I was a Chevy guy for years when I had light duty, 1/2 ton trucks. They ride nice and the interior was superior. When it came time to tow something big I opted for a F-250 Power stroke. I bought a left over 2013 XLT Lariat in 2014. The 2015's came out already and they were motivated. I got a great deal on it. Aside from that deal a comparable GM, Chevy or GMC was about $10K more and towed about the same. It is my first Ford truck and I am quite pleased. Fit, finish and comfort are great. Ford has always had better seating than GM. It is not as refined inside as the GM in my opinion but it is highly functional and more "worky" than GM who tends to lean luxury feel.
That said I pull a 13,000 pound 5th wheel and the 6.7 PS is an incredible motor. I have never wanted for more power. Up hills, in the mountains, nothing slows it down. It is a larger truck than the GM and I believe it lends to stability because dragging a 13K pound 5th wheel that is 13 feet tall and 35 feet long is effortless and completely stable. The pin weight on my trailer is 1,000 pounds so even an F-250 would sag under load. I installed air bags on the rear to compensate for the sag. Before I hook up I pump them to 50 PSI then lower the trailer on it. No sag, perfectly level. Other than the air bags I have done no modifications.
** My F-250 has the "Snow plow package" which means it has F-350 springs in front to handle the plow weight. That with the air bags on the rear it is essentially an F-350. Basically there is very little difference in an F-250 and F-350. Maybe a few more pounds of capacity because the F-350 has an additional leaf spring. Engine, brakes, frame all the same.
Cons
I have noticed so far. In tow - haul mode it moves the shift points to get more RPM AND it senses down hill and if you touch the brake it downshifts to use engine braking to assist. It works great "most of the time" but on occasion it gets a little carried away on sharp downhill grades at speed and will down shift too much for my comfort. It revs the engine quite a bit. I just reach to the shifter and hit the upshift button and it stops that. Because the truck is so stout I don't really use tow-haul mode much.
GM 4WD technology is better. It could be because mine is a much larger truck but in 4 Hi it walks the front end a lot. My Chevy's were great in "auto" which Ford does not have. It's 2WD, 4 Hi or 4 Lo. Again it could be because ti is a bigger truck capable of much heavier weights and the "auto" would not conceivably handle a load. That said I don't use 4WD much at all or in mud where walking doesn't matter. If you have it in 4 Hi on dry pavement you will notice it. The GM 2500 might have the same issue I don't know. The 4WD is great mind you its just not s smooth as my GM experience in a 1500.
When I first got it I had a check engine light. It was a bad sensor that took 2 visits to replace. It happened again about 3 months later and they replaced another sensor. Since that time I have had not one singe issue. Operates perfectly everytime.
Not a con but something you might need to know if you don't already. All new diesels are required to use Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to cut the smoke. It works great because I cannot make my truck smoke even if I try. Very clean. There is a fill port next to the fuel cap where you put in DEF. It holds about 3 gallons and will last 4-6 months with regular driving. When I tow it still lasts forever but of course less. Since it works just as its supposed to it is not a con, and the cost of DEF is nothing really, about $12 for a 3 gallon jug. That said it is more equipment that could break. Many people go to a diesel shop when the warranty expires and have it removed. They claim it gives then about 10 HP boost. My answer is who the f cares about 10 HP since it tows like a fiend to begin with and its not smoking up the neighborhood? The kids (see HollyRock thread) disable DEF and filter and run around like #######s "Rolling Coal" belching out vast clouds of black smoke. I feel this is pretty stupid and I am going to leave it just as is.
I have a friend who bought a 2014 Burgundy F-250 and his has had issues. It is the only F-250 I have heard of that has had so many sensor issues and electrical stuff going on. His is what I would consider a lemon (All makes have them on occasion) -or- he bought it because it was nice and used it for a daily commuter about 10 miles a day and the engine never got up to true operating temp. The biggest load it ever hauled was an Ikea box. That could be partly the issue. That said if you see a Burgundy 2014 F-250 Power stroke at a local dealer with low miles pass on that one.
Looks like more "cons" but that might be misleading. I could not recommend an F-250 more. It is a great truck.
