Here's What A Pro Trucker Says Is The Most RELIABLE Heavy Duty Truck!

[@lanceripplinger8352]

Great episode guys!

[@benoitsauve8845]

No 😂💀

[@andyharman3022]

I love hearing other hot-shotters experiences! I hot-shotted for four years and put on 400,000 miles. For 284 000 of those miles i ran a 2001 Ram 2500 non-HO Cummins/NV4500 5-speed manual. I got used to transmission failures every 75,000 miles. I didn't tow fast or heavy, 65+/-2 mph and an average trailer weight of 7000 pounds. I ran out of Elkhart, IN where most of the RV companies are, and about 12 dispatching companies. Around town my general impression was half the trucks were Dodges, and the rest equally split between Ford and GM. I ran the old Ram up to 577,000 miles and retired it. Then i got a 2008 Ram 3500 srw with the 350 hp 6.7/G56 6-speed manual. I ran that truck for 111,000 miles and didn't have any transmission problems, but had plenty of emissions system problems and a rear-end failure. During my main truck maintenance downtimes, I rented Fords from Enterprise, and they ran like freight trains, fast and reliable. I put 7000 miles on one in two weeks, and 10,000 miles on another in a month. In the end I had to get out of the business because I wasn't making enough money. But I have a lot of good memories of places I've been and things I've seen. All of the lower 48, and most of Canada.

[@keithjohnson3709]

I have a 12’ ram 3500 68rfe. I have 180k of towing a heavy dump trailer with no issues at all. It runs at 135 degrees. Its all about the person behind the wheel

[@deronpickelsimer3500]

I guess we just got lucky because we have 14 power strokes from 2017 to 2022 that's just the f250 and 350. We also have 7 f750 and now only 3 f650 . 2 of the 1tons have over 250k miles on them and besides the electric mirror s and one had an issue with the backup camera they have been good trucks . These are oil field trucks in Odessa Texas. We lease from flex fleet and we're fixing to get three Chevys and three dodges will make a video to let you know how they hold up

[@Matthew-xp6wy]

From your experience is there any loads that are weekend only say from Odessa to Houston or Corpus on Friday or Saturday and then back on Sunday? Or are most trips longer than that. Thanks

[@thomas25082]

@Matthew 🫡 they all broke hmmm them chevys

[@deronpickelsimer3500]

@@Matthew-xp6wy We don't haul freight. We are a B.O.P. service company and on average we travel 3 to 4 hrs 1 way and our trucks are maxed out on weight and some are over weight

[@deronpickelsimer3500]

@@thomas25082 Now that we've had Dodge s and Chevys I wouldn't buy a dodge to do oilfield work they are junk. The Fords pull the best but I like the Chevys to .

[@J.R.in_WV]

@@deronpickelsimer3500nothing rides or steers as good as a Chevy in the HD market, at least in my opinion. The Fords and Dodges do have higher tow ratings and solid front axles but for a pickup that isn’t towing a trailer everywhere it goes maxed out I’d rather have the GM product that rides nice and handles like a car. We have a 2017 GMC 3500 4x4 service truck at work with the Duramax that’s been deleted and has a “stock” tune that feels like around 400hp to the butt dyno and it’s been great. I’ve got my 94 3/4 ton with a 350 and a 96 K3500 with a 6.5 diesel and 5 speed and I love them to death.

[@m1lkman1974]

Great video!! Andre, I think you guys should have Alex on every year for this EXACT conversation. It is a way for us truck buyers to not only get a balance of new truck performance, like on the IKE that we have all come to love but then a second tangible measurement (like in this video) of ACTUAL hard use and what trucks are good and which ones are not... Or which configurations are not. On a side note, I sure hope to hear more about the new Ram transmission!! Tx guys!! Keep up the great work!

[@jakey20022]

Once a year ?!?! At least Four times a year would be way better !!

[@VanaConn]

I got my CDL in 9 days after being in pkg delivery at UPS for 13 years .On day four I was pulling doubles with my supervisor whom was a certified instructor. This Wednesday after having my CDL for ten years I'll have 34 years and am retiring as a team long haul driver in 2025 . We usually do 4k-6k miles a week but settled into a short run that's only 3500 miles a week. I may do my own thing and maintain my CDL as it's a valuable asset to retain.

