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2025 2026 Dually's

M

M and E

Prominent Member
We’re moving from SRW to a dually and I’m trying to gather real-world feedback from Paradigm owners towing with a dually.

We are not seriously considering an F-450 right now. The turning radius is attractive, but it is probably last on our list. I may also buy used, so 2025 and newer trucks are in the running.

The brands I’m considering are:

  • Chevy 3500HD dually
  • GMC 3500HD dually
  • Ram 3500 dually
  • Ford F-350 dually
I'm leery of the Ford because of the CP4.

For those towing a Paradigm with a dually, I’d really appreciate your thoughts on:

  1. What truck are you using? Year, trim, engine, and bed length.
  2. Which Paradigm model are you towing?
  3. How does the truck feel towing ... stability, braking confidence, sway, porpoising, lane changes, mountain grades, crosswinds, etc.?
  4. How does it ride unloaded or as a daily driver?
  5. Any issues with bed rail clearance, hitch height, nose-high towing, or turning clearance (obviously for short beds only)?
  6. What is the payload on your sticker (though we are only going to consider top tims...Denali Ultimate, LImited, Platinum)
  7. Would you buy the same truck again?
  8. Anything you wish you knew before moving to a dually?
I’m especially interested in feedback from people who moved from a single-rear-wheel truck to a dually while towing a Paradigm. Did the change feel significant, or was it more incremental?

This is not a brand debate...they all have their strengths and weaknesses and they are all "good" trucks today....just looking for practical owner feedback from people towing similar fifth wheels.
 
R

RockDr896

Well-known member
  • What truck are you using? Year, trim, engine, and bed length.
    • 2019 F350 - 6.7L - 8'Bed
  • Which Paradigm model are you towing?
    • 2023 370FB (42')
  • How does the truck feel towing ... stability, braking confidence, sway, porpoising, lane changes, mountain grades, crosswinds, etc.?
    • Absolutely no problems at all. Dually really helps with cross winds.
    • There is no "Tire roll" possibility
    • Brakes at 5.0 on gain and I have disk brakes. The brakes on the 350 will be hard to wear out...huge pads
  • How does it ride unloaded or as a daily driver?
    • It is a rough ride as a daily, if not used to a stiffer ride. I use mine daily, but wife complains about the ride when we hit bumps.
  • Any issues with bed rail clearance, hitch height, nose-high towing, or turning clearance (obviously for short beds only)?
    • The only issue on mine is a tailgate recall. Mine opened up when towing rig and damaged my front hatch.
  • What is the payload on your sticker (though we are only going to consider top tims...Denali Ultimate, LImited, Platinum)
    • Posted pic
  • Would you buy the same truck again?
    • I would go 450, for the steering advantage. It is a big deal in a tight camp spot. If you have never driven a limited steering truck, the 450 will be a big learning curve.
    • I have a camping friend with a 2025 F350 single axle, pulling a 44' North Point 5th wheel. It pulls just fine the way he spec'd it out (Motor head type). After 2 years, he wants a dually and it is quite the show, watching him and his wife pull into sites after 2 years..LOL. Needless to say, limited steering really has him flustered still.
  • Anything you wish you knew before moving to a dually?
    • Nope. I bought used and glad I went for the training wheels option.
Let us know what you buy!
 

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Flyer32RLS

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
321
M and E said:
  • Ford F-350 dually
I'm leery of the Ford because of the CP4.
Click to expand...
Think you might have been reading too many negative comments. You have to remember, the squeaky wheel gets the attention.
I think if you look at the percentage of failures of how many are on the road, you might think about it different.
Yes, it was made by man therefore it will break.
I've just the opposite. If you take care of it, meaning adding fuel additives, it will take care of you.
There are other reasons more important to me than worry about something that might break.
Just my $0.02 comment!
Happy Glamping with whatever you choose! :cool:
 
M

M and E

Prominent Member
Flyer32RLS said:
321

Think you might have been reading too many negative comments. You have to remember, the squeaky wheel gets the attention.
I think if you look at the percentage of failures of how many are on the road, you might think about it different.
Yes, it was made by man therefore it will break.
I've just the opposite. If you take care of it, meaning adding fuel additives, it will take care of you.
There are other reasons more important to me than worry about something that might break.
Just my $0.02 comment!
Happy Glamping with whatever you choose! :cool:
Click to expand...
My CP4 failed at 11000 miles and I used XPD (in fact the best performer on scar tests), metered, at every fill up before it even left the lot. Two class action lawsuits against Stellantis and GM for their use of CP4 pumps were successful. Bosch says, in veiled language, the CP4 is not designed for ULSD fuel. There is a massive aftermarket economy for DPKs. S&S goes back ordered on their DCRs. Ford is likely to lose their lawsuit on CP4 use. That’s not a data set that goes to an isolated “squeaky wheel “ but rather an indication of a very real risk of failure established in fact.
 
UFF

UFF

Well-known member
Moved from a single rear wheel to a dually in 2017. Wanted more stability to move hay and farm machinery. I will say it was the best decision I made.

I had a 2017 F350 dually and now own a 2026 Ram Dually. Honestly I liked both of them. Everybody has an opinion, here is mine. Ram put a 8 speed in their truck in 2025 which fixed the only issue I had from buying one.

