Need to buy a NEW truck: Ford, Dodge or GMC?

[hoch]

Looking to get a truck again. Had a truck years ago, which was a Toyota Tacoma. Loved it, as it was nimble enough on the trails and plenty capable. I now have an ATV, so no issues on getting my off-road fix. Loved it for camping, hauling a bunch of housework material, etc. Really miss having a truck.

With 2 kids and probably #3 in the next year or two, I am looking for a full-sized truck. Although I've had good luck with Tacoma's and Toyota's in general (had several 4Runners, Corollas, etc)., Tundra's really don't interest me much. Dismal MPG (my family and friends are getting 13-14MPG), fair share of issues, etc. I don't really see much difference compared to domestic trucks, so looking at the Big 3. Price range is ~$30-40k.

Any knowledgable folks who know their trucks want to advise? Really, the main things I'm looking for are:

- Reliability
- 4WD
- Relatively good MPG
- Good amount of cabin room
- Capable of handling mild trails (I don't think any of them will have issues with this)
- I don't haul or tow much, so that's not a factor. Heaviest I will tow is probably a 10' trailer around 4000lbs. And that's MAYBE once a year.

I keep turning to a Dodge Ram. Not interested in the diesel, so maybe the 5.7L Hemi. Still gets 21mpg highway. Maybe even the V6 will suffice with even better MPG. I have no idea on their reliability or warranty service, though.

Do any of the new models have an edge over the other? Thanks for any inputs.

[XR2]

I'm a General Motors man myself.

[Mabouya]

If you don't haul or tow much, why do you need a truck?

Not trying to be a d!ck or anything, but I figured out a while back that one of the most important things when deciding what vehicle to buy is to identify your actual honest-to-goodness needs vs your wants. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy something that's more than simply what you need, but be sure you understand what's going on in your head when you make the decision.

Good luck.

[steve garro]

Our new Silverado 1500 4x4 that replaced our old Silverado when we wrecked it at 293,000mi is BADASS, just drove it to WI and back, and it's sweet!

- Garro.

[hoch]

Mabouya - Although I don't tow or haul much, I still would have good uses for the truck bed. Whether that's hauling dirty bikes, yard waste, muddy camping gear, etc., it comes in handy. But point taken on need vs want. I could probably get by with a Subaru and a trailer, but definitely not as convenient.

steve garro - what sort of mileage are you getting? What size engine?

[11.4]

The big news in a truck this year is the new Ford F150. (I drive a Ford F350 Super Duty diesel by way of disclaimer.) The new truck has an engine option that's been tested really hard for about three years now and delivers 21+ mph with superb torque and power, and it's also unique in that it shed something like 700 lbs by switching heavily to aluminum. That also means less corrosion over the years, and various other benefits. Ford has had some funky things going for a while, like a partnership with Microsoft to supply their entertainment connections; it's switched now to support Apple and Carplay ... finally. Ford hasn't prioritized cabin decor as much as Ram, but the cabin is made more for durability and functional use -- big knobs for use with gloves, that kind of thing. They've toned that down this year.

Take them all out for a drive. Each has a different strength. The Ford, I'd argue, is a bit more oriented towards work and hard use. It's traditionally held the record for horsepower and torque and now heads the rankings in mpg. Rams have been designed for quite a while for cosmetic style and detail. They do look nice. Chevy has a pretty conservative look and style and simply has an audience that doesn't want anything as adventuresome. Nothing wrong with that. When Ford first came out with their Tonka-truck look and Ram was trying to look like every piece of sheet metal was on steroids, Chevys were a nice alternative. I have bigger issues when it comes down to diesels but you're buying gas. I'm not trying to sway you in any direction because in that class of truck they are all pretty nice and extremely cost-effective. They're just different and it depends on what floats your boat.

