IIn the next few months I will buying a new Ford or Dodge 250 pickup. I will use it to haul a camper and to tow a small 16 foot open boat. I wonder do any of you have any opinions on which engine I should be considering and why a Ford or Dodge is better.

I want as small an engine as I can get away with and still haul a nine-foot camper and tow the small boat. All advice will be appreciated.

Going with a smaller motor is probably not a good idea. Nothing worse than being under-powered.

go with the diesle you wont be disapointed. I have a 96 powerstroke ford f250 and I get about 19 - 20 mpg and have had no problems and the motor is as strong now as it was new and I have 155,000 miles on it. Also a nice accessory to have with a camper is the load leveler air bags on the rear.

Diesel if you don't mind the noise and chatter. Of the two I'd go with the cummins. Not exactly small.
As an auto tech before my current occupation, (and a GM guy) I am impressed with that Ford 5.4L. I don't believe that 4.6 is available in the 3/4 ton but I definately would not rec'd that motor anyway.
Chrysler hasn't convied me to even consider buying a rig from them.

FORD TRUCKS ALL THE WAY!!!!

Dave,

My experience with Dodge and use of fleet Chrysler products has cured me of buying another one. Their truck body work still sets an industry low, in my opinion, even if the drive train is as good as anyone's. Ford isn't perfect, but my friends who have them, gas and diesel, range from quite satisfied to extremely satisfied, both for the body work and the mechanical features. I haven't had a Ford myself for so long that I can't make a personal recommendation.

Have fun shopping!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Salmo g

Sounds like an endorsement for GM.

Not to change DV's topic, but has anyone had experience with QUADRASTEER.... the GMC four wheel steer option?

Let's hear it all... the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Remember, firsthand experience speaks the loudest.

Dave...You picked a category even more volatile for feet-planted-firmly-in-the-mud opinions than politics with this one. Already the absolutes are flying.....It reminds me of high school...you had the Mopar group, the Ford group and the Chevy group....all so cock-sure that their logo was the only good one.

Anyway a friend just bought a Dodge 1 ton 4 door with the 2004 Cummins diesel. It is quiet and nicely appointed and gets gas mileage in that 18-22 mpg range which is the real key. He was always a Ford man so it surprised me to see the Dodge but he loves it. He is planning to add a large camper and tows a Ranger bass boat. Personally I like the Silverado with the Duramax but i'll bet the Ford is a fine truck as well. The diesels cost a bunch more up front but have lots of torque and the mileage will make it worth it if you keep it for awhile. Personally I drive a Suburban but my next vehicle will be another pickup with the diesel..4 doors and a canopy....I like motels better than campers.

Ford Diesel nuf said

chum eater...you should have been an attorney....."nuf said"....that would win over the jury I bet. Very convincing argument.

I couldn't have said it better myself grandpa!!!

Dodge Cummings has treated me well. Pulls 21 ft Northwest Jet up anything with no problems. Unloaded, gets better than 20 MPG. Ford guys say they get that kind of milage, but they are pulling your leg. Just rode in a ford to Reno, it got 16 MPG towing nothing. Was a nice truck however, very plush. Still, Dodge trucks for me.

From a Chyrsler owner: Go Ford.. Better yet, GO TOYOTA.

Everyone makes a decent product. And if you change vehicles every few years, it probably doesn't matter. But if you are like me and keep vehicles long term... IMHO stay away from Chrysler. It isn't the big things like engines that have driven me away from Chrysler, it is the little things not working.... power door locks....power windows....windshield wipers....water pumps....brakes....

Sorry, but my next vehicle will be another Toyota.

Grampa's got a point here. If your not sure what that is, than reread the original post.
Don't ask him to jump on the same banwagon you're on, try to make a "suggestion" instead.
I've owned mostly GM's and would rec'd quite a few of them. But that doesn't seem to be a choice here. (Sug'd 5.4l Ford)

No Dodge products for me. My Dakota started peeling paint at 7 years, required a paint job just to sell it.
I've got a Chevy Silverado now, very satisfied.

I have a 454 GMC (2500 CC) and a 6.0 liter Chevy (2500HD std cab), the 454 is a thirsty puller, but reliable. The 6.0 is rated at the same HP, lower torque, but pulls trailer really well. I know a buddys 5.9 magnum is no hotrod, and he is always looking for power, and filling it (2500 4x4 SC). The 10 cylinder Ford OTOH has a rep for good pulling and good on gas, know 2 guys with those. The guys I know with 5.4's like them, they are not stellar pullers, and a GM 6.0 will outpull them, but they are reliable and decent on gas. I have heard that the 10 cylinder is about as good on gas as the 5.4-8 cyl though... In the bunch I think the transmission is the weak link, and the GM 4L80E is about as good as it gets in 3/4 ton transmissions.

My 4x4 crew cab F150 with the 5.4 liter V-8 Triton has plenty of power to pull my 22 ft boat with a 5.7 liter Chevy and Volvo penta package. Its the first 8 cylinder I've ever owned. My dad has a 97 F250 power stroke diesel that he uses to haul the farm animals but its in the shop - not firing on al cylinders. I like the Dodge trucks for power but have never been sold on their durability - I know somebody that had his Durango die on him before 100K miles.

My reasoning for a Chevrolet 2500, for what its worth.

I didn’t consider a Dodge because I and everyone I know have had issues with Chrysler Products. Ford just doesn’t measure up favorably. Toyota isn’t anywhere close to having the carrying capacity needed for a 9 ft camper. Ford is marginal unless you buy the 350. No choice, really Chevrolet all of the way.

I just bought a 2004 Chevrolet 2500 Crew Cab LT with the 6.0 V8, and 3.73 locking rear end. The 2500 was the choice instead of the 2500HD because it had enough carrying capacity even with a Crew Cab and still had the Auto setting for 4 wheel drive. It is also 2 inches shorter which is a consideration for parking garages. Auto (All Wheel Drive) is a convenient setting for just in case time without negatively impacting gas mileage. I chose the 3.73 because it should yield slightly better gas mileage compared to the 4.10. I had a 3.73 in a 5.3 Avalanche and since it had plenty of power, I was sure the 6.0 would have plenty too. I didn’t go for the Quadrasteer because I didn’t think I’d get much use out of it.

In comparison, the Ford is Taller, Heavier, Longer, Rides worse (straight front axle), seats aren't as comfortable, doesn't have dual climate control, and has less carrying capacity. All in all, it’s only a choice about which Chevrolet to buy. BTW, I disqualified the GMC’s because the bumper in the trim package that I wanted had a painted front bumper.

I too own the F150 supercrew (4 door), same engine 5.4L/329 CID.

For towing your average boat (mine weighs about 4,000#) it works just fine. The camper is not an option with this truck as it only has a 5.5' bed.

I love this truck, and it will serve my needs quite well until I drive it into the ground. It has plenty of power and after I chipped it and added the K&N filter, it just got better.

My only issue, other than the non-standard short bed, was the stock tires. Replace them with some quality LT rated 10-ply tires. I had 5 flats in 12 months with the stock 4-ply tires.

Andy

Dave,

Regardless of the make you choose, I think if you're hauling a camper and pulling a trailer you'll be much better off with the diesel. Although I cannot back that up with any anecdotal testimony, other than my next pickup will be a diesel.