New truck Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge

lbequ4002 · 12-03-2009, 03:16 PM

I have always had Fords except for one Chevy suburban 3/4 ton a long long time ago. I will be replacing my Ford F350 dually diesel soon. I'd like to get the same thing a diesel engine, a crew cab as I love having the big back seat and now have a child. However I would be fine with a 250/2500 now as I'm no longer pulling huge trailers. What are everyones thoughts? My current truck is the Ford 7.3 liter diesel and it has about 260,000 miles on it. I've heard bad things about the newer ford diesels and I recently drove a chevy and really like the power it had in the lower gears. I thought I wanted another ford but I liked the way the chevy drove but not so in love with the cabin. Can someone who has a new model of ford, chevy or dodge tell me how you like the truck, longevity, how it hauls etc.

Rockin GR · 12-03-2009, 03:30 PM

I don't have a newer one, but I'm on the hunt for one myself. After much research, I've narrowed my search down to a low mileage, 06 to early 07 Dodge (I'm looking for a 3500 since I have a 4H trailer w/ LQs), 5.9L Cummins turbo diesel, 6 speed manual transmission.
I wouldn't own a Chevy, never have been a fan. But I certainly wouldn't buy one now that the govt owns them.

I have a 2001 3/4 ton Dodge now, and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! That pickup has never given me a lick of trouble. Between my family, my husband's family and us, we've had a good number of Dodges, and always really liked them.

I thought I wanted a Ford, and I might consider it if I could find a 7.3, but they haven't made them for several years so there aren't any lower mileage ones out there anymore. Stay as far away from the 6.0L engine as you can, and I've heard equally bad things about the new 6.4 Ls. Every diesel mechanic I've spoken to (including the one that works on my husband's semi) says you can't go wrong with a Dodge.

BarnBum · 12-03-2009, 03:35 PM

I have always driven and hauled with Fords ....... However, I just bought my first Chevy about 2 weeks ago and night and day difference. Chevy rides alot nice/smoother. Hauls better. I traded in an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 / Off Road and purchased a 09 Chevy Silverado Z-71 / 4x4. Both gas. Both the big V-8s.
I so like the Chevy and have no regrets not getting into another Ford. I pull a Featherlite 2H BP straight load w/ DR.

kanoo32 · 12-03-2009, 04:32 PM

I got rid of a Chevy Z/71 and bought a F350 Supercrew Turbo Dually with the 7.3 liter Diesel engine....My hubby owns an auto brokerage and he said that the Ford 7.3 will outlast, outhaul, outperform and outvalue any truck that is on the road, and that they will be hard put to put a better truck out EVER!!!

I am getting ready to turn 100K on my truck and he asked me if I want a new one, and I said....NO WAY!!!!!

fishing_trex · 12-03-2009, 04:53 PM

I agree with BarnBum -- the Chevy's ride nicer and tow better. I've towed with Fords and Chevy's and prefer the Chevy's hands down.

My sister was a die-hard Ford fan (1 ton diesel dually) and bought a GMC 1 ton dually diesel 4x4. She loves it and won't be going back to Ford.

Horselady44 · 12-03-2009, 05:21 PM

I have a 08 chevy 2500. LOVE IT!

NorthernHorseGirl · 12-03-2009, 07:29 PM

I have a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton with the 5.9 litre and haul my 3 horse aluminum gooseneck trailer with it and you barely know it's there.
My first choice is Dodge, then Ford, then Chev. Chev truck seem to be more about luxury than hauling and Fords seem to be more about hauling than luxury. I think Dodge is a nice combination of the two.

We have a friend who works as a mechanic at a Ford dealership and was looking for a diesel truck not long ago. He wanted a Dodge but he bought a Ford because it's cheaper for him. Chev was never a consideration.
My daughter works at a Chev dealership and she wouldn't buy one. She works in the body shop and says there's brand new ones on the lot with rust spots starting.

