Wife went back to work so I get to get a new tow vehicle. Current is 1995 ford f150 5.0 5 speed manual regular cab 2wd(rated 2800lbs, never belive a trailer salesman again). I know diesel is the best but not looking for that just enough because anything will be far better then what I have. I am looking at 2 would enjoy any input. towing 2011 rockwood ultra lite 5300lbs dry. Light packers to couple bikes my daughter and 2 dogs.

1) 2004 f250 xlt 5.4 crewcab 4x4 fx4 10k miles with tow package Unknown rear gear clean car fax
2)2007 dodge ram SLT 2500 5.7 crewcab 4x4 29k miles right front impact on car fax (looks good though)

They are the same price but the dodge is closer and from what I rear tows better. Any advice from anyone towning with these would be great. I am new to towing and the world of travel trailers. Thanks Jason

 

well the dodge would tow better, its a 3/4 tonne, less miles on the ford and already has the tow package, but, the max tow capacity of an 04 F150 is 9200 pounds, where as the the dodge has the same, but a heavier truck, personally i'd pick the ford for reliability

 

This is from the Dodge wewbsite.
2007 DODGE RAM_2500 QUAD CAB ST, QUAD CAB, 4WD, 6.25 Ft Bed, 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission, 5.7L V8 HEMI Engine:

With 3.73 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8850 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 8800 lbs
Payload [i] = 2793 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 6007 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3399 lbs/3399 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6000 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 15000 lbs

With 4.10 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 10850 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 8800 lbs
Payload [i] = 2793 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 6007 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3399 lbs/3399 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6000 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 17000 lbs

As you stated the ford has a tow rating of 9200, which is higher than the Dodge, but they both have the same gross. The ford gives you a little more legally if you get excited on the packing.

Couple things that come to mind.
The 2007 Ram in a quad cab not a true crew cab, its basically an extended cab with doors vs Ford which is a true crew cab.

The F150 will ride and drive infinitely better than a straight axle 3/4 ton.

The Dodge has a bigger stronger rear axle. ( no that your weight comes close to the max of either)

5.7 Hemi is dual plug design that shares coils with cylinder pairing, pretty complicated electronics

The 2500 Dodge does not have cylinder deactivation like the 1500. That means 12-14 mpg avg at best

As Rob188 stated I too believe the Ford to be a better overall truck. It will handle your trailer with ease and be a great daily driver the rest of the week.

 

Go with the Ford. That 5.4 likes the RPMS but it will serve you well. Besides you say it is also a F250.

 

oops read right over the 250 part. Same answer, buy the ford.

 

i too thought it was a 150, misread my bad, but all the more reason to get the ford,an f250 has better payload and max tow capacity than the dodge 2500

 

i also belive the fx4 comes with 4.10 gr

 

Get the Ford, bottom line, the transmission, IMO. Ford has a transmisson that is hard to beat.

 

The 2valve 5.4L won't keep up with the 5.7L dodge and the transmission would still be the old 4speed.

They will both do the job, but I have to say that the dodge will tow better then the Ford. Now, if it was an 05+ 5.4L, things would be alot closer in the towing department.

The dodge front end will need to replaced every 50k or so though

 

The dodge front end will need to replaced every 50k or so though

And the Dana 50 won't? LOL

 

I was refering more to steering, bushings, u joints . . .

Lots of people have no issues with the Dana 50, not many people don't have issues with the dodge front ends.

 

i believe the new ford diffs don't need service, or have longer service intervals, just like oil change intervals grew.

 

Be careful not to confuse towing better with towing faster. Towing isn't about speed at all, it's about doing the job safely and for a long period of time without tearing up the tow vehicle. Many of the Dodge tests and stories are about speed on acceleration and hill climbing. If you watch some of the test videos, try to listen to that engine in the Dodge Hemi screaming to accelerate to speeds beyond the speed limits while towing up long grades. How long do you think that truck will last? I certainly don't want to be the second owner of that truck.

 

Oh you are so Right here! I am so glad someone stepped up and posted this.....X2