I'm halfway kicking around the idea of getting a truck in the near future and I'd prefer a diesel. I like the F250's the best but I've heard mixed reviews on them as far as engine issues (mid/late 2000's models). I like the Ram 2500's, but it seems like every one I've looked at online mentions having had the transmission rebuilt (these are trucks with under 200k miles and that seems way too soon). The Chevy/GMC's just don't do much for me.

Your requirements, in order of importance, are:

1) Reliability/Longevity of drivetrain (engine, trans, transfer case, etc)
2) Fuel Economy
3) Comfortable ride

What do you buy, and WHY?

I own a 2010 F250 with the 6.4L with 92k miles. Haven't had a bit of trouble out of it.

With the oversized tires I get 17.5 mpg whether loaded or not.

Rides like a half ton truck when unloaded, rides like a Cadillac when loaded.

This is my first diesel but have owned other brands of trucks including other Fords. Just have always had good luck with the Ford. I think you get more for your money also.

From what I have heard, if you can find one with the 7.3L that is the way to go. Had a friend of mine buy one, put 10K more miles on it and a guy offered him more than he paid for it.

Not sure about the newest one, but a Cummins with a manual trans will last a LONG time.

I have a 5.9 cummins. They are hard to beat, and been around for years. Mine is an auto, and rebuilt. The maunuals are pretty much bullet proof. Cummins seems to get the best fuel mileage also. Mine is LWB 4x4 and 4 door. It's about 17 town and 19 hwy. My dads is 4x2 4 door and swb manual. It will get about 22-23 hwy.

The F250's are my favorite HD truck but I am literally terrified at the thought of owning one due to all the problems...

Dodge Cummins.

I like the looks of the Dodges and I like the cummins engine............am I just imagining transmission issues or are they as common as they seem?

What are considering loaded, like how many lbs?

I like all three of em, and I like a good deal better.

I just make sure I keep the maintenance up to date. I know a lot of the complaints were related to emissions. They say an EGR delete is the key. I plan to have mine done but want to wait till 100k (tech told me Ford will likely honor warranty on diesels to 100k).

I had an 06 dodge with the 5.9 cummins and manual transmission it got 20 a gallon. I sold it to a man in hartselle and have regretted it ever since. I dont know if you are wanting a new one or not.If you're looking for a used one I would look for one of those, the truck will fall completely apart before you wear the motor and trans out on it.

The transmission and the front end is the weak link on the Dodge(automatics at least). They all have one, none of them are perfect. The F250 is much more comfortable and roomier in the cab. The dodge is the plainest in the cab. The ford engine sucks. The duramax was known for injector issues.

If going with a new one, I think it's all about which one you prefer. If going with used one, I would stay away from the F250. The transmission having been rebuilt on a dodge probably isn't a bad thing really if buying one with +100K miles. But more than anything, try and get one that has been well taken care of.

I own a 2006 Duramax that I bought used. Have had a few issues with it, but nothing major. I'm pretty sure it was abused pretty good by the previous owner, which I didn't realize when I bought it...so considering that, it's been a good truck and I'm pleased with it.

I have not come close to the towing capacity but the largest load was an 8x16 car hauler full of rock for a driveway. I am sure it exceeded the weight for the trailer. I am guessing 9k.

We bought it with the intentions of buying a 5th wheel. Wife and daughter decided they wanted a pool instead so it is my toy now.

My buddy bought a dodge big horn edition. He put three transmission is it by the time it had140,000 on it. I think all the automatics in the dodges suck.

I have an 03 Dodge 2500 SWB Quad Cab 4X4 w/Cummins 5.9 HO and the auto 48RE trans. I'm the original owner...238,000 miles and ZERO Engine or Trans problems. I too was skepticle about the auto trans when I purchased, but it has been solid. The engine is bullet proof. If you look at the crankshaft of a cummins, duramax and a power stroke side by side, it will only take a second to realize which one is truely heavy duty. Only things I don't like about the truck are the dash and electrics.
If you buy a Dodge...day 1 get a dash mat! It will weather and crack fast (cheap materials). Mine is all stock and I get 17/18 combined driving and 22/23 on the hwy. However, towing a 14000 lb load will drop it to 14 mpg.

Well it will tote about anything you can hook to it. But it just won't do the 17 mpg.

Buy a F-250 body. Drop in a Cummins with a Allison trany and a Dana rear.. you'll be on the road for a long time.

Cummins or a 7.3 powerstroke

That's true, except I think a Chevy body and interior will outlast a Ford. In my former work life I drove both.

I don't know how you guys get such great fuel mileage pulling a load. My dad has a '13 model Ford 250 Crew Cab 4x4. It's not the Eddie Bauer edition, it's the package just below that. I have no idea if the "pretty" package affects the fuel mileage or not but it gets about 10 mpg while pulling a load. That's pulling a 30,000 lb capacity trailer with a tractor and implement. Highway, back way, sideways, uphill and downhill, it does good to get much over 10 mpg. It also squats under a load pretty badly. IMO, Ford puts "soft" springs under them to make them ride better because most people are never going to pull anything with them.

This,have seen and read about this conversion on a few magazines. Having it done right at the cost is worth it in my book compared to truck payments. Especially if it's something you're going to keep and use. When my 99 superduty goes whether the trans is still kicking or not this is exactly what is going in my body. As its worth the cost to myself as i don't plan on getting rid of my 3/4 ton,to beneficial to my uses whether I'm pulling something or not.

I don't know why I thought you were referring to my ride quality comment. Duh. As far as mpg's I regularly tow a 21' ski boat and a pair of ATV's on my car hauler. I would not suggest or think I would get those kind of mpg's hauling anything with serious weight.