Ford or Dodge diesel crew cab dually?

[Whitfield Farm Hanoverians]

Which one do you prefer? The Chev has had lots of injector problems so I'm not considering that one. In fact I probably can't afford any but am looking anyway.

[Simkie]

Ford. Everyone I know who tries to haul with a Dodge kills it within 2 years. I don't know a single person who's happy with their Dodge.

[cloudyandcallie]

Ford. mine's a crew cab but not a dually. F350.
The Dodges will be cheaper now as a lot of the dealers are being closed within months due to the bankruptcy. But they company may not survive. The dealers who are being disenfranchised will be really discounting their trucks on the lot right now.
GM is cutting back it's dealerships so some Chevy trucks might also be on sale.

[foggybok]

As a lifelong Ford person, my new truck is a Dodge. Drove the two the same day and the Dodge was much better (plus I like the Cummins engine). Now if only it came with the Allison tranny I'd be set.....

The Dodge gets good mileage and so far no problems (other than the big dent my hubby put in... :( ) I do have a freind with a new Dodge though and he has had some trouble with his computer....

LOVE the exhaust brake!

[mjrtango93]

Hate to say it but your not going to get a good reliable answer. Ford people hate Dodges, and Dodge people hate Fords, then Chevy people hate everybody (j/k). Honestly just look at what you need and what price you can get. Take into account dealership availability with the closers (warranty work can be a bitch without access to dealerships). That being said I have a late model '03 F-350 dually diesel with the 6.0 that everybody seems to hate and have issues with. Never had a problem with the truck and it hauls like a best and gets good gas mileage pulling a 28' 4-horse LQ over mountains.

[Go Fish]

I've probably hauled close to a million miles (yes, that's a million) with a variety of Ford trucks. Enough said...;)

[bugsynskeeter]

I am a personal fan of Ford Trucks, but all of my rodeo friends (who haul a TON) drive Dodges.

[secretariat]

Both are good trucks. But I've been a Ford Man since 1987. I suspect local dealer and service is more important than the diff between the two. Cummins engine is awesome (you can get a Cummins in 450+ Fords), Dodge trannies have been suspect.

[Tom King]

Chevy. They did have problems with some of Bosch made injectors several years ago but increased the warranty to 7 years or 200,000 miles and I wouldn't think any of the newer ones would have a problem now anyway. I'm driving one of the first ones that's over 8 years old now. I have the replacement injectors in the shop for whenever these old ones start leaking but so far haven't.

Try them all and get the one you like the best. Deals should be plentiful.

[fsf]

Ford. Everyone I know who tries to haul with a Dodge kills it within 2 years. I don't know a single person who's happy with their Dodge.
I've owned Dodge exclusively for years, and never a problem. Even had a couple V10s (poor mileage, but that's another subject). The Cummins Diesel is incredible, and my current Dually is a pulling monster. I must confess, I've always preferred and gotten the manual tranny and now have the 6 speed manual, which is super. Now if they would just warranty for life like they do their Hemi's....but with the current situation in the auto industry, who knows....

[subk]

I love my Dodge diesel. It initially had some issues with the oxygen sensor and the new low sulfer fuel. The local dealership was really great about dealing with it. I agree with whoever said buy from the dealership you want to work with...

[Dutch]

I have had a Chevy 350 dually crew cab for over 3 years now and love it. Allison transmission - no problems there. I typically have long distance hauls in the summer through some hilly terrain, so the engine gets a good workout.

Getting good service is very important. I have had to kick and scream a bit at the service manager - I've lost count of how many times my tire valves aren't lined up in the back so I have access to my inside tires. Tire pressures have been wrong too. I now double check that the work order has been completed to my satisfaction before leaving the yard.

[feather river]

[QUOTE=mjrtango93;4102814]Hate to say it but your not going to get a good reliable answer. Ford people hate Dodges, and Dodge people hate Fords, then Chevy people hate everybody (j/k). Honestly just look at what you need and what price you can get. Take into account dealership availability /QUOTE]

Ain't this the truth. WOW, starting a my-truck-is-better-than-your-truck thread going here.

So I might as well jump in with my two cents worth. I had always been a Chevy guy. Hated Fords every since my dad owned that piece-of-crap 1959 Ford sedan. What a piece of poop. But was driving a Topkick with a Cat in it hauling horses commercially. Put over 750K miles on it, and it was getting kind of worn out. No problem with the Cat or the Allison--the GM parts were crap and way too expensive. Had also owned a 1 ton GMC with their old diesel--lots of fuel system problems. Talked to the big truck diesel mechanics who worked on the Topkick, who were all Ford guys. Every one of them said--Do not buy a Duramax for lots of reasons. And Do not buy a Ford. Because what you need is a Dodge since it has a CUMMINS. Sold the Topkick. Bought 2 '05 Dodges--a 3500 Dually and a 2500. Both outfitted the same way. The 3500 now has over 300K on it and the 2500 has over 80K. Have lots of friends who try and pull with those Fords--so sad. Way too much in the shop. And the Duramax? Well when you are really old and ready to hook up the 5th wheel and are looking for that Cadillac ride, then's the time. You won't put too many miles on it.

