I am new to this forum but not to Dodge Cummins Trucks or Powerstrokes for that matter. I own a pallet business and pull some serious weight on a daily bases. I dont comprimise the integrity of my trucks by adding any after market mods... So the only comparisons I can make with my trucks will be in stock fashion. I own 5 Dodge Cummins trucks and 1 Powerstroke. I must say that I clearly prefer the cummins over the powerstroke due to reliability, low end torque (i pull heavy trailers) and mpg. The trucks I own are listed below.
2008 Ford F-250 Powerstroke (Automatic)
2008 Dodge Dually Cummins 6.7 (Automatic)
2003 Dodge Dually Cummins 5.9 (6 Speed Manual)
2002 Dodge Dually Cummins 5.9 (6 Speed Manual)
2001 Dodge Dually Cummins 5.9 (6 Speed Manual)
2001 Dodge Dually Cummins 5.9 (Automatic)
If I had to choose 1 truck for commercial use, it would clearly be the 2003 cummins with the 6 speed manual transmission. Its got monsterous low end torque, more than any of the trucks I own... yes more than the 6.7, although the 6.7 and 5.9 (six speed) are about equal at 65mph pulling over 20klbs. Another reason is the mpg's, I live in San Antoni TX and pulled daily loads to Edinburg TX (which is an 8 hour round trip) and could get away with roughly $120 in the 5.9 vs about $200 in the 6.7, I must say doing this every day, I clearly used the 5.9 for the long hauls. The only advantage that I like on the 6.7 is the exhaust brake and usability of the automatic six speed tranny in town. As for the other trucks The 2002(5.9 six speed manual) still has more low end torque than any automatic truck and holds its own on highway speeds. The 2001(5.9 five speed manual) has excellent low end torque but cannot perform as well on highway speeds. The 2001 (5.9 automatic) is not a very good work truck does not have much low end torque nor does it do good on the highway, although it is extremely reliable....as are all of my dodge cummins trucks... The new 2008 F-250 does not have the torque I expected but does very well once on the highway... but is the biggest gas guzzler of them all.. I hope I've answered any questions that anyone might have. Again to reiterate I have been in business since 2001, hence why I own older trucks... I pull very heavy gooseneck trialers with wood pallets....So I speak element and truth about these trucks. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like a suggestion on what type of truck to choose.