[@registrationhater]

One of the reasons the I6 engine is so successful in class 8 trucks is the number of gears those trucks have. The narrow band of peak output needs a lot of close ratio gears to stay in the powerband

[@marcustalley7987]

Yes. Many people don't understand that a V8 makes more torque and produces it at a lower rpm. In Europe the still use V8 engines. The penalty of a V8 is the increased weight. A V8 Mack is minimum 1,000 lbs heavier. Scania now has one off the lot, 770 hp and 2,730 lbs of torque.

[@jacobvanhalteren7452]

There is really only one reason why the I6 is so successful in class 8 trucks. It's simple, reliable, and easy to work on. Everything is right there. They can use a grid heater rather than PITA glow plugs. Turbo placement and hot side is all easier. If they are still using the v8 in Europe thats likely because the cab overs are already complicated and whats a little more complication at that point. Engine powerband is something that can be engineered. It's been my own experience that the Cummins motors will lug and feel stronger as he said while doing so, but the truth is they can easily rev out as well. A 6 speed is perfectly fine, if your towing heavy you usually will be going slower, just like those big rigs with 11 to 18 gears.

[@CratersFreightersJax]

An i6 produces more torque down low than a v8. What are you people reading.

[@jacobvanhalteren7452]

@@CratersFreightersJax People have some misconceptions about all of this. I don't think people think about the fact that motor design is what actually determines torque values. Equally displacement and stroke-to-bore ratios i6 will probably produce more torque just because it will have a longer rod and stoke, but it's not because they naturally produce more torque. you could make a heavily undersquared v8 that makes more torque than a similair i6 that's more oversquared in comparison. It's literally all about engine design. An Inline 6 main benefits are just ease of maintenance and smoothness

[@joecool509]

Great Stuff! I have a 2017 Ram HO AS69 towing 16K# and it has been amazing. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@stuartpreston4920]

Had a 2019 RAM 3500 dually, NO major issues to 300,000 miles. EGR system plugged up, engine and transmission flawless!

[@TheSkinnyMechanic]

Funny thing about dealerships techs, they could be a guy that just got there from jiffy lube, or Firestone or some other mom n pop shop. Going to a dealer may not get you a more experienced tech (I’ve worked for several dealerships and I prefer a small 10 bay or less shop personally. But a dealer tech won’t automatically know more than I will at this point in my career) going to dealer for anything more than warranty work is a waste of money

[@shitloveaduck]

Exactly!!!! Dealerships can be “remove and replace” until they find the real problem, they don’t “fix” vehicles it seems. I do most of my own work and have a group of guys that I build classic vehicles with who combined have a lot of knowledge. One is a Toyota technician and he says the pressure is to get the vehicle in and out as fast as possible and he doesn’t have time to fix what is there in non-warranty cars and he feels bad doing the work they make him do on older vehicles. It is a very busy city dealership so some of this makes sense.

[@jasonpitts8395]

I see more RAM trucks doing hotshot work in Texas than any other. I have a 2021 RAM 2500 Mega Cab and plan to get my CDL and do some hotshot work next year when I retire. I'm seeing drivers hauling cars more than anything else.

[@keithrader9758]

How has your 21’ been?

[@rondail5675]

So Alex is not afraid to speak the truth. Tell how you really feel! Good for you!

[@StormRoxas]

The beat can advice/knowledge you can get

[@sheadiego]

Thank God someone finally mentions CP4 on TFL

[@jacobvanhalteren7452]

48re HD was actually a decent unit behind a HO 5.9 Issue was when people would get the regular 48re. Even then that could be built during a rebuild to a 48re HD and the main issue was some valve body 2nd gear shift when not lifting the throttle. The biggest issue with the ram transmissions is the weak torque converters they use. If you fry a TC Clutch your gonna ruin the pump, burn the fluid and lose gears now saying that a 68rfe is based on the 48re is slightly false. Its Rams transmission code 6 gears 8 torque rating Rear wheel Electronic control. It may have similarities but...

[@DavidDarrow]

For anyone just now seeing this. His concern with the CP4 fuel pumps in the 2019 & 2020 RAMs is no longer a concern, as they have been recalled, and are being replaced free of charge with the near bulletproof CP3 pumps. Just FYI

[@jamey48]

Great video ! Let me just say that if we had as many drivers as they claim they are short of, you'd never find a parking spot. Truck stops and rest areas are jammed full every night.

