Which of the big three 3/4 tons would you look at and why?

[EuroJoe]

I'm considering getting a slide-in total composite camper, but I would need to upgrade to a 3/4 ton.

It would be used for weekend ski trips so would want 4x4, and a couple longer trips from the East coast out west to MTB.

The three are Ford, GMC, or Dodge. Ideally not much older than 4 or 5 years and with the majority of mod cons, car play etc. Likely go gas vs diesel due to initial cost.

Appreciate any thoughts and experiences.

Thanks

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I'm considering getting a slide-in total composite camper, but I would need to upgrade to a 3/4 ton.

It would be used for weekend ski trips so would want 4x4, and a couple longer trips from the East coast out west to MTB.

The three are Ford, GMC, or Dodge. Ideally not much older than 4 or 5 years and with the majority of mod cons, car play etc. Likely go gas vs diesel due to initial cost.

Appreciate any thoughts and experiences.

Thanks

They're all pretty good. Drive em all and see which you like.

Ford has the 7.3L / 10 SPD combo.

Ford and Ram have solid axles out front.

GM has IFS which may ride better on road. GM offers auto 4WD which is nice for your ski trips in snowy road conditions.

 

[EuroJoe]

They're all pretty good. Drive em all and see which you like.

Ford has the 7.3L / 10 SPD combo.

Ford and Ram have solid axles out front.

GM has IFS which may ride better on road. GM offers auto 4WD which is nice for your ski trips in snowy road conditions.

I'm leaning towards the 7.3/10sp option

I didn't realise that GM had an auto 4wd, seems Ideal

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I'm leaning towards the 7.3/10sp option

I didn't realise that GM had an auto 4wd, seems Ideal

Not all of them do. I think it's like a $200 add on to select 'Auto Trac' when ordering. Guessing it would most likely be the mid / higher trims that will have had this feature selected. If I was in charge of ordering vehicles at a GM store, for $200 it seems like a no brainer to add to a 60K + truck.

 

[tacollie]

If you're trying to save a few bucks get the Ford 6.2. It's reliable and cheaper because everyone wants the 7.3. 2020+ F350 with the 6.2 gets the 10 speed trans. Fully loaded we're over 9600lbs on 35s and have zero issues keeping up with traffic even on the I70 corridor in Colorado.

 

[Kingsize24]

I'd personally steer you to a 350 for added payload over a 250, there is just no reason not too. But I'd definitely buy a Ford HD with towing and camper options and aux switches, dual alt, etc; if I was buying today.

 

[EuroJoe]

If you're trying to save a few bucks get the Ford 6.2. It's reliable and cheaper because everyone wants the 7.3. 2020+ F350 with the 6.2 gets the 10 speed trans. Fully loaded we're over 9600lbs on 35s and have zero issues keeping up with traffic even on the I70 corridor in Colorado.

What camper are you loaded with?

 

[EuroJoe]

I'd personally steer you to a 350 for added payload over a 250, there is just no reason not too. But I'd definitely buy a Ford HD with towing and camper options and aux switches, dual alt, etc; if I was buying today.

Early days yet but also looking at 1 tons

 

[tacollie]

What camper are you loaded with?

OEV Camp-x. Our F250 has a GVWR of 10000 with almost 3500lbs of payload.

 

[phsycle]

F350 w 7.3 seems like the winning combo. Most of them I see on the lot already have this layout.
Look at the STX package with rear locker. Nice features for the money.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

From poking around the

If you're trying to save a few bucks get the Ford 6.2. It's reliable and cheaper because everyone wants the 7.3. 2020+ F350 with the 6.2 gets the 10 speed trans. Fully loaded we're over 9600lbs on 35s and have zero issues keeping up with traffic even on the I70 corridor in Colorado.

Around here anyway, the GM's seems to go for a fair bit less.

All of these are mid level (XLT / LT / Big Horn) gas pot 3/4 tons. I added a few mod cons but kept it equal - heated seats, tow pkgs, sport pkg (sport pkg is required to get heated seats on the Ford.)

 

[tacollie]

From poking around the

Around here anyway, the GM's seems to go for a fair bit less.

All of these are mid level (XLT / LT / Big Horn) gas pot 3/4 tons. I added a few mod cons but kept it equal - heated seats, tow pkgs, sport pkg (sport pkg is required to get heated seats on the Ford.)

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I have no clue about the new market. The OP stated up to five years old. The 6.2 Fords don't hold value compared to the other options. It's is a dated engine but it's reliable and more than capable of carrying a camper.

 

[blacklbzbeauty]

Look at all 3.
They all have pros and cons.
Maybe more important than the badge is the condition of the truck for the money.

 

[Macfly]

If you're trying to save a few bucks get the Ford 6.2. It's reliable and cheaper because everyone wants the 7.3. 2020+ F350 with the 6.2 gets the 10 speed trans. Fully loaded we're over 9600lbs on 35s and have zero issues keeping up with traffic even on the I70 corridor in Colorado.

I went for the 6.2 when I ordered it 4 years ago because a lot of the early crate 7.3 engines were giving bad problems in motorhomes and tour buses, and it was also the first year they were putting them in the SD, so I went with known reliability. Overall couldn't be happier with the rig, the engine handles my 11,200lbs with absolute ease and the 10 speed auto is surprisingly good for a truck - the only thing I wish it had was a better manual (paddle) changer than the clumsy stork-button thingy. I've done 19k miles, first 2.6k unloaded, the rest as a fully loaded rig, and my average mpg is 9.2 with 3,500-4k off road.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I have no clue about the new market. The OP stated up to five years old. The 6.2 Fords don't hold value compared to the other options. It's is a dated engine but it's reliable and more than capable of carrying a camper.

For sure. Just figured all thing being equal the price discrepancy might continue in the used market. Provided you are comparing trucks of a similar year, equipment level, condition & mileage.

All 3 are good trucks. I'd drive each and see what fits best. If possible, maybe take each one out for an hour or so to get an idea of seat comfort etc... Everyone's built different. So, what I may find comfortable, someone else won't.

If the majority is to be spend on road with light forest / off road thrown in, I'd probably go GM for the IFS's better on road manners. If the primary focus is off road ability, I'd go Ram or Ford for the SFA.

I'd probably also skip 3/4 ton and just go 1 ton. But, that's just me. For some reason there seems to be more 1 tons (new or used) in the market here than 3/4.