[Gern]

I have 11k miles on a new RAM 2500 4x4 with the Cummins motor. I realize that this a much heavier beast than the 1500 trucks, different engine, too. However, the body and interior are basically the same. The new RAM trucks have a great interior/infotainment and are very quiet and civilized on the highway. My wife has even threatened to take it from me, and she drives a very nice MDX daily. My new truck has been trouble-free. My 2004 Cummins was very reliable as well. My brother has a 1 year old F-150 as well. It is a very nice truck. I don't think it rides as well as my truck, as it has leaf springs in the rear, compared with the coils on the RAM trucks (well, 1500's and 2500's anyway -- I think 3500's still use leaf packs in the rear).

[steve garro]

IMG_8385.JPG

steve garro - what sort of mileage are you getting? What size engine?

If I recall it was the 5.3 liter and I'm surprised on how little we have to re-fill it compared to the old truck.

I don't have real figures but Flagstaff to Cortez, CO was $40 at $2.78 a gallon if you want to figure it.

We got it to replace our old Desert Rig for going to Baja off road and such.

8' bed & a winch too

The 6-speed manual overdrive and 4x4 are a real treat after our old truck and our pinche lemon Forester

- Garro.

[Too Tall]

For the needs you describe a Toyota and is what I'd get were it not for the diesel that Nissan is about to introduce...which is way more truck than you need?

SteveO is right bout the Chevy's. Man they are reliable and comfortable to drive. I'm torn between their 6.2 liter Silverado or wait for the Nissan to hit the streets.

Either way, both of us are in the market for a truck.

FWIIW Frank B. (form member) is a Chebby dealer and I bet he'd take care of you.

[caleb]

Does "like new" count?

Personally, I'm jonesing for something like this: 1979 F150 1/2 ton Long bed 4x4 regular cab Ranger survivor 79 Orange White

[WayneJ]

I'd get the new Dodge 1500 with VM Motori diesel 3.0L engine. A friend just bought one with the 4 full doors, 6.5 foot bed and 4x4 with tow package. Getting 30MPG and it's not broken in yet.

[11.4]

If you haven't driven a new truck in a while, they are a whole different world. Much better mileage, extremely quiet inside, plush, lots of cabin storage, electronics and entertainment out the kazoo. Even comparing the 2016's to my 2012 it's all gotten much better and I'm extremely happy with my 2012. Trucks are great. And with short turning radius, backup sensors, and both forward and rear backup cameras, it's pretty hard to screw up a parking job.

[rydesteel]

Thanks for the plug my friend ;>). The new body style (i.e. 2014) Crew cab has 2.5" more legroom in the backseat and the 5.3 will get 23-24 mpg Highway. I have customers in who brag about how much better the fuel economy is compared to their old truck. Pm me for contact info if I can help in any way, I'm the Fleet and Commercial guy where I'm at but I do retail for friends and family. It's a big decision if I can help in any way don't hesitate to give me a call.

[steve garro]

SteveO is right bout the Chevy's. Man they are reliable and comfortable to drive. I'm torn between their 6.2 liter Silverado or wait for the Nissan to hit the streets.



FWIIW Frank B. (form member) is a Chebby dealer and I bet he'd take care of you.

Thanks for the plug my friend ;>). The new body style (i.e. 2014) Crew cab has 2.5" more legroom in the backseat and the 5.3 will get 23-24 mpg Highway. I have customers in who brag about how much better the fuel economy is compared to their old truck. Pm me for contact info if I can help in any way, I'm the Fleet and Commercial guy where I'm at but I do retail for friends and family. It's a big decision if I can help in any way don't hesitate to give me a call.

I should also mention that we bought a Silverado Fleet Truck through our business license - spray on liner throughout, manual windows, no info-tainment center, no GPS, no extraneous BS = just a truck!

- Garro.

[sk_tle]

Mabouya - Although I don't tow or haul much, I still would have good uses for the truck bed. Whether that's hauling dirty bikes, yard waste, muddy camping gear, etc., it comes in handy. But point taken on need vs want. I could probably get by with a Subaru and a trailer, but definitely not as convenient.

Shouldn't you be looking for a van instead (Transit, sprinter...) ? Many of them are available in 4x4 / offroad version. I never used one but it looks to me that with a big hood these trucks are wasting a lot of space without added value.

