Which Diesel pick up is Best?

[Riggen&Jiggen]

For work we are looking for a used diesel 3/4 or 1 ton pick up. Has to be 2012 or newer. Going to be towing medium sized load for long distances (over 1K round trip)about 5 or 6 times a year. The rest of the time it is going to be driven locally with minimal towing. What would you guys recommend?

 

[johnr]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the big 3 in all honesty.

I have a '12 F250 with the 6.7 that has been an excellent truck. I see a ton of Dodge diesels out there too, buddy has one, I really like it, but he is such a douche about how great dodge trucks are that I now cant ever drive one, but secretly like them.

 

[Biglunch]

My dad has a 2014 ford 6.7, is a general contractor and pulls almost daily. Has a lot more power than his previous 5.9 cummins

 

[PrairieGhost]

I can't speak for Dodge and Ford, but with a 17,000 lb camper behind I still have to watch the speedometer. I run 7 to 14 miles to the gallon towing that camper. Seven one day with 50mph wind coming at a 45 degree angle. 14 mpg a few times on flat land at 57 to 60 mph. Normal range is 10 to 12mpg at 75 mph.
Like Johnr I can't drive a ford because a friend and a boss are so pro Ford they can't see straight. Test drove one then bought the Chevy. My boss was so pro Ford and didn't talk to me for two weeks. It was really a good two weeks.

 

[SDMF]

GM will have the best ride due to IFS, also has the least amount of ground clearance for the same reason.

Steel body (through 2016) Fords are 6" wider inside the cab than Ram or GM.

Ram offers factory airbags to level the load and has the best engine braking feature, though '14 and newer Fords have gotten closer.

They're all quiet now. They're all relatively reliable when properly maintained. They've all got neat towing gizmos like factory trailer brake controllers, back up cameras for hitching up, telescoping side mirrors. Ford can be ordered with factory installed gooseneck/5th wheel hookups. I think they've all got lights/brake plug in's up in the box corner as well as below the rear bumper. They've all got provisions to shift the automatic tranny "manually" with a button on the stalk.

They've all got PLENTY of "GO", enough that one can easily get overconfident and in a jam by not being able to stop. Drive them all and take your pick.

 

[raider]

they're all good anymore, and the 1 in third place today will figure it out and b in first tomorrow...

i'd go with the flavor that has the best service dept in your area, cuz it's gonna break...

 

[Wild and Free]

If you can find a used 2012 Ram with the 6.7 diesel that already has the emissions deletes done you would be golden.
2012 was the last year of the DPF on the Ram Cummins so deletes were simpler as 2013 was the first year of selective catalyst reduction system that uses DEF diesel exhaust fluid. Ford and GM had to go with SCR emissions systems earlier than cummins.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

I agree on the big 3.
I can sit in a Dodge for at the most 1 hour as their seats bug my back to the point i have to get out and walk around for 1/2 hour. But i have had quite a few back and neck surgeries so that might be the culprit. I have owned many Ford and Chevy diesels through the years and only 1 Dodge. We now have both a 1 ton Chevy dually long box diesel 2013 that we pull our big fifth wheel toyhauler camper with and a 2016 3/4 ton short box (6.5') Chevy diesel. Both are 4x4's and crewcabs but the 16's bucket seats are way more comfy than the 13's by far. I really liked the 40-20-40 seats in our 97 and 02 Fords diesels that we used to have.
The dually is nice for pulling as swaying or side winds when pulling don't seem to bother. Single rear wheels can be bad on strong cross winds with a big trailer.
Best thing to do is drive them all and see what fits you best. Also are you getting a long or short box? New or used?
All seem to have plenty of power and options might be different in one over the other.

 

[Rizzo]

I'm going to get flamed for this but I would not buy a Ford myself. Our midsize service trucks at work are ford's. Over the last four years I have had 5 rides in a tow truck due to catastrophic engine failure. Also over those 4 years I got to know Jerry at eide ford pretty good as I brought my truck in every two weeks for one thing or another. Over 50k in repairs in 9 months on one truck. I like the trucks but the nightmare that lives under the hood is enough for me never to own one. They have one hell of a tough transmission though.

