Which Truck?

[realgoodbear]

I will be buying a Voltage soon. I am pretty set on the V3895 at this point. Now I need to buy the truck to tow with. As I attempt to research using Google, I can't find what I am looking for. I know most have a preference for a manufacturer and I am looking for the reasons why. I am open to buying any brand. I know I want/need a diesel dually crew cab. Luxury interior is not important to me.
Tell me why you love your truck

realgoodbear

[wildwest450]

Truck fight!!!

My GMC (gas) has 445,000 miles on it with zero engine work and still runs strong. You're really just going to get a bunch of this, and my trucks better than your truck. You probably can't go wrong with any of the Big 3, although I don't know how anyone can be open to bying any brand.

[azdryheat]

They're all good. I went with Chevy because the dealer had the deepest discounted price, about $12k off sticker price. I like Ford's color choices better.

[realgoodbear]

Yeah, I kinda figured this might be stirring the pot. My son was originally set on convincing me to get a Dodge, now he is saying I should just go with the best price I can find on any since any will "do the job". He has a Ford. Kinda leaning toward GMC since I am planning on getting the Voltage from Holman and I could accomplish everything there in one spot. Glad to hear your GMC has been so good to you, dawniewest. I am going full time and the closing on my house is the 24th of this month, so I need to make this quick and easy

realgoodbear

[wildwest450]

If you're set on getting a Voltage, you're no doubt going to get the best deal on a GMC/Chevy. Nothing says discount like going in to buy 2 new vehicles. Your salesman is going to wet himself.

[RVNevada]

Real Good Bear,
I have a V3895....I looked at the Ford F450 first and the cost was in the 70K with everything, I then went to Chevy and found a E3500 CC DRW loaded with more then I wanted, but the price was 10K less with all the tax and reg. As to pulling, when you go up hill or down hill, it don't matter, it's hard on any truck with close to 20K behind it, and I have been on mountains that went as high as 0 to 10K I have found that the Chevy didn't need Air Bags...It was level with the trailer loaded. My old truck was a Chevy 2500HD and with a banks system, man it would pull anything....but I have had trouble with stock Chevy Brakes, they get hot fast....I am going to rotors with holes to help cool the brakes, Someone on here stated that the Ford F-450 has better turning? A lot of the gang here have Dodge 3500, but I have pulled up hill passing a Dodge, but he may be slower then me? I think with the cost of both, try a get the best deal, but don't knock some of the nice things you can get for the inside, Like the seats, get the best
Good Luck, and Nice pick on the Voltage Model.........

[Soccerloco]

I tow a lot. Granted my unit weighs 14,000 lbs and change. I travel over sierra a bunch, the cascades And Rockies. Going is one descending is another. My last dodge pick up pulling same weight had 88 thousand miles when replaced front brakes and rotors. When measured brake they still had more than half of the pad left. I can only tell you that Dodge Ram exhaust brake is the bomb. I have descended many steep passes emigrant pass, monarch pass, wolf creek and more would not feel comfortable without the effectiveness of the ram exhaust brake. Again about 24,000 miles of towing a year. Cheers!!

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Soccerloco

I tow a lot. Granted my unit weighs 14,000 lbs and change. I travel over sierra a bunch, the cascades And Rockies. Going is one descending is another. My last dodge pick up pulling same weight had 88 thousand miles when replaced front brakes and rotors. When measured brake they still had more than half of the pad left. I can only tell you that Dodge Ram exhaust brake is the bomb. I have descended many steep passes emigrant pass, monarch pass, wolf creek and more would not feel comfortable without the effectiveness of the ram exhaust brake. Again about 24,000 miles of towing a year. Cheers!!

^^^^ can't agree more on the exhaust brake - I have the PacBrake on my Dodge and love it - just turn it off when driving on hard packed snow or ice...

[macman83]

Love my F450. The truck is completely stock, and has all the pulling power that I need, and the weight police look at it and just wave me on by. Because of the medium duty nature of the chassis, it handles the 3500lb. Pin weight easily with no mods to the suspension. I just happened to get a crazy good deal from a private individual for the ' King Ranch' but really, who needs a sunroof in a pickup?!? BTW, I went from a 2000F350 SRW to the F450 and so the difference was amazing!

[Soccerloco]

Crazy options on pick ups one I like best in cold country is heated steering wheel. Yeah baby

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by Soccerloco

Crazy options on pick ups one I like best in cold country is heated steering wheel. Yeah baby

The heated bumpers on Fords is a nice option as well.

[realgoodbear]

Thanks for the responses. I am thinking......anyone smell smoke?

[Soccerloco]

Well I know heated steering wheels don't smoke!

[wildwest450]

All in good fun, I'm actually tired of the what truck is better debate. Buy new and take care of it, they should all last many years.

[sreuss]

^^^^^^^ Well said. The big three all make high quality trucks.

[realgoodbear]

Well, I suppose that settles it then, I will just look for the best price. Thank you very much for the answers.

[Moogal78]

Glad you got some good advice. If I may offer one more thought, that someone touched on earlier. It's your money, spend as you will, but seriously consider some of those higher trim level creature comforts. Some of the offerings might be silly, but heated/cooled seats, leather seating surfaces, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth audio and such are incorporated to improve your overall experience, allowing you to focus on the task at hand, not how miserable you may be on a hot/cold day. If you're fulltiming, I assume you will be traveling and spending some quality time in the truck. Give a second thought to where you want to spend that time. Good luck with your search and purchase!

[macman83]

I will have to admit, the heated seats are mighty nice in the middle of February's cold temps!

[realgoodbear]

I am sure I will opt for some creature comforts. The car I am driving now used to belong to my dad and he loves creature comfort. I have joked that I would have to spend a fortune on my next vehicle because I was getting so spoiled, but it's true. My favorite option has been the remote start followed closely by the heated/cooled seats. A heated steering wheel sounds wonderful especially since I hate wearing gloves while I drive. I hope I can spend most, if not all, my time in places where heated truck parts are a forgotten luxury.

[Soccerloco]

Never even thought about heated steering wheel now that I have one can't imagine life without one. My wife is very envious!! Remote start the truck heated seats and steering are ready to go when you hop in. Life is good!!!