Need actual owners experience on which 1 ton to buy.

[ulvik]

I really want some real world experience from actual owners to aid me in which new truck to buy. First off I am a die hard Chevrolet owner but from the price quotes I have been getting they are out of my price range regretfully.
1. 2017 Chevrolet 3500 crew cab DRW 6.6 diesel Allison trans. best price I found on lowest trim level was $50,000.
2. 2017 Ram 3500 tradesman crew cab DRW 6.7 diesel with Aisin trans. for $43,000.
3. 2017 Ford F-350 XL package 6.7 diesel crew cab DRW for $45,000.
All are basically equipped the same but I want real world advice pertaining to issues you have had with yours and your likes and dislikes. Just want to make the right decision for our future pulling needs of around 20,000 lbs as everyday use as this will be my daily driver also. I owned a dually before so I know the downfalls of that in itself. Just advice on particular models themselves. Thanks!!!!

[blofgren]

ppine wrote:
I have a Ford F-350 with a 7.3 liter diesel. It has been a great truck since buying new. I replaced the brakes at 130k miles. I just had the front end redone at 165k miles, the Dana 60 front axle is extremely strong. I have never aligned the front end or rotated tires but have gotten 65k miles out of the tires, and the truck has always tracked straight. I have towed with it a lot and the trans is fine at 165k miles just by changing the fluid on time.

You have by far the best diesel engine Ford ever put in a pick up. Keep it and be happy!

[PA12DRVR]

FWIW.

Had 2 F350's (MY 2004 & 2006) that had plenty of power for my 18k 5ver and were not at all unpleasant to drive. Had no problem with either of then (even with the dreaded 6.0 engine) but only got to about 75k miles with each: the first one was stolen and the second one I sold when I got rid of the 5ver.

Have a 2013 F550 that is my snow plow truck. Great working rig. The cab and the seats make for as decent a ride as a heavily-sprung truck like this can have (which ain't that decent 🙂 ) No problems with the truck. (We won't talk about the plow ram gaskets)

Were I buying a dually, I would likely only look at Ford: while it's not the same truck, my current (2009 MY) GMC 2500HD has had continual problems after 100k miles with electronics and sensors (engine and tranny seem fine) and, anecdotally only, my BIL has had a raft of problems with his 2010 MY 3500 Ram.

[ulvik]

Sounds like the Ram has a slight advantage above the other two. Great incite!!! Any and all advice will be taken. I like being retired and traveling and don't want to go back to work just to buy a truck with a huge sticker price. I don't need all the bells and whistles so much so that I want vinyl seats and carpet delete. LOL

[Cummins12V98]

The hot shotters and RV haulers that are Fords mostly run the 7.3.

No question RAM dominates the privately owned RV and HotShot market!

[guidry]

GM bought back my 13' one ton and I got a 16' instead. I had all kinds of trouble with the 13'. With my 2016, not one problem! I love it. When GM bought back my lemon 13' I drove the Ram but wasn't impressed with the interior. During my research I found that a lot of long distance RV transporters had Rams, that should say a lot. I'll never have another Ford (long story for another day).

[Ron3rd]

Don't know if it means anything but all the car haulers I see in So Cal with their gooseneck trailers all use Cummins 3500 duallys or larger.

[wnjj]

donn0128 wrote:
GM Ford or Ram. Your going to start the brand wars for sure. Cummins= 25% fewer moving parts, reliable true 500K mile commercial duty motor. Look at what the majprity of hot shoters drive. Since you looking at the basic trucks, check out which seat is the most comfortable for you. From my last experience with the last Ford work teuck the seats were boards that hurt after about 50 miles. But you miht like that. All make decent trucks now days, but there are differences. GMs only come with one RE ratio. Ford and Ram offer alternatives. Ram is the only one that currently offers a manual trans if thats your thing.

The “fewer moving parts” are the ones that don’t fail on any brand so irrelevant. Fuel pumps, water pumps (ahem) and turbos are the moving parts that cause the most issues.

