Drove all three - Ford, Chevy, Dodge

[Scooby]

I recently drove all three 4 door dually's (comparably equiped). I drove the Ford and the Dodge back to back and then the Chevy a few days later. Dodge did a great job: the only thing they are missing is the towing and hauling capacity, the hp/torque ratings and (unfortunately now) the fuel mileage seems to be the worst of all three as well.

That being said, I still felt it just drove the best and found myself the most comfortable in it... in terms of seats, suspension, functionality, vision, etc... . It felt solid and confident. Oh, and the price is more favorable as well. Maybe I'm a little biased since I've had a few Cummins... .



Things I didn't like the most about the Ford was the steering feel at center (very vague), the fact that you couldn't control the exahust brake and the price tag! I"m not wild about Ford's dually fender set up and the fact that you could still pull some body panels off an early 90's truck and have them fit this 2011 model! The Chevy felt the most sluggish and boat-like. It's seats were not comfortable and dash was just silly. There was so much wasted real-estate... . the numbers on the HVAC display were so small, yet there was so much fake plastic wood trim around it! The DEF tank also hung amazing low on the passenger side (lower than the frame rail) and looked like an invitation to getting damaged. Oh, and it was as pricey as the Ford.



In the end I was torn. The Ford was fast and apparently is returning some impressive fuel mileage numbers. The Chevy is a nice looking truck, has a tow capacity roughly equal to the ford and has a controllable exhaust brake. The Dodge - has a Cummins, enough power, (likely) enough towing capabilites for my needs and is less expensive.



All I need to do is make up my mind and find $50 or $60K under a bush!

 

[AClayton]

I haven't test driven the Ford yet but I did drive the new Chevy. For all that hp they claim to have, it is the laziest truck to drive. I guess you don't get all that power unless you floorboard it! Maybe I'm just used to my truck and the fact that it has been modified for so long that I'm spoiled. On paper all these trucks have big time guts but the computers fuel back constantly, leaving you the impression you are driving a stock 1st gen W250:-laf



If I decide to get another truck... ... ..... it will be Dodge again. I am by no means a Dodge man and not loyal to Dodge period. I have had my problems with the Dodge part of my truck but the Cummins more than makes up for it. With all that said... ... ... Dodge has earned my business based on the fact they have the better truck now.



It does give me a chuckle to hear the once 'bragging rights' to owning a Cummins was fuel economy... ..... especially loaded! Chevy and Ford have the better mileage figures but the Cummins needs no DEF... ... ... time will tell if it's a wash!!!!



Alan

 

[HBarlow]

Those who are seriously comparing the three brands should keep in mind that claimed hp, tq, fuel economy, and towing figures published by Furd and Govt. Motors are made by the advertising departments, not by engineers evaluating them by equal SAE standards.

And even if the three trucks were tested with identical loads on identical terrain and grades the tests often overlook the fact that the Cummins is producing usable torque, that's load pullling torque, just off idle and does not have to be revved to 3000 rpm to pull the steep grades.

I was never a MOPAR owner and certainly not loyal to them until I drove the '01 HO six speed. I have had such great luck with three Dodges since that day I would simply not visit a Furd or GM lot when thinking of a new truck.

 

[Deezal Man]

Your post brings up a good point for someone like myself. I tend to stick with things that serve me well (if it aint broke... . ) . I guess I assumed my next truck would be a Dodge and all I had to do was decide on dealership, color and options.



Although its unlike the outcome will be different, it's probably a good idea to review all three. If nothing else, it will add that last bit of confidence we sometimes need when spending this amount of money.

 

[Grizzly]

I really don't care how much HP and torque furd and GM have, or claim they have, my Dodge with a Cummins I-6 does all I ask it to do and I'm satisfied.



george

 

[HBarlow]

I really don't care how much HP and torque furd and GM have, or claim they have, my Dodge with a Cummins I-6 does all I ask it to do and I'm satisfied.

george

Yep, me too. That really is all that matters. I don't know or care what GM and Furd are claiming.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

New Ford is impressive in design and theory and I sincerely hope it works for them. GM has also come a long way with the Duramax, but the thing I like most is the simplicity of a proven engine that has roots that reach much farther than just a light duty pickup. I don't have any brand loyalty to Dodge at all... Just Cummins!

