trip to purchase from Laura Automotive Group outside St. Louis, MO. Sounds crazy to think about going all that distance but they know their stuff when it comes to trucks. They sell Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Ram. They'll order whatever you want. Do it all over the phone and via email. Tell you their price before you order then you subtract any incentives/rebates that are applicable when the truck is delivered.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by olgoat

The Ram 2500 I looked at 2 weeks ago was in the 1800 pound range, hardly an upgrade over the 1477 pound payload of my current F-150, so I didn't pursue that but I will say the salesperson was knowledgeable and very pleasurable.

Olgoat, I assume the 2500 Ram was a 6.7 Cummins with that 1800 payload. Options and trim will make all the difference. A nicely equipped 2500 6.4 Hemi will give you around 3000# payload, rear coil springs and 8 spd trans. You should go drive one! That combo will tow anything Airstream offers.

If you’re serious about the diesel, check out the Ram 3500 - payloads are up in the 3000# range. There’s several pages of door stickers over at HDRam Forum (Towing sub-thread): https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php

[Alreddawg19]

I was in a similar boat this weekend! However I did enough research that I just didn't bother asking the salesman and just bought a 2019 f250. It was 2200 ish payload which was a significant improvement for our f150 of 1577.

Drives a little more rough but is a beautiful beast. My son loves the fact that it is diesel, like all the big trucks and farm equipment (he is 3).

[AlanMcD]

If you get a F250 or 2500 GMC truck in diesel you don't get as much payload as with the gas engine truck but you get a ton of tow capacity. If you want the best of both worlds you need a F350 diesel (or 3500 GMC) (An F350 isn't necessary IMO). Look at the yellow door tag. My 2017 F250 XLT gassser has 3200 lbs of payload as compared to the same truck in a diesel that only has 2100 lbs of payload (this is true for Fords or GMC's). I believe the new F150's have around 1800 - 1900 lbs payload, depending on configuration, but that's not much less than the diesel F250's.

[GettinAway]

When I bought my Tundra four years ago (used, but from a Toyota dealer) the sales guy said the toggle on the gear selector, which shifts the transmission when in shift mode, was for adjusting the trailer brake controller. My 2012 has the trailer towing package, but doesn’t have a factory brake controller. He had been there for a few years. No telling how many people he’d given that bad info to.

[GMFL]

Salesman knowing their craft is a thing on the past. They are all paid by volume sold/ units moved. They are looking for the “fast” sale.
I know there are some who are tire “professionals” and car/rv/boat sale is there chosen career, but most are just passing through.
The major problem with this is the fast talking floaters force the true pros to run the same hustle because of the way the are paid and most consumers are only worried about monthly payment amount.

[turk123]

I would seriously look at the 350's. The price difference is in the hundreds but the payload goes way up. The difference is primarily an added leaf spring in the rear. You can also get the dually tires on the rear with the 350, but that would not be necessary.

The ride will be a little rougher, but that is the price for more payload. Loaded up it will ride better. I wish I got the 350 over my 250. The salesman just did not let me know the difference until I bought it.

[Baby Zeppelin]

We choose an F250 gas engine truck without the added weight of a sunroof and some other options just to get the payload of over 3000 lbs. The diesel engine would be nice in some conditions but where we live the fuel costs more per gallon. The engine also weights 800 lbs more (800 lb less payload) and costs some $8K more as I recall.


Just completed a long drive from Atlanta to Seattle and back crossing many high mountain passes - the truck did great.

[Airtandem]

I just had the opposite happen. I purchased a Ford Expedition and spent 2 hours with a tech going over every bell and whistle. Now I have to go back while he adjusts the back up assist with my trailer.

[lsbrodsky]

Yeah, I have to say when I bought my 2500 from Lee Chevrolet in Washington, NC they did a very thorough job. They have a tech dedicated to going over every bit of the electronic stuff and will setup the radio, ONSTAR, etc, if you wish. The older sales guy did a good job of covering all of the mechanical stuff, including payload and axle ratings. I was a little impatient by the time they were done, but the only thing they did not cover was how to adjust my Propride for the new truck vs my previous 1500.

Larry

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by Alreddawg19

I was in a similar boat this weekend! However I did enough research that I just didn't bother asking the salesman and just bought a 2019 f250. It was 2200 ish payload which was a significant improvement for our f150 of 1577.

Drives a little more rough but is a beautiful beast. My son loves the fact that it is diesel, like all the big trucks and farm equipment (he is 3).

My 16 Mega Cab 3500. Diesel. 2 ton.

[james.mileur]

Just go RAM. Here's a thread.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196837

[hhendrix]

Better salesperson doesn't translate to better product.

[Atwebs]

We bought a 2019 Chevy Diesel Silverado and the dealer knew everything about it -in fact they had that truck brought in so the dealership could tow their fancy race cars to events. But, even more important we know and love the shop foreman and he works above and beyond the norm on any issues...although we've not had any yet with this truck. Hard to deal with salesman who are clueless or mechanics that are untrained.

[Rgentum]

"The ride (in a one-ton) will be a little rougher, but that is the price for more payload. Loaded up it will ride better. I wish I got the 350 over my 250. The salesman just did not let me know the difference until I bought it."
____________________________

Bought an AS 27 FB and a Ram/Cummings 2500 to pull it. The salesman said, "The one-ton is only $400 more than the 3/4, but you don't really need a one-ton to pull an Airstream." Put on 30K problem-free miles in my first two years, but kept meeting guys in RV parks with a one-ton whose constant comment was "Once you pull with a one-ton, you'll never go back to a 3/4." Traded in my 3/4 for a one-ton. Have become one more "Once you pull with a one-ton, you'll never go back to a 3/4" guy.

By the way, one of the reasons for my trade-in was that I foolishly thought $1,500 was too much to pay to get Ram Boxes on my 3/4. Damn! Big mistake. Obviously, Ram is the only truck with Ram Boxes, but now that I have them on my one-ton, I believe they're priceless, particularly for towing an AS.

Yes, I drove a GMC diesel 3500 and was very impressed --- remarkable machine. I went back to Ram because:
1. I wanted a white truck, and GMC didn't make a white 3500 Denaili (and I couldn't order one) --- they wanted to sell me a black truck, which I thought would be unsafe, particularly at night.
2. Ram Boxes only available on a Ram.
3. Comparable GMC truck with my 3/4 Ram trade-in was $5K more than Ram.
4. All three GMC dealers here with whom I spoke were sharp sellers, while the Ram dealer was mellow.

[jimfa440]

I once had a Ram salesman tell me that the DEF gauge had something to do with the vacuum, you know diesels need that vacuum.

[GCinSC2]

Dealer knowledge make this comment salesperson lack of knowledge. Happened many years ago.

Salesperson Yes this engine uses Say Ya 10W40 oil or whatever.

Me Uh it’s not Say Ya it’s

S.A.E. Pronounced as three letters.

And it means Society of Automotive Engineers.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I have mentioned many times...go to a dealer with a lot of white on the Lot. Dealers that do a lot of commercial sales are much more knowledgeable about truck stuff.👍
Bob
🇺🇸

[CBWELL]

One thing to check into before buying a 350 or 3500 is the required safety inspection. In our province any truck 1 ton and over has to have a yearly safety inspection. This can run into hundreds of dollars a year. Just beter to ask before than to be caught later.