I can’t speak to the new models but in the 90’s at least the Dodge had the most miserable seats I ever had the displeasure to sit in. The point is, check the seats in all of the models you’re considering.

I agree with the comment above that Ram provides the best value. I’d check them out for sure if I were in the market. If one of the others has a feature or look you like, go for that one,

[gmcsmoke]

Dollar for dollar Ram is the best bang for your buck and I'm a diehard GM guy. Too many packages and and add-ons to make a GM match what's offered by Ram at a lower price.

[larry_barnhart]

All ambulances in our home city use fords and same for Casa Grande Az using a newer style ford.

chevman

[donn0128]

GM Ford or Ram. Your going to start the brand wars for sure. Cummins= 25% fewer moving parts, reliable true 500K mile commercial duty motor. Look at what the majprity of hot shoters drive. Since you looking at the basic trucks, check out which seat is the most comfortable for you. From my last experience with the last Ford work teuck the seats were boards that hurt after about 50 miles. But you miht like that. All make decent trucks now days, but there are differences. GMs only come with one RE ratio. Ford and Ram offer alternatives. Ram is the only one that currently offers a manual trans if thats your thing.

[Cummins12V98]

"I believe most people who drive Ram do so mainly because the Cummins badge on the side gives them some sense of security which is absolutely fine for them."

I bought my first RAM in 2001 a 98 2500 4x4 12Valve engine from a personal friend with 50k on it. I knew the engine would be very dependable and honestly thought the truck would fall apart around it!

The truck still looks great at 400k with no rust. So that sold me on the quality of the trucks built it's self. My Son now owns it.

[4x4ord]

I believe most people who drive Ram do so mainly because the Cummins badge on the side gives them some sense of security which is absolutely fine for them. I considered the Ram when I bought my Ford but because the Cummins means nothing to me over the Powerstroke I ended up choosing the slightly more expensive and nicer equipped Ford. I have had mostly GMCs in the past and would certainly not pay more for a GM. Anyone can list the problems they've had with a certain brand truck but more than likely you are not going to experience much in the way of problems no matter which truck you buy. I agree with what others are saying: take each truck for a drive and then buy the Ford.

[alexleblanc]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This truck with the Medium Duty Cummins and MD AISIN trans with Factory Rear Air Ride and factory towing puck system in the trim level you want. 3.42's up to 28-29K and over that 4.10's.

Ford still uses the Bosch CP4 injection pump that GM recently dumped because of too many warranty claims and they now use the DENSO pump. Cummins uses the tried and true CP3 pump.

Pic shows how well the rear air keeps the truck at a proper towing ride height even with full RAWR of 9,750#.

Notice what's in the background? Those are RAM Ambulances that are replacing Ford Ambulances.

You do know that most of the CP4 failures were 11-13 for both the GM’s and Fords, the current version of the CP4 from everything I read is improved and you’re not hearing about many issues anymore, I’d bet fuel contamination is behind most of the later failures. In talking to my local dealer, they haven’t had one failure of the current Gen and very few of the 14+ save for a few with actual proven fuel issues.

I don’t believe it’s as big of a problem as the gospel you’ve been trying to spread....

[Grit_dog]

So would those be Rambulances then?? Lol
To OP, ANY of those will perform similarly and well for a LONG time.

My preference would be 2, 1, 3 in that order......but even though I've been a Mopar/GM guy forever, the new SD Fords are awesome and I've generally had good service out of the 20 or so Ford work trucks I've had over the years.

Anecdotally, I'd also take the engines in the same order for reasons already mentioned.

[stickdog]

Had an 09 6.4 CC DRW 4x4 with 3.73 fuel milege sucked and was rated for B5 only otherwise the truck was fine. Traded for 17 F350 6.7 CC DRW 4x4 4:10 fuel milege better than the 09 out of the box. Power is great for 20,000 5th wheel.