I wish there was a way to get the very best of all three and roll it up into the perfect pickup like you can in the class 7-8 trucks. I think that it would put an end to all the BS and then all we would have left to fight about on the forums would be oil and tires.

 

[Tryingit]

I with you. I always test drive as many of the diesels trucks as I could find. This year I couldn't test drive the Chevy because of the large rebates they were offering and the resulting lack of trucks. But I did get to overnight test the Ford. I won't lie. I was tempted but with an 8K price difference made me think long and hard. I was really impressed by the vast improvements Dodge has made since my 04. 5. Combine that with an 8K savings and it wasn't so hard of a decision after all.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Is it true that the only truck even AVAILABLE with a diesel and a manual transmission is the Dodge/Cummins?

If that is true, my decision would be easy, as I do not like automatic transmissions, no matter how "fancy" or "great" they are touted to be!

 

[DogramTD]

If you dont like the weather, wait a few. Dodge is talking factory 450 hp in the near future

 

[HBarlow]

Is it true that the only truck even AVAILABLE with a diesel and a manual transmission is the Dodge/Cummins?

If that is true, my decision would be easy, as I do not like automatic transmissions, no matter how "fancy" or "great" they are touted to be!

That is correct because the wimpy V8 diesels in the two inferior brands don't produce sufficient torque at low rpm to launch an empty truck in first gear without revving the engine and slipping the clutch like we did years ago with small block V8s of the '50s and '60s.

 

[JHumphries]

... small block V8s of the '50s and '60s.

Be careful Harvey. You're starting to show your age.
Next thing you know, you'll be talking about your old drinking buddy Rudolf Diesel!

 

[DAN V]

FORD'S torque #'s are B.S.

I read in the latest Diesel Powere mag about a new 6. 7 Furd they dynoed. Only pulled around 650 torque and 330 HP. Sure doesn't seem worth 55k+ to me for that little of torque.

 

[HBarlow]

Be careful Harvey. You're starting to show your age.
Next thing you know, you'll be talking about your old drinking buddy Rudolf Diesel!

It's hard to pretend I'm not old anymore. I am old.

My first car was a 1928 Ford Model A rumble seat couple purchased for $25 when I was 14 yo in 1956.

My first small block V8 was a beautiful nearly new 1956 Chevy Bel Air sport coupe just before I enlisted in the Navy in early 1960 when I was not yet 18.

No, I didn't meet Rudy. My first experience with diesel power was very many years later. After many of you, in fact. My first diesel was my '01 Dodge 3500 HO/6spd.

I'm trying to postpone the wheelchair by riding a Honda ST-1300 which is capable of 10. 5 second quarter miles @ 111 mph and 144 mph top speed . . . according to the spec sheets I found online.

 

[Bill Stockard]

It's hard to pretend I'm not old anymore. I am old.



My first car was a 1928 Ford Model A rumble seat couple purchased for $25 when I was 14 yo in 1956.



My first small block V8 was a beautiful nearly new 1956 Chevy Bel Air sport coupe just before I enlisted in the Navy in early 1960 when I was not yet 18.



No, I didn't meet Rudy. My first experience with diesel power was very many years later. After many of you, in fact. My first diesel was my '01 Dodge 3500 HO/6spd.



I'm trying to postpone the wheelchair by riding a Honda ST-1300 which is capable of 10. 5 second quarter miles @ 111 mph and 144 mph top speed . . . according to the spec sheets I found online.

The Honda ST-1300 may allow you to skip the wheelchair and go directly into the pine box.



Bill

 

[AClayton]

It's hard to pretend I'm not old anymore. I am old.



My first car was a 1928 Ford Model A rumble seat couple purchased for $25 when I was 14 yo in 1956.



My first small block V8 was a beautiful nearly new 1956 Chevy Bel Air sport coupe just before I enlisted in the Navy in early 1960 when I was not yet 18.



No, I didn't meet Rudy. My first experience with diesel power was very many years later. After many of you, in fact. My first diesel was my '01 Dodge 3500 HO/6spd.



