Why does it seem like Ram/Ford HD trucks are more common tow rigs? (RVs, dump trailers, etc)

[UltimateToolReviews]

I run a junk removal biz and also help friends with moving there RVs in RV parks often, it always seems like GM trucks are the rare ones. Ram HDs lead by far at the dump, so many 2500 cummins and F350s. RV parks it's pretty hard to find GM trucks. It maybe different where you live, but I came from a Ram 2500 and now I drive a GMC 2500 and it's a much better truck in my opinion for towing. The ZF trans in the Ram was awesome and that's the only thing I miss in my GMC now. Maybe price? brand reputation? brand loyalty? Not sure

 

For 1/2 tons it's a different story, I see a ton of GM 1/2 tons.

[Pryme]

Maybe the solid front axle? 

[ManyCamaroz]

I heard a coworker tell another once "That's nice, that's what I'd buy if I didn't have any money". 

As far as RAMS, I think it boils down to affordability. many people look at their trucks as disposable so go with the lower priced trucks.

FWIW, I've had a '20 2500 RAM company truck since it was new. I've only had several issues so it's been a good truck. Had a company provided F250 for a period and it was good but I didn't like the seat comfort. I would definitely prefer my Duramax over either of the two.

Edited July 22, 2025 by ManyCamaroz

[Z45]

Its probably mostly price alone, fleet incentives.  I know our local TWP maintenance crew were looking for 2 new trucks.  The manager preferred GM but every comparable Ford or RAM cost less $$. The bean counter (Elected) only considered price to determine which one they could buy.  Also the RAM and Ford trucks (2500's) were in dealer stock whereas the GM brands were no where to be found in dealer inventory.  One of the F250 came from a dealer 500 miles away as they had incentives for business/gov't buyers.  So they ended up with 2 Furds....bigger discount from Furd under some gov't purchase plan..

Edited July 22, 2025 by Z45

[Pryme]

For me Ram is out due to it not being made here. Don’t get me wrong I buy plenty of junk made overseas but none of that crap costs 50-100k dollars. 
 

 

[ManyCamaroz]

On 7/22/2025 at 7:43 AM, Z45 said:

Its probably mostly price alone, fleet incentives.  I know our local TWP maintenance crew were looking for 2 new trucks.  The manager preferred GM but every comparable Ford or RAM cost less $$. The bean counter (Elected) only considered price to determine which one they could buy.  Also the RAM and Ford trucks (2500's) were in dealer stock whereas the GM brands were no where to be found in dealer inventory.  One of the F250 came from a dealer 500 miles away as they had incentives for business/gov't buyers.  So they ended up with 2 Furds....bigger discount from Furd under some gov't purchase plan..

My employer must be buying them all up. Most of out fleet was Ford and RAM, now as they are being replaced they are distributing the 1500, 2500, and 3500 dually Silverado's. 

Edited July 24, 2025 by ManyCamaroz

[Z45]

Price is a major incentive.  I recall some years ago we were told we would not be getting any suburbans as replacement on our DOT GPS Survey teams. Reason they (bean counters) gave us was they could buy 10 RAM Vans for the price of 7 suburbans. Live with it because that whats coming.  What a nightmare the next 5 yrs was as those vans had frequent and severe maintenance events.  They even admitted the (RAM) were worst for maint./longevity but that all came out of different budget charged to our section so no skin of the bean counters arse's.  My van was replaced by 70k miles due to repeated trans issues that had it out of service for weeks on end. They gave me a new K2500 Suburban. They flat-bedded the new suburban to my job location some 500 miles and took the RAM to auction to be disposed of without fixing it. 

Edited July 24, 2025 by Z45

[Epsilon Plus]

Ram pre-Stellantis pricing was doing diesel crew 4x4 base models (up until 2020ish) for 45k when GM and Ford were 55k.

 

Now they are all priced about the same out the wazoo so you'll see the newer Rams fall off. Especially since they are using a 2007 bed and cab style/size.

[davidm767]

Really depends on the area of the country too. In the SW, its a toss up between Rams and GMC/Chevy with fewer Fords in the RV campsites. Around town, personal owned HD trucks seem to be predominately GMC in AZ with Ford coming in second and Rams next. Now for work truck 1/2 tons, Fords seem to dominate, then its an equal mix of Rams and GM trucks driving around the Phoenix metro area. I know other parts of the country that its the other way around. Fleet pricing is the real driver for these trucks. 

[revrnd]

Back in 2005 out in Alberta & British Columbia (the Oilpatch), the fleet 3/4 tons were Fords & Dodges while the personal use pickups you saw in driveways were mostly GM.

 

I have been out west since, but not in that part of the country, so I dont know if that still stands.

 

I think a lot of it is driven by price. I cant recall the difference, but on similar product (speaking trucks) the Dodges were considerably cheaper.

 

Was the 'classic' Ram model discontinued recently? I'm guessing it had a lower price point than the newer trucks. Was it available as an HD? How do the current Rams compare in price to the T1XX trucks?

Edited July 27, 2025 by revrnd

[Dren Show]

I was saying the opposite the other day.  I tend to see way more GMs at RV parks than anything else.  I live in Michigan, but recently visited Maine and thought the same thing.