[@stanfordbanks3399]

First of all I love you guys. I watch your channel because it does help me better understand the trucks and their capabilities before I buy. Now with all that said it's time for your show to start setting up these trucks with the same off road tires with like speaks so we can see who is best on road, mud, sand, rocks, gas mileage, tow and snow. I believe the only changes you would need to make are tires, close gearing and ride height. If you put ten to fifteen videos together showing these trucks in sand, mud, road, towing, rocks, milage and snow views like myself will be glued to your videos and most likely they will become most viewed... Thanks for reading and good luck guys... The Banks Family

[@tjiacab3272]

ATS Performance Diesel has a conversion kit for installing an Allison transmission on the Ram. Question - Please do a review on the company and the kit by ATS Performance. Thanks for the video with a pro hot shot driver. Really liked the hot shot videos by tow piglet video channel. Good show TFL. Real world information. What about the F-450 for commercial use? Also, cost and reliability for F-450 VS F-350

[@brokenarrow6491]

I have Chevy, Ford and Ram all in the driveway at the same time. Our Rams hold up better than the Ford and Chevy for us. I was always a Ford man but I can't overlook the reliability of the Rams. One of our ford's was broke down a month ago so they used my Ram. Now I have another Ford in the shop and their using my Ram again. It's everyone's go to when they are working on their vehicle. Just my personal experience.

[@johnpacheco8641]

It's not the fuel it's the fact that in the internals in the CP4 it can create metal shavings and that can destroy the fuel injection system the only way to fix that is to do a CP3 conversion that's also the problem with the LML duramax '11-'16 and the early 6.7 powerstroke

[@nicmonson6466]

Actually it’s all the 6.7s. They are still running cp4s on the 2020+ trucks. They are currently trying to solve the issue with better fuel filtration and adding factory lift pumps.

[@joegrau5431]

No it's 100 percent a fuel issue it's doesn't have the right lubrication for what the pump actually needs it causes its self to wear out faster and the fact it's only getting 1/3 of the fuel sent to it to make up for the lack of lubrication is why they are failing Ford is trying to figure out how to fix it because they built the motor around it unfortunately you can't do a cp3 pump conversion because it doesn't have the space cummins and duramax are the only ones who can convert them but they dumped the cp4s anyway in the newer models

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

@@nicmonson6466 ford has always had lift pumps, thats why cp4 failures are very uncommon, unless fuel contamination, 90 percent of cp4 failure is someone put def in the wrong tank

[@dieselmutt8865]

Not true. Fuel is the primary thing that lubricates the internals of these fuel pumps/systems. The more modern the system, the more insanely tight tolerances the system has to be lubricated. Fuel quality is absolutely critical in modern diesel engines regardless of the brand. Any water in the fuel is also a huge detriment as is also simply running out of fuel causing a 'dry' fuel system even for a very brief moment.

[@EngineAdventures]

Some good information in this video, but also some bad information. Be sure to research your own stuff. Alex should have a CDL as it doesn't matter what you're actually hauling. What matters is the GCWR. If the gross combined weight rating is over 26,000 lbs (yes weight rating, not actual weight) then you need a CDL for commercial purposes.

[@sokodad]

I have to be honest. If someone offered me any one of the big three diesels I’d take it in a heartbeat. I own a Duramax. Been a great pickup. Plenty of room for what I need. A friend has a hotshot business and runs nothing but Cummins powered Rams. He loves them. Little to no problems. I had a powerstroke company pickup. Was a great pickup. Pulled with ease. I feel like this fella has a lot of experience and some of what he says is his opinion as he said. Entry level I guess isn’t what I get. Seats in mine are very comfortable and headlights are awesome. If I do buy anything new again I want to try a Ram as I have never driven or owned one. Personal conveyance on the ELD also if you run out of time but need to get somewhere safe. Split sleeper berth helps if you’re tired before 14 is up. Minimum 2 hours off.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Ram’s diesel engine supplier just got in trouble for emissions issues.

[@andrewavery4417]

I love how enthusiastic this guy is about trucks. He knows his shit

[@joelpierce3940]

You are right about Tacoma’s, seat on the floor. All models should have the best headlights possible.

[@joshhenson3537]

I wasn’t aware that Cummins had the CP4 on the 19-20 models. All the 6.7 Power Strokes have CP4.

