I've driven my '04 Tundra for almost 18 years, for 212,000 miles. I have maintained it exactly according to the schedule in the owner's manual, which has resulted in total repairs in all those years and miles costing me less than $500.
I have now retired, and intend to buy myself a gift to celebrate surviving 33 1/2 years in law enforcement, all without being shot, shooting anyone or having a single lawsuit filed against me!
I want a nice camper and a truck with which to pull it, so I can travel and spend time in God's Country - the northern Rocky Mountains. The camper I have picked out, when fully loaded, will weigh around 9,000 lbs.
I've narrowed my search down to the Ford F250, the Ram 2500 and the GMC 2500, but I've heard and read many horror stories of bad examples of each. It seems to me that the GMC generates fewer of those stories, so I am considering the 2500 HD AT4.
I personally prefer the gas engine over the diesel, but, I will be making loooong trips (home in south Alabama to base camp in west Montana and back) every year, plus side trips for 6 months, over lots of mountains. I could be persuaded to go diesel, if that would be better in the long run.
The truck I buy will be my only vehicle, for 6 months at home in Alabama, and six months on the road, in the mountains. If my next truck lasts like the Mighty 'Yota has, then it will be my last truck, which would suit me just fine.
I'd like to hear Scotty's opinion, and those of forum members who have personal experience with late model versions of the trucks I listed.
Adding @USAFdozerpilot to the discussion
Also adding @7-3punchina3-4
Of those three, I personally agree with you ... the Sierra.
I don't want to get into a long essay here...
Dodge is just a joke. I hope I don't need to explain why.
Between Ford & GM, I think GM makes more reliable powertrains.
The 2500HD 6.6L engine is an iron block and lacks both the stop-start and cylinder deactivation features. I personally find that GM's also ride nicer and are more comfortable inside.
(just life experience. My father has always owned Ford, and I've owned GM. My friends who own Dodge are broke because it's always in the shop)
Thank you, again.
Also, see below:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/heavy-duty-trucks/#post-95941
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/which-truck-is-better/#post-26031
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2021-gm-hd-truck/#post-80156
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/new-3-4-ton-truck/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/american-trucks/#post-97824
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/need-a-truck/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2018-f250-power-stroke-death-wobble/#post-25327
Thank you, DW. Lots of information there!
I would choose the F250 diesel personally. For now I like Ford overall for 3/4 ton trucks and up because Ford decided to stick with the truck market and keep making things better. What I see GM doing is trying to dip their hands into everything. Over time QC starts to drop bad. And now we can really see it with GM. Sure, Ford has issues as well but at least you know when you buy a truck from them it’s their primary focus. And the 6.7 Powerstroke is a great motor. The gas 6.2 is proven while the 7.3 is still relatively new but a very simple design.
Thank you for your opinion, sir.
Recent experience?
P.S. - How badly with this post fry Little Joey Snowflake's circuits? 😆
you are a threat to his life and should be taken off the road. 😆 Oh yeah and pay more taxes
I think either the gmc 2500 or the f250. I would personally go for the f250 diesel because I think Ford makes better overall vehicles than gm and gm always has recalls on everything, and I would personally opt for the diesel powertrain because they are great motors and have high resale value.
you are wrong. Ford is the king of recalls
@mountainmanjoe I think it’s safe to say American vehicle manufacturing has QC issues across the board and has tanked for true reliability.
@usafdozerpilot look at the chart... Ford is twice as bad in a 10 year period
@mountainmanjoe you chose the worst decade for Ford. I could tell you look at the nasty 2014 recalls GM had. I mean they all make crap.
its 2 against 1, Joe. I mean, we win. Ford is better than Chevy. That's the truth...
yup. truth should be decided by popular vote
No more advice?
Scotty?
Sierra AT4 is a very appealing truck, if you can get a hold of one.
Sad/ironic thing about contemporary 3/4 ton trucks is that they should be some of the most reliable vehicles from their respective manufacturers, but are usually among the least. With all 3 of them (4, if you include Nissan Titan HD) is that the power trains are not the problem as much as all the electricals around them. If I was getting a 3/4 ton, I’d just choose the best/most ethical local dealer and keep the options to a minimum.
Good luck!
