I am not intending to start a flame war, but just curious on the pros and cons of the two brands. I am likely going to buy a 2016. I know each must have its "issues" and strengths and each will have its fans and detractors. I am mostly trying to sort out which makes the most sense for me based on what I can learn of each. I have spent some time on the Ford forums and the Duramax forum, but just trying to get other opinions. Any input is appreciated.

I personally think its all the luck of the draw. Both are good brands and each can have its problems. But sometimes they will just have problems.

If you have to make choices from slightly used vehicles, then you have to consider the original units. Some trucks are set up to pull, and some are set up to carry. Both are very capable of carrying your camper, but you should know various gear ratios and tire combinations. A one ton truck can be set up to pull a huge amount of weight, or it can be set up to cruise near empty and get better mileage.

So your planning diesel. My vote goes for the 16 years and running Dmax/Alli combo. But that's me and I had an early Dmax that was the best truck I've had to date. One con of the GM I am think of but not verify is the bed frame is radiused at the rear which screws up some TCs fitting and supposedly the bed has a crown front to back as well. Along the same line, and maybe the '17 model new super duties are different,but same type of radius support at the front of the bed screwed up mounting a wide slip tank in the front of my F250. Ate into the clear width of the bed at the bottom and I had to raise the tank a couple inches and run the mounting bolts thru that radiused area.

Just have to wonder why you are not considering a RAM?Please at least take one for a test drive, you might be surprised.

Which one fits your butt better? That's the one to buy.

Pros/Cons Chevy vs. Ford 1 Ton Diesel 4x4 | Good Sam Community

Ventura_Dogman
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Bionic Man wrote:
When do you need to buy? If you are considering a Ford, and don't have to buy now, I think it would be foolish to not see what they have done with the new model. Even if you don't want it, the new truck will certainly drive down prices on left over 2016 models.

Based on what I have read here and in other forums, I am inclined to wait and see what both Ford and GM will bring out in the fall. If I like the new offerings, I would then wait a year for the kinks to be worked out of the new models. I am not in a rush to buy. My 2002 F150 FX4 with helper springs works amazingly well with the camper, even though by all accounts, it should be overwhelmed.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
When do you need to buy? If you are considering a Ford, and don't have to buy now, I think it would be foolish to not see what they have done with the new model. Even if you don't want it, the new truck will certainly drive down prices on left over 2016 models.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jun 08, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
travelnutz wrote:
It's not a rumor, it's presently in negotiations as FCA doesn't have a sustainable future due to long term debt etc and China is the only one so far to even enter into actual negotiations with FCA. FCA's days are numbered either way! It's not a major share holder proposal but a total buyout/take over and Cummins engines will not be included after take over as China will supply their own diesel engines made in China as they can produce the engines at a fraction of the cost of buying from Cummins. It's one of the major areas of the negotiations along with a total vehicle re-alignment and production locations/plants. Stay tuned!

Interesting! I know for a FACT Cummins is working on the 2019 6.7 for the RAM trucks. I got this from the lady that is working on it at the Cummins factory.

Cummins was also working on the 5.0 V8 for dodge and when Chrysler was handed to fiat that project got killed and VM motori got the green light.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2016
spoon059,

Allison was owned by GM and the Allison Transmissions were developed by GM and used in busses, OTR trucks, and RV's etc. The Baltimore Allison plant is on the northeast side of Baltimore by I-95, White Marsh area. Another plant is in Indianapolis, IN. I've been to both plants in the past for engineering related projects for my engineering business operation.

Allison Transmission Home web site:

www.allisontransmission.com/

Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is the world's largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

The Wikipedia Allison web site is not up to date yet, years behind!
1jeep
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2016
OP, not sure if you've seen this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCygT6mGcT8
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
spoon059 wrote:
travelnutz wrote:
Allison Transmissions are made in Baltimore, Maryland made by U.S. workers.

Really? I didn't know Allison was a Baltimore product. That's pretty cool, right in my backyard!

The GM products seem to be great. I just do not like GM and cannot foresee myself supporting that company.

That being said, the Duramax has been a solid engine for a long time. The Allison transmission has been solid for a long time too. GM has consistently had lower HP and torque than Ram and Ford, yet they can still pull weights up the Eisenhower at about the same speed as the Ram and Ford. It kinda makes you feel like the HP and torque wars aren't worth the pissing contest they (and we here) have made it out to be.

On that note, I don't think you can go wrong with either the Ford or the Chevy diesel right now (or Ram, but OP doesn't want that... his choice). Unless you NEED the extra GCVWR of the Ford, I don't see much of a mechanical difference between the two trucks. Find the one that fits your butt and your budget and put a LOT of miles on it with a smile on your face!
Actually in the tests I have seen, The GM has won, usually by a substantial margin. I haven't seen a test latley though... Has the been any?
spoon059
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2016
travelnutz wrote:
Allison Transmissions are made in Baltimore, Maryland made by U.S. workers.

Really? I didn't know Allison was a Baltimore product. That's pretty cool, right in my backyard!

The GM products seem to be great. I just do not like GM and cannot foresee myself supporting that company.

That being said, the Duramax has been a solid engine for a long time. The Allison transmission has been solid for a long time too. GM has consistently had lower HP and torque than Ram and Ford, yet they can still pull weights up the Eisenhower at about the same speed as the Ram and Ford. It kinda makes you feel like the HP and torque wars aren't worth the pissing contest they (and we here) have made it out to be.

On that note, I don't think you can go wrong with either the Ford or the Chevy diesel right now (or Ram, but OP doesn't want that... his choice). Unless you NEED the extra GCVWR of the Ford, I don't see much of a mechanical difference between the two trucks. Find the one that fits your butt and your budget and put a LOT of miles on it with a smile on your face!
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2016
dshelley,

OK, as for GM, they own 100% of Duramax 6.6 and build the engines in Moraine, Ohio with U.S. workers and the Allison Transmissions are made in Baltimore, Maryland made by U.S. workers. Both the Duramax 6.6 and the Allison transmissions are the same basic engine and transmission for 15 years running now and have a very fine long time history record. Doing it right the first time really counts!

Ford has had 3 total redesign diesel engine versions of their diesel engine during the same period (6.0, 6.4, and 6.7) and does anyone really need a reminder of the well established history of the 6.0 and 6.4 or the refusal to repair under warranty of the 6.7 CP4 ultra expensive out of owners pocket repair costs? Any more questions?

I rest my case, your Honor!
dshelley
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Ventura Dogman asked for experiences and opinions of 1 ton 4x4 GM and Ford diesel trucks. Many of us might include the Ram on our consideration list, but he didn't. This one is certain to be closed soon if it does not get back on track. Please, let's respect his request.
mich800
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:

Interesting! I know for a FACT Cummins is working on the 2019 6.7 for the RAM trucks. I got this from the lady that is working on it at the Cummins factory.

That doesn't really mean anything. They all are working on and developing multiple years out. If everything was written in stone just because they were working in it we whould have had baby diesels in all brands half ton trucks for several years now. With that said I highly doubt changes like that even if there was a merger.

And my comment was a joke. Everyone knows Ford owns Lego so they wouldn't buy Ram just to get Cummins which they also own. :D