[@inquisitrmikey7920]

Just found this channel. I've been looking to start hot shot trucking since my current job is having issues with hours and pay. I don't have any commitments to anything or anyone except myself and I don't mind traveling the country since I've been always wanting to travel.

[@jamescutler8055]

I like when folks I subscribe to collaborate. Great show.

[@jromem7313]

Big ram fan here but all new gmc have led headlights. Chevy does not. Funny how epa cracking down on diesels being dirty but we put shitty fuel in them must be a dem thing

[@gradyb6264]

I love Tow Piglet's honesty. Good chat!

[@DanBCooper]

Very cool episode guys 👍🏼

[@TjBruce817]

100,000 kms on my 68rfe 2017 3500.....if you are just towing a RV a not maxing out the towing or payload rating of the truck and aren't putting 100000 kms a year on it, the 68rfe will be fine. Enjoy the money you saved and spent on the RV instead of maybe going a little overkill on a HP and transmission package you may never need.

[@That90sShow]

Not hard to put on 100k a year bud. The ram made 68rfe is compete trash

[@mclroy]

This guy is amazing. Very interesting to hear. And have a lot of talk! Great episode...still 😜

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

You're better off not to use ATS Diesel to convert a Ram to an Allison transmission program. Use DESTROKED.

[@damiangutierrez9103]

I know am late to comment on here but this guy is definitely a die hard Ford fan but poor Andre by reading his face expression he looked like he disagree. But we all have our own opinions.

[@dunnkirke]

Good interview, I subscribe to both channels. A great follow on to this would be to get Paul from PD Diesel Power to do a Pt II with you!!

[@snowmankace7769]

I feel like the only way andre would need a log would be if they took a new 450 and a 3 car trailer with offroaders loaded up to moab. Or anything over 150 miles while towing 26k+

[@GT-sj3si]

Over 30 years OTR myself, Self employed as owner operator for 14+ yrs. The equipment you are driving my be a reason to have a Commercial license but there is no reason to Log your hours of driving unless you are being paid to transport and deliver cargo under a uniform bill of lading. Any and all driving, regardless of distance, can be done as a civilian driver without any regulation to your time in the saddle as it were so there are no laws that limit or restrict you as a driver unless you are hauling "For Hire". You can if you choose simply attach a "NOT FOR HIRE" sticker or magnet to your tow vehicle and run indefinitely. Hauling for hire is an entirely different discussion.

[@dima-9646]

Should definitely invite PD Diesel. That guy in my opinion has ALOT of experience with the “big 3” manufacturers in 1 ton+ pick up trucks

[@dima-9646]

And Paul works on his trucks he’s got in his fleet

[@davelariviere682]

Great Job Guys, I really appreciate everyone’s perspectives. Thank you

[@antoniog9536]

Very informative 👏 👌 👍, Thank you tow piglet for all the insights Given to make better decision on every day Driving (Hot Shoting) !! Keep giving us crucial information on which Dually is out performing each other for that year (Very Helpful)!!

[@davebarnessr.5805]

There are all kinds of truck drivers. But Hot Shots are not Truckers, Truckers drive big trucks that have 18 or more wheels unless they are running super singles, but Truckers drive big trucks, there is a distinction .

[@bhysjulien1]

One of the best videos I've watched on any KZbin channel.

[@pats8092]

Good talk! Imagine these 2 and Mr. Truck on an Ike run!

[@markrode7331]

Funny how spoiled people are nowadays with LEDs. Try driving a truck in the rain on dark backroads in 1989.

[@paulcondie2520]

Just talked about this a day or two ago. My lil work daily is a 93 ranger. May I add it just hit 488,000 on the clock. When not working my baby is an all blacked out Cadillac Ats premium with performance pkg. Huge difference in lights, I mean a HUGE difference! Lol

[@Samiamd663]

My 2016 GMC savanna still has headlights from 1989 so yeah, I do everyday 🤣

[@SATXHEESH]

Alex seems like a really nice guy

[@sonandsanford4963]

That's valuable info on the as69 trans. I will look for this when I make my purchase. Until then.... I'll keep my 97 4x4 Dodge 5.9 Cummins /nv4500 5spd. Also The 727 tqflt was the best auto tranny Chrysler made. I know it's an old 3spd but looks like they could have built on that.

