Dodge vs Ford vs GM diesel 3/4 ton family

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Maybe this will help you make up your mind. Ask the Ford Dealer what engine they offer in their F650 and 750 trucks. Cummins, the same engine you will get with any Ram.

Look at the car haulers/Hot Shotters the majority are Ram's followed by GM and Fords are far behind.

Look under the hood, Ram you can access both sides of the engine, Ford, close the hood and just take it to the Dealer. Almost forgot, engine problems the cab comes off!

The Ford has the same cab/frame design since 1999.

If you want a car like ride get the GM, if you want a truck to do a trucks job get the Ram.

I have had ZERO issues with my Ram HO Longhorn Dually with 30K on the clock.

This is folly if you are trying to imply that a truck that has a smoother ride is less capable than its competition. I drove a Century Freighliner that rode better than my GM. I doubt the GM is more capable than the C-120 Freightliner in doing a truck's job.

If a rough ride were the true measure of a trucks ability to do work everybody on this board would be lining up to trade their HD pickup for my 1966 Kaiser M-54 6x6.

The independent front end on a GM is a weaker design. I have seen more than one along the road with a broken front axle/CV joint.

The Ram just does not have any front end issues, they are very strong.
I would take the GM over Ford any way.

Sorry dude, just not buying that. I have worked the IFS on all of my GMs hard on our farm. I have had ZERO cv joint problems. In all of the years of owning 6 different GMs with IFS, I have only replaced one unit bearing on my wife's 2001, and ball joints on my '97 Blazer.

Sorry Dude I have seen them come apart at the track and towing 5ers sitting along the freeway with the left tire looking like it was making a left turn. I have seen plenty of GM's changed out to solid front axle.

Engineer9860 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Maybe this will help you make up your mind. Ask the Ford Dealer what engine they offer in their F650 and 750 trucks. Cummins, the same engine you will get with any Ram.

Look at the car haulers/Hot Shotters the majority are Ram's followed by GM and Fords are far behind.

Look under the hood, Ram you can access both sides of the engine, Ford, close the hood and just take it to the Dealer. Almost forgot, engine problems the cab comes off!

The Ford has the same cab/frame design since 1999.

If you want a car like ride get the GM, if you want a truck to do a trucks job get the Ram.

I have had ZERO issues with my Ram HO Longhorn Dually with 30K on the clock.

This is folly if you are trying to imply that a truck that has a smoother ride is less capable than its competition. I drove a Century Freighliner that rode better than my GM. I doubt the GM is more capable than the C-120 Freightliner in doing a truck's job.

If a rough ride were the true measure of a trucks ability to do work everybody on this board would be lining up to trade their HD pickup for my 1966 Kaiser M-54 6x6.

The independent front end on a GM is a weaker design. I have seen more than one along the road with a broken front axle/CV joint.

The Ram just does not have any front end issues, they are very strong.
I would take the GM over Ford any way.

Sorry dude, just not buying that. I have worked the IFS on all of my GMs hard on our farm. I have had ZERO cv joint problems. In all of the years of owning 6 different GMs with IFS, I have only replaced one unit bearing on my wife's 2001, and ball joints on my '97 Blazer.

66chevelle wrote:

Water-Bug wrote:
I recently made a trip to Goshen, In. The trip was not RV related but Goshen is the RV manufacturing center of the US. The interesting thing was that the motel I stayed at was frequented by a large number of RV transporters. Guys that tow RV for a living. About 75% of them drove Dodge diesel duallys. The other 25% drove Chevys or GMs. There wasn't a Ford in the place. Not a very scientific survey, just an interesting observation.

Surely because of the Cummins. You won't get an argument from me about the Cummins durability, too bad it's in a Ram. See way to many of them in my buddies repair facility with things worn out that shouldn't be. Kinda like GM wheel hubs, lots of those also. One day last week he had 2 Trailblazers and 1 Envoy in there at the same time putting both front hubs on all 3 of them.

