Dodge gets slammed in Diesel Power Mag!

[NIsaacs]

Hey Nick, I know the difference, we're not all ignorant about trucks!

Oops, sorry if you are one of the three



I work with WPD regularly as an employee of NCSO.



Nick

 

[gtoli]

No insurance sales and sure as heck not a Lawyer. :-laf

 

[Cummins Ag]

I appreciate your kind invitation but think I'll decline.



Spending time with you bragging about your cars and trucks, claiming that your choice of other brand is superior on a Dodge-Cummins website, and expressing your unsubstantiated opinions as fact would be a lot like spending time with the brother-in-law you wish your sister had never married.



I'd rather go out and mow my grass - in the winter.

Amen HBarlow, Amen.



-mike

 

[Cummins Ag]

I thought the part of the article that spoke the loudest, if I am referring to the correct test, was that the magazine had to hire a "professional driver" for their test.

Now let's think about that. A magazine that purports to be an expert on the subject which, to property utilize, requires that they employ someone else.

I agree with previous posters. A much better test would have been to simply drop the weights to whatever number made them feel safe including the Dodge and drop the hammer.

-mike

 

[Powder Extreme]

They used a driver with a CDL because the weight was over 26,000.

So if they had lowered the weight, the Chevy would still be at the top of the hill first. Then you guys could go on and on about how the test must have been rigged etc.

Some people want to have the most power, some want to keep their truck till the wheels fall off, some want the best looking truck, some buy a new one every year regardless.

If you want to put 300k on your engine, buy a Dodge, if you want the most powerful buy a Chevy, if you want the fanciest interior, buy a Ford. When it comes down to it buy whatever makes you happy. But whatever you do, don't mention the word Ford or Chevy around here or a few closed minded, uninformed, self proclaimed know it alls will jump down your throat.

I feel sorry for other members who truly are trying to get information and opinions about other vehicles because they are unhappy with their current truck or are, perhaps, just curious.

 

[AWeiman]

When it comes down to it buy whatever makes you happy. But whatever you do, don't mention the word Ford or Chevy around here or a few closed minded, uninformed, self proclaimed know it alls will jump down your throat.



I feel sorry for other members who truly are trying to get information and opinions about other vehicles because they are unhappy with their current truck or are, perhaps, just curious.

i agree. i am dodge/cummins to the bone as are many others. but if a person owns something else and has great luck, as you have stated with your gm who am i to say your truck is junk. point is like you said everyone buys trucks for different reasons, i dont care why, whatever floats there boat. person should be able to report good luck no different than reporting bad luck, thats how we learn and become informed about these trucks.



p. s. you ever get up around the middle of illinois i'll go toe to toe with your gm. i dont mind buying beer. :-laf

 

[JMetzger]

I agree with HWeiman & if Powder Extreme gets in NV I would love to run with him I have not had any pre 2011 GM pass me on a long hard pull & we have some good ones around here.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Thanks guys! I do get to Chicago and Normal once in awhile and Vegas all the time. It would be fun to see how a new GMC stacks up against a modified 5. 9!

 

[CBlack]

Back to the article...

How many here have driven Vale Pass with their CTD?

 

[JMetzger]

Are you talking about Vail Pass in CO or some where else. I have driven through Vail Pass & the Eisenhower Pass & Tunnel in CO many times. I don't find them to be a problem. I know you said Vale Pass & it may be something different.

 

[HBarlow]

I have, several times with a trailer.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I've driven a semi with a Cummins M-11 and Dodge CTD over it. Probably around 75,000 in the semi and 10-12k GVW in the Dodge.

 

[CBlack]

The reason I ask is because of this response to the same article on another CTD site.

"Then you haven't driven that stretch of road before. Its a long and steep stretch of highway and it will test even an unloaded vehicle to a point. Seen a few cars and truck on the side of that highway overheated or broke down.

It took the Chevy over eight minuets to finish and it still lost nearly 20 mph over the course of the test. The Ford was two minuets behind and lost nearly 30 mph.

