One Year report on 2011 3500 DRW 4x4 Dmax

[S.Morris]

Just a little update to dispel rumors from reality etc :-laf



One year ago we put a new Dmax into our fleet of Dodges (99,03,04,04. 5,05) . It now has 45000miles accumulated and has had ZERO issues except for a leaking heater core, that was replaced under warranty and caused by duct work rubbing on one of the tubes. Not one CEL for any reason and DEF use rate of approx 5 usg to 4000miles.



About 2 months ago I had to do a highway run(truck only) with my personal (sig truck). Cruise set at 74mph, Tonneau cover, 1000lbs in bed returned 18. 52 hand calc USMPG. Total of 830 miles in one long day. This speed not the best for economy but time was of the essence.



Last week had to make the same trip and I took the Dmax. Same speed, same conditions more or less. It returned 18. 23 USMPG and rpm was approx 400 less for given speed compared to my NV5600. I might add that the overhead is DEAD on in this truck !



I am begrudgingly impressed and did not admit to my son (his truck):-laf. I told him that I would not be officially impressed until I saw 300,000 on his odometer, and will be monitoring progress



I have not driven a 4th gen except for test drives at purchase time of the Dmax. I am hoping the 2013 Rams will be back up in mileage with change to DEF.



We will be doing a 3000 mile trip this winter with 12000 and 14000lb 5th wheels ,so that will be an interesting comparison.



The Dmax runs pretty much the same towing mileage as all lthe other Dodges when hooked to the ERS trailers . 12US in summer and 10US in winter.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have a friend with an '05 3500 qcsb D-Max. He constantly carries a Lance 855sb using the vehicle strictly for highway trips to campgrounds. The vehicle is grossly overloaded but to date has had zero issues. Front brake pads and consistent dealer service by the book. His has 50K on it.



Another guy who did some insulation work for me has 180K miles on his '06 qclb 3500 D-Max. His repairs have been a water pump,many brake jobs, u-joints throughout and tie rod ends. He also does SCORE support for a friend in the Baja 1000. He ackowledges the weak frontend but to date has replaced everything with stock components and creeps around off highway. Pretty good track records.

 

[Wingate]

Our company trucks were 4500-5500 Chevys and GMCs... but since GM got out of that business, we have been replacing them with Ford F550s equipped with the 6. 7L PSD... After putting MANY miles on both, I can definitely say that Isuzu has a MUCH better handle on things than Ford!.

 

[cojhl2]

Our company trucks were 4500-5500 Chevys and GMCs... but since GM got out of that business, we have been replacing them with Ford F550s equipped with the 6. 7L PSD... After putting MANY miles on both, I can definitely say that Isuzu has a MUCH better handle on things than Ford!.

It's too darn bad that Isuzu has to be tied up with Government Motors. I'm a long time loyalist to GM but no longer(1987). I got out of that group when Donald Smith was running the company and he decided to buy EDS to solve their problems. How naive!

Now I understand they are hiring 3000 Systems Analysts to design new computer applicatins. What DF's. .

Now I'm a RAM loyalist along with many of my farmer friends.

 

[jgillott]

I have a friend with an '05 3500 qcsb D-Max. He constantly carries a Lance 855sb using the vehicle strictly for highway trips to campgrounds. The vehicle is grossly overloaded but to date has had zero issues. Front brake pads and consistent dealer service by the book. His has 50K on it.

Another guy who did some insulation work for me has 180K miles on his '06 qclb 3500 D-Max. His repairs have been a water pump,many brake jobs, u-joints throughout and tie rod ends. He also does SCORE support for a friend in the Baja 1000. He ackowledges the weak frontend but to date has replaced everything with stock components and creeps around off highway. Pretty good track records.

I had an '05 Silverado and ended up selling it due to constant front end issues. In the brief 75K that we had it, it was through every front end part at least twice and was on the way for round 3. For a truck that needed to work, and be used in 4 wheel drive on a daily basis, it was the absolute wrong choice. I've know others who have had decent success with them, but not as day in and day out work trucks in anything more stressful than a paved parking lot.

 

[DavidC]

But>>> open the hood on all 3 and let me know which one you would rather work on if you had to. From what I have seen it would definately be a Cummins.

Dave

 

[Wayne M.]

