The last three trucks have been Fords; the two before that wore a GM badge. Never had a problem with any of them. I think we all buy what we like and then think up rationale to explain why we did what we did. :)
My wife and I have a simple system of deciding what to buy. We look it over and say "if we buy this instead of that will we be happier", if the answer is yes we buy it, if the answer is no, we don't.
Had dually diesel, now run SRW gasser. Seen lots of elevation out West, never had to get out and push yet. :) Local Ford dealer tells me 60% of the trucks they sell (not including F150s) are diesel. Lots of big loads being hauled I guess. :) Wondering if the new 7.3 would make us smile. Still talking that one over!
Our gasser does use its transmission to haul us up the grade, but those grades all got a downside to em and there are even a few spots that are kinda flat if I recall correctly. :)