After 8 years of ownership and nearly 87,000 miles of somewhat hard use I think the truck has held up and performed beyond expectations.
I am a member of the U.S. Army, and I've made two trips in excess of 5,000 miles towing two different trailers, the first trip was during the summer of 1994 and I towed a 3700 lb. trailer from Georgia to Alaska. The truck was completely stock and made the trip without a problem. The second trip was from Alaska to Texas, and from Texas to New York, in the summer of 1999 (which is where I am currently stationed) and the trailer weighed in excess of 8500 lbs. The truck is a 1500 series (1/2 ton) which is rated at 7500lbs. tow capacity.
I modified the truck to improve upon its performance. I experienced a burned up alternator (in Canada) which I replaced on the road side. Some of the modications may have contributed to the burned up alternator and the (engine fire as a result of the alternator's bearing going out). The modification which I suspect to be the culprit was the addition of exhaust headers.
In addition to the headers, the truck was also equipped with a hi-performance catalytic converter, hi-performance (aluminized) exhaust system, hi-performance coil, hi-flo/hi-capacity air filter, hi-performance electronic system, and more recently, a low temperature thermostat.