[@bubcat54]

Fmcsa regulates CDL drivers. If you drive less than 150 air miles and do not cross a state line and return to the starting point, your good. Still have to stay within hours: 11 hours of drive time in a 14 hour span. There is an inclement weather exception that allows 13 hours drive time in a 16 hour period, but it has to be unforseen and only used once per reset period. That reset is 34 hours off. As long as you don't exceed 70 hours in a 8 day period or 60 hours in a 7 day period, you never have to reset. (you must declare one or the other and stick to it).

[@kfbob364]

Aisin is a Japanese transmission owned in part by Toyota.

[@2003evodave]

FYI - You don’t have to open the hood to check which trans you have Ram HD Aisan 69 automatic trans trucks have a different rear dif covers,,,it’s finned aluminum VS steel.

[@FOADJEWTUBE]

TOW PIGLET IZ GREAT GUYZ N CHANNEL..ROCK ON ALWAZE...

[@jmobs7524]

#1, I thought the Cummins was the truck that didn't have any brake application going downhill. #2, the 6 speed has the same final gear ration and doesn't bounce back and forth between gears, #3, Ford still uses CP4. #4, 16-18 is THREE years Alex!

[@chrisswann9623]

Great show. I will very rarely watch a video this long, but I watched the whole thing and didn't get bored. Very solid information here.

[@lightningguy4897]

33:30 he says it'll log that violation for ever and when audited you'll get a violation. DOT can only audit the past 6 months but all by audits they've only done the past two weeks. And the logging device used to point out your violations to the officer my updated logging device no longer does that. It's the responsibility of the officer to find the violations.

[@richarddubois5529]

Prévost busses started in Quebec

[@vcjester]

100 air miles, if your vehicle requires CDL B or higher. As soon as your trailer goes over 10,000 lbs, you're in CDL A territory. You have to log if you change your home base. The timesheet exemption he's talking about means you don't have to log if you fall in the 150/100 mile radius rule, and don't change your home base. Then you just need to show proof of hours on duty.

[@X_millennial]

Here is what I learned as a dealer tech - how to get fast at the same job over and over and Microsoft solitaire. Anything else I learned in could of learned in a general shop and would of learned it faster. You go to the dealership because they are a one trick pony. Its a good trick after seeing the same Vehicles day-in-and-day-out non-stop you know what's wrong with them before they ever get in your Bay. And that's what you want if you have a brand new vehicle. Most of those guys in there are not going to know what's going on with your twenty-year-old car because they've ever worked on them or haven't worked on them in a decade.

[@apprenticefelix7740]

Circuit design

[@Leo-bu3kj]

The electric seat option goes upward and led bulbs are cheap. Oh wait the ford headlight housings are like 4x larger.

[@ewxlt]

Great having Alex!

[@casey2009]

Great episode and great guest. I think the least ye could have done for the guy was put a link to TOW PIGLET.

[@sei-o-lepuha5947]

Best interview I like this guy

[@jnk26]

The issue with the transmissions is the lack of maintenance. The severe service schedule requires trans fluid changes every 30k miles. The Aisin is the same. The fluid is under immense pressure and heat. READ THE DAMN MANUAL. YOU ARE OPERATING A BUSINESS TOOL LOOK AFTER IT AND IT WILL LOOK AFTER YOU

[@privateer9181]

I think the 2019 and 2020 ram. They did a recal and they will give u the cp3 for free

[@HorsepowerTube]

He dogs 19-20 rams bc they use a cp4 pump. But doesn't seem to have a problem with the Ford 6.7 having a cp4 in every year.

[@RobertKohut]

Hi TP....:-) Great you mentioned "Right to Repair"...:-)

[@5thLegion]

Now this is the kind of info we are looking for. Nice interview! I’m

[@garyjones5093]

You realize the Ford has the same CP4 injector pump! Correct? You realize that? I want to buy a dually and I’m worried because I want a Ford.

[@rono3045]

If I'm going to buy a brand new truck and use it for hot shotting and it's a diesel it's going to be a manual transmission without a doubt less headaches better feel mileage today's automatic are junk except maybe for the Allison from what I hear but the Fords and Dodge transmissions they suck this guy is talking about it through his whole video he puts down Chevy but he never put down Chevys transmission

[@JohnDoe-gm5ux]

Ford currently uses the cp4 pump that ram tried for two years

[@sunnypringle]

But ford has no where near the amount of issues with their cp4

[@joelpierce3940]

My friend has a 2002, Ram 2500, Cummins with a manual, 4WD, and that engine has never had issues. The manual transmission is bullet proof. The interior is crappy though. Dash cracking, etc.

