BFG AT/KO vs. Duratrac?

[N-Smooth]

I love my '12 and the '13 is even better. They really do drive like cars. The steering is so light and the suspension rides super nice. It's the kind of truck that I'm not scared to toss the keys to my mom or wife. I'm driving my friend's Dmax this week and it's crazy how much work it is by comparison. It definitely feels like a 3/4 ton lol

 

[YOUKNOW]

Nice, thanks for the info. I'm asking because i'd like to know what others look at when purchasing a vehicle. I know cash is king, but I want to know what is good to know when it comes down to the nitty gritty.

Price and warranty mainly - got the Ram off the lot for almost $5K less than the best price I was able to negotiate on a comparable EcoBoost (fully loaded King Ranch vs. fully loaded Longhorn, both with almost every option), that's with a lifetime bumper to bumper warranty on the Ram vs. 3/36 on the Ford. Price was a biggie, and since I plan on keeping this truck a lot longer than I have kept the last few, the warranty was a biggie too. Note - getting the Mopar lifetime max care warranty included in that price took some work and I came "this close" to buying an EcoBoost instead until the Ram dealer through the warranty in...

That really was the meat of the decision right there.

Ride, comfort, "niceness" less important but all factors too. The coils just plain ride nicer than the leafs and a plush ride is one of the biggest reasons I'm downsizing to a half ton. And I know it sounds crazy to say a Ram is "nicer" than a Ford, but Ram really stepped up their game with the 13's. After spending time in both back-to-back, in my opinion the Longhorn is definitely nicer than the King Ranch.

If MPG and/or towing and hauling capability were higher priorities, I would have gone EcoBoost despite the higher price and crappy warranty. But, from much, much research and talking to many real life owners, the MPG difference doesn't really seem to be all that much once you put both trucks on 35's. For whatever reasons, it seems going w/35's puts more of a hurting on the EcoBoost MPG, than it does the Hemi/8 speed. And, all it takes to run 35's on the Ram is a front levelling kit (well, that and new wheels with negative offset...), I'm just going to run 34's on the factory forged aluminum wheels for now. And I just don't tow that often or that much, it's not one of the biggies on my list. That said, I just towed my travel trailer with my ATV in the bed down to the La Sals and back with a Ram 1500 that has a lower tow rating than the one I'm getting (3.21's in the loaner, mine has 3.92's), and it did just fine.

A note on the MPG though... In the quad cab 6'4" bed 4x4 w/3.21's they loaned me, I'm averaging a solid legitimate 20 MPG on the highway when not loaded - mine won't do that well, it's bigger (crew cab), heavier (more options, sun roof, Ram boxes etc.), lower geared and will have bigger heavier tires.

All that said, if the Ford dealer had been willing to work with me on price a little bit more, or the Ram dealer hadn't been willing to work with me as much as he did, I'd be in a new EcoBoost right now instead of a new Ram and I'm sure I'd be perfectly happy with it.

The GM and Toyota 2014 refreshes both came too late for my decision making, which is too bad. I'd have given both serious consideration if starting over again right now. As it was, my feeling was they were both BADLY in need of refreshes and didn't feel like either was on the same level as the '13 Ford or Ram half tons.

I've been driving CTD's for the last ten years. Definitely ready for a half ton gasser. Cheaper in every way. More comfortable. Has all the towing capability I actually need.

- DAA

 

[dash]

back tot he tires... hope you like what you got. i am curious as to how they run on your truck. i have my second set of hankook atms i love the tire. duper quiet and tough enough for a half ton. i love them.

 

[DAA]

So nothing but road miles on the D-tracs so far and all dry pavement at that. No complaints in that department though . Which, actually, I guess there could be - but they are rolling smooth and quiet. First dirt will be on Sunday, just going for a Sunday drive with the family across the North Slope road. Will probably tow the travel trailer up there next weekend.

Pic of the new little red truck with the Duratrac's on it, 275/65/20 E rated. I'm not a fan of 20" wheels, at all. But, that is what the truck came with and I'm not buying new ones right now. And the forged aluminum factory wheels seem like pretty good quality wheels at least. Likely ditch them for 17's though when it's time for new tires again.

- DAA

 

[Kevin B.]

That's really really red.

 

[Skylinerider]

Holy crap thats beautiful!!

 

[DAA]

That's really really red.

I have zero influence on choosing the color . Cindy always gets to decide that.

- DAA

 

[TRD270]

That's really really red.

I was getting ready to say the same thing when I saw your post

 

[Greg]

Nice Ram Dave! Keep us posted on your opinion of the tires, I've wondered the same thing.

 

[TRD270]

Just got a quote on some duratrac's for the ladies FJ Cruiser, probably going to pull the trigger on them in the next week or so