But>>> open the hood on all 3 and let me know which one you would rather work on if you had to. From what I have seen it would definately be a Cummins.



Dave

You don't even need to look under the hood. A glance at the cooling package on any dodge imposter, ford hood superduty power joke is good enough to make you walk away. I hear a light tap to the nose = $7000. TWO cooling systems? come on now! I have no experience with the Dmax... I only hear of the fromt- end issues. I have a few Kodiaks running around with Dmax in medium vocations with no issues.

 

[DavidC]

You don't even need to look under the hood. A glance at the cooling package on any dodge imposter, ford hood superduty power joke is good enough to make you walk away. I hear a light tap to the nose = $7000. TWO cooling systems? come on now! I have no experience with the Dmax... I only hear of the fromt- end issues. I have a few Kodiaks running around with Dmax in medium vocations with no issues.

I know what you mean with the Ford. I had to take my shoes off as I ran out of fingers counting the coolers. No not really but there are a bunch and I thought like you that an accident sure could get ugly and expensive. I really had to count at least 3 times and still was not sure if I counted them all. It has been a while but 5 or 6 rings a bell, maybe more.

Dave

 

[Regcabguy]

We attend the International Auto Show here and you'd be amazed at all the guys fixated on the engine compartments of the Fords and Duramaxes. It doesn't appear to be a negative deal with them. They're in awe of how everything fits in there. It doesn't matter that a winch is required to lift the cab off for repairs.



I just hope that Dodge does a better job on their display this year.

 

[NIsaacs]

I know what you mean with the Ford. I had to take my shoes off as I ran out of fingers counting the coolers. No not really but there are a bunch and I thought like you that an accident sure could get ugly and expensive. I really had to count at least 3 times and still was not sure if I counted them all. It has been a while but 5 or 6 rings a bell, maybe more.



Dave

The new Ram will have 6 or 7... .



Nick

 

[DavidC]

The new Ram will have 6 or 7... .

Nick

Now that is disgusting. Probably added costs like this is why the prices are leaving alot of people behind, they simply cannot afford these things anymore. We are doomed to Hyundai's:{

 

[rscurtis]

Three factors are resposible for the added costs: 1) Big Ben and his printing press. 2) Emission controls mandated by the Punishment Agency. 3) The horsepower race, which requires heavier drive trains and bigger cooling systems. No one needs a PU with almost 400HP and 850 ft/lbs of torque.

 

[NIsaacs]

Three factors are resposible for the added costs: 1) Big Ben and his printing press. 2) Emission controls mandated by the Punishment Agency. 3) The horsepower race, which requires heavier drive trains and bigger cooling systems. No one needs a PU with almost 400HP and 850 ft/lbs of torque.

Maybe not, but my '01 is ten times the pickup my '75 Ford 250 4x4 is.



Nick

 

[BlackBullit]

I would much rather work on a Dodge than one of the other ones. I know I am biast, but you think i care. It's so much easyer than a ford or chevy, more room to deal with, way simpler, and a fraction of the time and cost.

 

[EGroeneveld]

No one needs a PU with almost 400HP and 850 ft/lbs of torque.

Um, I do for sure!! Add a 5,500 pound camper, a 20' Enclosed trailer with a couple quads and RZR and I do need all the power I can get. My Early '11 will not gain any speed on the mountain hills we have here. And Oregon likes to put curves in the middle of the passing zones on steep hills. Once I have to slow down for a curve or vehilce I will not be getting my speed back up to much until the hill is done... my foot is mashed to the floor quite a bit on the hills fully loaded.

 

[S.Morris]

The 2011 DMax drivetrain was completely redesigned. Bigger better everything incl front end and engine etc. Many , many improvements, which was one of the reasons we decided to try it. Add to that , the local GM dealer bends over BACKWARDS for us. I would (almost) consider buying a Ford from him if they sold Fords. (If ever the Dmax needs in the shop, they supply us a truck , no charge to use until it is done, incl reg servicing.



Fact is , there are no local Dodge dealers, and the service sucks at the closest one.



Most people who buy a new Furd have no idea that there is/ will be a 1000. 00 surcharge to do anything to the engine after warranty(cab removal).



I agree, the only one I will be under the hood on is a cummins, but they are working harder every year to make that a little more difficult