Finally made my final, final decission

[TDickerson]

I’m getting ready to come back to the states this year and have to make up my mind which of the 3 trucks to buy. Well, after countless hours of research to gather information, and what will suit my lifestyle and needs, I finally decided based on the following.

1. I do not know how, require or want to do modifications, deletes, etc, to the engine so it doesn’t concern me which one is the easiest to work on or do. Cummins would probably win this one though if I did. They all have similar warranty.

2. I’m pulling a 30’ travel trailer that would weigh no more than 10K lbs that all 3 can easily handle. I know the Cummins first hand with my 97 I had. Any of the 3 would work here. Like the Cummins though since this is all that I have had and know.

3. I would like a diesel that has been around awhile and proven in reliability. Cummins and Duramax would fit this bill. Ford 6. 7 is too new to tell. Cummins would take the lead here. Although, for you who know about the killer dowel pin issue, that wasn’t too impressive while we were waiting for our engines to self destruct until we could get it tabbed. I guess they all have their share of problems.

4. I’m buying a diesel that should be better in fuel economy than a gas engine. I’m wondering about what is going on and it would be nice getting a little better mpg, especially when not pulling. Ford or GM would win this one, at this time. Not a top priority though.

5. From the above the Ram Cummings seems to have the edge.

But, things have changed tremendously with the introduction of all this new technology and EPA mandated pollution requirements. This is not going away regardless of all the deleting that is going on. I figure the EPA is going to crack down on this eventually. So, this has been my major concern. Hands down I want to get the Cummins, but feel that they went in the wrong direction, at this time, as Ford did with keeping existing framework to handle the DPF regenerations by sending additional fuel back into the engine highly contributing to fuel in oil dilution. GM has been the only manufacturer to look closely at this and determined that a 9th injector in the tailpipe would be the best system. I’m not an engineer but this makes the best sense to me. Keep it out of the engine and let the engine do what it is suppose to do without this interference. EGR, don’t know. DEF, who knows, it’s over here in Europe and seems to work. I don’t care about keeping a DEF tank topped up and sure they will get the bugs worked out of the system. So, my main determination is based on new technology and will have to go with the GM Duramax. Am I making the right decision, hope so, time will tell.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well, thank you for your service, and I've spent a lot of time in Germany as well, (Frankfurt & Nurnberg) and know your dilemma of trying too make a decision out of country.



But to get an opinion from Cummins enthusiasts about making a decision on the DMAX will not get a reaction you want to hear. My opinion on the DMAX is not good after having to drive one for 50K (company truck) which was poor in MPG, 10MPG. (overall average) The owner just sold it, and could only get 15K with just 60K total miles. Too compare it to the Dodge Cummins, I sold my 04. 5 for 19K to my brother who managed to get a loan on it at 25K from his Credit Union.



OK, my points of concern when getting a DMAX.



1) Aluminum heads on a cast Iron Block.

2) Engine runs hot. If it was designed that way or was an issue and GM just increased the cooling capacity? It still is a hot running engine, I'm sure you have seen the complaints from The Diesel Place Web site about the Clutch fans running all the time, even in mild temps. (The DMAX I drove did the same)

3) Resale value is not even close to the Cummins.

4) 500K miles is a good average for the Cummins vrs 200K for the DMAX

5) GM is always trying to improve on the durability unlike Cummins which changes only to keep up with the HP wars and EPA. Cummins wins this hands down.



There are smaller issues that I won't go into, but the major FACTS I have pointed out would change my mind.



Good luck in your purchase, which ever brand you chose.

 

[DHuffman]

You may want to drive one before you "decide"... I drove an '11 GMC and was not impressed. The interior is not as nice as the Dodge, the urea tank hangs down too low, the engine compartment is crammed full, and it just doesn't feel right to me. They are also more $$ if you get similar equipment.

 

[TDickerson]

I've been a TDR member since I special ordered my 97 dodge and it was delivered in Feb 1997. I guess I wanted to post my "final,final" decision for what reason, I don't know. Maybe, for someone to talk me out of my decision. Don't get me wrong, I really do want the RAM 3500 HD, but just so darned concerned over all the negative stuff about the DPF, EGR, etc. I want to leave things stock, as I have done in the past, and don't have to worry about all this pollution stuff. I wish Dodge would be more assuring and informative about their systems. All I keep hearing is soot buildup, EGR clogging up, and all due to the regenerations. I guess that is why the GM seems more attractive to me at this time. Although, they do have the regeneration issues as well, just a different system. I'm still waiting for the HO to come out and then maybe make my "final, final, final" decision. Oo.

 

[MChrist]

You will have to drive them to make your final decision. We have an '07 GMC 5500 for work, and while it's very quiet, it just doesn't "feel" right. Also test drove a new '07 GMC pickup, and it felt the same way, kind of soft and unresponsive. Just my . 02.

 

[Grizzly]

This is a Dodge Cummins web site, so guess what opinions you'll get.



98% of us are partial to Dodge and Cummins. That's why we own such a truck and are on this web site. If you want to hear about GM, go to their web site.



george

 

[rscurtis]

If I were in the market for a new truck, (which I'm not) I would at least look at the latest iteration of the Chevy/GMC. It might be worth consideration for a lease or short-term (4-5 years) ownership. For something you want to own longer term, I would still vote for the Ram.

 

[HBarlow]

Okay, so you've made a decision to buy a GM. That's nice. Good luck.

 

[champspa]

I'll bet it will be a great truck , there is a GM. site also just in case you haven't been there yet .

 

[TDickerson]

This is a Dodge Cummins web site, so guess what opinions you'll get.



98% of us are partial to Dodge and Cummins. That's why we own such a truck and are on this web site. If you want to hear about GM, go to their web site.



george

Yes, you are correct. I should not have posted this message on the TDR site. I appologize and will do as you suggested. This will be my last post on the TDR. Thanks for all the support with my 97 in the past years.

 

[Grizzly]

Yes, you are correct. I should not have posted this message on the TDR site. I appologize and will do as you suggested. This will be my last post on the TDR. Thanks for all the support with my 97 in the past years.

I hate sounding negative about a GM, but really, what did you expect from mostly die-hard Dodge Cummins owners.



Seriously, all big three diesel truck makers have their problems. You just have to decide which truck problems you can live with.



In the mid 90's I was going to buy another Ford gasser even though I had big time problems with the Ford gasser I already had. A good friend of mine talked me into going for the power train. A Cummins with a 5 speed manual transmission. That's when I ordered my first Dodge Cummins and I've never looked back. That was my 95, 3500 dually. In the ten years and the 100K miles I owned that truck, I never had one problem. No front end, no engine, no electrical problems. It was never in the shop except for one wheel alignment. So far my 05 has been just as good and has never been in the shop either. I had extended warranty on the 95 and never used it. I still have a few months left of extended warranty on my 05 and have never used it.



I believe GM may be better than a Ford, but I have never liked a GM cars, trucks or wheelbarrows. They have always had a tinny cheap reputation.



Good luck to you on whatever you decide. It's your call, your money.



george

 

[Scooby]

The best advise you received here (and that you already know) is that you can't make a ($50-60K) decision without driving them. I was in the market and drove all three similarly equiped trucks within a 24 hour period. Each truck had its better (and worse) points.

All three will likely serve your needs. Good luck!



BTW - I ended up keeping my 06 and putting a little money into it.