Chevy vs Ford for work truck

[Monster5601]

Monster5601, something does not add up, because the payload on my 2006 F350 SRW is 3,700 lbs. And I have seen similiar trucks with higher payloads.

This was a 2015 F350SD Powerstroke, CC, 4x4, Lariat, and that was the maximum payload number on the driver's door placard. Before I started looking at vehicles on dealer lots and specifically looking at the placard for the real maximum payload (I learn that from this forum) I made a list of the three contender's 3/4 and 1 ton trucks published payloads and towing weights from their web sites.

It was obvious the 3/4 tons didn't have the payload for a fifth wheel so I focused on one ton trucks. From each manufactures webs site, I looked up the same configuration, crew cab, 4x4, standard box, high content vehicle, single rear wheel, diesel, automatic transmission, and model year 2015. Here are the numbers from their web sites;
RAM 3500 3,950 pounds
Ford F350SD 2,931 pounds
GMC 3500HD 4,264 pounds

Actual payloads for a specific truck, the number off the vehicle's placard was less for each vehicle I looked at. GM and RAM were both north of 3,500 and the Fords at about 2400. If something is amiss I don't know what it is. All I did was research and compile the data so I could make a correct decision. The Ford dealer did recommend I look at the F450. Also, all the vehicles offered about the same amount of tow weight, both 3/4 and one ton trucks came in around 17,000 pounds of tow weight.

All three rated their vehicles using the newly adopted J2807 SAE specification. I don't know much about this specification and if it covers payload ratings.

Same here. My 06 F350 SRW Power Stoke FX4 has a GVWR of 11,500# and a empty weight with me in it and 3/4 tank of fuel at 7,600# leaving 3,900# of honest payload.

In comparison the 05 GMC Dmax 3500 SRW 4x4 it replaced had a 9,900# GVWR and a empty weight of 7,400# measured the same way leaving 2,500# of payload. The 3/4 ton GM trucks that year had a 8,800# or 9,400# GVWR leaving about 1,500# payload.

By the way, my father and uncle both have EB trucks and guess what, no problems. Shocker!

Chris

Again, these were MY15 trucks, so why the trip down memory lane?

What is an EB truck and why would anyone be shocked by it, is it electric?

 

[timster2]

Definitely don't go by what the local municipality is buying. Municipalities buy by bid or State contract, lowest bid usually wins. Some bid specifications are poorly/intentionally written so only one brand can meet the bid spec. In addition dealers selling to municipalities are given special manufacturers incentives when pricing vehicles for government contracts/bids.

There is some good information to be gained by talking to the municipalities' technicians to see just what is breaking on a regular basis. This is the best source for this information as they drive the same roads you do.

 

[dgeesaman]

I am looking at buying a 2015 3/4 ton gas 4x4 truck for work. I will not be driving it my employees will so I really don't care a whole lot about ride, features, etc. What I am concerned with is which is more likely to hold up longer and give me less problems.

The truck will be used to pull trailers 5,000 - 10,000lb maybe 1000 miles a month. The rest of the time it will be practically empty shuttling 4 guys back and forth from jobsites and just parked at the jobsites during the day.

Any advice or is it really just a matter of personal preference?

Since each brand has had it's issues from time to time, it's personal preference. It's much more important to research the particular model/engine than to restrict yourself to a brand (or foolishly believe that this is as simple as keeping to one brand).

You'll get anecdotes about how wonderful/awful the other one is all day long. Just keep in mind there are more Fords on the road than Dodge or Chevy so if you want buying power then Ford has the advantage there.

David

 

[bdog]

Thanks for the replies. Ended up with a Ford. Actually it was a little cheaper than the Chevrolet. The msrp's were more or less the same but the ford had more rebates.

Dealer was not so much of a concern. The truck will be used all over the U.S. and in my experience the times trucks go into the shop in our hometown are not that often.

 

[tcartwri]

Definitely don't go by what the local municipality is buying. Municipalities buy by bid or State contract, lowest bid usually wins. Some bid specifications are poorly/intentionally written so only one brand can meet the bid spec. In addition dealers selling to municipalities are given special manufacturers incentives when pricing vehicles for government contracts/bids.

There is some good information to be gained by talking to the municipalities' technicians to see just what is breaking on a regular basis. This is the best source for this information as they drive the same roads you do.

This is exactly right. From first hand experience.

 

[ruffdog]

By the way, my father and uncle both have EB trucks and guess what, no problems. Shocker!

Chris

Yet.........have you seen the new TSB on the cam chains? It covers 2011 to 2014 trucks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yet.........have you seen the new TSB on the cam chains? It covers 2011 to 2014 trucks.

No. Not worried till it breaks.

Chris

 

[Wolfy]

Sorry timster2, the reason they buy Fords is because they hold up. There is no way Ford will come in on a bid lower than a Dodge. I do see some municipal trucks that are GMC, but never ever Dodge. They sell cheap because they are built cheap.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Are you buying a chassis cab and adding a flat bed or just a regular crew cab work truck? Really either one would be fine, I know the Chevy's are new (think the super dutys are too but not sure). The 6.0 is stone reliable and been around since forever it seems like. I will say more farmers around here seem to be turning to Ram here in the HD trucks lately for some reason. Not me, if I can't buy a GM I'll just buy a Ford.

The reason for going to dodge GM quit building one with enough GVW and Ford shot themselves in foot with 6.0 and 6.4 so people went to dodge with cummins and asain trans. I'm not a doge fan but have found these holding up well we have some with over 250k on them

 

[3930dave]

Yet.........have you seen the new TSB on the cam chains? It covers 2011 to 2014 trucks.

Are those interference engines ? Do you have the TSB # handy ?

Rgds, D.