What’s the street word on both of these? Stay with the standard or go with the HO. Going be pulling a 41ft 5th wheeler at 17,000 GVWR

The "Old School" saying growing up was there's no replacement for displacement . If your pulling up a grade into a head wind the little bit extra power will be welcomed.

I assume you’re talking about brand new. The HO comes with the Asian (might have misspelt that), which is a slower, higher torqued take off. Requires a bit more maintenance on it.

The HO will have the much better and beefier Aisen transmission.

With that said, get you a Duramax.

IF you want worse fuel mileage, and higher maintenance cost with a lesser quality truck to go with it, than the above referenced Duramax is what you need. If not than the H.O. which is only available on the 3500 will pull anything you hook up to it. I own both the standard 6.7 and the H.O. and can barely tell a difference.

Had them all every brand. If you want a dually then go HO if not the original will be fine. Neither will win a race against a Ford uphill. The air suspension, engine braking and interior are far superior then all others. Once Dodge finds another transmission that is 10 speed then it will be the king of the hill unquestionably. Ford will smoke a Dodge in max towing uphill, thanks to that transmission they have. Other than that you will be bumping your brakes frequently and better hope you level your load properly as their suspension is a bit squirrely at max load. End of debate, I have spoken.

I don't buy into the Ram heavy duty trucks - assembled in Mexico and have the associated build quality problems more often than they should.

Also the standard Ram 6-speed that comes with the non-HO is not really built for loads like you're pulling, and the Aisin requires a silly amount of maintenance and also has reliability issues more than it should.

I hate to say this, but I'd consider going with the new powerstroke if I was in your shoes. I'm a GM guy, but they've not figured out the programming on the 2020+ transmissions and way too many folks are having problems with them. If you want to get a pre-2020 Duramax, they're pretty darn bulletproof, especially the 2017+ with the L5P motor like my 2019 model. But I think in the HD lineup, the Ford may be the best for heavy loads right now. The inline Cummins will always be the best motor, but the transmission and the rest of the truck around it are enough to turn me off. My last two trucks before this duramax were Ram half tons and I loved them and had very few problems, but they were made in America and not the same as the HD lineup at all. I drove a couple Ram HD trucks in my shopping research and I didn't care for them at all.

Wait until they package the Allison with the Cummins - it's coming.

And the HO has no additional displacement - it's just tuning.

But they still have crappy front ends for some reason.

I know there has been talk of an allison behind the cummins, but I also know they have a ZF transmission they are looking at. I think either would be fine and an upgrade to what they currently use. I really like the 8-speed zf in my half ton, the larger version for the hd's i believe would be similar. With all the negatives you hear about on the 10-speed GM/Ford transmissions wonder if RAM would stick with the ZF 8-speed setup just to avoid the headache.

I believe i read some time ago the new RAM transmission was to be debuted in the 2022 year model.

My dad has a 2018 HO cummins 3500 srw (aisin trans) nothing but good to say about it.

Im a sucker for the inline motor, GM and Ford dont have a chance for me in the HD diesel category.

I have a HO, Laramie, Dually, Crew Cab, they built in 2012 1/2, just before the DEF. 6 speed Transmission. ZERO issues with any part of truck. This one is my 5th Dodge Cummins and I have had ZERO problems with any of them.
I pulled a 2012 38' Mobile Suite with it, till we sold Mobile suite last year. Never a issue. Pulled Great. Oh ya the EGR and EGR cooler fell off as did the DPF pipe, when I put the tuner on it.

What are the transmission2020 GM 8 speed? good are bad . I seen a 2016 Sub lose it trans at 115,000 .$3600.00 fixed. we had a 2007 Tahoe it's went out at 112,000

I have a 2012 1/2 Dodge Ram Laramie, Dually HO, w/6 speed Aison Transmission, 133000 miles that has been bullet proof and towed a 38ft mobile suite with it. pin box weight 3,100 lbs. Weight capacity of 18,000 lbs on mobile suite, dry weight was around 13,500 lbs, 20,000 lb Reese hitch.
The 2012 1/2 Ram had more HP and more Torque that the regular 2012. I ordered mine in August 2012 and took delivery in October 2012. This 2012 1/2 is my 5th Cummins and never had any problems with any of them. Towed in the mountains like the 5th wheel was almost not even there, 11.5 to 12.5 MPG towing 18,000 lbs, 20 highway and 17-18 around town
I will mention here that I am looking to sell it after the 1st of the year because I am no longer towering with it. The ERG and Cooler fell off, as did the DPF pipe at 5,000 miles. Those parts are in my Shed. It has a tuner in it that has never been above Tow or Stock mode. Has a 373 rear-end,

Really have to disagree with you on the Ford out pulling a Dodge with a load up hill. I have passed several Fords pulling up hill in the mountains and the exhaust brake and Tow/Haul mode on the Dodge Ram is very Strong. Not sure what you are Smoking But!!!!!!!!!
Some people are true to Fords, some to GMC, some to Dodge. But I know in order to do motor work on the Ford plan on paying to have your cab removed.

Enough Said.