[@albundy8052]

$75 for a dash overlay

[@calebniederhofer6529]

I can’t imagine a 2002 that has never had a issue. That would be one in 100000000000000. I owned a 06 5.9 they all have stuff that breaks, especially a 20 year old truck, but yes as far diesels they are among the best in engines, reliability.

[@devinb9465]

Man doesn’t know that the new body style GM’s do have a bigger cab than the non mega cab Ram’s. Hate on GM for their cab space, ends up he was wrong🤣

[@DanBCooper]

Yea I was thinking that too. I just sold my 14 GMC crew cab and got a 21 Ram 2500 crew cab. My GMC had slightly more room.

[@stephenwest798]

Duh??? If your transmission is constantly shifting between gears (fifth and sixth) downshift into fifth and leave it there, duh? When I haul my offroad jeep on my eighteen-foot lowboy with my 07 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi five speed 3.92 gear ratio axles, I run third gear which is direct drive 1:1 which gives me 11mpg where tow haul mode runs fourth gear and gives me 9mpg. The engine is lugging in fourth gear which is hard on both the engine and transmission.

[@dor1tomcswagger69]

Tow piglet is the best love his videos

[@donausmus4281]

Spending $6K for a service contract that you will likely need for the Ford, makes zero sense.

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

Unless rhe job is more than 6k then it makes sense, its also peace of mind

[@871jamie]

Crazy that my 2018 Ram 3500 dually with the 68RFE HAS 300,000 miles and has not had a single issue!

[@MstaEd]

When Quentin Tarantino becomes a truck driver instead.

[@byronspears9395]

🤣😂😂multiverse

[@joshszydel8202]

Literally just passed tow piglets ram last week.

[@poonbandit9924]

Just sayin if you’re spending days in your truck you probably don’t want the base model, it’s not like your pulling a skid loader back and fourth 10-50 miles to a couple job sites. But honestly I like the Chevy 3500 base models low seats it’s easy to get in and out of for short guys, and being a heavy line mechanic the least worked on transmission is the Allison, then the Ford, and I make a ton of money off the 68rfe as soon as someone puts a programmer on.

[@1957ShutterBug]

I was hoping to hear something about HDTs - class 8 trucks. Did not meet expectations based on the title.

[@Thomas-sv6jr]

My experience with 6.7 Powerstrokes has been pretty negative. It could be extreme temperatures because I am a few hundred miles from arctic circle. Our old ambulances (2012) both had turbo problems and one blew up at 40k miles. We just got new 2020 leases and one is in the shop for busted transmission cooler at 518mi. All of them seem to eat coolant out of the larger coolant reservoir although no leaks are visible. (Not the little reservoir above radiator)

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

Ambulances always have issues, nothing is made to withstand sitting in cold Temps and then getting started and ran hard like a race truck, metal has molecular limitations, so things will break. Coolant usage is evident of major temp changes and running hard and then sat for a while

[@BC08]

Gen 1 6.7s had turbo bearing problems. 2015-up Gen 2 6.7s don’t.

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

@@BC08 only the 11 and 12 6.7s had ceramic bearings, then in 2013 and 2014 they switched to steel bearings and they last just fine, but they were still twin scroll. 2015 plus is when Ford switched to a more conventional turbo design and also upgraded to a selectable exhaust brake rather than just having the exhaust brake kick on in towhaul mode

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

@@BC08 the ceramic bearings failed somewhat often but not excessively

[@ozarkliving7263]

Why not a Toyota? Any Tundra experience? Need one to tow an Airstream camper

[@iwwqytv]

The Tundra is a half ton equivalent truck, where they are talking about heavy duty trucks here. Not sure how much your airstream weighs but after towing with a 1/2 ton and a HD truck, the HD experience is much more pleasant towing in my experience.

[@gr8familyguy452]

@@iwwqytv You must have not used weight distribution hitch. I pull 10k lbs camper with my 17 Tundra, weight distribution makes a world of difference. Half ton will easily tow 10k camper with weight distribution hitch. Payload different story. Make sure your hitch weight doesn’t exceed 800lbs.