Horsie Michelle · 12-03-2009, 09:00 PM

I don't have a "big one" just a 1500 but my Grandparents have a diesel Ford that they bought last year and they love it. They haul a motor home, a rather large one, from FL to SD, and Kansas, and such for about six months out of the year. I know they did alot of research before they bought it and very pleased with it. Before this they had a Chevy Diesel.

sonniegirl · 12-03-2009, 09:05 PM

To Me What A Silly Question It Is Ford Hands Down And Up !!!!!

rescueme · 12-03-2009, 09:46 PM

We're a Ford family. Mine is a 2006 F250 and my husband's is a 2008 F350 dually. Have had NO problems , ZERO , ZIP, NADA. Both drive like dreams, but his is certainly smoother and better to haul with. Both haul well, his is just nicer with the dually. The newer diesel engines are so quiet, you can sneak up on people with them! The turning radius is shorter on the dually, but otherwise, no problems with either,; mechanical or electrical.

candy4legs · 12-03-2009, 09:47 PM

Okay...so I'm a Chevy person and really like the newer Chevy diesels...they don't "lag" when you accelerate, which I really like...however, Chevy's have always had a really lousy turning radius...Ford is better in that respect...guess it all depends on what you like to drive...try them all and go with the one that feels right...

Texas Paints N Arabs · 12-04-2009, 06:55 AM

I am a die hard Ford fan. I drive an F350 dually, my husband drives an F250. We love them both. Not sure if you are buying brand new or would like to get one that is a year or two older, which is my preference, let someone else take the depreciation. I know with the Ford's you stay away from the 03-04 models as that is when the new engine came out and they had to work out the bugs. We both own 05's and never had issues with them. Never buy a new engine model, even though they test them they still have to work the kinks out. Also if you go Ford, ask the technicians for an oasis report. It is a service history report for anything that has ever been done to the truck. It is better than a carfax because you can see how many times it has been in the shop. Not all of them will give you the report, leave that dealer if they won't. I really liked one truck but once we got the oasis report it showed that the warranty had been voided due to something the previous owner had done to the truck, sales person didn't even know!
Good luck

mingiz · 12-04-2009, 07:03 AM

In towing I started out with a Ram 1500 As I got bigger trailers I got bigger trucks. I had an F250 CC SD 5.4l It was ok but I needed more pulling power for the mountains.So I got the F250 SD Ext Cab with 6.0 diesel. So far the truck has done well...If it wasn't so close to being paid for I would go back to the ram. Alot of horsemen have commented that the ram will outpull the ford. But then again I hear they like the Chevy's/gmc for the duramax and allison transmissions. Why can't ya get a ford with a cummins in it with an aliison tranny...Then you would have the best looking hardest pulling truck out there

Wolfesden · 12-04-2009, 07:40 AM

Mine is a 2004 f350 - it has been known to have trouble with head gaskets with the 6.0, and my fuel injector control module just went out... typical of this make/year...
I have hear the newer 6.4 is a lot better...
They need to make a ford truck and put a cummins motor in it, and bam... perfect

Wolfesden · 12-04-2009, 07:41 AM

Mingiz - I just read what you wrote after I posted... totally agree...!!!

theoldbear · 12-04-2009, 08:00 AM

Understand, I don't have a brand loyalty. At one time, several years ago we had a Dodge, a Ford, and a Chevy at the same time. I buy what I can get the best deal on. That led us to even have a Toyota for a while.

The Cummins Diesel is the best engine for towing, beyond a doubt, with the Duramax a close second. The older Ford 7.3 was tops, but it is a thing of the past. The 6.0 was a disaster, and the 5.4 gas engine in a 3/4 ton truck is too small. I know. I made the mistake of buying one!

The old Ford 460 V-8, and the Ford and Dodge V-10's are great towing motors. But they are gas hogs. Single digit mileage figures!

The Allison Transmission is super. Dodge has had some transmission problems.

The ideal combination is a "hybird" or a "cross-breed" . But you can't get a Cummins and an Allison unless you build it yourself.

My son's father in law has actually done this. He has a Cummins engine in a Chevy dually with the Allison tranny backing it up. It is his heavy duty hauler, to move tractors and big loads.

But his daily driver is a Dodge 2500.

My son was a Ford man for years, until he got a Dodge Cummins 2500 a little more than a year ago. That is all he would buy now.

