Best Dual Rear Wheel 1 Ton Truck

[Bill2e]

And Go.....

Seriously, I have decided to upgrade the Ram SRW to a DRW.

Started looking at the Rams and they are the leader in the club house, but since I will be buying a new hitch anyway for the longbed, why not look at all the BIG Three.

I am very well versed on the Ram, but talk to be about Ford and GM.

Which of the 3 do you think are best and why?

[ChiefCamper]

I switched from Chevy to Ram back in 2018 (3500SRW) mainly because of pricing at that time. Basically all three have proven and durable features. There are die hard fan boys for every brand and they will never be convinced of anything different.

Back in October I started looking at new trucks, mainly because we need to upgrade to a dually, the 382FLRB is a heavy beast and my gas 6.4L struggled on hills. I watched numerous youtube videos, looked at several models and kept coming back to the Ram. Is it perfect, no, but the Cummins engine gets high marks from just about every reputable reviewer. Evidently the exhaust brake alone is second to none and I just like the look of the truck!

So I stayed with the Ram and ordered a 3500DRW CTD/HO/Aisin transmission. I also had Ram install the 5th wheel prep and the hitch, I'll sell my current hitch this spring.The one thing they all have in common is $$$$$ but you only live once! I won't be towing till April but have a feeling it is going to be a night and day difference.

[SloPoke]

My buddy invested in a RAM 5500 with a Bradford Built truck body. His GCWR is 33,000 LBS and has no problems at all with his giant Toy Hauler loaded.

[Bill2e]

Originally Posted by ChiefCamper

I switched from Chevy to Ram back in 2018 (3500SRW) mainly because of pricing at that time. Basically all three have proven and durable features. There are die hard fan boys for every brand and they will never be convinced of anything different.

Back in October I started looking at new trucks, mainly because we need to upgrade to a dually, the 382FLRB is a heavy beast and my gas 6.4L struggled on hills. I watched numerous youtube videos, looked at several models and kept coming back to the Ram. Is it perfect, no, but the Cummins engine gets high marks from just about every reputable reviewer. Evidently the exhaust brake alone is second to none and I just like the look of the truck!

So I stayed with the Ram and ordered a 3500DRW CTD/HO/Aisin transmission. I also had Ram install the 5th wheel prep and the hitch, I'll sell my current hitch this spring.The one thing they all have in common is $$$$$ but you only live once! I won't be towing till April but have a feeling it is going to be a night and day difference.

That is interesting, I am in a Ram now and was 100% going to get another one before I realized the MSRP on a GMC Denali is $10K less than the Ram limited I built.

I'll probably still get the Ram, but figure I should look around and learn about the others.

[jetlag]

You all slow down!!! let me pop some popcorn and get a chair lol. This should be fun.

[atlantaM3]

I went with a Ford dually for a few reasons -
- alloy body, so no rust per se
- 6.7 is a strong engine, and there are a LOT of them out there, so parts etc. shouldn't be an issue if needed on the road
- interior design was very comfortable - massaging seats are great for long hauls. Interior also adapted well to my wife as driver, who is 5' tall. I am 6'3", so big difference in position. Others were not nearly as comfortable for her in driving position.
- truck handles the weight well - 18k lbs, 45' toy hauler. no real strain noted, very quiet overall even while under load
- discussing with my peer group that had several of each brand, the Ford had the best overall feedback.
- pricing with options wanted was pretty strong, and model wanted was available via Costco program at the time

I do wish I had the 10 speed, but not willing to make that spend currently.

RAM -
during personal test drive of Dodge RAM, a part literally broke off in my hand - others in my peer group had poor feedback regarding interior and other wear part durability -short version of feedback is truck will fall apart around engine. I REALLY liked that longhorn interior too.
getting the good cab restricted bed to 6.5 - not ideal for me personally
local RAM dealer had a poor reputation - sales people were way off on many specs, service area had a poor rep for quality



GM -
- at the time, 2018, they were still on the old body design, so small interior and limited weight capacity compared to the other two. I havent looked at the new iterations.

[spoon059]

All 3 of them are phenominal trucks. Find the one that meets the approval of the wife and the bank account. One may be slightly faster than the others going up the Ike, but the reality is that any of the 3 will safely and comfortably haul ridiculous amounts of weight.