[@iwwqytv]

@@gr8familyguy452 I didn't say a half ton couldn't do it, I just said the HD experience is more pleasant. The half ton was gas and the one ton was diesel so that played a large part as well. There is a difference when pulling some of the steeper passes in the Rockies or in windy conditions. I was using a WDH with the 1/2 ton, and I agree they are needed to handle the tongue weight with less payload. A 10k lb. camper should have a tongue weight of 900-1,400 lbs.

[@georgewashington1106]

@19:21 - Yeah, me too, I was broke and homeless, living behind a dumpster at a truck stop, then I saw one of your videos and decided to buy a $70,000 truck and trailer and get in the hotshot business, and now I've got millions. This dude's the reincarnation of P.T. Barnum

[@dkessler88]

Regardless of whether or not they are hauling anything, if the sum of the truck/trailer combos TFL operates is 10,001 lbs. or greater, they are subject to the FMCSR's, as these videos generate revenue and, therefore, place them "in commerce." Whether or not DOT/law enforcement chooses to leave them alone because they make great videos is another issue. And Alex makes it seem like the 150-mile radius exception and timecard requirement are two separate exceptions. Keeping timecards that include time in, time out, and total hours worked per day is simply a condition of utilizing the 150-mile radius exception (and, by the way, there are two 150-mile radius exceptions-- one for CDL trucks and one for non-CDL trucks). These timecards are not required to be in your truck, but must be "maintained" by the motor carrier.

[@GT-sj3si]

The 150 mile radius used to be a 100 mile radius and it did not apply if you crossed a state line. So in the past if you drove west/southwest out of Chicago you were good up to 100 or now 150 miles as long as no state lines were crossed in transit. If however you went north or east and entered a neighboring state you were then subject to HOS regulations and had to maintain a log book when driving a commercial vehicle for hire. Not sure how that might have changed in recent years as I personally have maintained a logbook for over 34 yrs. TFL does not haul for hire so they are only required to have a CDL based on the CVW of the equipment operated and are under no HOS Regs at all according to the US Dept of Transportation Guidebook of Regulations. It is literally no different than a full time RV Blogger who pulls a trailer behind their commercial pusher towing an enclosed trailer with a CVW that requires them to have a CDL. The key is "Not For Hire". No one is paying TFL to move freight, their revenue is independent of the origin and destination of or the relocation of goods for hire.

[@chrisbadger282]

Well I don't know about the new truck also I can't speak about Dodge as I have never owned one but I have had Ford and everyone of them was crap I now have 2 older Duramax trucks and they have been nothing but great

[@jeffsikula2920]

So...get a Ford for personal truck.. but get a commercial warranty?

[@fivecrosses9040]

I think he’s implying there will be problems outside the warranty time, so get an extended warranty.

[@Speedraider366]

What about the manuals transmission?? Great 👍 episode. TFL welcomes Alex??? With Andre on the Ike that will be a good

[@galactictomato9168]

There are no manual transmission full size trucks anymore.

[@Speedraider366]

@@galactictomato9168 yea before the the new redesign/2019. TLF made a vid on a viewers ride 2500 ram 6 manual. Andre drove it as well.

[@rocketj7449]

This guy is a RAM fan boy, take what he says with a grain of salt. He doesn't like Chevy because it sits too low (raise the seat) and you can't sleep in the cab? Wasn't designed for that. He admits RAM has fuel pump issues, and FORD has tranny issues. And he is knocking Chevy because you sit too low? Cmon....Here is what Chevy has done right: 1. Drives like a car 2. Tons of power 3. Allison transmission shifts like butter and is durable 4. Has one of the best payload ratings out of the three. 5. You can get the high output motor in a single rear wheel. 6. Already comes prepped with 5th wheel/goose neck package, mounting is behind axle allowing you to go full 90 without a sliding hitch on the 6.75 bed. 7. Did I say it drives like a car? My issue with FORD, they are too big, and too much work to drive. The steering on the front with their live axle suspension has too much slop. My issue with RAM, it's still a Dodge. Nuf said.

[@jeffs2809]

Could we say you are a gm fanboy & take what you say with a grain of salt? Not sure what you’re talking about on the 5th wheel/ gooseneck prep. It’s an option that can be added to any of them. None of the gmc’s I built on the website shows the prep package as standard. Ford trucks have same hp/tq on all configurations single or dually. Ram only offers the HO on the 3500, but you can get it with single or dually.