Now with all that said, I know I have offended all you Ford guys & gals. And since their aren't any Chevy folks out there--they just make a 1/2 ton don't they now?--I am safe there.

But, one fact of life. If you spend any time in the truck stops and look at what all those folks are driving pulling all those 5th wheels out of Indiana all over the country and the horse trailers out of Oklahoma to the various trailer dealers, you will notice that 9 out of 10 are driving a Dodge. Why? Because of the Cummins. Wouldn't Ford love to get its hands on a real diesel for a change. They would own the market. Dump that Powerstroke in a heartbeat. [But then I still couldn't drive a Ford--way overpriced with feel and handling like a Toyota Camry..or is that a Ford Taurus--same difference.]

[Go Fish]

Didn't I hear somewhere that Cummins is owned by Ford????

[Mallrat7777]

Another vote for the Dodge! You don't need a Fixed Or Repaired Daily :winkgrin:

[RegentLion]

My husband is the "Truck person" in our family. He loves the Cummins engines. He even has one in one of the semis. LOVES IT.

I have driven a 2001 Dodge 3500 (3/4 ton diesel) that I loved. We sold it because my hubby gets itchy and likes new vehicles. I did have a problem with an injector (I believe that was the part? I would occasionally have NO POWER when I pressed the gas), but in all fairness the truck was "rode hard and put away wet." We USE our trucks hard--don't just sit them in the driveway and haul the horse trailer once a month 30 min down the road.

My husband also had a 2001 Dodge 4500(? it was a One Ton diesel) dually. He drove that truck and trailer across the country for years. I don't believe it ever had a problem. I know my hubby had to replace some major part but that was because he had a significant user error. It had a ton of power. My hubby wishes we still had this truck because he said it was a real workhorse and esentially would just go and go. He supplemented it with special injectors and god knows what else. It was a really cool vehicle.

We then got a truck in Nov of 2006 (So would that make it a 2006?), a one ton no dually. Also a dodge It hauled OK (to me it was fine, but hubby wasn't as happy with it as the 2001 dually). The wheel bearings went out when we were on a trip so this November (2008) we traded it in at the dealer's for a new truck (2008????) dually.

The newest truck is a one tone dual with the new emissions equipment on it. That really cuts back on your fuel efficiency and possibly the power as well. Hubby is really concerned about how the new computer info on the trucks is going to work out.

Also, there is something about the "gear ratio" that makes the truck easier or harder to haul with. My husband knows that stuff, I don't. I know that one of the gear ratios is "4 tens" or something.

Clearly I'm not a truck person -- I don't even know how they decide what year the truck is-- but I have driven 4 Dodges now. I really love the way they drive, the way the truck is set up, etc. I just got a 99 GMC 1/2 ton to drive around town because fuel efficiency is crap in our newest truck.

If we had to do it again we'd be looking for the 2001s, a lightly used truck because that year was our favorite. We liked the body style better and the trucks were real workhorses.


If you actually want to talk to my husband --he is VERY VERY knowledgeable about ALL brands of trucks--albiet a bit biased, let me know I can get you in contact with him.

[Parker_Rider]

Either way, you really can't go wrong. I have a Dodge 2500 and I love it. It's true that the transmissions are a little odd (I have an automatic transmission and you can feel it change gears when pulling), but haven't had a problem so far. I've hauled cross country (CO to SC) numerous times.. 3 last summer alone, including to FL numerous times. Have almost 60,000 miles on it so it's about ready for that supercharger ;) It pulls like there's nothin' behind it, too, even with my 2 monsters in back.

But there are days, I admit, when I wish Ford were closing dealerships so I could get a dually. I've known people with both truck brands who have had issues - but if you can have a truck for a long time and not have a problem, I want to know how you did it!! Both are good trucks though and will hold up well and pull well, too. I hope you end up with a new truck... new toys are always a good thing!! ;)

[feather river]

Didn't I hear somewhere that Cummins is owned by Ford????

you're trying to spread that urban legend again, aintcha?

do your research. It ain't.:D

[feather river]

My husband is the "Truck person" in our family. He loves the Cummins engines. He even has one in one of the semis. LOVES IT.

