Long post
Each make had its ups and downs.
Since 2002, in order, I've owned a new 02 f250 srw auto, new 05 ctd drw stick, used 01 ctd drw stick, (2) new 08 Chevy drw/srw auto, used 06 Chevy drw auto, used 08 f450 c&c auto, used 06 f550 c&c auto....all diesel 4wd, and most recent purchase 2000 f450 c&c 2wd v10 stick. All crew cabs, (other than 01 ctd, 06 f550)
In 2012 I vowed to never buy new again.
The dodges cost me 10k, in the last 4 months of ownership for manual transmissions. 3 of those in the truck purchased new (1 under warranty), with 3 years of payments left.
The 08 Chevrolet drw blew a motor at 150k miles, costing me 7k, with 4 years of payments left. The injectors for the lmm dmax were over $500 each. 6.4 ford injectors are $200 each. All Chevy parts are more expensive, new or used, period.
I have driven these trucks over a million miles combined since 2002 in my recycling biz, pulling a 16 or 24 foot trailer, many times grossed over 30k. All brands and engine and/or transmission have stranded me at least once in some form or fashion.
Back to the swearing off new trucks. I decided I would just rebuild used trucks for work. Bringing me to the 08 f450. Bought it with 200k on the ticker. No motor, no bed, 4g. Bought a 70k mi short block, and built the top end all new, and built the bed (did ALL the work myself) 16g investment over 12 months while I drove the life out of the 08 Chevy drw(255k miles). Sold the Chevy, bought the 6.0 f550. (Don't want another 6.0) the 6.4 in the 08 has been the best pulling truck I've used to date. Didn't cost a nickel for over two years. Finally the bottom end came out this spring. Poor piston design. So I have now spent another 5g in it, (bored with coated pistons). 21g invested, 2.5 years of ownership, still no payments. (The new 08 Chevy drw cost me 10g a year in payments alone(plus the motor rebuild) - just like the new 05 dodge, kept Chevy through payoff.)
Moral of my story, (yrmv).
I wouldn't heavy pull with any chassis lighter than 450/4500. Safer in every way. Better brakes, suspension, and control. I chose ford because they are cheaper in parts to repair, and I'm comfortable doing most of the work myself, and used parts are much more plentiful than other makes. Ford sold a **** ton of trucks, and my customers buy them by the rail load in wrecker yards.
I'm happy with my 6.4. My favorite engine so far. The f450 chassis has been the best puller/stopper so far also. I would take the 5r110 over the Allison any day for engine braking as well.
Quick nod to the v10 f450. Good puller, definetly not a diesel in regards to power. But, it gets the job done, gets me home, pulls heavy, just not quickly. And VERY much a cheaper alternative in repairs to a diesel. I can buy these motors at salvage yards at a fifth of the price of a diesel rebuild. Btw, bought this 2000 v10 f450 wth 170k miles, and salvage title for $4500, ready to work.
I can make more money with a $5k truck than I can a $60k truck...
Matt