[@rocketj7449]

@@jeffs2809 Sure am! Haha 😄. That's because Chevy is killing it on their new HD trucks. I wouldn't recommend their 1500 gas trucks,, but their diesel HD trucks are very well built....you should check out the unbiased reviews...you would be surprised how well they are doing.. You can't get a HO in the RAM 2500? LAME.

[@jeffs2809]

@@rocketj7449 I agree, Ram's thing with different power ratings & different transmissions thing is pretty lame. I own a '17 Ram 2500 with the manual, so yet another different power rating. I have had dodge/Ram (mostly diesels) for most of the past 22 years and had no real problems with any of them. 22 years ago I was a gm guy, if the dealer I went to back hadn't been a prick, I might've been still driving gm. In any case, my next truck could be anything, but will probably be gas. I follow a lot of groups & forums from all of the big 3, none are perfect. People still complain about death wobble in ford sd, people complain about the Ram trans (I've never had one go out). Everyones brand rides better than the other brands. I see random things with gm...radio going blank, spring noise, steering clunk, seating position...etc. My biggest problem with gm is it seems like the primary focus of each update is to make the front end look worse.

[@roxannrousealvarado4645]

Thank you we'll put.

[@rodeoengineer]

Lol should have got the 69 aisin. My 2018 ram 3500 with the 68rfe had the transmission rebuilt at 14.7k miles, ac and abs went out at 19k and tranny was slipping again. Hopefully no more problems show up!

[@HN-gj2iq]

If that is your experience, I would trade it in.

[@williamfisher9679]

I'm a ford guy and I have been all my life, but that being said I think I would go with a cummins if I were to get another diesel again. The guest speaker needs to do more research, between the powerstroke and cummins. He talks about the CP4 fuel pump on the cummins and that you should avoid the 2019 and 2020 model years. He needs to look a little harder at the ford 6.7 powerstroke, ford has run the CP4 fuel pump in there trucks since 2011 to the current model years. So should you avoid all powerstroke years from 2011 to 2022 because they all use the CP4 fuel pump? Ford has had constant problems with that fuel pump to the point there is a class action lawsuit against ford. Yes ram uses the CP4 and they have had the same problems, but their is one thing that sets the cummins engine apart from the powerstroke in the relation to the fuel pumps. You can take the CP4 off the cummins and put on the old CP3 fuel pump, by doing this you solve the problem with the fuel pump. The CP3 is not as sensitive to contaminants as the CP4 and is all around more reliable. The ford you do not have option to switch to the CP3, you have to run the CP4 fuel pump. when the CP4 does fails its about a $9000 to $13000 fix. But other than that little misinformation from the guest speaker this was a great video.

[@ragingrebel8660]

I WISH YOU GUYS HAD APPAREL FOR BIG & TALL GUYS. I'M 6'6" 400+lbs. 4XLT&5XLT IS SO MISSED. IT MAKES US BIG GUYS FEEL LEFT OUT. 😞😞😞

[@ozarkliving7263]

Excellent episode

[@jimfeaster4837]

This video is right on !

[@1hasbeen531]

Alex forgot to point out that Ford still uses the junk CP4, and he had one go down for a loooong time waiting for parts. My Cummins/Aisin has never exhibited gear hunting pulling 17K toy hauler. Many hotshotters are getting 500K out of the Aisins. They are not smooth in operation, though, that's for sure.

[@Pledgeman]

Great video. Trying to find a Ford is impossible!

[@yooo2568]

Hello I’m looking at starting a junk removal business. I’ve been trying to figure out what truck would be the best choice to pick.

[@maxracingteam23]

Maybe Alex could come up to Colorado for a new test on the Ike in the future!!

[@seanarmistead6224]

My favorite two TFL Guys is Andre and TOMMY

[@jdragon34]

Rams are the best overall. Tried and true. That’s why all semi trucks use I6 diesels. Not mention the 13 and 15L I6 Cummins are so dang good.

[@BC08]

No they aren’t. ISX/X15 Cummins are overrated and utterly smoked by the DD15. Big rigs are straight 6s because they are boosted engines that rev 2000 rpm tops, the extra valve area (for the displacement) made possible by a V8 isn’t beneficial for a 2000 rpm engine. Start revving 3500-4000 rpm and the V8 makes more sense…more valve area for the displacement.

[@mikegabler5183]

Educational. thank you.

[@bryansanges6679]

Excellent information.

[@TonyLasagna]

F**k yeah Tow Piglet!