Is one clearly the best?
 

I am brand new and just entering the market looking for a HD pick up with the ability to pull a 30 to 40 foot travel trailer.

I am of the assumption any 2500 (250) or 3500 (350) would be capable. I am not brand loyal in my vehicle purchases with a Dodge, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and a Chevy in the driveway right now.

I am looking for an automatic trans diesel. Today my neighbor tells me the reason he bought his (GMC 2500) was the Allison trans is the ONLY one that will last. His claim is the Fords and Chevy's have good engines but the trans will die quickly.

Do the majority of you find this to be true? Is he full of hot air. Will any engine/trans combo of proper size meet my needs if I take care of it?

I think any of the big three will do what you are looking for and with proper care all will last at stock power levels. Go drive all three and which ever one you like you should get. Personally I like the Cummins engine, but the Duramax is nice and the Allison is pretty slick. I'm not really a fan of the fords, I just don't like the looks. As much as I love the cummins I do think I would have to look VERY hard at the duramax if it was gonna be a stock configured tow rig.

And before I forget!

:hi:

I have a 30 foot toy hauler - weighs 9000 lbs empty - had an 03 ford f250 that had major issues pulling it and got an 08 f350 now that don't pull it real good either. With the 08 its not the engine or the tranny that is the problem, it just wanders too much while pulling. I also have an 06 dodge 2500 that i use to pull it - AWESOME - don't have a lick of trouble - 6 speed by the way. I know almost nothing about chevy except that i have heard the tranny is super.

Welcome to db and good luck on the purchase!! :c:

gmc and chevy both have allison trans.

Welcome to DB :hi: :hi:

i agree with rswords. which ever pick-up you like the feel and comfort of. all will do a great job at stock power levels and last. the turnin radius of the new fords is quite nice, the chevy is a luxurious truck, i love cummins!!!

:howdy::howdy:

They all have their pros and cons, you will have to figure out what works best for you.
:howdy::hi:

Welcome to DieselBombers:c:
All 3 can do the job but having pulled many different campers over the years I can also tell you once you start to get over 30-32 ft. you should really look at getting a fifth wheel if your going to tow a lot. Last summer I just bought a new 40ft travel trailer and had to tow it about 300mi. and I have a 3500 dually and I can tell ya I wouldn't want to pull that thing all over the country. I had a 37ft fifth wheel before that and I would tow that thing anywhere anytime:U:

i like them all

i would go with a chevy or dodge, i drive both and pull both. no problems at all. got a ford at work and i don't really like the way it handles empty, much less with a trailer. also i spend a lot of time on the road, and MOST fords i see sag an awful lot with a trailer, weight distribution hitch or not. not sayin that it couldn't handle it, but prolly get more into it money wise to get it the way you like it. all the chevys we have are BONE STOCK and the perform pretty well with everything i put on it.