Maybe a new truck Ford or Dodge?

[Hay Dude]

I like an IFS truck they ride better and turn a heck of lot better than my leaf spring ford. My tandem axel semi turns sharper than my leaf spring super duty. The IFS trucks are reliable from what I’ve seen.

Agree.

You just reminded me of one thing I do NOT like about my RAM. The turning radius is not all that great. Never caused me a problem, but my F-550 with Dana wide-track axle did turn a bit tighter.

 

[sea2summit]

Agree.

You just reminded me of one thing I do NOT like about my RAM. The turning radius is not all that great. Never caused me a problem, but my F-550 with Dana wide-track axle did turn a bit tighter.

Same WB?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

10 trucks in 13 years? That is a lot.

Well, everything's relative. Between my girlfriend and I we bought 11 new vehicles within a year about two years ago.

We both like powerful vehicles and a bit of a performance war started between us a few years ago. One I can't win since he has money.

Anyway, last week it seemed like the battery in her '19 3500 (which is "old" for her) seemed like it was going bad, so she bought a new 3500. That's just how she operates.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

You just reminded me of one thing I do NOT like about my RAM. The turning radius is not all that great. Never caused me a problem, but my F-550 with Dana wide-track axle did turn a bit tighter.

In my case it's always the length and axle placement of the trailer that dictates how tightly I can turn, not the tow vehicle's cutting angle.

Okay, the 359 Pete was an exception as it was a long wheelbase/short trailer combination with a lousy cutting angle.

 

[Bearsixty7]

That was the worst engine ever put in a vehicle.

No, the 6.4L was.

I put 186K miles on my 2006 6.0L pulling trailers frequently, heaviest was 14K frequently. I did take care of the weakpoints. All it required was ARP headstuds, EGR delete. I bought the headstuds and EGR kit and had installed by Ford under warranty, just had to pay the $100.00 deductible.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I like an IFS truck they ride better and turn a heck of lot better than my leaf spring ford. My tandem axel semi turns sharper than my leaf spring super duty. The IFS trucks are reliable from what I’ve seen.

IFS is fine if they stay on the road and you never go to larger, more aggressive tires. When you started hauling and towing on other than paved roads, they don't hold up, quick search will show some of the issues encountered,

"weak factory tierods"

"The real problem with IFS is the tie rod ends, as well as the rest of the steering linkage (such as the infamous idler arm that always seems to be bad) in a stock truck. The big problem with them blowing up a CV shaft is when they are lifted.

Another reason they got a bad rep is because of the 1/2 ton version that was much weaker and couldn't handle larger tires or a lift without completely going to crap back when it came out. I know the heavy 3/4-ton and 1-ton version changed minimally since it came about (til 2011) but I think the 1/2-ton really was revised."

 

[CliffordK]

We both like powerful vehicles and a bit of a performance war started between us a few years ago. One I can't win since he has money.

A few years ago my grandfather got interested in sports cars (oh, I wish he had a nice dry garage and kept them all). Anyway, he got a little mustang. He got mighty frustrated when my grandmother's Oldsmobile Tornado was a faster car than his Mustang.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Agree.

You just reminded me of one thing I do NOT like about my RAM. The turning radius is not all that great. Never caused me a problem, but my F-550 with Dana wide-track axle did turn a bit tighter.

I have read/heard several times that for Ford's if you are considering a F350 Dually, Don't, get the F450 instead, much more payload and towing AND they have a smaller turning radius. sounds like the same situation.

 

[CliffordK]

In my case it's always the length and axle placement of the trailer that dictates how tightly I can turn, not the tow vehicle's cutting angle.

It has been a while since I've towed a 5th wheel. I like my bumper pull trailers that follow along pretty well behind the pickup. But, the semis can do quite well with turning sharp and pulling around their 5th wheels.

Axle placement does make a bit of a difference.

With my RAM 1500, when I lock the steering, I can come pretty close to jackknifing the trailer with a hard turn going forward. It can do a pretty good job at catching up to the turn and straightening out when backing.

Of course, there are always moments when a couple of more degrees turning would help.

Some of the new EV pickups are coming out with 4 wheel steering "Crab Steer". I don't know how useful that would be, but a couple of days ago I was having troubles with the rear end sliding to the side in mud, and there are moments where kicking the rear to the side just a little might help. Parallel parking a trailer?

Unfortunately the EV pickups would do well for some short range towing, but aren't quite ready for heavy duty towing work.

Chevy has promised a heavy duty version of their Silverado EV, and I'm keeping my eye out for it to come to fruition.

 

[CliffordK]

One thing to consider is bed size.

I like the extended cab pickups, although I mainly just toss junk behind the seat. But, with the extended cabs, the manufactures have been making smaller and smaller beds.

One may be able to get an 8' bed with a half ton with a single cab, but not an extended cab.
I think 8' beds may be available with some of the extended cab models for 3/4 or 1 ton pickups.

I've learned to load the heavy stuff forward to distribute the weight from my earliest experience with pickups. Perhaps it doesn't make as big of a difference with the 1 tons, but it will make some difference.

With the little 5 foot beds, and wheels in the middle of the bed, it is almost impossible to get significant load forward.

And, of course, the pickups are just monstrous with an 8 foot bed and an extended cab.