Water-Bug wrote:
I recently made a trip to Goshen, In. The trip was not RV related but Goshen is the RV manufacturing center of the US. The interesting thing was that the motel I stayed at was frequented by a large number of RV transporters. Guys that tow RV for a living. About 75% of them drove Dodge diesel duallys. The other 25% drove Chevys or GMs. There wasn't a Ford in the place. Not a very scientific survey, just an interesting observation.

transamz9 wrote:

66chevelle wrote:

catfishmontana wrote:
Most women like the GM.

you are 100% correct. I can't get my wife out of my Dura Max. She wouldn't drive the Dodge after the "Death Wobble" incident.

The death wobble is cause from lack of proper maintenance. Ford and GM trucks get it too.;)

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Maybe this will help you make up your mind. Ask the Ford Dealer what engine they offer in their F650 and 750 trucks. Cummins, the same engine you will get with any Ram.

Look at the car haulers/Hot Shotters the majority are Ram's followed by GM and Fords are far behind.

Look under the hood, Ram you can access both sides of the engine, Ford, close the hood and just take it to the Dealer. Almost forgot, engine problems the cab comes off!

The Ford has the same cab/frame design since 1999.

If you want a car like ride get the GM, if you want a truck to do a trucks job get the Ram.

I have had ZERO issues with my Ram HO Longhorn Dually with 30K on the clock.

This is folly if you are trying to imply that a truck that has a smoother ride is less capable than its competition. I drove a Century Freighliner that rode better than my GM. I doubt the GM is more capable than the C-120 Freightliner in doing a truck's job.

If a rough ride were the true measure of a trucks ability to do work everybody on this board would be lining up to trade their HD pickup for my 1966 Kaiser M-54 6x6.

The independent front end on a GM is a weaker design. I have seen more than one along the road with a broken front axle/CV joint.

The Ram just does not have any front end issues, they are very strong.
I would take the GM over Ford any way.

crickeydog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you want a car like ride get the GM, if you want a truck to do a trucks job get the Ram.

I personally like sitting down to dinner after towing all day with our Sierra, getting the job done and not feeling like our truck has beaten us to death. I like a smooth comfortable ride. Now our "Road Locomotive??? (See Sig) She'll get the job done too but you'll need to order kidneys for dinner cause you lost yours back out on the Interstate hours earlier. Oh and thats quite an accomplishment to have 30k on the odometer with no issues. I'd certainly hope so!

To the OP, IH FAN: Buy the truck you like that will more than adequately tow your load and enjoy. Just skip the 3/4 ton. Good luck.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

IH_Fan wrote:
We sold the 24' bunk bed model a few weeks ago and have decided to look at something bigger (29), but in the meantime, it's time to retire the 2001 Tahoe from towing. We are looking at buying new (2014 models) and have settled on a 3/4 ton diesel. I should note that until we retire in a couple years, the truck will also be used for everyday things too.

The question is, which one: we test drove all three and here is what we found. I'm very interested in your observations, so please jump in!

Dodge: We drove the longhorn 2500. We loved the look and the interior was amazing. We loved the Cummins for instant response. We found the engine to be a bit louder than the other 2 trucks. It was also the most rough riding and that was a big issue (coil springs?). The sound system sounded like "tin", but that could have been the factory settings. We didn't like the way the back seat flipped up for storage, but then again the back seat is heated!! Not sure of the history/reliability of the transmission, from I've read. The deals right now for them are great - 2013's that is - as there are still plenty of the '13's on the dealer lots.

GM: We drove the Denali 2500. The engine was the quietest, but there was a "lag" when you stepped on it. Not as responsive as the other 2. The ride was far better than the Dodge. The interior was sparse compared to the other 2 for what you are paying for, we found. We've read a lot of the Duramax/Allison combo as being very solid. We loved the way the back seat flipped for us, but then again they are NOT heated.

Ford F-250 King Ranch: WOW!! It seemed to have the best of all worlds. But here's the scary part: That Ford diesel engine. We are VERY nervous of it - the "Scorpion", that is. We know of all the issues of past IH engines, and how the 7.3 was the very best.... I do not know about the transmission either.

As you can tell, the Ford creeps ahead for us, but that engine we are very unsure of. We keep our trucks for 10-15 years, and the Cummins and Duramax have been around for a while. Yet that Ford engine has only been on the market for a couple years, and cannot compare with the other 2 for being around as long.

I know it's all about what you are looking for, I've listed just a few for us. I'm very curious as to any views out there as we continue to shop.

Many thanks in advance!