The discussion of what makes a good tow vehicle is a little like why there are so many flavors of ice cream- variety in needs and perceived value. The Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins is a good vehicle, but having had my autotrans replaced/repaired/etc. too many times I must conclude that it is not
adequate. Nothing like being stranded in Grand Prarie, SK for a week waiting for a new trans to make you wonder about "value engineering". Probably related to the question of adequate oil flow/cooling in overdrive- but the dealers certainly never said this was the problem.

I really do like the Cummins engine- and the Cummins dealerships are great-never have I felt so confident as when I had to have work done in any of their shops on motorhomes, generators (Onan), or the pickups. The mechanics know what they are doing, and the shops charge a reasonable rate given the high quality of work/parts.

I've upgraded to a larger Dodge (a 3500) with the Cummins in order to have a larger margin of safety. We spend a fair amount of time out West and Alaska, and the mountains are higher- and the downgrades longer. Because of schedule conflicts, we also have to go thru the SW deserts (Mohave) and then the high deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, in the summer. Power and cooling are what makes that feasible. The 2500 couldn't hack it- the 3500 can.

Ray in Rochester.