Really it is one of the better tow tests out there. Why test a truck that doesn't even come close to the weight the other two can pull? The Chevy and the Ford both have more power and can pull more.

The Dodge would have lost just as much speed at its max weight or more. It would have been like beating a dead horse. Dodge is not competitive in this market any more. This article just hits the point home. "

AND

"I don't know how many of you have actually driven Vale Pass (the road that they tested these two trucks on) but there is no way in hell I would take a stock Dodge with a loaded trailer anywhere near it.

I've driven semi over it many times and its one crazy pull, and going down the other side is no picnic. Even if the Cummins had the same hp as the other 2, the transmission would be toast 1/4 way up.

I'm not bad mouthing Dodge, I love my truck, but everything the magazine says is pretty much true. Dodge is going to have to step up its game if it wants to compete. "



I don't have any experience towing heavy loads like most of you let alone in the mountains but was curious as to the thoughts of the heavy hauling guys on here.

 

[HBarlow]

My comment is simple. Bullship! I wouldn't wipe my rear end on that magazine or the opinions of it's writers.

 

[BrianJ]

I have driven it several times pulling the RV, and hundreds of times over the years empty with a variety of vehicles. I didn't have any issue pulling the pass with the CTD and my 16k toy hauler or prior 12k bumper pull. The curves of Vail Pass do as much to slow one down as the grade does. Empty, I can go as fast as the curves will allow (easily maintain speed limit and more). Pulling is pretty much the same. IMO, the eastbound stretch of the approach to Eisenhower Tunnel would be a better test for pulling a grade, as the grade probably matches that of Vail Pass, but it doesn't have the curves.



I am not going to knock Ford or Chevy as I am not one that cares what the Badge on the truck says, and if buying today one of them could very well end up in my driveway as the playing field is much more level these days. That being said, the CTD certainly performs well for me on any pass I have come accross, so the comments quoted above seem complete BS to me.



Edit: Thinking a little further on this on the basis of testing, the forced slow downs with the curves on Vail Pass would help highlight the ability of the powertrain to regain speed and deal with the changing dynamics.

 

[RLHannink]

For 55 G's those trucks better pull like that.



I would like to see that test done on the hottest day of the summer. After the trucks have spent a month on a dusty jobsite or ranch. But, I guess the test was strictly to determine pulling ability, not all around capability.



Diesel Power sure sold a lot of issues with that on the cover, I think they are the winners of that test

 

[AClayton]

And that is exactly what they wanted to do... ..... sell more magazines! I'm guilty -because I bought one!!



Alan

 

[cerberusiam]

Why test a truck that doesn't even come close to the weight the other two can pull? The Chevy and the Ford both have more power and can pull more.



The Dodge would have lost just as much speed at its max weight or more. It would have been like beating a dead horse. Dodge is not competitive in this market any more. This article just hits the point home.

That is FUNNY!!! :-laf :-laf



While the V-8's are loosing speed and time the I6's will pull it with less of a loss in speed and time. This is why these article sget slanted so much becuase they a)won't test the other truck and b) haven't the slightest clue how to drive a real truck.



What they forgot to mention is about the 3rd time up the grade the OTHER brands are parked on the side of the road with blown head gaskets.

 

[JMetzger]

I agree with BrianJ, I only got into 4th gear once & that is because I got behind a RV being puled by a Ford & wasn't paying attention & had to get out of the throttle. I pull it in 5th & 6th but mine is not totally stock. I really would have liked to see the Dodge in the test because I think it would really have surprised everyone. I have driven that route about 9-10 times. If you really want to enjoy the view ride Amtrak, it follows along I 70 quite a ways.

 

[Powder Extreme]

To say the Dodge wont make it up the pass is foolish.

Even an old body style 160hp Dodge will make it up the hill just fine, it just wont be as quick.

The high HP numbers will get you to the top faster, not determine whether or not you will make it to the top. The truck with the highest actual HP / TQ will be the first to the top not the only one to the top.

Regardless of brand