If you actually want to talk to my husband --he is VERY VERY knowledgeable about ALL brands of trucks--albiet a bit biased, let me know I can get you in contact with him.

Now here is a lot of truth. Dodge folks work their trucks and the Cummins is the real deal of a diesel engine. Same engine as its bigger brothers in the semi's.

I rode in a really nice Ford 650 last year. Cummins engine and an Allison transmission that was fantastic. the rest of the truck was Ford, so a p.o.s., but that Allison it had coupled to the Cummins was a workhorse. And tons of stump pulling power.

ps/Chevy folks--this was not that look alike Allison you get with your Duramax--this was an Allison built for 2 ton trucks--32, 000 GVW--a real Allison. It was a 6 speed with all kinds of built in braking power, just tap the throttle one time then be careful you don't get your nose pressed to the windshield when it brakes for you. Hardly have to ever touch the brakes even on the 6% grades out west.

[amdfarm]

Another vote for Dodge. I don't have a one ton diesel, but do have a 2500 w/ over 345,000 miles on it and I LOVE it. My hay guy's family all have Dodge 4x4 diesels in all models and they are work horses for sure. They've been delivering my rounds w/ a 2500 quad cab diesel and it handles a 5' 1900+ lb bale just fine.

Some friends also have a diesel quad cab 4x4 dually, forget what year, and they're very happy w/ it. Bought it new in '03 or '04 maybe (whatever was the first year for the quad cab) and still have it. Pulls their large LQ trailer just fine.

[SmokenMirrors]

We are a Ford family here...I drive and use my F250 diesel 4x4 to drive and to haul the horses, a draft specifically and have not had any problems with it at all, with the exception that the little latch thing fell off the back sliding window. My husband drives a Ford hybrid to work.

If you do your research, Ford has been the top hauler hands down in long hauls and over grades and hills, etc. When we were in TX we often hauled our friends heavy metal trolley while they hauled the team for it and we could go on a tank of gas while they always had to stop for gas in their Chevy dually truck.

Now in VA, we have yet to have a problem with our `06 Ford. Hauls nice, is a nice ride, we get the required oil changes, keep up on all the maintenance and have hauled all over VA and Maryland too. Last October we even took it and our 26ft trailer to Santee, SC to pick up a draft fore cart and it was awesome!

To each his own, that is why we have so many colors, brands, sizes and models to choose from, were all different and all unique. There are bad apples in EVERY make there is.

[JSwan]

We've had several Ford trucks that gave us excellent service for many years. One went 200K miles with only regular fluid changes/other maintenance, one or two batteries... original clutch.

My Chevy has never given me a moments trouble - and of course now I've gone and jinxed myself. :no: The only thing "wrong" with it is that the vinyl seats are tearing a little.

Can't say any brand is superior to the other..... we just purchase what we need and try to find the best price we can. Haven't been disappointed. BUT - for my purchase I focus on towing capacity - and I found the best deals can be had through fleet dealers. The downside to this is that you will not get many upgrades in terms of leather seating, cup holders, all that stuff. The vehicle is more likely to be pretty stripped down, vinyl seats and floor, CD player, A/C and built to haul - and many thousands less than what is in the showroom.

Have not had a new vehicle is a couple of years so don't know what things are like this very moment - newest vehicle is a 2003. We tend to keep things until they fall apart.

[webmistress32]

FORD.

[SidesaddleRider]

We've had a GMC, Chevy, Dodge and Ford.

The GMC and Chevy were OK. Nothing spectacular.

The Dodge was a 2500 V10, bought new. It was NOTHING but trouble, and I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

We now have a Ford 3500 diesel crewcab dually, and we LOVE it. Not a problem with it, hauls beautifully, etc., etc.

So I would go with the FORD. :)

[RegentLion]

One thing I did want to mention but I forgot--

IF you go with a Dodge, seriously check out the Mega Cab. Our last two trucks are Mega Cabs and they are amazing. Short box though. We have not had a problem hauling a gooseneck even with a tool box in the back of the bed so I don't feel having a short box is a problem.


Having the mega cab is amazing. There is tons of room back there and the back seats fold flat like a bed. Our dogs ride back there...

It is really nice to be able to ride in the back seat comfortably.

[Parker_Rider]

One thing I did want to mention but I forgot--

IF you go with a Dodge, seriously check out the Mega Cab. Our last two trucks are Mega Cabs and they are amazing. Short box though. We have not had a problem hauling a gooseneck even with a tool box in the back of the bed so I don't feel having a short box is a problem.


Having the mega cab is amazing. There is tons of room back there and the back seats fold flat like a bed. Our dogs ride back there...

It is really nice to be able to ride in the back seat comfortably.

