Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
As can be seen by my signature information, it’s time for a new TV.I will likely be getting a new or late model used ¾-ton or maybe a SRW one-ton diesel truck.Since Toyota doesn’t make a ¾ ton diesel, I will be purchasing from one of the big three US manufacturers.
I really don’t want to discuss ¾ versus 1-ton or SRW versus DRW.I’m more interested in what the general consensus is regarding long-term reliability. I also don’t want to discuss value (reliability versus cost). Since I hope to be driving this vehicle for the next 10 to 13 years I’m willing to pay more up front for better reliability.
I understand that because of the many variables and emotions involved, there is not going to be one neat answer but I just want to get a feel for what this community of TV drivers think.
Steve
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2017 Starcraft 26BHS Autumn Ridge TT, 2019 Chevrolet 3500 SRW Duramax 6.6 4WD TV
Plan to retire/full-time in 2021. Favorite place to camp; Texas State Parks.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.. Mark Twain
I believe all the Big Three trucks are reliable. Therefore I’d pick on styling, price, availability etc.
-- Edited by LarryW21 on Friday 3rd of May 2019 07:07:08 PM
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
Very much. My third one! ‘01, ‘07 and ‘15. Measurable improvement each time in power and comfort.
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
When it was my time, I used CarMax. I spent about a month searching the website for the 3/4 ton models of all the manufacturers, finally found the one I wanted, spiffed up my trade-in, and drove away a really nice gently used, low-mileage 2015 3/4 ton Silverado, with a nice warranty. It does everything I wanted and was a good deal.
Anecdotally, going back and forth across the US this past year, I see many, many Fords. The new Dodges with integrated tool boxes in the back are the bomb. And that new GMC tailgate makes me cry every time I have to make the great leap into the back of my truck.
As has been mentioned, the big 3 have made great strides and are on par with each other. Towing involves “pulling”, “carrying” and “stopping”. Generally speaking a diesel excels in pulling and stopping (due to exhaust brakes). The 3/4 ton vs 1 ton thing involves carrying capacity. Pick the right truck for your needs, and select the best “deal” on the right truck ... it’s that easy, IMO.
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 4th of May 2019 09:58:04 PM
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
Well I pondered this for almost six months and finally made a decision.
About three months ago I stopped by the local Ford dealer and looked at their 2019 F250 diesel 4wd trucks and really liked what I saw but I had a nagging doubt that a ¾ ton would meet my future needs.I didn’t want to worry about how much stuff I could put in the truck bed plus carrying a full fresh water tank, grey water tank, generator etc. without getting close to the pay load limit.When I asked the sales person about a SRW 1-ton he said the only ones in stock had 8’ beds and he did not sound optimistic about finding any with the 6.5’ beds. For my needs (wants) an 8’ bed plus the crew cab was too long so I decided to wait and keep looking.I’m glad we waited.
A little over two weeks ago my wife and I checked the Chevy dealership and they had two (one white, one silver)2019 Z71 3500 SRW 4WD diesel trucks with 6.5’ beds; my ideal truck.Got prices from other Chevy dealers but no one was offering a better deal, so we purchased the silver one.
I think I found the truck that will meet my towing and daily driving needs, and what’s really important- the DW likes it and hasn’t complained about the solid ride.
Some of the specs: Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel, Allison 6 speed transmission, 3.73 rear axle ratio, 3,927lbs max PL (door sticker says 3600 passenger plus cargo) and 13,000 lbs conventional towing.
Thanks for your input; It helped me keep an open mind and not zero in on one manufacturer.
Another step closer to full-time RVing.
Steve
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2017 Starcraft 26BHS Autumn Ridge TT, 2019 Chevrolet 3500 SRW Duramax 6.6 4WD TV
Plan to retire/full-time in 2021. Favorite place to camp; Texas State Parks.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.. Mark Twain
IMHO, all three US manufacturer build darn good trucks. I think the secret to reliability over time of any of them is to operate within the concept of "intended use". Stress and heat damage is cumulative. That is, it adds up over time and use. Watch the engine and transmission temperatures while pulling a hill. If you're concerned that you're getting hotter than you should be, it doesn't hurt to pull over and let the beast cool down. Don't wait for the computer to call your attention to a pending disaster. Go down the hill at a speed that allows you to not overheat the wheel brakes. When parking, try to park facing downhill. That saves overstressing the drivetrain as you get started again. And don't let anyone "push" you faster than your operating "sweet spot". And that included the drivers "sweet spot".
Keeping these points in mind will go a long way to help with the reliability question of any vehicle, IMHO. And the really huge benefit is, it's safer.
I get other drivers trying to push be all the time, Dave,...and I stay at 55 mph or less regardless, pull over when I can and let them endanger themselves and, unfortunately, others.
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
