TRUCK CHOICE

[Eagleback]

I have a Ram and I'm a Chevy/GMC fan. You cant go wrong on any brand. there all good. Don't get pulled in to the B.S. buy what you need, want and can afford. Mine is a Tradesman model and i got it for a super cheap price in Memphis and it has the limited things it needs but it really has it where it counts.

[sola123]

FORD...F350 or 450....Lariet, CC, DRW....

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by dandt

if given your choice what truck would you purchase Chevy, Ford or Dodge. We are not loyal to any brand but looking for new truck and just wondering what you guys would choose and of course WHY.

Any one of the three, as long as it's a diesel dually.

[DQDick]

Couldn't do a dually, for me it would have to be SRW.

[waynemoore]

F350 Ford 6.7 SRW King Ranch. But I too agree all 3 make great trucks.JMHO

[commish]

GMC has worked well for us.

[boshog]

All three will do the job and I knew that going in. As I shopped the three brand showrooms it helped me sort out which one. Our goal is to travel the country for a few years so reliability was number one on the list. That took Ford out, the Powerstroke is still evolving and still has design issues.

Next was which brand, GM or RAM, offered the best towing features. RAM won because it offered a cargo camera, rear air leveling suspension system, and factory fifth wheel prep puck system. Add to this the RAM salespeople's willingness to deal where the GM dealers took an arrogant position (likely varies by market) and the RAM was ordered. After a year of pulling, no complaints.

[gjetzen]

I believe that any of the three will do the job asked of it, it all boils down to what you are really looking for or what you want to be seen in and how much it cost. I was always a GMC guy until 1997 when the dealer I was faithful to really p----ed me off. That was the year I purchased my first Dodge extended cab long bed 2500, then in 2003 a 4 door extended cab long bed 3500 dually, they are now Ram's. I looked at a Chevrolet and Ford in 2013 but what sold me again on the Ram was the fact that I could get 2 intermediate sized Pet Porter dog crates in the back seat of the Ram were I could not in the Chevy or Ford. I purchased a 2013 Ram crew cab long bed 2500. Other than some rust issues on the 2003 (rotted out rear bumper)I have had no problems, just normal maintenance and wear and tear. Just buy enough truck for what you need.

[CORattler]

Ain't that the truth.
Kinda like what's the best oil to use or long bed vs short bed

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Never shortage of opinions on this.

[kylec2]

I would choose Ford, Chevy, or Dodge, in that order, but I agree any of the three would do a good job for you.

[TLightning]

I'd like a bullet proof combination...that would be a Cummins diesel and an Allison transmission.

[rames14]

I was a loyal Ford owner until in 1986 they told me $700 trans repair was normal at 35,000 miles. I promised I wouldn't buy another Ford new and haven't. Switched to Chevies but they hadn't changed their interior in 20 years. So, I bought a Ram when they paired the Cummins with the Aisin in 2013. All three make great trucks. Every one of us has a story that lead them to go toward a truck brand. Aisin and Allison had a joint venture. They are equals in my book. I believe any would be a great truck.

[mlh]

I bought a 1988 Chevy C 1500 one time. I was so proud of that truck. It turned out to be the sorriest vehicle or peice of equipment I ever owned. The new Chevys are always on my short list of vehicles to buy. I know the new Chevys like all vehicles aren't the same vehicle it was a few years ago. They are designed by different people assembled by different people in different plants. The difference is like peaches and apples. So the Chevys and Rams will stay on my short list when I buy a new truck. I will compare and get the best one for me.
Lynwood

[Fire_Hazard]

I went Ram, wanted base model less to break. The reason for that was workablity, after it is out of warranty it is the only one that does not require the body and chassis be separated for a lot of engine repairs. At local shop rates 110-160 and most say 3-8 hours on and off according to the "book" repairs could rack up fast on the newer trucks. This is not dealer but a couple trusted local mechanics. I did not need the extra cost, as at the time was keeping it long term. New camper makes wish I had gone DRW. Good luck with your choice.