[Chad]

I'm a Ford guy, brother works at a dealership. Some of it is familial kool-aid some is not. There's a reason it's the best selling truck for quite some time. I always like to remind folks that they didn't take the bailout either.

[dutchess]

As nice as a MB engined Sprinter is they equate to one of only a few things in 'Merica; people hauler, RV, or delivery vehicle. Luxury trucks are what the big three are selling over here right now. The gasp of interest when MB introduced a truck for the Africa/Australia market should tell you where things are going. As a European you no doubt grasped that it was developed by their commercial arm not the luxury one. Much like the Sprinter was. Shoving an ATV, gas, stinky clothes, and the family into the same open air space just isn't a feasible endeavor. Making a small someone that occupied themself by playing in a pile of manure ride in the back of a truck with the above is not a problem.


Edit: Well I'll be. That gasp of interest got them to go back on their plan not offer a truck here. Instead of the highly functional 'bakkie' we are getting "A real Mercedes...first pickup truck from a premium manufacturer."

[hoch]

Shouldn't you be looking for a van instead (Transit, sprinter...) ? Many of them are available in 4x4 / offroad version. I never used one but it looks to me that with a big hood these trucks are wasting a lot of space without added value.

Do you mean the Sportmobile conversions? I wasn't aware of a high-clearance 4x4 van stock from the factory, but again, I've been out of the truck scene for a while. I do remember sitting in a Sportmobile at an Outdoor expo, then looked at the price tag ($80k, I believe).

Also, I don't know if the van presents any advantages over a truck. I think a truck is much more versatile, as you can put a shell on it, leave it off for odd-shaped cargo, slide-in campers, etc. Where the big hood shines is when you go to work on the truck, you won't need 30 universal joints to change plugs and such. Plus, I am vain and trucks are so much cooler.

[cash]

I'm more a Euro wagon guy myself but my dad has had trucks my entire life. He's currently on Ford F150 number 5 (I think ... I lose track ... he always gets them in red so they blur together). He just got the newest iteration a few months ago and I must admit that it is a fantastic vehicle. It's very comfortable. Good ergonomics. He tows a motorboat with it and you can hardly tell the difference in power/acceleration when he's towing the boat vs when he's not. It's gets decent gas mileage considering its size (low 20s typically on the highway). It's got a really nice entertainment system. I wasn't blown away by the nav but those generally suck, even in $100k+ sedans.

It wasn't an inexpensive vehicle. His cost somewhere in the low $50s with a good option package. He could have easily spent $60k on the top of the line.

I've driven this truck probably 1000 miles total. It's a great vehicle. I didn't identify any weaknesses or deficiencies. IMO, this is the truck against which all others are measured.

[11.4]

The Sprinter, especially in the Mercedes diesel version, is a superb vehicle for cycling. Get a couple rows of seats, have room for tons of bikes and equipment in back, and either a standing-room clearance inside (which costs you with a 7'4" roof height, keeping you out of a lot of garages) or a lower one akin to most passenger vans. Beautifully made, amazing durability, and infinitely customizable inside. You don't get huge towing or hauling power and I don't recall that it's available in 4WD in the US. And cross winds aren't pleasant. But the vehicle does a lot that a pickup won't (and vice versa). If I'm doing long-distance driving, though, I won't leave bikes and other valuable stuff in a Sprinter overnight in a hotel parking lot -- just an invitation to B&E or vehicle theft. So at that point it only offers a roof over the equipment.

For a pickup, check out diamondplatecovers.com. Way over the top rugged. You can mount bike racks all across the top and throw bikes underneath, or remove parts of the cover and mix and match your storage. Not cheap but a great versatile solution. Then add a BikeTote 300 series rack in the bed of the pickup (or it also is a great solution for a Sprinter). Plus a 1UP rack on the hitch receiver.

The Transit is a mini-Sprinter at a mini price. Great for regular driving to races, relatively ugly, very customizable, and if you want a vehicle for weekend racing and don't want to put bikes in your Audi or Bentley or whatever, it's a nice solution. But I still went with a pickup. The more family you have, the more you might think Sprinter, though.