Ugh, they came out with the mega-cab right after I bought my Dodge! I was so mad that we didn't wait 3 extra months (oh wait, right, had to get my mare back to college at that point... :P) PLUS now, in addition to the mega-cab, don't they make the Dodges with some sort of WiFi capability? The new Dodge commercials make me drool... ;) haha, what can I say, I'm a sucker for fun "toys."

But the one thing I just remembered about the Fords, is that they have a really cool built in electric brake system that does some really cool calculating of how much it needs to send back to the trailer... can't remember the specs of it, I researched it so long ago. Eliminates the need to install electric brakes/adjust the "juice" back to the trailer yourself.

Annddd my indecision between the two is why I got the Dodge... they had the right color in stock, right then, (with top lights on a 2500!!) and I didn't have to wait like at Ford. ;) GREAT way to choose your truck... ;)

[feather river]

for sidesaddlerider, no hauler would have bought a Dodge with a V8 or a V10. not a fair comparison putting the V10 up against the Ford diesel. Better to compare the Cummins to the Powerstroke. Hands down, the Cummins is the better diesel engine, and every mechanic would tell you that.

The rest is feel and personal preference. Ford makes a nice truck, great colors and features. Dodge is more functional, and the quality is excellent since having been associated with Daimler--lots of improvements were made. And the quality of the Dodge Heavy Dutys coming out of their Mexico assembly plant is by far superior to the half tons that come out of their St. Louis plant according to internal data [per my Dodge sales guy].

[shawneeAcres]

FOrd with the 7.3L diesel NOT the 6.0! BUt I know Cummins is awesome engine, but have owned two Dodge's with gas V8 magnums, loved both BUT both had transmission problems.

[ThirdCharm]

We have a 1992 Dodge W350 with 250K miles on it, and a 2002 Ford F-350 with 110K miles on it. The Ford is a nicer ride (though I'm sure Dodge has improved on that), the Dodge is a freakish workhorse towing machine. The Ford has been in the shop numerous times for the well-known cam sensor problems, fuel injectors, fuel injector pump, starter.... the Dodge never went in the shop until it hit 240K miles (last year put in a tranny and a new rear end). I ADORE my Cummins engine.

IF you get a Dodge, make SURE it does not have a Getrag transmission, that is a light-duty POS (mechanic "accidentally" replaced old HD transmission with a Getrag which lasted less than 10K miles). I believe now they come with a NV4500 transmission, a real heavy duty tranny which is what I just put in my truck!

Jennifer

[avezan]

I've had 1 Ford 150 and 3 Dodges. I currently have a '99 3/4 ton dodge diesel and an '06 1 ton dodge dually crew cab diesel. LOVE them. Knock on wood, I have had no problems with them. I liked the ford too, just needed to move up in size. But everyone has their own truck brand that you like. So you will get lots of answers. My FIL drives chevys. I would go Ford or Dodge.

[feather river]

We have a 1992 Dodge W350 with 250K miles on it, and a 2002 Ford F-250 with 110K miles on it. The Ford is a nicer ride (though I'm sure Dodge has improved on that), the Dodge is a freakish workhorse towing machine. The Ford has been in the shop numerous times for the well-known cam sensor problems, fuel injectors, fuel injector pump, starter.... the Dodge never went in the shop until it hit 240K miles (last year put in a tranny and a new rear end). I ADORE my Cummins engine.

IF you get a Dodge, make SURE it does not have a Getrag transmission, that is a light-duty POS (mechanic "accidentally" replaced old HD transmission with a Getrag which lasted less than 10K miles). I believe now they come with a NV4500 transmission, a real heavy duty tranny which is what I just put in my truck!

Jennifer

You must be talking stick shift. No Getrag transmissions since 1993. That got replaced with the NV (New Venture) 4500, a 5 speed with 5th acting as an overdrive. That then was replaced with the NV5600, a 6 speed with 6th acting as the overdrive. That then was replaced with the Mercedes G56 in mid '05 production run. Again a 6 speed with 6th acting as the overdrive. See this link for some useful info on the G56 which you would get if buying a new truck.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/archive/index.php/t-93225.html

I have 2 '05's and one came with the NV5600 and the other with the G56. The G56 feels and shifts like a German car--tight short throws. The NV5600 had a bit of "slop" to it. My NV5600 lost its 5th gear synchronizer at 137K. Could never get the 5th/6th synchronizer in at my Dodge dealer. At 191K when I needed to replace the clutch, I opted to pick up a G56 from a dropped-off-the-car-carrier Dodge that was being parted out by the insurance company. Put it in so now each Dodge has the G56.

See the attached link--important to note, the G56 is not new--just new to Dodge/and it is a transmission Mercedes uses in its 2 ton trucks in Europe and Brazil.