I traded in my 2003 F250 today on a 2003 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison combination. I have been a GM guy from way back and decided to give Ford a try, I guess I bought into the "look again" campaign. Well I should have known from the start that this was a bad idea, the first truck I bought (5.4 gasser) the transmission let go with 60 miles on it, the dealer made me a good deal on a replacement with the 7.3 PSD. I thought I had a good strong truck for pulling a fifth wheel and all my gear. Then reality set in... these trucks are fully loaded at 8800 pounds and with fifth wheel pin weights and such you are close to being over before you even start (and none of these facts change with the 6.0 TS transmission, the only difference in weights is a lighter power plant so you can haul more payload but the limits are the same) then there is the 20,000 limit of cargo and trailer combined!? Well when a friend of mine BLEW by me with a heavier trailer going up hill that was it !! Maybe I'm too proud but I refuse to be laughed at and I liked the Ford but when it comes to reality these trucks need some updating...SEE YA

 

Trust me the truck you had is a good truck, My Uncle has the same kind and never had the problems with power like you have said...But no one makes a prefect truck either

 

Ever think of getting a chip, or an exhaust ???

 

Okay, see ya. Just remember: when those Duramax aluminum heads decide they no longer want to share an engine compartment with the cast-iron block, you're always welcome back here........

 

I thought about the chip and exhaust mods, and then I re-thought it and decided...Why? If I have to go through all that $$$ and PITA just to make the truck do what I want it to then whats the point? And the weight factors still won't change!! Don't get me wrong, I liked the truck and didn't want to get rid of it but once you start running the numbers to make it do what you want it to (pull a 28 ft 5th wheel) it is just isn't what I thought it would be. The GMC will pull a 15,000 pound trailer and the Ford only a 12,500, thats 2500 pounds difference!!! whats up with that? I am not bad mouthing the Ford I just think Ford needs to realize that looks aren't everything and they should look at changing some things to increase the payload and pulling capacities. I bought the FORD without thinking that weights would be an issue until it came time to make it work (and a 28' 5er isn't that big) and boy was I surprised!! As far as the aluminum head issue goes, it's under waurantee just like the 6.0 PSD with all it's problems so I guess we'll live and learn!

 

Not trying to make you mad..But if someone is worried about looks it's GMC...The Chevy front ends look horrible,They don't even look like a real truck....Looks aren't what I worry about because I usely stay with older F-150,But the new ones do have power.

 

Well I don't think I should say anything. Enjoy your new truck. You should have bought an F350 if you were planning on doing so much towing. Thanks for stopping by.

 

I 100% agree on the Chevy front end, thats why I went with GMC they haven't gone alien...yet!

 

Actually, I believe the Ford Super Duties are rated to "legally" tow a 14,500 pound fifth wheel. I have towed more than that, and my truck is still mostly stock (for now) and I'm very happy with it. BTW, if I were going to trade trucks, I would get a 2004 F-350 6.0 PSD.

 

How did this thread get to Truck Tech Talk or Ford vs the Competition ?

 

for one thing this is a ford site (hint hint), compared to ford chevy has went through more body stiles in the last few years, from the mid 1990's to the major body change in the late 90's to the 00's and then to the thing now that looks rediculious. 2nd of all allison tranny's are absolute crap, 3rd chevy has not had a decent deisel engine in there existance. 3rd day my cousin had his 03 duramax the trasmission went out. the 3rd day. (i guess tthis is what u can expect when u talk up chevy's on a ford sight (i no i didnt exactly bring out the facts but i dont have time lol)

i rest my case

 

Magic Dennis - It happens.

 

Magic can also happen when someone addicted to oil, gasoline, and customization runs loose in a garage (or scrapyard).

The beat up old work truck I started out with a few years ago is rapidly turning into what I wanted it to be from the beginning now.

"Modification is what you do when you want to try something different. FABRICATION is what you do when there are no limits..."

 

Well BigBlueBeast, I bought a GMC, NOT one of them fugly Chevys and I bought my first ever Ford (Oct 2003, $31000) and it only made it 2 days (60 miles!) before the tranny went out, so if the Allison is junk... so far it's better than the one that came in my Ford. When the tranny went out unfortunaley I had already made the purchase I was stuck with the deal and wished I had never bought Ford. But after getting the 7.3 PSD and driving my first diesel, I fell in love with the power and loved the truck, but as I stated numerous times now...WHERE IS THE PAYLOAD AND TOWING CAPACITY? If you read thru this whole thread you will not find a single statement that says Ford is a bad truck!(except where I respond to ignorance) It just doesn't have the capacities of a GM or Dodge for that matter. I enjoyed the numerous things that I learned on this site and found out info I could never find in any reference manual. Thanks to all and have a good day!

 

I no i am extremely ingnorant......even if someone showed me with all the facts that a gm vehicle what better than a ford i just simply would denie they were accurate ....well thats just me you can call it extremely loyal or extremely ignorant....