Honestly, none are perfect, and I will always go with the best deal. If I were going to go out and buy a truck today, there's a used Ford F-250 with the V-10 that I can pick up for a good price. It has been owned by a woman who is a perfectionist, and keeps it clean as new. Buying a used truck from somebody who is obsessive-compulsive is a good thing!

Texas Paints N Arabs · 12-04-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfesden

Mine is a 2004 f350 - it has been known to have trouble with head gaskets with the 6.0, and my fuel injector control module just went out... typical of this make/year...
I have hear the newer 6.4 is a lot better...
They need to make a ford truck and put a cummins motor in it, and bam... perfect

Hey mine is in the shop getting that replaced too!! Really the first issue I have had with the truck and I knew weeks ago something was wrong but of course no one listened to me!

enigma · 12-04-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mingiz

Why can't ya get a ford with a cummins in it with an aliison tranny...Then you would have the best looking hardest pulling truck out there

AMEN!

walknsound · 12-04-2009, 10:00 AM

I traded a 2004 F350 duelly for a 2008 F250 4X4 b/c the duelly was just so big. My 2008 was brand new, but 2009 models out, so I got it cheaper. I'm a die hard Ford person. We had a Dodge duelly years ago, and the body started falling apart, also had a manuel shift. In my experience, Fords are work horses, Chevy is fluff. Also, Ford took no bailout money, and are USA made. Foreign trucks may be made here, but the money goes overseas folks.

stardust · 12-04-2009, 10:13 AM

I have an 04 Dodge 1500 with the larger hemi in it. I only pull a 2 place trailer though, and a car trailer. I love the way it pulls I dont know the trailers are even there and I have the power like NOW when I need it. I have always had fords (hubby a ford man) I like Chevy's but then I went down the middle and bought this Dodge. I love it...

12-03-2009, 03:16 PM
lbequ4002 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central AL Posts: 1,373	New truck Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge I have always had Fords except for one Chevy suburban 3/4 ton a long long time ago. I will be replacing my Ford F350 dually diesel soon. I'd like to get the same thing a diesel engine, a crew cab as I love having the big back seat and now have a child. However I would be fine with a 250/2500 now as I'm no longer pulling huge trailers. What are everyones thoughts? My current truck is the Ford 7.3 liter diesel and it has about 260,000 miles on it. I've heard bad things about the newer ford diesels and I recently drove a chevy and really like the power it had in the lower gears. I thought I wanted another ford but I liked the way the chevy drove but not so in love with the cabin. Can someone who has a new model of ford, chevy or dodge tell me how you like the truck, longevity, how it hauls etc.

12-03-2009, 03:30 PM
Rockin GR Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canton, KS Posts: 1,135	I don't have a newer one, but I'm on the hunt for one myself. After much research, I've narrowed my search down to a low mileage, 06 to early 07 Dodge (I'm looking for a 3500 since I have a 4H trailer w/ LQs), 5.9L Cummins turbo diesel, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't own a Chevy, never have been a fan. But I certainly wouldn't buy one now that the govt owns them. I have a 2001 3/4 ton Dodge now, and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! That pickup has never given me a lick of trouble. Between my family, my husband's family and us, we've had a good number of Dodges, and always really liked them. I thought I wanted a Ford, and I might consider it if I could find a 7.3, but they haven't made them for several years so there aren't any lower mileage ones out there anymore. Stay as far away from the 6.0L engine as you can, and I've heard equally bad things about the new 6.4 Ls. Every diesel mechanic I've spoken to (including the one that works on my husband's semi) says you can't go wrong with a Dodge. __________________ "No horse ever goes as fast as the money you spend on him."

