Dodge/Ram/Chevy pickup?

[erickpl]

We acquired a travel trailer (20') this summer and my Avalanche pulls it, but I don't think well enough. So I'm looking to replace the Avalanche with something like the Ram 2500, Chevy/GMC 2500, the F250.

Which brand/model do you like and why? I'm not looking just at new, so if you have input on models/years to stay away from, that would be good info too.

I know several of you have experiences with these trucks, so would love to hear what you have to say.

I'm open to any of the brands. Are there any others I should consider?

[OddBall]

I've got an '03 2500 dodge (gas) that's the workhorse. It does the job.

Later models are a whole lot better on gas than it is though.
Also, I had to replace the circuit boards in the tail lights. If you don't, the "light out" chime on the dashboard will drive you nuts.

It has it's issues but overall I'm happy with it.

[DAB]

have a 2013 chevy 2500 HD, quad cab 4x4. i've only hauled heavy loads (mostly water) in the back, haven't towed anything. 285 gallons of water weighs 2366 pounds, plus another 100 pounds for the tank. it hauls that weight just fine. gets about 13mpg (V8 gasser).

[snide]

Go RAM or go home.

[erickpl]

With that one I wouldn't NEED the trailer.

And if it had a dropdown gate into the bed from the cab, I could EASILY haul long lumber and keep it dry when it rains. WIN WIN

But being called to work proms would get old.

And I'm not in Vegas.

[Iron Chef]

My son has a RAM 1500 and loves it. I've had a Durango and two late model Challengers. I'm sold on Dodge's reliability and I think they have the best looking trucks out there.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

My son has a RAM 1500 and loves it. I've had a Durango and two late model Challengers. I'm sold on Dodge's reliability and I think they have the best looking trucks out there.

Here's another Challenger for you:

[Kerrmudgeon]

Chevy HD Duramax diesel all the way for towing.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by erickpl

We acquired a travel trailer (20') this summer and my Avalanche pulls it, but I don't think well enough. So I'm looking to replace the Avalanche with something like the Ram 2500, Chevy/GMC 2500, the F250.

Which brand/model do you like and why? I'm not looking just at new, so if you have input on models/years to stay away from, that would be good info too.

I know several of you have experiences with these trucks, so would love to hear what you have to say.

I'm open to any of the brands. Are there any others I should consider?

Wait- how much does a 20' travel trailer weigh? Can't be much more than 4,000-4,500 lbs. Avalanche tow capacity is what... 7300 lbs? I'm confused.

*Neighbor tows a 5000 lb trailer nicely with a friggin' Tacoma, fer chrissakes.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

Chevy HD Duramax diesel all the way for towing.

You'll think you forgot to hook the trailer up.

[markids77]

I'll stick my neck out here and say get a Ford. Either a 150 or 250. The Coyote rocks, and the brakes will last past 20,000 miles. Plus you won't get 2 or 3 downshifts every time you hit a rise in the road.

[m and t's77]

Have a 2016 Sierra 1500 4x4 crew cab with the 5.3 has plenty of power and getting 18-20 per gallon with an avg. speed north of 70.
Very comfortable truck to drive but not an absolute fan of the way the trans shifts in and out of gears.

[carlton_fritz]

My paycheck says get the Ram with the Cummins.

[snide]

Originally Posted by carlton_fritz

My paycheck says get the Ram with the Cummins.

Supplier discount.

[erickpl]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Wait- how much does a 20' travel trailer weigh? Can't be much more than 4,000-4,500 lbs. Avalanche tow capacity is what... 7300 lbs? I'm confused.

*Neighbor tows a 5000 lb trailer nicely with a friggin' Tacoma, fer chrissakes.

Not exactly sure on the weight. My Avalanche can pull it, but the gears are ALWAYS downshifting on the slightest of grade, speed drops off quite a bit, barely holds 65-70. It is a 2005, before the changes to make the 5.3 more efficient. Not sure what the HP/Torque numbers are for it, but even after driving a fairly flat route from Huntsville out to Florence, AL, you could smell fluids in the transmission.

With us planning to take it to Arizona for a Grand Canyon trip, I'm just not feeling confident in its long-term durability.

Now the newer 5.3's may be stronger. I just dunno. I was thinking diesel strength with a stronger drivetrain would be a better way to go with less damage to a system designed for heavier duty pulling chores.

I also pull my Jeep on a trailer and even THAT taxes the Avalanche.

[Black94lt1]

When we raced a couple of years ago, my friend towed a 24' enclosed race trailer with a F150 ecoboost as much as 1200 miles one way to Texas. That set up weighed about 4000-5000 lbs and the truck did great, it was tongue heavy due to the quad and tool boxes in the front of the trailer, so it squatted the back end a little but it pulled fine

[erickpl]

Maybe I need to look at the 1500's again. Newer technology getting more out of them now.

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by markids77

I'll stick my neck out here and say get a Ford. Either a 150 or 250. The Coyote rocks, and the brakes will last past 20,000 miles. Plus you won't get 2 or 3 downshifts every time you hit a rise in the road.

FWIW, I was at 40k+ miles on the OEM brakes on my '12 3500 Denali when I traded it for the '15 and there was still plenty of meat left on them. I am at 20k miles on the '15 dually and they look damn near new.

As for downshifting, doesn't happen. Set the cruise control with the 10k+ pound trailer out back and let it rip. The biggest worry is forgetting that it's back there. And yes, I say that realizing that the D-max is a COMPLETELY different argument than the gassers.

[erickpl]

Well, if I opt for the HD series (250/2500), it'd likely be the diesel option and the beefier transmission and higher torque. But based on opinions here, the 1500 size may be fine (I just need a newer truck then). While it'd be overkill for my trailer (weighs about 5,400 lbs without water, but closer to likely 6,000 when prepped for a trip), the Jeep+trailer is certainly heavier and would be pulled with ease by a HD truck. I'd rather have power/strength to spare than have a truck at its limits (pulling AND braking) and risk damage, wreck, or worse.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by snide

Here's another Challenger for you:

Yeesh!

Maybe Kanye West would like it.