We pull a 4 horse with living quarters about 20,000 miles a year, all over the US (well, east of the Mississippi anyway). I've owned 5 Ford trucks since 1987 (I was a Chevy man starting 1965 but bought my last of them in 1984 - quality was AWFUL). I've also owned 6 Ford cars since 1997 and I still own 2 Ford Tractors. So I'm a Ford man, but I just bought a new 2011 Chevy Duramax TODAY. Here's my experience and thoughts:
1987 F 150 (Gasoline): Great truck, wore engine out in 50,000 miles. Buy a diesel with the right coolers and ruggedness. Just because it can pull it doesn't mean it will last very long.
1994 F 250 (Diesel): Great truck, no turbo a little challenged on hills. But I loved it.
2000 F 250 (Diesel): Turbo really improved it. Daughter drove it all over hell and half of Georgia without problem. I still own it, it's our farm truck, and we send it out to rescue the the trailer when the other trucks have problems.
2006 F 350 (Diesel): Best driving truck I've ever owned, this thing is awesome. But it scares me, 6L maintenance history as an engine is not good. Has had warranty work on head gasket, EGR, turbo. Warranty is running out January 2011, and my daughter drives it all over the eastern US.
When I look at the horse industry, what do my peers drive? For 20 years, 80% Ford, 15% GM, 5% Dodge. Last 5 years - Dodge % increasing a little, GM a lot (but they're hard to find/buy). Lots of Ford production, but they're made in Kentucky and I like that. Sorry, but I buy American; I like having a job.
When I looked at replacing the 2006, or extending the warranty, I concluded:
1. $2400 for 48K miles/48month warranty
2. I needed 4 new rear tires, prob brakes, had original batteries, original unibelt.
3. Buying new vehicle would save equivalent of $6000 in extending warranty and doing normal maintenance on older vehicle and I'd still have an old vehicle; IF I still did my own maintenance, and if I were the driver, I'd have kept my 2006. But it's my daughter driving it at all hours of the day and nite.
4. Dodge has best engine re: maintenance record, required no urea. Trans historically questionable, most "trucklike" of the three. Lowest HP & torque, least comfort.
5. Ford has new "Ford" built diesel. After the 6.0 and the 6.4 (both by International) did I expect Ford to hit a home run the first time they designed a diesel? Not likely. Do you remember the GM fiasco with diesels in the 1980's? Diesel injection for soot trap regen, urea for SCR. Ugh. But the Fords drive like a dream if you're trying one off the showroom floor, and my 2006 was simply outstanding. I'm still a Ford man at heart. Ford only has a 60K mile warranty on the engine.
6. Chevy has new Duramax and new Allison trans - would have bought a used 8-10 if I could have found one, I hate "new" and it drives the salesment nuts. Allison is mechanically good but has had bunch of small defects (like leaks). Diesel injection for soot trap and urea for SCR. Ugh.
I broke all my rules (never buy a new engine and/or trans the first year of production) and bought the Chevy. Wish me luck.