12-03-2009, 03:35 PM
BarnBum Bombproof Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 7,594	I have always driven and hauled with Fords ....... However, I just bought my first Chevy about 2 weeks ago and night and day difference. Chevy rides alot nice/smoother. Hauls better. I traded in an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 / Off Road and purchased a 09 Chevy Silverado Z-71 / 4x4. Both gas. Both the big V-8s. I so like the Chevy and have no regrets not getting into another Ford. I pull a Featherlite 2H BP straight load w/ DR. __________________

12-03-2009, 04:32 PM
kanoo32 Kid Safe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 5,037	I got rid of a Chevy Z/71 and bought a F350 Supercrew Turbo Dually with the 7.3 liter Diesel engine....My hubby owns an auto brokerage and he said that the Ford 7.3 will outlast, outhaul, outperform and outvalue any truck that is on the road, and that they will be hard put to put a better truck out EVER!!! I am getting ready to turn 100K on my truck and he asked me if I want a new one, and I said....NO WAY!!!!! __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

12-03-2009, 04:53 PM
fishing_trex Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,987	I agree with BarnBum -- the Chevy's ride nicer and tow better. I've towed with Fords and Chevy's and prefer the Chevy's hands down. My sister was a die-hard Ford fan (1 ton diesel dually) and bought a GMC 1 ton dually diesel 4x4. She loves it and won't be going back to Ford. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

12-03-2009, 05:21 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,706	I have a 08 chevy 2500. LOVE IT! __________________ Spirit- Buttermilk QH gelding Tilly- Bay American Indian Horse mare Monkey Man- Sorrel QH gelding Black Jack- Black QH gelding

12-03-2009, 07:29 PM
NorthernHorseGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,549	I have a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton with the 5.9 litre and haul my 3 horse aluminum gooseneck trailer with it and you barely know it's there. My first choice is Dodge, then Ford, then Chev. Chev truck seem to be more about luxury than hauling and Fords seem to be more about hauling than luxury. I think Dodge is a nice combination of the two. We have a friend who works as a mechanic at a Ford dealership and was looking for a diesel truck not long ago. He wanted a Dodge but he bought a Ford because it's cheaper for him. Chev was never a consideration. My daughter works at a Chev dealership and she wouldn't buy one. She works in the body shop and says there's brand new ones on the lot with rust spots starting. __________________ I kissed my horse and I liked it.

12-03-2009, 09:00 PM
Horsie Michelle Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Summerfield, FL Posts: 1,068	I don't have a "big one" just a 1500 but my Grandparents have a diesel Ford that they bought last year and they love it. They haul a motor home, a rather large one, from FL to SD, and Kansas, and such for about six months out of the year. I know they did alot of research before they bought it and very pleased with it. Before this they had a Chevy Diesel. __________________ ~~"All that we love deeply becomes part of us" ~~ Helen Keller

12-03-2009, 09:05 PM
sonniegirl Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 121	Ford Vs Chevy And Dodge To Me What A Silly Question It Is Ford Hands Down And Up !!!!!

12-03-2009, 09:46 PM
rescueme Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: My dream home Posts: 292	We're a Ford family. Mine is a 2006 F250 and my husband's is a 2008 F350 dually. Have had NO problems , ZERO , ZIP, NADA. Both drive like dreams, but his is certainly smoother and better to haul with. Both haul well, his is just nicer with the dually. The newer diesel engines are so quiet, you can sneak up on people with them! The turning radius is shorter on the dually, but otherwise, no problems with either,; mechanical or electrical. __________________ Our talents are God's gift to us; what we do with them is our gift to God.

12-03-2009, 09:47 PM
candy4legs Coming two Join Date: May 2009 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 1,983	Okay...so I'm a Chevy person and really like the newer Chevy diesels...they don't "lag" when you accelerate, which I really like...however, Chevy's have always had a really lousy turning radius...Ford is better in that respect...guess it all depends on what you like to drive...try them all and go with the one that feels right... __________________ NEW SHELTER CHALLENGE-5/18/10 - 8/10 Please Vote Daily: Dusty Trails Horse Rescue needs your votes... Click this link: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3

12-04-2009, 06:55 AM
Texas Paints N Arabs Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,422	I am a die hard Ford fan. I drive an F350 dually, my husband drives an F250. We love them both. Not sure if you are buying brand new or would like to get one that is a year or two older, which is my preference, let someone else take the depreciation. I know with the Ford's you stay away from the 03-04 models as that is when the new engine came out and they had to work out the bugs. We both own 05's and never had issues with them. Never buy a new engine model, even though they test them they still have to work the kinks out. Also if you go Ford, ask the technicians for an oasis report. It is a service history report for anything that has ever been done to the truck. It is better than a carfax because you can see how many times it has been in the shop. Not all of them will give you the report, leave that dealer if they won't. I really liked one truck but once we got the oasis report it showed that the warranty had been voided due to something the previous owner had done to the truck, sales person didn't even know! Good luck __________________ Horses help take us to a place which we cannot reach by ourselves

