2018 Ram 3500..... 930 LB-Ft Torque, 30k Towing capacity.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/the-2...ium&utm_source

 

No hills in IL, otherwise may have gone another way! Cheers!

 

By now it would be long in the tooth...2003. The burning Dodge died a few years ago...pre 4, 6, 8 cylinder cessation.

As to Illinois being flat, the Hemi would struggle even on I-55 from St.Louis to Chicago on overpasses. Nothing like a motor kicking down to 2nd gear to wake one out of a trance.

Run away...run away

 

2003 was the first year for the Hemi, sounds like yours was a bit of a POS. My experience with my 05 Hemi (pre-multi cyl) at 220k miles she pulls my 20ft enclosed well on flat terrain, but I wouldn't pull any further than NJMP. About 10mpg I can get from DE to NJMP and back on bit less than a half tank. I've got my eyes out for a 2500 Chevy or Dodge all the time, just not a Ford fan.

 

The added fuel range of a diesel is well worth the added cost. I can go 500 miles to a tank.

 

I towed an open loaded with a car with my F150 400 miles and still had fuel left in my tank. Based on GPS my starting out point was lower than my ending point. So I proudly claim it was all up hill while averaging about 65 mph.

 

You must have the 36 gallon tank...I can't hit 400 miles unloaded in my truck

 

Whatever you do, go for a diesel. Cost wise it will make no sense whatsoever because the higher cost of diesel will outweigh your fuel savings, BUT you will have much better range and the better torque of the diesel gives a more relaxed ride with fewer downshifts.

Unless you have other use for a pickup, go with a diesel SUV with air suspension and buy yourself a lightweight Trailex trailer. A 996 Cup plus equipment and a Trailex would be 5500 lbs max weight.

 

Great thread. Subscribed.

Caution re MB Twin Turbo v6 options.
My R320 CDI aka The Pig did great towing and double duty as a mom-mobile until a couple of excursions through West Va. up toward MidOhio/Indianapolis from the SE.

Needed a new transfer case $6500 last year, and then a new turbo $4600 in May. Now new transmission on the horizon ~$5600

It's either my marriage or the R at this point.
I plan to get a 3.5 F150 Ecoboost which is plenty if I go enclosed.

For anyone using a MBGL etc I'd suggest judiciousness around transfer case and transmission fluid changes circa 60k cycles.
I was (understandably) seduced by the Diesel V6 for obvi reasons.

Would be very interested to hear opinions on Ecoboost F150 vs. F250 Diesel.

Thanks in advance.
A

 

ExMB
What are the specs on your F150?
A

 

How many answers are we up to?

 

16 F150 Screw with 3.5 ecoboost, tow package and 36 gal fuel tank. What else do you want to know?

P.S.
Thats comparing a Ford (150) to a GM/Fiat (2500). Do you have a brand favorite?

 

Thanks VM ExMB your truck model is what I'm thinking of getting based on prev rental experiences. Although I like the Nissan Titan it feels delicate as compared with the Ford trucks. I need longevity.

Sorry I meant F250 Super Duty Diesel not the GM/DodgeCummings etc.
Although GMs are great fun to drive they are too big for entry/egress at my size (Men's Extra-Small) and are really not a comfy ride on those long 13 hour hauls.

(Edited prev post).

 

I didn't rule out any brand when I started my selection process. I put a list together of the requirements it had to meet and then checked each against that list. I.E. I had things like:
a) will it fit my garage (don't like scraping windows in the winter) and allow me to walk around it to take out the trash?
b) how well layed out are the ergonomics?

Then of course the negatives like on a Ford extended cab with the suicide rear doors I didn't like how the front seat belts were attached to those suicide doors - having to undo the belts so rear passengers can get out without strangling the front passengers - having to open the front to access the rear, etc.

 

Almost there... Bear with me 😀
Looking at a 2012 F250 super cab 4x2 with 15k miles and 12 month Ford CPO for 29.5k
V8 diesel and tow package
3.31 axle
Does that seem reasonable. Its not close to me so would buy unseen...