If you do your own maintenance Ram is easier to work on (more room). Both pulled my 310rl just fine. Ram seems to run a little cooler going up the mountains and hills. Ram also has a better engine brake hands down, but the Ford always worked good enough.

As far as ride quality they all ride the same, rough empty and a lot better hitched up. Riding level I was able to get the Ford dead on with 7” of clearance and the Ram is 1/4” nose high with 7 3/4” of clearance.

Chevy and GMC trucks I have never test drove, owned, or considered. Do not like the independent suspension up front, prefer a solid front axle.

I think you just need to go drive all of them and just pick what you like.
 
L

Lantley

Prominent Member
UFF said:
Moved from a single rear wheel to a dually in 2017. Wanted more stability to move hay and farm machinery. I will say it was the best decision I made.

I had a 2017 F350 dually and now own a 2026 Ram Dually. Honestly I liked both of them. Everybody has an opinion, here is mine. Ram put a 8 speed in their truck in 2025 which fixed the only issue I had from buying one.

If you do your own maintenance Ram is easier to work on (more room). Both pulled my 310rl just fine. Ram seems to run a little cooler going up the mountains and hills. Ram also has a better engine brake hands down, but the Ford always worked good enough.

As far as ride quality they all ride the same, rough empty and a lot better hitched up. Riding level I was able to get the Ford dead on with 7” of clearance and the Ram is 1/4” nose high with 7 3/4” of clearance.

Chevy and GMC trucks I have never test drove, owned, or considered. Do not like the independent suspension up front, prefer a solid front axle.

I think you just need to go drive all of them and just pick what you like.
Click to expand...
Not trying to change your mind. but you noted a difference between GMC and the others. The independent suspension allows the GMC to ride and handle noticeably better. Its one of the reasons I like Chevy. Don't get me wrong I have owned Ford in the past and would again.
Buy I do think GMC products ride better than the other 2 due to the front suspension.
As far as CP4 reliability of the fuel pump and fuel systems is a real issue.
The systems are not as reliable as the older models with less power and less emissions.
Those complex systems are not as reliable as they need to be. the failures are not a maintenance issue. The class action suits reflect the extent and fallout of the issue
 
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M

M and E

Prominent Member
We decided to go ahead and take the hit and brought this home yesterday. @Lantley is spot on with the ride quality due to the independent front suspension on the GMC. The transmission was the smoothest out of all of them. The ride was the best with this one too. Acceleration hands down goes to Ford (trailer unattached). Interior on Ram beats all of them but lacks some tech (HUD was important to us for instance…Ram does not have it). Trailering tech was best on Ford with its pro trailer (IMO). But GMC has the best cameras for backing. I beat them up on price, tried to get them to throw in the trailer cameras, but no dice…NOT cheap. Took a pretty good hit on the Ford but is what it is.

Anyhow, we’re set for a little while. 2026 Denali Ultimate.

IMG_5348.jpeg

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B

Bozo

Prominent Member
M and E said:
We decided to go ahead and take the hit and brought this home yesterday. @Lantley is spot on with the ride quality due to the independent front suspension on the GMC. The transmission was the smoothest out of all of them. The ride was the best with this one too. Acceleration hands down goes to Ford (trailer unattached). Interior on Ram beats all of them but lacks some tech (HUD was important to us for instance…Ram does not have it). Trailering tech was best on Ford with its pro trailer (IMO). But GMC has the best cameras for backing. I beat them up on price, tried to get them to throw in the trailer cameras, but no dice…NOT cheap. Took a pretty good hit on the Ford but is what it is.

Anyhow, we’re set for a little while. 2026 Denali Ultimate.

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If you took a hit on the ford, did you really “beat them up on price” for the gmc? After all things considered, bottom line, out the door price is what matters.
 
Flyer32RLS

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
M and E said:
My CP4 failed at 11000 miles and I used XPD (in fact the best performer on scar tests), metered, at every fill up before it even left the lot. Two class action lawsuits against Stellantis and GM for their use of CP4 pumps were successful. Bosch says, in veiled language, the CP4 is not designed for ULSD fuel. There is a massive aftermarket economy for DPKs. S&S goes back ordered on their DCRs. Ford is likely to lose their lawsuit on CP4 use. That’s not a data set that goes to an isolated “squeaky wheel “ but rather an indication of a very real risk of failure established in fact.
Click to expand...
OK understand. Do you have the statistics of failure? How many failed out of how many in service? Not saying you are not correct but like I said before, made by man it will fail. As you know, this country has turned into a very sue happy cluture. Enough said.
Nice truck! I looked at them but went the F350 way. Ride in a truck is not smooth no matter which truck you have. I liked the ford due to power and torgue. Ford beats others hands down. Enjoy the truck. When you get it broken in, post your MPG. Curious what they are compared to others. I get almost 12 pulling with 6.7L HO.
Happy Glamping! :cool:
 
M

M and E

Prominent Member
Bozo said:
If you took a hit on the ford, did you really “beat them up on price” for the gmc? After all things considered, bottom line, out the door price is what matters.
Click to expand...
I got a very fair deal on the trade. I was referring to depreciation as I’ve only owned it since last January. And yes, I negotiated to the point where there was nothing left. We were both going to walk from the deal over 650.00, them and us. There was nothing left and it was about 1.5 % under invoice. So that is Laura GMC level pricing for an ordered truck. The sales manager is my neighbor.
 
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