I have owned dodges the last six years and have had small problems with them. Leaking seals and a failed sensor here and there. But nothing that has left me on the side of the road or in a derate yet. I have 157000 on my 2013.

GM has a very proven powertrain and I wouldn't hesitate to have another. The truck itself won't hold up like a Ford if used and abused but still a solid truck.

Since your wanting 2012 or newer the emissions systems have to be considered also. Dodge wins here hands down in my book. No drive to regeneration warning. If it needs it the engine just does its thing and you will be none the wiser and will do them stationary without you even knowing. GM also does the same to my knowledge. Ford will have you driving around waiting for it to do its thing or will want approval if stationary.

This is all based on my own experiences not someone else's if that matters. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined and think you would be doing your own work go pop the hoods and take a look.

 

[wslayer]

I travel hwy 281/52 frequently. By far the majority of the rigs pulling the RV campers that are being distributed to the dealerships is Dodge duallys followed by Chevy duallys

 

[raider]

I'm going to get flamed for this but I would not buy a Ford myself. Our midsize service trucks at work are ford's. Over the last four years I have had 5 rides in a tow truck due to catastrophic engine failure. Also over those 4 years I got to know Jerry at eide ford pretty good as I brought my truck in every two weeks for one thing or another. Over 50k in repairs in 9 months on one truck. I like the trucks but the nightmare that lives under the hood is enough for me never to own one. They have one hell of a tough transmission though.

I have owned dodges the last six years and have had small problems with them. Leaking seals and a failed sensor here and there. But nothing that has left me on the side of the road or in a derate yet. I have 157000 on my 2013.

GM has a very proven powertrain and I wouldn't hesitate to have another. The truck itself won't hold up like a Ford if used and abused but still a solid truck.

Since your wanting 2012 or newer the emissions systems have to be considered also. Dodge wins here hands down in my book. No drive to regeneration warning. If it needs it the engine just does its thing and you will be none the wiser and will do them stationary without you even knowing. GM also does the same to my knowledge. Ford will have you driving around waiting for it to do its thing or will want approval if stationary.

This is all based on my own experiences not someone else's if that matters. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined and think you would be doing your own work go pop the hoods and take a look.

13 maybe??? my 12 did the regen thing...

 

[SDMF]

13 maybe??? my 12 did the regen thing...

All USA Diesel pickups got regenerative DPF's (Diesel Particulate Filters) in '07. The DEF systems (DEF systems work with DPFs and all of the big 3 still have DPFs) came to GM and Ford in '11, Ram in '12 or an early release '13, can't recall.

 

[Fisherman25]

Go see what feels the best. They're all pretty good outfits anymore. I personally like my chevy's but that's a preference.

 

[Wild and Free]

The early emissions was DPF only and DPF systems all regen. SCR systems have the diesel exhaust fluid of which cummins had met emissions for a couple years longer than Ford and GM which is why cummins was the last to switch to SCR system in 2013 for 3500 and under they switched to it in the 4500 and 5500 as this was considered commercial in 2011.
In 2012 Ford and GM had SCR or have diesel exhaust fluid systems on top of the DPF cummins did not until 2013.
All have had their small issues but as stated above non are bad anymore but i am just a fan of the bullet proof cummins inline versus the V-8 diesels plus no need to lift the cab off to do basic engine repairs either like both GM and ford require now as well lol.

 

[SDMF]

Go and Ford both added SCR in '11. GM's '11's had terrible troubles with the urea programming and cold weather. They've since been remedied.

 

[buckhunter24_7]

I'm a lifetime ford guy but I don't think ford should even make a diesel with all the problems they have had over the years. We have 3 durmax's at work and beat the cap out of them on the farm and have very few problems with them

 

[cooter00]

Anyone knoa anything about the the new Nissan's with a Cummins

 

[Perchslayer]

Anyone knoa anything about the the new Nissan's with a Cummins

They sound pretty sweet I've seen a couple driving around they look sharp

 

[eyexer]

they all have their pro's and con's. nobody has the complete package. The one with the best motor has the worst drive train. The one with the best drive train has a questionable motor, etc. etc. Buy the prettiest one.

 

[LBrandt]

Diesels should not be allowed north to the mason-dixion line.