12-04-2009, 07:03 AM
mingiz Started Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern MD Posts: 2,711	In towing I started out with a Ram 1500 As I got bigger trailers I got bigger trucks. I had an F250 CC SD 5.4l It was ok but I needed more pulling power for the mountains.So I got the F250 SD Ext Cab with 6.0 diesel. So far the truck has done well...If it wasn't so close to being paid for I would go back to the ram. Alot of horsemen have commented that the ram will outpull the ford. But then again I hear they like the Chevy's/gmc for the duramax and allison transmissions. Why can't ya get a ford with a cummins in it with an aliison tranny...Then you would have the best looking hardest pulling truck out there __________________ Never Ride Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly **Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.... 1 TWHBEA, 3 Missouri Fox Trotters, 1 Gaited John Mule 03 Exiss Event 3H ,06 F250 extcab 6.0**

12-04-2009, 07:40 AM
Wolfesden Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 476	Mine is a 2004 f350 - it has been known to have trouble with head gaskets with the 6.0, and my fuel injector control module just went out... typical of this make/year... I have hear the newer 6.4 is a lot better... They need to make a ford truck and put a cummins motor in it, and bam... perfect __________________ Attempt the impossible! Semper Fi!

12-04-2009, 07:41 AM
Wolfesden Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 476	Mingiz - I just read what you wrote after I posted... totally agree...!!! __________________ Attempt the impossible! Semper Fi!

12-04-2009, 08:00 AM
theoldbear Coming two Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arcadia, Florida Posts: 1,768	Understand, I don't have a brand loyalty. At one time, several years ago we had a Dodge, a Ford, and a Chevy at the same time. I buy what I can get the best deal on. That led us to even have a Toyota for a while. The Cummins Diesel is the best engine for towing, beyond a doubt, with the Duramax a close second. The older Ford 7.3 was tops, but it is a thing of the past. The 6.0 was a disaster, and the 5.4 gas engine in a 3/4 ton truck is too small. I know. I made the mistake of buying one! The old Ford 460 V-8, and the Ford and Dodge V-10's are great towing motors. But they are gas hogs. Single digit mileage figures! The Allison Transmission is super. Dodge has had some transmission problems. The ideal combination is a "hybird" or a "cross-breed" . But you can't get a Cummins and an Allison unless you build it yourself. My son's father in law has actually done this. He has a Cummins engine in a Chevy dually with the Allison tranny backing it up. It is his heavy duty hauler, to move tractors and big loads. But his daily driver is a Dodge 2500. My son was a Ford man for years, until he got a Dodge Cummins 2500 a little more than a year ago. That is all he would buy now. Honestly, none are perfect, and I will always go with the best deal. If I were going to go out and buy a truck today, there's a used Ford F-250 with the V-10 that I can pick up for a good price. It has been owned by a woman who is a perfectionist, and keeps it clean as new. Buying a used truck from somebody who is obsessive-compulsive is a good thing!

12-04-2009, 10:00 AM
walknsound Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fort Mitchell, Ala. Posts: 57	I traded a 2004 F350 duelly for a 2008 F250 4X4 b/c the duelly was just so big. My 2008 was brand new, but 2009 models out, so I got it cheaper. I'm a die hard Ford person. We had a Dodge duelly years ago, and the body started falling apart, also had a manuel shift. In my experience, Fords are work horses, Chevy is fluff. Also, Ford took no bailout money, and are USA made. Foreign trucks may be made here, but the money goes overseas folks.

12-04-2009, 10:13 AM
stardust Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 344	I have an 04 Dodge 1500 with the larger hemi in it. I only pull a 2 place trailer though, and a car trailer. I love the way it pulls I dont know the trailers are even there and I have the power like NOW when I need it. I have always had fords (hubby a ford man) I like Chevy's but then I went down the middle and bought this Dodge. I love it... __________________ "Do not go where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Star