What to buy?!

Hello. I’m looking for advice.
I want to buy a 2020 truck. It needs to tow minimum 14,000 lbs. and be long bed. (We have a 5th wheel) I am considering Chevy 2500 or 3500 Silverado, GMC Sierra 2500, and Ford 350 super duty. (I will have built so I get the accessories I want and not the ones I don’t want).
What would you buy and why?
And go with factory spray in bed liner or do Linex?

Diesel all the way. Don't even consider a gas. Other wise any of the above 3500 or 350. I like the stability of four back tires.

Both good trucks, I am partial to the GM variety, but both are good choices.

I Agee with all of the above. My approach would be different, and that's what makes the world go round. If it is not a tool for business it's the worst investment anyone can make. I would make a list of my needs and wants. If it had more in it it wouldn't bother me. I would find a one or two year old slightly used one and get a feel for what the actual sell price would be and compare it to what an identically equipped new one would be. That will be an eye opener for you right there.
If you sit and spec it out exactly the way you want it that will turn into an emotional attachment that will make it much more expensive. If you view it as one of millions of trucks versus one built just for you it will help save rushing in, or getting buyer fatigue and just settling to get it over with. Just my $.02 and worth less than that. I wish you success either way

Hi! That sounds good. You have some options for a truck that can tow 14,000 lbs. All the models you mentioned can tow well.

Chevy and GMC trucks offer a smooth ride. The Ford Super Duty also does well for towing and is popular with buyers. It comes down to which brand you prefer and which features matter to you.

A factory spray-in liner is a good choice for a bed liner since it fits the truck. Linex is tough and can take damage, so that is also a good option if you want extra protection. Think about how you will use the truck and what work you will do to help you decide. Good luck!

I don't know about the GM. I have had to work on a few lately. I do all my own repairs if possible. Nope I still don' like working on them. All the new models are having problems regardless of brand.
This maybe a matter of picking your poison and hoping it doesn't sit on the dealer's lot until the warrantee expires waiting on repair parts.

There's part of me that agrees with Ralph....a truck is a "tool"
Chevy/GMC ride better. Good power.
Ford handles the load better...I'm not saying that they have more power, but too much power can get you into trouble I put 5,400lbs in the back of my F350. I would never do that again.....but it did do it.
Ram seems to be "middle of the road".

How many hours will you be spending in it, at a time. Consider the terrain that you'll be on. Two hours on rough roads, in my F350 and I feel my teeth fillings coming loose.

There's part of me that agrees with Ralph....a truck is a "tool"
Chevy/GMC ride better. Good power.
Ford handles the load better...I'm not saying that they have more power, but too much power can get you into trouble I put 5,400lbs in the back of my F350. I would never do that again.....but it did do it.
Ram seems to be "middle of the road".

How many hours will you be spending in it, at a time. Consider the terrain that you'll be on. Two hours on rough roads, in my F350 and I feel my teeth fillings coming loose.

Im truck shopping myself right now.
It will be a Dodge D250. 93-older. Maybe a w250. It will not be a 4 door. It will have an 8' bed. It will preferably be carbureted. Would rather it be a stick.
The debate is whether I put it together myself from the frame and rust free body I already own and is spread between my shed, my son's shed and a friend's barn (d250) or whether I buy the rust free 88 4wd in talking to the owner of that's on the West Coast and have it trucked back here.
I don't need it "now", I can wait until I get it painted and assembled, as I'm not without a ride right now... But the plan is for this and my /6 powered 85 1/2 ton to replace my underwhelming 12 1/2 ton.
Even as far a license and title I can get antique plates for 2 trucks cheaper than standard plates for one. For one thing I found out quickly that I don't like rear coil springs for towing..

Mtbase said:

There's part of me that agrees with Ralph....a truck is a "tool"
Chevy/GMC ride better. Good power.
Ford handles the load better...I'm not saying that they have more power, but too much power can get you into trouble I put 5,400lbs in the back of my F350. I would never do that again.....but it did do it.
Ram seems to be "middle of the road".

How many hours will you be spending in it, at a time. Consider the terrain that you'll be on. Two hours on rough roads, in my F350 and I feel my teeth fillings coming loose.

Click to expand...

I have had that on the back of my old D350, but its pretty heavy duty. Road like a big luxury cruiser. But it takes 2000 lbs to get any ride quality.

Hi there!

For a 2020 truck that can tow 14,000 lbs and has a long bed, I’d recommend looking at the Ford 350 Super Duty. Ford trucks are known for their towing power and durability, and the 350 Super Duty should be a great choice for your 5th wheel.

