Never thought I'd be asking this question ... but?

I've owned Chevy's most of my life. Some were good, some were dogs. I bought a new Ford last year, and just got it back from the shop after having the upper end of the engine repaired due to a turbo issue (18K miles). But even though it had a problem I still like the Ford.

I'd venture to say that any of the big three will meet your needs. It comes down to personal preference on options and styling.

Dutchmen Sport,

Do/did you drive the 2005 on gravel roads a lot or high clay content roads? Sounds like you have salt containing wet clay dust built up along the door bottoms. You can't erase the rust but you can stop it unless it true rust thru but will even slow that down a lot. How many miles on the truck? Under 250-300K? Being a diesel it's likely to go another long ways and years before any major issues. Perhaps it's paid for and keeping it for a few more years and putting the amount or most of it for a truck payment in savings may make a new purchase down the road almost painless. Having a new truck in a few years with little on no payments and virtually paying no interest is beautiful!

For your 2005:

High pressure spray to clean the joint as deeply best you can, then dry thoroughly with heated air. Spray WD 40 (that's Water Displacement formula 40)so it fills the cracks and replaces any water still inside. Then dry very thoroughly with heated air untill really dried out and wipe off any residue. Next, spray Rust Fix or the equavilent using the little plastic tube supplied so you can control over spray into all the door bottom voids or cracks you can find. Maybe some areas will need 2-3 coats. Let dry and turn black and then if desired, you can coat with a Dupli-color etc matching spray so you can't see any rust color or off color spots. You'll likely get another 3-4 years before rusting starts again. Still can do it all over again too for more good years! How did you crack the wheelwell trim or bumper facias etc. Cracking is not normal unless it's hit.

Our 2004.5 Chevy 2500 D/A CC LB 4X4 doesn't even have a hint of rust anywhere as I constantly check it. Looks nearly showroom new! Almost 150K and lots of unpaved road driving but I do make sure all body vents are always clean and open so trapped water will drain and I also flush in spring to rinse the salt away. Trucks are way too expensive not to and so are cars!

Perfect time for new 2014 3500 as about $10,000 off sticker with Supplier Price for all and incentives and rebates. Good time to trade off. Hated to part with my 2004 2500HD 8.1 big block last week. Body and interior were still beautiful so hard to figure why only the body mounts were rusting out. Discovered when step bars were getting loose. Also noticed that brake and fuel lines were showing a ton of corrosion. I was also starting to notice a few leaking seals around rear end, transmission, and at rear of oil pan. Nothing that could not be fixed but it was starting to appear that I would be running into more maintenance cost than truck was worth. Big picture reality was the truck was 10 years old with 142,000 miles and they don't last forever. Tough decision but sometimes moving on is the best. Randu

DutchmenSport wrote:
The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.

We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again.

Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.

So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war (well, maybe I am), just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?

I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...

So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

I'm looking hard at a new truck myself right now, mostly because the truck in my sig has hit 161K and I constantly worry when traveling about having an issue. It's been a VERY good truck to me over the last 4 years, but that's mostly because I've fixed a lot of the known issues. A close friend was turning the wrenches, so it basically only cost me the price of the parts to fix.

Anyways, I'm looking at the 2015 Chevy and 2014 Ram. Staying with a 3500 dually, LTZ or Laramie, depending on brand.

DW and I have fallen in love with the Ram. We haven't driven a Chevy yet, but everything we've seen about both of them is that they're pretty comparable with mostly brand loyalty providing the difference. We're leaning towards the Ram mostly because we think we can get a significantly better deal on that versus a new body style Silverado. We'll probably order a Ram this week from our local dealer.

I was never a Ram fan before because the interiors were just horrid in my opinion. That has changed. They've come a very long way and have arguably the best interiors now with a ton of creature comforts, depending on the level you're looking at.

I know you're partial to Chevy, and I get that, but do yourself a favor and at least look at the new Rams. You might be surprised and might save yourself quite a bit of money.

Just my $.02.

Good luck with your search!

I hear you but the EPA requirements on the new trucks still makes me nervous. It's not a brand thing but a EPA thing. The diesel engine was a pretty reliable engine until the EPA, now most of the time we send a truck (class 8)to the shop it's regen system related. Seems like 9 out of 10 times and fixing regen systems is expensive.

Like the Chevy trucks, heck my paycheck comes from hauling their parts. RAM 3500 is coming out with air ride rear axle which is about time. I'm sure the others will soon follow. Personally, I always seem to seem to end up in a Ford truck.

I own 3 vehicles. My F350 is just to tow my 5er. If you don't have any payments I'd hang onto the truck, find the car you like and wait a couple of years to see what happens in the "truck wars". Give them a chance to get some of the bugs out of the EPA restricted diesel. IN registration is like $120 a year and insurance is also pretty cheap on it cause it's not listed as a daily drive.

Good Luck.

GM is running on an aging design and won't have the new body style until 2015 models. Ford must be due for redesign in the next couple of years. Ram is very new and has probably the nicest and Roomiest interior on the market today. They also have the highest towing ratings out there for 3500 dually But any of them will be a decent towing platform. I suggest you go out, drive all of them hopefully all on the same day and over similar roads. Then using that information, pick the one you like the best and can get the best price on.

I'll throw the first punch in the this truck smack down.
My opinion: brand new 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed, highest trim line with all available bells and whistles.

DutchmenSport wrote:
The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.

We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again.

Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.

So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war, just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?

I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...

So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

No war from me, but if you want to stay away from a RAM, don't test drive one, totally convinced a week ago after test driving the new Duramax that was the truck. Test drove a RAM, and the rest is history never gave that Chev a second look.

They all are very nice trucks My previous truck was an 99 Superduty 7.3 nearly 16 years of ownership, The new fords did nothing for me, probably the 16 years with one . Needed a change.