Best 2005-2010 3/4 ton pickup for hauling gooseneck?

[Grasshopper]

Hi all, I’ve seen some good threads in past regarding good tow vehicles, looking for some input myself now.

My beloved 1995 GMC 2500HD is (just this year!) getting unreliable, so I’m starting the hunt for a new-to-me truck. Based on a bit of market research, I’m looking at 2005-2010 models mostly, to stay in my price range. Have eyeballed GMC/Chevy 2500s, Dodge 2500s, and an F250 or two. Willing to go gas or diesel. I’m in FL, so cold weather is generally not an issue.

I vaguely remember GM/Chevy changed the engine of the 2500 in about the 2000s, so while my '95 was super reliable until just recently, I’m curious if newer ones are similarly reliable. My '95 needed coolant or A/C work about every other year for the past 10 years, but not the kind of stuff that would leave me stranded.

I have a 3-horse 4Star GN trailer, all aluminum (4200 lbs dry weight), though I only haul 1-2 horses unless we’re evacuating from a hurricane…

Thanks!

[jbonifas]

Any Dodge Ram but I’d pass on the 2005 year only because they have a windshield wiper motor issue that has not had a recall…should have but hasen’t.

[soloudinhere]

My 2002 GMC 6.0 has been relatively indestructible…you will pay very very dearly for a pre-2011 Duramax as they are unkillable and pre emissions control. Expect high 20s for even a very high mileage example with no body damage.

[JBD]

I feel your pain. My 1995 3/4 ton GMC only has 120k miles but I do think about age related issues. My trailer is a 2 horse 4 Star gooseneck so we are almost twins.

Love my truck so will probably get my mechanic to do a super all systems checkup and keep on trucking

[notlost]

My Dodge Ram 2010 has been spectacular (it’s a 3500, so a little bigger). I’ve kept up with all the regular maintenance, and I’ve had nary a problem. It pulls like a beast.

[stressgirl37]

We are on our 3rd Dodge. Our newest is 2004, mine, and they’ve all been great. All diesels. No major issues with any. Treat them right and they will take care of you.

[DoubleDown]

I have a '09 F250 6.8L V10, I absolutely love it! I always get compliments on it, luckily it has pretty low miles, so hopefully I’ll have it a long time!

[Credosporthorses]

I got rid of my 04 f250 diesel for a 2011 Chevy 2500 diesel. It hauls my 4h gooseneck easily. The Ford was a pile of crap. I spent more money fixing it than I paid for it. Even after the previous owner had dumped a ton of money into it. In the end I was just not interested in sinking any more money into it. I have been thrilled with the Chevy and I’ve put about 9k miles on it in the last 4 months.

[tabula_rashah]

Dodge (hands down). Chevy if I really had to. Ford- nope couldn’t pay me to.

[Milobloom]

I have a '05 gmc 2500 the only thing that ever broke on it was the armrest and they replaced it for free! I actually have multiple people who requested that if I ever decide to sell it to call them first
I have known several ford diesels from around that time that friends have had and every one has had major engine issues. I avoid dodge because multiple friends of my husband who work in the industry say they don’t trust dodges ratings for how much it can safely tow, which obviously is a major issue for our use.

[Jazzy_s_mom]

I have an '06 dodge with the 5.9 cummins. Downsized to a 2500 from the 1t dually I did have. Went with the 5.9 again because I wanted the pre-emissions and no DEF. It tows great and I enjoy the stiffer suspension. We can load dirt bikes in the bed and our travel trailer hooked on and it isn’t dragging the bumper on the ground.

[dani0303]

Not a 6.0L Ford unless it’s been bulletproofed. That was a long and expensive lesson for me to learn. Now that it’s bulletproof though it could pull my house off the foundation if it wanted to.

[JRG]

I can tell you to stay away from the GMC Sierra 2010 6L Gas motor. Not because of the engine which is great, but because of what I call a number of design flaws. If you have a gooseneck, the sensors that run along the bed have to be moved because they freeze when water drains out of the bed. Also, you can’t just replace the supports of the bed when rusted, you have to replace the entire bed. (Remember 2010, I am doing this currently) The integrated break controller has a known problem but not enough of a recall, I am on #3. The seal on the fuel pump is also a known issue and difficult to get to and has a big price tag to fix because they have to drop the complete gas system. I will say the 2007 GMC 2500 I loved. RIP
Next one, I am going back to Ford, has the easiest replacement parts.

[ekellie920]

My dad bought a 2006 GMC 2500 duramax to haul our Exiss GN w/ living quarters and it’s been very reliable. He did a lot of research before buying and found that Ford diesels are awful. Almost all of our friends with Fords are constantly having problems. We have taken many 11-12 hour trips with the trailer fully loaded with equipment and three horses and 4wheeler. It does a fantastic job. We did have to add an extra fuel tank as the one it comes with is a little small, especially on those long trips when we had to keep stopping every couple hours to refuel.