As for the bed liner, factory spray-in is usually a good option for most people, but if you're looking for extra toughness, you might want to consider Linex. It offers strong protection but comes at a higher price.

Any one notice that it is hard to buy exactly what you want? I have been looking for a "lighter duty" truck. Need 8 ft bed, prefer 2 door cab. 2 wheel drive, gas engine. Between 6,000 and 10,000 (trailer weighs about 5,000lbs loaded) towing capacity. PS, PB, AC, cruise control, could care less about any other options. General usage, with occasional trailer towing of my race car. There really isn't anything like that available. Everything has more "bells and whistles" than the Queen Mary, and cost as much as my house.
Found a 2024 chevy 1500 WT, but the dealer won't sell it to me. Says it is a "fleet" vehicle, and can't sell to the "general public".

I don't get that. I'd bet someone at another stealer would sell you that truck. They got something on the lot someone wants they'll usually sell it unless it's already been spoken for.
You still have that 88 d250? I'm putting one together like I t because I can't get what I want newer, on any lot. Nobody makes what I want any more.
What i'd really like is a club cab, cab and a half, NOT ANYTHING WITH 4 DOORS. A close 2nd is a reg cab but like you the 8' bed is non negotiable
Can't get anything with a stick anymore (sorry no Toyota even if it were gifted to me!) I also like wing windows (even though I've never smoked) dimmer on the floor, wiper switch on the dash and if I have to crank my own window that's fine,

I still have my 88 but it is a D-150. It is a gas hog. Large topper, I think every option available except power seat. 360 4bbl, 727. Also have a 84 D-100 slant six with a 2bbl, A-833 OD, 3.91 8 3/4.
Actually the best vehicle I ever owned was my 86 Toyota PU. You can ask any of the slant six racers about that truck. I towed my race car all over the eastern USA with it. 22RE engine 5 sp trans, 4:30 rear. I made one trip from Florida to Hagerstown Md. at 9,980 total weight, and got 18.3 mpg. I retired the truck a few years ago with over 400,000 miles on it. Never had the head off the engine. Only thing ever done to the engine was timing sets. Couple of clutches, some "routine" brake work, one set of rear wheel bearings. Set of tie rod ends and idler arm. Still has the original ball joints. I would rebuild the engine except the body is very rusty, and not worth it.

Oh somehow I thought you had a 1/2 ton and a 3/4. Your description of your 360 has always been my experience with them too.
Now a days have a 360 mag in an 01 Durango, (2) 4.7s of which I avoided like the plague as long as I could, (one in a 03 Durango and one in a 12, 1/2 ton reg cab long bed. The 12 is supposed to be the highest CR and highest HP engine I've ever had. That one has 16 plugs. It's ok for a daily driver, but it's also my first (and only to date) drive by wire vehicle. The 4.7 in the 03 is supposed to be rated real close to what the 318 and 360 magnum were. (About 230-235 hp) Strangely all are 3.55 geared. The 03 seems to have more balls than the 12. I've never put my camper behind the 03 but the 12 is so so pulling it. The 01 with the 360 pulls it the best. Also I put some HD rear leafs on that one and suspension wise that one towards that same camper the best. I hate the coils on all 4 corners on my 12.
Leafs are so much better for towing and hauling.
The 12 is better if I put some air in the add on air bags the PO had put on but still leafs are better. That 360 mag is no worse on gas than either of those 4.7s
I have an 85 d150 (could be a "100", one emblem is gone the other is quite faded) with a fresh/6, I have only break in miles on that one so far I did drive it with the original engine. That's gonna be the 3 season daily driver milage eater... I also have an 83 D250 that's down to the bare rolling frame right now. It's getting a carbureted 360 mag and an NV4500 and will be the work horse, camper puller etc. that truck was a better puller with the original 318 than my 4.7 truck is.
That 318/727 lives in in my son's project car a 72 Plymouth fury wagon. Untouched from the truck other than a car pan and some fresh paint.
The wife wants us to get a different camper (heavier) and the 12 is right on the borderline for rated capacity. If it was a hemi it would have an additional 2000lb towing capacity cushion.
Hell when these Durango's go away I'd seriously consider finding a c body wagon to replace them if I could find a clean one.
I don't like newer trucks much at all. Alot of crap on them to make them more expensive to get, but that fluff doesn't make for a better truck. And most of today's "SUV's" are a sad joke.