[Beau2010]

I keep my vehicles for a LONG time so haven't had all that many. Two Chevys in the 70s-80s; a Toyota in the 90s and two Dodges since. The Chevys and the Toyota were gassers and I did tow a lot with them but would never go back. Dodges are both diesels and very happy with both. The new truck is a Laramie dually w/ Aisan. It works well with our fiver as well as by itself, ever though most of its use is towing. All that said, any of the Ford, GM or Ram trucks would work fine so long as properly equipped for whatever towing you need. We started towing our fiver with a 3/4 ton truck and never had a white knuckle moment any time. However, the new one ton is more stable, much more power and is easier to stop. It may be overkill for our trailer (3100RL) but the wife will drive it now when she would not consider driving the old truck.

[Goin 4 Broke]

Ford just released their specs on the 2017 Super Duty line. Pretty impressive ( says an admittedly biased ford owner).

As others have stated, you can't really go wrong nowadays with any of the big three.

My bias for Ford is based on their fuel injection direction back in the early 80. Sequential multi port just seemed to make sense to me more than an electronic squirter in the same spot as a carb. From there it just got better for me. The icing on the cake is the fact that Ford did not take bail out money. Again, that just seems like the right kind of company and direction.

Now I need to convince my DW that I really DO need a 2017 with all that fancy camera stuff!

[Clemson1881]

Disagree with the Duramax/Allison combo being reliable. The Allison absolutely yes, but the first generation Duramax's injector issues are terrible. GM knew about it as early as 2002/2003. A redesigned injector should have been developed accompanied by a recall. Instead GM sent letters claiming an improved fuel filter will solve the problem. The warranty was extended to 7/200,000, but you got the sane crappy remanufactured injectors. I plan to drive mine about two more years then get a Ford. Reason being GM refused to assist what so ever with injector job at 77,000 miles because I was over the 7 years. I explained I would be OK with them supplying parts at cost, but no, no assistance. So I buy a truck with defective injectors, follow your service bulletin regarding the filter advisement, and now you want to sell me replacement defective injectors for $395 each? No thanks! Meanwhile I had to buy the only non-GM vehicle I've bought in 25 years because I needed a hybrid for work travel. Bought Ford Fusion Hybrid. Gets 43 MPG, and I was thrilled. But Ford sends me a check for $750 explaining the window sticker stated 47 MPGs on the Fusions and they only get 41 on average. Ford said they wanted customers to "trust" them and the $750 is to make up for the extra fuel needed to cover the overstatement gap. That impressed me, but I was a GM guy. After getting the finger on the injector issue no longer. Biggest thing was how it was handled. I was very polite and never raised my voice. GM does not value loyalty and only addressing issues that are lawsuit bait in my opinion.

[rmthelen]

Greg, Sorry to hear about your experience with your 03 Duramax injectors. My experience with GM was just the opposite of yours when my 04 Duramax needed an injector replacement at 65000. GM furnished all parts at no cost to me, my only cost was for the labor to the dealer. I was ecstatic with the experience. I also am a lifelong GM owner and with this latest experience, will never leave. I am confident that my dealer also played a significant role in getting GM to assist with the cost as I have been a loyal customer of theirs for more than 25 years and have purchased a significant number of new vehicles from them over this time.

[Clemson1881]

Richard, glad they did the right thing for you. I would have settled for parts at wholesale cost, but was coldly told "no assistance". In my opinion, when they have my purchase history, any company under this circumstance that will not provide parts at cost and me pay parts cost and labor, said company's competence and honesty should be doubted.

[bigskyjimmy]

They did have an Additionl warranty that covered the injectors on the early Duramax any MANY were fixed no charge http://www.thedieselpage.com/duramax...orwarranty.htm ,I was lucky and never had the issues in 200K on my 2004 LB7 when I traded it in for my 2007 LBZ which do not have those issues AND if it did the injectors are not located under the valve covers and WAY easier to replace if needed