Being a diesel mechanic I can say this, if you have a diesel and you are in very cold weather you must stay on your toes, you have to religiously monitor your fuel or you will gel it up. And frankly I prefer a gas engine in cold weather, they start easier for one thing and the torque band is better suited for icy roads.
But if I had to haul any real weight the diesel is the only way to go, the Fords are arguably on top of the game with GM behind and stumbling. I love Cummins engines but I totally despise the Dodge frame, electrical and driveline, the Chinese can make better knockoffs.
On the starting issue, aside from gelling issues in winter, do you find that the new ceramic glow plugs (the new ‘extreme’ heat type) compensate well?