Trucks The Real Skinny!

I work in Alaska, in the northernmost part of the state, for a large Oil company. The oilfield is called Prudhoe Bay, it consists of about 8 major oil fields that pump oil into a single pipeline that winds across Alaska to a southern port called Valdez. Our weather varies from 63 deg F to Minus -90 deg depending on wind chill. It is winter 75% of the time, why am I telling you this? because it will give you an idea of the severe weather that the trucks we use have to operate in.

When we travel from well pads to production plants the roads are gravel, rutty or rutted and ice/snow covered, very hard on suspensions and tires. It is so cold, sometimes we never shut off the trucks: they sit idling or connected to a hitch rail with an electric cord which powers warmers for the transmission rear end and batteries, and a refueling truck comes by and keeps them topped off.

So our vehicles get the real severe use and torture test during their life.

Chevy trucks: Front ends go out of alignment fast, power steering issues, transmission failures very common. But the truck is smooth on rough roads and they have good heaters and very strong beds that do not get punctured even when we drop heavy steel items in them and they have good towing ability. Because they are warm and comfortable guys tend to pick them to drive.

GM Trucks: For some unknown reason GM vehicles seem to last better than Chevy, even thought they are built by the same company. Fewer front end issues, transmissions seem to last longer. Rougher ride than the Chevy but body and frame are strong and they have good towing capability. Good heaters and heated seats and mirrors are a plus. No starting problems, however sometimes prone to strange electrical issues due to the cold maybe: tail lights stop working, or while idling they choke -- perhaps fuel issues - I am not sure. But maintenance always got them working again.

Dodge Trucks: Cold blooded, do not want to start often in really cold weather, Do not know why but the batteries seem to die faster, diesel engines must be kept running all the time, transmission issues most common. The interior is horrible, the vibration of constant driving on gravel and rutty roads seems to shake all the plastic loose and it rattles. Whatever material they use in the seats becomes solid in the cold and until it warms up it's like sitting on a frozen rock. If you are silly enough to be late, the only truck left on the rail to drive will be a Dodge and you will regret it.

Ford Trucks: The roughest riding trucks in the mix, due to the solid front axle. also they have the worlds worst turning radius. But they work well during severe use, Interiors stay together although stuff stops working, like radios and electronics, but the truck will start and run reliably. The diesel versions are horrible: they never start, they do not work well in severe weather. Good towing capacity and strong bumpers, their beds are strong -(have not used the new aluminum bed versions; all the ones we had were steel). Poor heaters, barely enough to keep you warm in cold weather. We all liked the Fords though, they were reliable. Things like transmission and power steering stayed working most times though we did have a number of transmission failures. No issues with the strength of the truck - it's a good truck.

Toyota Trucks: Weak, cannot tow most heavy oilfield things, horrible transmissions- they fail easily, engine is fine and starts easily but they are under powered. Interiors do not hold up to harsh use, very often torn seats and cracked plastic. The absolutely worst steel used to make the bed, they dent and puncture, and the tailgate actually bends in the middle when heavy items are put on it, something we never see on the other trucks. All the companies up here stopped buying them. This from a man who uses them in a rough environment!