Lets talk about trucks.

[undercoverbrother]

I know there is information deep in the automotive thread, but I wanted to start a specific thread.


I am finally giving up my car (2002 Maxima SE), with nearly 270,000 Km it is still running strong, but we (kids equipment) has out grown it.


I am looking at trucks. I really don't know much about trucks.

I have narrowed it down to the 3 below.

1. Ford F-150
2. GMC Sierra
3. Dodge Ram

I considered imports, but the price point is not as competitive as the 3 above.

I am looking for experiences/opinions on the vehicles. I have no consumer bias or brand loyalty.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Dodge is the lowest priced, also the lowest resale value of the 3. I'm sure you can figure out why.


Our company trucks are GM because those have been found to give us the least problems over time.

[browna]

With kids, you'll want the crew cab in any model (called Supercrew for Fords).

All the below, assuming you're looking at new or nearly new:

The Ford has the most amount of room in the back, seats folded up or not. Chevy next. Dodge 3rd, and the floor isn't flat as the other 2.

Interiors are probably ranked Chev/GM (as it's new this year), Ram, Ford.

New F150's (aluminum) are coming in the next 6 months.
Chev/GMC are all new for 2014.

Engine options are pretty similar power-wise and economy wise and bullet proof.

Ford has 5 trim levels in Crew Cab, Chev/GM 3,

I'd go with Chev/GMC or Ford (myself actually trying to figure out if we are going to move back to a truck to one of our vehicles). Even though the current Ford is on its way out, the room inside in pretty good and its a solid, no nonsense truck. However, once you start adding more interior options and creature comforts (even though they are being liquidated), you are forced to step up in trims and it suddenly becomes more$ for less value than the Chev/GMC, which, as said, are all new for 2014.

If you're going to look at something a couple years old, the Fords have been pretty much the same looks inside and out since 2007 with the 2011+ being identical in looks and engine to the current ones. Though I am a GM guy, the previous GM trucks were nice, but for space the Ford had more to offer.

If going new, and as cheap as possible, if you're fine with cloth seats and basics, Ford XTR all the way. If going new but would like a bit of a step up in comfort/features, a mid level GMC/Chev has more features given the newness so IMO, more value.

All sorts of variables depending on what you want so won't speak more on that, you'll have to go sit in them and figure the budget you have.

[btimbit]

Test drive each one and at least one will be knocked off your list I'm sure. I haven't given Dodge a look in a long time due to their awfulness in the late '90s but that new ecodiesel looks neat and they're styling is coming back around again so I'm sure I'll take a look soon.

Right now my favourite is the new GM's. Both Ecotec V8's are great, but the thing I like most about these trucks is the ride. They're extremely smooth and comfortable for a truck, without being too soft and bouncy. Quiet too. Engines are smooth and powerful, I haven't had much of a chance to do any mileage calculations but they seemed roughlly twice as economical as my 07 was (around 20mpg in the new 5.3 I'd estimate) I really can't think of anything I don't like about them.

The Ford I really like too I just can't get over how boxy and plasticy the interior is. I love both engines, I have the 5.0 as a rental right now and since I've had it I've averaged 16mpg. I remember averaging about 18mpg when I had my friends ecoboost for a week, but I think there's a new version of that engine out for 2015 that might be worth waiting for. Doesn't drive as nice as the GM, but it's not bad either. I do find the steering too soft and fidgety.

Do you do any towing? I can't offer much experience there, only new one I've towed with is the Ford 5.0. Only towed 3000lbs too so nothing much, but it handled the weight very nicely and didn't take too much of a mileage hit.

Won't comment on trim levels much, there's so many variables at play there you just have to narrow down your engine and make, then look at a bunch and find what you like. They all offer similar features the main difference is cost. The Ford seems to do better at offering more for less, once you get to the mid range models the GMs really pull ahead, but they're also a newer model. In a few months that could change when the new F150 comes out.

[undercoverbrother]

I am looking at used (I hate spending money on vehicles).

Thanks for the comments so far. We do plan on getting trailer (at least me and the kids do), but it won't be big, reckong 20 ft +/- so I suspect that any of the three will pull it with ease.

The test driving/tire kicking starts this week.

[Arya Stark]

All I can say is don't buy a Dodge Ram. I had to fix the 4x4 literally 6 times at the dealer and they still couldn't figure out why it kept failing. Never again.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

All I can say is don't buy a Dodge Ram. I had to fix the 4x4 literally 6 times at the dealer and they still couldn't figure out why it kept failing. Never again.

I got the nearly the same text from a buddy when I ask about how is 2007 RAM was treating him.

[Arya Stark]

Maybe we are friends

[Derek Sutton]

How old are you looking at?