The only real difference is personal preference and price point. My current truck is a Ram and I LOVE the Cummins, but I have zero loyalty to any brand.

[Murff]

Waiting for more to weigh in!

Murff

[TCNashville]

All 3 are good but if you order one, be prepared for a lengthy wait time.

[Bill2e]

Originally Posted by Bill2e

That is interesting, I am in a Ram now and was 100% going to get another one before I realized the MSRP on a GMC Denali is $10K less than the Ram limited I built.

I'll probably still get the Ram, but figure I should look around and learn about the others.

LOL...........$11K mark up over MSRP on an ordered GMC. No thank you, I'll just get another Ram.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by Bill2e

And Go.....

Seriously, I have decided to upgrade the Ram SRW to a DRW.

Started looking at the Rams and they are the leader in the club house, but since I will be buying a new hitch anyway for the longbed, why not look at all the BIG Three.

I am very well versed on the Ram, but talk to be about Ford and GM.

Which of the 3 do you think are best and why?

Good grief. You did not really ask that did you? LOL. There are massive posts in uncountable threads on which truck is the best. As I said in another post about another product where you sit is where you stand that is what you will get for the next 20 pages of posts.



I guess it gives everyone a chance to brag

[Bill2e]

Originally Posted by CAG

Good grief. You did not really ask that did you? LOL. There are massive posts in uncountable threads on which truck is the best. As I said in another post about another product where you sit is where you stand that is what you will get for the next 20 pages of posts.



I guess it gives everyone a chance to brag

I wanted a fresh perspective.........


Ruled out GMC
99% staying with Ram

[Sundancer330]

There is no BEST, everybody has a different reason for what they buy.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by Bill2e

I wanted a fresh perspective.........


Ruled out GMC
99% staying with Ram

We get that weekly when someone posts the same question again. There is a search feature at the top of the page and Google is wonderful for those type questions. You can even get technical data that way.

[jetlag]

I am sitting and sharing popcorn with Murff, don't stop!!

[Bugzilla46310]

Can’t decide between the Kenworth or Peterbuilt! Definitely not the Volvo.

[Bill2e]

Originally Posted by CAG

We get that weekly when someone posts the same question again. There is a search feature at the top of the page and Google is wonderful for those type questions. You can even get technical data that way.

There is also the ability to scroll past a thread without comment if you’ve seen it before……..

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Murff

Waiting for more to weigh in!

Murff

Ask 5 people this question and you’ll get 6 different answers.

[Jagiven]

I am with Murff and Jetlag, I really want to hear what people like and dislike about their 1 tons.

I have no experience with any of the modern big three. We are looking at a new 5ver, so I need a new truck first. I have two friends one with a Chevy the other bought a GMC. Honestly I am not impressed with either truck. Both are gassers which is what I will be purchasing. Both truck's interiors are cold, seats are hard as bricks, ride I thought was stiff. The dash reminds me of a 1990's vehicle. I will admit, both have the smallest screen in the center console that you can get. I will admit, I like basic trucks.

I have "built" both Ram and Ford. Ford's pricing is better. I like Ford's Aluminum cab. But that is about where it ends. I sat in a Ford this summer at the local fair. It was nice, I liked the rear seat setup. But the rest of the cab was nothing to write home about. In the next couple weeks I am planning to go test drive hopefully a 1 ton, but no one has any around here. So I suspect I will find a 3/4 ton, and see how it is, knowing the primary difference is the suspension.

I did test drive a Ram Bighorn 2500 a few weeks back. Absolutely loved the truck, if it had been a 3500 it would be in my driveway right now. This particle Bighorn was not heavily accessorized inside the cab. What it did have was exactly what was needed to tow. My favorite item that really is swaying me towards Ram is the Digital Rear View Mirror. Every vehicle should have this feature!

I do not know what I will be buying, but it will be a 1 ton SRW. Hopefully there will be some good discussion on this post, to help me ensure I know what to look for in each brand.

Good Luck!

[Bugzilla46310]

My 16 is too dated to comment, and I do not own a 5th wheel, so I am an expert on this topic! One item that came up on the Ford Truck Enthusiast towing section when the 2017 new designed model year came out was the height of the bed interfered the the owners current 5th wheel. Not sure if this would be an issue with a new 5th wheel and do not recall what the solution was. Just some information for you to be aware of.