I am at a pivotal point in every RV'r/truck owner's life...facing the fact that they may not have enough truck to do the job. What to do?

Currently: Ram 1500 Ecodiesel (Awesome daily driver and incredible fuel economy) towing a 30 foot TT weighing in at 6500 lbs. I have hit the scales and I am about 400 lbs over my GVWR but under my GCVWR and tow capacity.

Looking at the used 3/4 ton trucks out there I see that there are more F250s out there than the competitors and that leaves me wonder why. I see 2 potential reasons for this: 1) there are more F250s sold therefore it would stand to reason that there would be more used ones available but I can't find data on the f250 sales versus the others...just the "f" series trucks. Or...2) they have more problems and therefore people get rid of them but I can't find any good reliability data...consumer reports rates all the trucks in this segment as relatively poor reliability.

Anyone have any input on this?

 

The Super Duty series sell's 2 to 1 against CHEVY AND DODGE/RAM, so yes there are way more out there.
If you are looking at a 2011 or newer F-250 reliability is good! Good engines, and Transmissions!
Good Luck.
Seriously got to know why you are not looking at Ram though?

 

I am looking at all of them...limited budget=used. More Fords available used. Love the my Ram and really don't want to get rid of it but the towing thing...

 

Well good luck in your search! They are all to much money. Thinner metal and plastic that dents and rusts......

 

Not trying to steal a sale away from a superduty truck but, you may not need a 3/4 ton vehicle for towing needs. I love the SD trucks but lets face it, everything on them from registration to parts is more expensive and the ride as a DD is quite stiff.

Ford builds an F-150 HD that gets you an 8200 LB package. That very well may be ore than you require with your current set up and would cost thousands less than any 3/4 ton.

In fact, you could get an F-150 with max tow that would get you over 11,000 lbs of towing capacity in a 2009-2014 generation and over 12,000 in a 2015.

Likewise, Ram builds an HD version of the 1500 but I'm not familiar with it's specs.

 

By the time you find a half ton, with all the HD stuff, your better off buying a 3/4 ton.
I have been looking at new/newer used and a F-250 is the same price (or darn near) with the power stroke.
Plus you get a pathetic bed on the crew cab half tons. (I don't really need a 3/4 ton, and was thinking a max tow F-150 was in my future.)
Hell my super duty bed isn't big enough with the camper, firewood coolers and kids toys, I'm always looking for more.
Plus I don't care what anyone say's, 8,000lbs is going to push any half ton around more so than any of the heavier trucks.
I'm not saying the half ton's can't pull it, but my buddies eco boost sure as hell hates corners and hills more than my lowely 6.0. (although I will admit, he will out run me up the hills.)

 

Just being 400 lbs over your GVWR does not mean you need to trade.


How are you on your axle ratings and how are you on your tires?


Does the truck tow the load ok? or marginal?


Just an FYI the F350 and F250 are essentially the same truck for Ford. Just different door certs.


So the fact that there are more F250's on the market is because that is sold more than the F350. If there truly was a problem you would see tons of F350's on the market as well.


If you are just not happy with the performance I would also advise a F150 with max tow and the 3.5 ecoboost as an option as well. I have towed with one before and it did an excellent job with 15K behind it.

 

I know I don't have to trade...all my other weights are good. Trading would be more of a comfort level thing and looking to the future. I see more camper in my future.

 

Is the 400 pounds that your over figured at the empty weight of the trailer or fully loaded, full water tank and ready to head out? Does it include all the extra camping crap that we tend to haul along and not need such as charcoal, grill, bikes, firewood, tool box and tools? Full tank of fuel with all passengers?

If it is fully loaded weight that your using, then you could lighten the truck weight load with simply redistribution of weight towards the rear of the trailer or only carrying enough water for use while on the road. Unless you are dry camping and need to carry a full tank of water. If your including passenger weight which includes kids, consider leaving them at home.....LOL. Yes, I'm kidding on the kids......or am I? Pull off and remove the tailgate, that will save you 50 to 60 pounds.

400 pounds over on the vehicle weight wouldn't be enough of a concern for me to give it a second thought. I do however commend you on being aware that there are weight limitations and that you pay attention to them.

 

X2 on leaving the kids at home....We take the grandkids instead.

 

they are lighter

 

Here is what I think.

Planning on upgrading your trailer in the next couple of years? Yes. Look at getting another truck. No. see below.

Thinking about it, I thought the Eco Diesel was one of the heavier 1/2 ton dodges. I know they tout a descent tow rating but to read that you are maxed out on the truck, makes me think otherwise. I could see the logic about why you would want to upgrade. When I bought the F250, it was cheaper than an F150 which had less towing capacity and some of the models less features. I got a fairly loaded F250 for several 1000 under what I could get a F150 for. At least upstairs, I know I got the more capable truck for future needs as well like rental yards or larger travel trailers.

 

I think a lot of people who that the eco diesel from ram was going to be something special.


They didn't know that it took away from the payload in a big way.


Good commuter truck though.


I think there are also a lot of complaints about the regen on it though. Again because of the commuting and diesel emissions.

 

Sadly, the gvwr(and axle ratings) are the important and legal numbers. Gcwr and tow ratings are just advertising numbers to sell a truck. As already mentioned, redistribution of the weight to take some of the load off the truck will help a lot.

How far in the future are you looking at upgrading to a bigger camper? If it is several years down the road then go ahead and get some use out of your current truck before trading it in. If you don't need a bigger truck for 5+ years, don't get a bigger truck until then.

 

Dealers will 3-4x more F250s than F350 SRWs in Texas. It's just what they keep on the lots for some reason, might be because licensing/taxes are higher over 10,000# GVWR here. Quick check of my dealer shows 56 F250s in stock, 14 F350s of all flavors (SRW, DRW, C&C), and a single F450, and that's in line with what I've seen on lots for a long time; I picked two random dealers in small ranching towns, they're each around 2:1 on F250s over F350s, but again that lumps in DRWs.

It's varied over the years, but an F250 and F350 SRW are mechanically close enough to be identical twins; the packages each comes with means more than the badge number honestly because Ford sells F250s with upgraded suspension packages, F350s that are derated, and so many combinations in the middle you can't automatically say a 350 is better than a 250 without pulling out the build sheet and comparing. The only difference that actually matters is the sticker that says what your legal weight limits are.