And don't expect any half ton to pull the trailer with ease. We have an '09 GMC and a 20' trailer it pulls fine but fuel milegae stinks and the tank is smal. Brother took the tranny out on his 08 Ford Canada Day in Banff pulling his trailer, which I would say is too big (27') for the truck. They bought extended warranty as they bought it used but I guess it is through a 3rd party that the Canmore Dealership doesn't use so they are caught up in a pissing match between 2 Ford dealerships and the warrany company, nealry three weeks and they finally ordered parts on yesterday.

[burn_this_city]

I've got a 2007 GMC Sierra HD with 160k thats needed nothing but tires, fluid changes and two hydraulic hoses. They are solid trucks that last forever if you take care of them. Any of the big three are pretty good, but I find the GM and Ford's to be of better quality.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

How old are you looking at?

Don't really want to go older than 2-3 yrs tops, and nothing more than 40k-50k kms.

[btimbit]

If buying a few years used, then I think Ford is the best option. The last Gen of GMs were good trucks but a tad outdated compared to the 12th Gen 09+ F150s, especially the engines.

And the Dodge is a Dodge...

[vegasbound]

I currently have a 2009 Sierra 2500, gas. Love it. Pulls awesome too. I had my best friend's 2009 Dodge Megacab 3500, dually, for a solid month while she was on vacation and I liked it, it was just such a b*tch to park at University and everywhere else. My last truck was an 05 Silverado 2500 but Duramax. That thing pulled better than the Dodge, IMO. I have driven an F150 but after my Duramax and my current truck, I could never go there.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

How old are you looking at?

And don't expect any half ton to pull the trailer with ease. We have an '09 GMC and a 20' trailer it pulls fine but fuel milegae stinks and the tank is smal. Brother took the tranny out on his 08 Ford Canada Day in Banff pulling his trailer, which I would say is too big (27') for the truck. They bought extended warranty as they bought it used but I guess it is through a 3rd party that the Canmore Dealership doesn't use so they are caught up in a pissing match between 2 Ford dealerships and the warrany company, nealry three weeks and they finally ordered parts on yesterday.

Unless the 20' trailer is loaded with bricks, any half ton with a V8 made in the past 7-10 years should easily pull it. Gas mileage of course suffers poorly as it does in all trucks, but if you're pulling a trailer weekly you're likely to get a 3/4 ton and your gas mileage isn't any better in day to day driving without pulling a trailer in those engines.

27' is pushing it depending on the trailer, but Ford and Gm's V8's are rated to tow (even with the new standards) between 8-11k lbs depending on the setup.

Back to the OP. In addition to the 2011+ for Ford if going the used route, also consider a 2 year lease on a new one; reason I mention that is that Ford has a smoking deal on those at the XLT/XTR trim (only those trims it seems). You have a new truck for super cheap for a couple years (as that version itself is inexpensive right now, and the lease residuals seem to be different than the others/very good), and figure out if you want to buy it out then. If not, you're not a lot out of pocket, relatively speaking.

[Ben_in_Canada]

Have owned a Ram previously, F-150 currently and had a Sierra for a work truck earlier this year.
Now, the sierra was a HD2500 but I couldn't wait to get out of it, I didn't like it at all.
Like others have said, the Ram was constantly needing fixes. Was fun but the cons outweighed the pros.
My current Ford, love it. Decent tech. Perfect size, lots of room front and back (4 door supercrew) have a tonneau cover so no problems leaving stuff in the box (stinky hockey gear lol).

Have fun kicking tires and may the best truck win

[Northendzone]

Ford

/thread

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I bought a couple of years back (2011) versions. After extensive research I had my choices down to F-150 and Ram 1500. Back then, after driving, personal preference and all the consumer reposts info, I eliminated the GM products (but things change quickly in this industry).

I did not consider imports, but love the Tundra, but was out of my price range to get every thing I want. I wasn't looking at dissel either.

Anyway, truth be told, I landed on going with F-150, but ended up switching to the RAM 1500 because the F-150 was back then 2" longer, and I literally needed the 2" to fit it in my garage. Might sound stupid to some that I made my mind up on that, but parking it in the garage was super important to me, and my comparisons on the 2 were so close anyway that I didn't mind switching.

I've had my truck 3 years now, and I've loved it so far with no issues, but in fairness it's still pretty early in the game given I'm hoping it lasts me 10 years.

[Slava]

I have a 2012 F150 and a trailer just under 20ft. The truck has zero problem pulling it. I also find the fuel mileage to be pretty good (Before this I had a Navigator though, and that thing couldn't pass a gas station). I would recommend the Ford, but I am no connoisseur and don't know all about vehicles.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Don't really want to go older than 2-3 yrs tops, and nothing more than 40k-50k kms.

You're not going to save much if anything going that route on trucks in Alberta. Guys seem to sell them for what's left owing, not what they're worth.

I bought a new (but year old model) GMC for not much more than a 2 year used model. Friend of mine had a similar experience when he bought his F-150.

[calgarygeologist]

Do you need a full size, crew cab? If not, I've always been fond of the Nissan Frontier. Depending on how old of a truck you want you may also want to check out the Ford Explorer Sportrac (final year of production was 2010.)