I'm trying to postpone the wheelchair by riding a Honda ST-1300 which is capable of 10. 5 second quarter miles @ 111 mph and 144 mph top speed . . . according to the spec sheets I found online.

That's not old!! My Dad is only 65 yy and get's around quite well I might add. He has been much busier since retiring than he ever was while employed. Not that he was a slouch at work, just always stressed, due largely in part that our Trade -HVAC- changed. It changed from repairing what was broke to simply replacing the entire unit to eliminate the problem. He would spend hrs. pulling a compressor apart, repairing it and then re-installing it back into the unit. Labor rates got too high and manufacturing costs were reduced, which meant it was financially more acceptable to just replace the whole unit. He just couldn't accept the CHANGE... ... ... pun intended... ... . and retired!!! That was 3 yrs ago and my parents are finally having fun again!! Just a bought a new TT! He loves my truck and wants a diesel bad but is also scared of all the emmisions hardware. Ole' Pops has ALWAYS been a DODGE man so when he makes the decision, I know it will be Cummins!!



Anyway... ... ... I apologize for getting off track! The new 6 speed auto appears to be a fine piece. If that transmission always selects the right gear, than I feel there would be no real reason to offer a manual. Unless of course you just prefer one!!





Alan

 

[macdaddy]

Im still impressed with 325/610!!!!.



350/650 has got to be plenty of power. Plus the reliability of the CTD.



Mac

 

[Scooby]

I went to drive them all to confirm my feelings for the Dodge/Cummins or to realize there might be a better product on the market (for me). At least after driving them I feel like I can discuss the topic with more confidence..... I won't talk trash about any of those trucks (they are all nice!) - but I can decide on my own which I prefer. I'm also not a blind follower of any brand... . I've seen too many great brands destroyed - I simply have to do my own primary and secondary research.



Regarding the trash talking of other brands... . a wise man once told me never to call a competitors product a piece of *****..... becuase when you come along and say that your product is better... . you're really just saying its better than a piece of *****. I'd always say that another competitor makes a great product - and now I'm going to tell you why mine is even better! Its a great philosophy that keeps you out of a lot of trouble - and feels good, too.

 

[JMetzger]

I found it rather interesting what with all the hipe of the Big Bad Ford Diesel That it isn't as impressive as Ford thinks it is. I received my new Trailer Life yesterday & they did a test of the Big Three. All three trucks had the same trailer so no one could say it wasn't fair. The trailer was Vortex weighing 7940 Lbs which I didn't think was very heavy for any of the three trucks

Chevy Ford Dodge

MPG Solo 22. 2 MPG Solo 22. 0 MPG Solo 21. 8

Towing 11. 9 11. 6 10. 5

0-60 Solo 8 sec 9 sec 10 sec

Towing 17 sec 17 sec 20 sec

40-60 Solo 5 sec 5 sec 6 sec

Towing 7 sec 9 sec 11 sec

Axle Ratio 3:73:1 3:55:1 3:73:1

HP-Torque 397-765 1,600 rpm 390-735 1,600 rpm 350-650 1,500 rpm

They had some good things to say about the Dodge & felt even with the smaller engine it held it's own. They also felt that the Cummins engine would last well over 300,000 miles. So where is all the power in the new Ford. At the end of the article they said Ford has upped the power & torque up to 400 hp & torque 800 Lb-ft. I will still stick with my Cummins, thank you.

 

[Deezal Man]

The same can be said about tractors. Many ag manufacturers like to target JD and capitalize on their marginal power premium over the JD in the same class. In the field however, the JD typically yields things like reduced fuel consumption or broader torque curves for the same work performed, so what did that little spike of HP gain you? My point in mentioning this is not to start a tractor brand war, it's mearly an example of the same point. Paper takes any ink and therefore numbers only tell one side of the story. Most of us tow trailers up hills with the intention of maintaining posted speed, we don't push our foot to the radiator to see how quickly we make it to the top of the hill. Ok sure, time matters at the strip and it's good for camper life magazine comparison articles but what do those numbers mean in real life situations? Quite honestly, these trucks have evolved to the point where I consider a balance of HP and fuel economy. When fuel was cheap, I couldn't get enough HP. Now at $3. 30 a gallon and rising... 350hp is looking great...