Why are most work trucks out there F350/450/550?

[Minimization]

Or is it because GM has only gotten serious about Diesels in the last 5-6 years with the Duramax? I am talking about wreckers, dump trucks, flat beds, etc.

 

Recreational towers and contractors seem to use Ford and Chevy equally. Dodges are almost non-existant.

 

This is just my observation in the New England area.

[Nick2000Gmc]

probaly cheaper to buy, most companys just put out tenders for the gvwr that they need and maybe specs on the accesories they require

[mmmikkke]

Mechanics order wreckers. Around Michigan, it's about 40% Ford, 60% GM. I've never seen a mopar wrecker. Hmm, could it be that a mechanic is not fooled by Dodge's saturation advertising?

 

In situations where low bid is king, and quality doesn't matter, that's when you see the stripped down mopars.

[Roofer]

F450 and F550 had 4x4 as an option. Gm has only had this for the last year or so.

[HillHound]

Just a guess, but I'd say it has more to do with the fact that hsitorically Fords heavy-duty truuks have been available in a larger number of combinations; cabs, chassis wheelbases, several different diesels (CAT, PSD and a few different Cummins), axle ratios,4x4/2wds etc.

 

GM may be catching up but you know how brand loyalty goes-unless the outfits have a ton of problems they have no reason to switch. And like it or not, Ford definitely has the edge nationally in fleet sales support and service. Heck-there are a few few dealers around here that are pretty much solely dedicated to fleet sales.

 

But I do agree with mmmike-I am starting to see more and more GM wreckers with D-maxes around here too. Almost no Dodges although threre are a few old Ram 3500s with dump bodies on them owned but small companies-probably bought used for cheap $$ and ran until they fall apart.

[Truckman031]

I think it mostly has to do with price. I know this is how large companies order their trucks. A buddy of mine works for Georgia Power which is owned by Southern Company. Both are huge companies. 99% of their trucks are Ford. Are they a better truck? No, Ford just gives them a better deal than GM, which is a shame, b/c they order lineman new trucks every 5 years and foreman get new trucks every 2 years. That equals a decent amount of lost sales.

[Nick2000Gmc]

Actually Truckman I work for a power company too ( Lineman ) and your actually right on the ball when it comes to the 5 year deal thing on our bigger trucks. Supposedly that is the optimum time for replacement ( thats when the boom manufacturer will buy it back at the right price and resell it to another contractor or whatever ). I know all our smaller boom trucks are Ford f450 I believe ( they work nice, except they blow turbos ). Our bigger trucks are all freightliners ( turn on a dime which is good in a city enviroment ). Anyways Just thought I would add my 2 cents on it again

[2004GMC2500HD]

I own a company that buys a decent amount of trucks. We sell them off after 5 years because thats how long (in most cases) to write off the entire cost of the truck. Thats the only reason we do it every 5 years. Unless one is wrecked or just not useable. A couple of our trucks run over 100,000 miles a year, so they are gone sooner if maitenance cost get out of control. At 500,000 miles almost any truck is worn out.

 

I'm a truck nut and I have always ordered brand new F550 4x4's with the PSD, but I personally drove a GMC 2500 HD 4x4 until recently.

 

Ford's are about $5,000 cheaper then a comparable GM or Dodge. At $5,000 a pop for a work truck, I will take junk (Ford) that will mechanically last just as long as something nicer (GM).

 

Just my opinion coming from a dollar and cents perspective.

[Elwood 2000]

You are right, business is about making MONEY, not driving a nice ride. If it pencils out for the checkbook for a tricycle to be the best bang for the buck, then a fleet of tricycles it is!!

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

Mechanics order wreckers.  Around Michigan, it's about 40% Ford, 60% GM.  I've never seen a mopar wrecker.  Hmm, could it be that a mechanic is not fooled by Dodge's saturation advertising?

 

In situations where low bid is king, and quality doesn't matter, that's when you see the stripped down mopars.

 

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Dodge hasn't been in the 3500 chassis cab business for quite a while now. That's why you don't see them around. But starting this year they will be getting in to it with the new 6.7 Cummins and Aisin auto transmission

[lesmore49]

I used to see more F350/450 trucks around my city, but in the last year or two, this seems to be changing, as I'm starting to see more 4500/5500s.

 

I think it is due to a number of factors:

 

-more GM dealers are selling the MDT, around here, than before. I heard that GM was pretty tight when allowing dealerships to carry the MDT line

 

-The Ford PSD Diesel (6 liter) has a horrible reputation for reliability Muncipalities and private companies can't afford down times and expensive fixes once the PSD is off warranty