Most RELIABLE? Chevy 2500 vs Ford F250

I don't know where your out of but it's kind of a hassle putting anti-gel in the tank during winter months. If you get gas their is no where near as many worries about stuff like water separators, DPF cleaning cycles, anti-gel, engine block heater, glow plugs, or def on the newer models. If your looking for get in and turn the key gas is best but if your looking for towing power but not concerned about the extra care then it might not be to bad to have a diesel.

My dad pulls about 14k occasionally and loves how effortlessly it pulls but regrets getting it because he misses the simplicity of gas. Let me tell you one thing replacing the oil pan was a pain and required the cab and engine to be taken off the frame so the truck was in 3 BIG pieces. It was $6k I think with all the parts and labor.

 

I wonder if they have any issues outside of the reliable engine or not. I may just be tainted by other Chrysler experiences and unjustly biased against their reliability for no reason.

 

I’m strongly lean toward a gasser. We’re in harsh harsh winter territory and I just need the payload, not the heavy towing. The trailer we’re looking at weights 3500 lbs haha I could pull it with any SUV. We may end up with a bigger one but it won’t be more than any 1/2 ton could pull. Just need payload so a gasser and non-dually will be less hassle and more suitable for my needs.

 

Sounds like gas is the way to go.

 

For sure. At least I don’t see a reason to go diesel at this time.

 

I definitely don't trust Mopar in general.

He's had to replace front suspension parts and the fron drive-shaft in the one with 400K. The older one, (96, 5.9) I haven't paid attention. But, 800K and the motor just sings, and pulls!

In general, I'd say I'm biased against Mopar. But, their HD trucks are the bees' knees.

 

Reading your other posts, I'd skip the diesel as well.

 

A lot of guys I work with swear by them. My problem with American truck (and Harley) guys is it seems 99% of what is touted is simply whatever they were raised to claim or whatever they’re buddies at work pressured them into talking trash on, etc.

There’s very little hard data and a whole lot of “culture” I guess you could call it, for a major lack of a better polite term.

Don’t care what your grand papi drove. Just want cold hard numbers ha. Harder to find.

 

That and I’ll be honest, it kills me to buy from the Big 3 who failed Americans and took their bailout money and never paid it back. I don’t understand paying full price for a truck I already paid in part for. They should just mark them all up $20 and then give a $20 “here’s your money back” discount. Would be a lie, but at least I’d get a laugh out of it haha.

 

Anyway, thank you all for the food for thought.

I hope this thread helps anyone else researching the same.

I’m still between a late 00s to early/mid teen Chevy or Ford gasser single axle at this point.

From what I’ve read the only difference between the Chevy 2500HD and 3500HD is some gussets on the pumpkin/axle and a couple of helper leaf springs. So whichever is cheaper used, a 2500 can be upgraded pretty easily to a 3500 if that’s all the difference there is. 2007-2017 models on the radar..

It’ll come down to reliability and payload as the research narrows. FWIW, payload on my 06 Tundra as well as a 2017 DCLB Tundra are only around 1,600 lbs.

Thanks again, all. Knocking out. Peace.

 

I hear you. I have never bought a domestic car (well, the Taco was basically domestic, I guess).

As far as hard numbers, I've seen the odometer on these trucks. But, you really don't need a diesel, so it's irrelevant.

Good luck with whatever you buy.

FWIW, my brother is on his 2nd F150, and it's a really nice truck. I'd definitely check out a Ford if I were going full size.

 

That flatbed isn’t a bad idea actually. Would be cool to build a camper right on it like a lot of peeps do with the Mitsubishi Fuso overseas.


As a side note, having a warranty doesn’t make a vehicle more reliable. If a brand new truck has to be in the shop all the time but it’s covered by warranty it’s still a down truck not working. I know a few guys who for the new Ford Godzilla whatever when it came out and the engine tanked right away. Ford covered it in warranty; but they didn’t get their truck back for literal months. I need a reliable as possible truck. Not one that’s covered when it breaks down a bunch. The way quality has been going lately I’d guess brand new doesn’t = reliable, but I could be wrong. Peace.

 

Visited my aunt down south a few years back and while we were talking Dodge trucks came up and how whenever she travels one of the high elevation highways in the province she always sees numerous Dodge Rams smoking or plain ol' on fire. Once I left her house, took that same highway, I found an article about Dodge recalling over 1,500,000 Rams for overheating and starting fire. Sent the article to her and she said "yup checks out".

 

My buddy has a 2020 Gm 3500, can put 7000 pounds in the bed or tow 30,000.
No issues for him, he always buys GM stuff
Just ordered another one.

 

Im with Charlie on the Older Cummings Diesel. They even have a “Million Mile club” for these engines and seem to have a Cult following. The Dodges are prone to rusting to shit (kinda like Tacoma frames) in salt belt areas though. The older dodges are no frills but will last if taken care of properly.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback, all. Much appreciated. Hopefully useful for the next people to read this as well.

 

For me, right now, it’s down to a F250/F350 gasser 6.2 vs a 2500/3500 6.0.

It seems the 2015-2019 Chevy got quite a few upgrades over the 2007-2014, but the biggest thing I read is that payload went up a bit in the latter years. Will research today to confirm. If this is the case I’m looking for those years unless one of y’all knows something I don’t.

**From 2015-2019 they still used the same 6.0, but some were saying after 2017 reliability went down, so any input as to why there is greatly appreciated. Still researching that one out.

Haven’t narrowed down the “best” years for the Ford 6.2 gasser trucks yet. Other than random articles saying 2005 good, 2006 bad, 2017 good, 2016 bad, etc.

From what I’ve seen everyone says the FORD “feels” like a more solid WORK truck. And the Chevy “feels” more like a car to drive. While the idea of a more heavy duty truck is good, I’m not sure what “feels” more substantial and actually is more substantial (ie. reliable after hauling the same payload) means yet.

I do like that Chevy’s sit lower (easier to load/unload the bed and get to tools, etc) and ride better. And while many say the Ford had a little more power, they also have stated the Chevy is a little more reliable. I’ve heard both have better low end torque but a few people say the Ford likes higher rpms. I’d lean toward the Chevy in that area (if true).

Just sharing what I’ve found so far in case anyone has helpful insight for future researchers passing through. Thanks, all.

 

Man, I’m just jealous of these cheap fuel prices people are posting! I put in 30.526 gallons yesterday and it was $204.22! Yup $6.69 per gallon……..but as to the OP’s question - I’m biased but waiting on delivery of my 2022 Ram Power Wagon…..