Help me decide, 3 trucks I need to pick 1 from.

[newbury]

Background:I'm retired. I've been going through the process of trying to determine what truck to add to my fleet. The truck will be used in Virginia and Mississippi. It's prime purpose will be to gather dust and suck up parking space. Occasionally, maybe 5 times a year I'll drive it from Va. to Ms. towing a 10K trailer down I81, I40, I75 and getting to northeast Ms. and then after a month or three, drive back. It will carry 2 passengers, me and my wife.
I've been making this trip with about this frequency since 2011 mostly with a 2002 Ford F350 7.3, CC, dually and it's crazy I know.
But the dually is getting "long in the tooth" and I'm concerned about it breaking down.
I missed out on the deals last January and the Tariff threat kicked in and prices jacked up. But now they have come back down slightly.
Also I looked at 5L F150's and they cost almost as much.

So I've narrowed my choices down to 3 vehicles.
2023 Ram Bighorn with /edit- 6.7L
diesel < 300 miles ~53K
Warranty mostly used up sitting on the lot
2024 Ford F250 XL w/ 6.7 0 miles full warranty ~56K
2025 Ford F250 XL w/ 6.7 0 miles full warranty ~60K

To me the 2024 is the sweet spot.
/edit - what would you pick?

 

[duffer]

I agree with your assessment of the '24 F-250 being the sweet spot. But I'd search for a low mileage one from a private party before I'd buy a '24 from a dealer. You'll get a much better deal, and still have full warranty on it.

Also, pulling a 10k# trailer will require a "bump up" in suspension I would think, unless it's a 5th wheel. Then you may still need a beefier suspension. And I'd also check the load rating on the tires.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Is the Ram a 1500 or a 2500? I think the 2500's come with a 6.7L diesel engine. If it's a 1500, it would be too small for your trailer.

The '24 F250 is probably your best choice, but I would attempt to negotiate a better price, since it is a '24 and has been sitting on their lot for a long time.

 

[bmaverick]

Background:I'm retired. I've been going through the process of trying to determine what truck to add to my fleet. The truck will be used in Virginia and Mississippi. It's prime purpose will be to gather dust and suck up parking space. Occasionally, maybe 5 times a year I'll drive it from Va. to Ms. towing a 10K trailer down I81, I40, I75 and getting to northeast Ms. and then after a month or three, drive back. It will carry 2 passengers, me and my wife.
I've been making this trip with about this frequency since 2011 mostly with a 2002 Ford F350 7.3, CC, dually and it's crazy I know.
But the dually is getting "long in the tooth" and I'm concerned about it breaking down.
I missed out on the deals last January and the Tariff threat kicked in and prices jacked up. But now they have come back down slightly.
Also I looked at 5L F150's and they cost almost as much.

So I've narrowed my choices down to 3 vehicles.
2023 Ram Bighorn with 5.7 diesel < 300 miles ~53K
Warranty mostly used up sitting on the lot
2024 Ford F250 XL w/ 6.7 0 miles full warranty ~56K
2025 Ford F250 XL w/ 6.7 0 miles full warranty ~60K

To me the 2024 is the sweet spot.
/edit - what would you pick?

The choices are not all that good really.
The RAM is interesting, but nearly 300K on miles is a turn off.

Both Fords worry me. Son has gone thru 3 engines under warranty for his 2022 F250. He married into a Ford only family, now he is regretting getting a Ford. Ford has had so many recalls, it's been such a turnoff too. He liked the Ford for an aluminum body too, will not rust out. But, if you can't have a working engine, then it's useless.

I don't know what to tell you to choose.

 

[Torvy]

I think that said 300, not 300k. That fits with "sitting on the lot". I'd be wary of that because 2 years is a long time to not move off your lot. I'd guess it was sold and returned. Someone else's lemon.

Personally, I'd really evaluate the trailer. Is it a hauler or an RV? 50-60k can pay for a lot of housing options. If it's to haul your tractor, you could get another tractor and keep one in each state. Worst case, pay to have it hauled.

Unless you really enjoy driving on highways with a load, I'd think outside the box, especially since you said this will otherwise collect dust.

It's your money, but I'd go none of the above.

 

[Cycledude]

The choices are not all that good really.
The RAM is interesting, but nearly 300K on miles is a turn off.

Both Fords worry me. Son has gone thru 3 engines under warranty for his 2022 F250. He married into a Ford only family, now he is regretting getting a Ford. Ford has had so many recalls, it's been such a turnoff too. He liked the Ford for an aluminum body too, will not rust out. But, if you can't have a working engine, then it's useless.

I don't know what to tell you to choose.

Wow three new engines under warranty ? What happened to cause that ?
I am currently a Ford f150 owner with 10 speed automatic, very often hearing of folks having problems with them but so far mine has been flawless.

 

[Rvrrat14]

I bought a 2024 2500HD w/ 6.6 GAS, Allison 10 speed. It replaced my older 2015 2500HD 6.6 DIESEL w/ Allison 6 speed. My diesel NEVER went back to dealer/service and I did all the maintenance on it. Best truck I’ve ever owned. But service and fuel prices as well as service on DIESEL priced it out for me.

I pull a 10K trailer with my new truck (gas) with zero issues; plenty of power. Extra cost of fuel consumption offsets maintenance and fuel costs of diesel.

 

[dodge man]

Don’t buy the Ram, not because it’s a bad truck but because it won’t have the payload to pull your truck.

Will you be happy with the XL trim level. They are nice trucks but pretty bare bones compared to even an XLT. I’d be happy with one but my wife wouldn’t. I’ll agree with you the 2014 might be a good buy, I wouldn’t be afraid of a truck sitting on the lot for a couple of years.

 

[Tomtint]

Im not a big fan of the idea of 10K behind a 150.....Can it do it.. yes. But the driving would be stressful and that alone would be enough for me to move up to a 250 or more. Even a 350 as those are 1500 or so more and have better resale. Getting a 23 or 24 as long as its full 5/100K warranty.. Really splitting hairs, They are basically the same truck with no significant differences. If paying cash.. Buy the cheaper one.. If financing,, Buy the one with the best rate. .. And financing it allows you to deduct the interest because of the BBB that was signed yesterday.

 

[deserteagle71]

Don't pick an F150 to tow a 10k trailer! I've owned an F150 for 8 years now, along with a 3500. The very thing that makes the F150 a pleasure to drive compared to a 3/4 or 1 ton, that compliant suspension, is what makes it less desirable as a tow vehicle. Too much of "the tail wagging the dog". Plus, there's a reason that Ford gives you a 3.5 Ecoboost engine when you spec the max tow package - more torque at lower rpm than what the 5 litre has.

Go with one of the diesels - over twice the torque of the F150 engine, and an exhaust brake for going back down the mountain! Actually, almost twice the torque of your old 7.3 diesel also!