Reliability of 05-06 Trucks?

[Ncostello]

For the first time in my life (spring 2006)... I am going to need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck for towing 7000lbs. Whether or not the trailer gets towed will mean the difference between getting paid or not... and getting the job done or not.



I'm not going to use my 1991. 5 D250 for this task. Its my personal ride and I'm going to keep it that way. Its for fun and enjoyment and perhaps a little work once in a while... like towing a trailer load of ATV's or a boat .



For everyday use... I need something else. I've considered a new 2500 in both Hemi and Cummins forms. Based on our Hemi 2500's at work... I'm really leaning that way. The mileage isn't as good as the Cummins while towing... but the initial cost is much less and they seem to be rock solid reliable.



More than anything... what are the chances of an 06 Cummins going 100K and over without needing a new lift pump or transmission work or ??? Are these 3rd gen engines living up to the Cummins reputation?



How many of you would trust your income to a 2006 Cummins equipped truck... day in and day out? Sitting at a dealership for warranty work isn't going to cut it.

 

[67guzzler]

This is my 4th truck. I had a 96, 97 and a 2004. 5 and this one. I think they're very reliable. I don't think that the CTD is more or less reliable than the HEMI. It's more powerful and efficient though, and is about $4k to $5k more expensive.



I'd trust my business to a CTD as much as I would a HEMI and certainly moreso than a PowerStroke or Duramax. I really think that DiamlerChrysler products are high quality in general and have been since the early to late 90's depending on the platform.



Between the CTD & HEMI -- I'd just get what I wanted between the two with reliability being a wash. Just my $. 02.

 

[MRosinski]

If your towing a trailer locally and once in a while the cummins wont really pay off, but if your doing daily long distance I would go for the cummins w/6spd. At work we have a 454 big block box truck w/98000 miles. It's had about $18,000 in repairs. And it's no lemon, if you beat a gasser for that many miles you can expect these kind of repair costs. We just got it back today, and boss said this is the last time it going to repair. Next is a diesel powerd box truck. I believe that a stock cummins will easily outlive any gasser or v-8 diesel.

 

[Ncostello]

I know the Cummins crank, pistons, connecting rods and valve train are far superior to any gas engine. I know that if a pickup is going to go a million miles on one engine... it had better be a Cummins B-Series.



But I'm looking for the least trouble between 0 and 100,000 miles. My question is... are todays "stock" cummins (and Dodge package around it) able to stay out of the dealership repair bay?



Remember those guys who bought new 12V's and put 250,000 miles on them with only oil changes and filter changes? No other work required.



What are the chances a new 5. 9 can do this? Assuming everything was put together right at the factory... and it was all good to begin with... whats gonna wear out or quit on me at 50,000 miles, 75,000 miles, 100,000 miles. Will the injection pump and lift pump go the distance.



I've just got a horrible taste left in my mouth from VP44's and Carter electric fuel pumps. I wouldn't trust a 2nd Gen 24V any farther than I can push it... cause you might just have to push it.

 

[SRadke]

If you're already sold on the reliebility of Dodge than you've got nothing to worry about. Cummins will hold up their end of the deal. I've had mine into the dealer for warrantee work 3 times and it was always Dodge, never Cummins.



-Scott

 

[SRadke]

The days of the VP are gone. The new lift pumps are lasting well... . they finally put them in the tank in 05 and I expect that to be the end of the problems. Even the old Carter pumps on the second gen trucks had good life if they were remounted back by the tank so they could push fuel rather than pulling it.



One more thing to consider is resale value. Used Hemi trucks are worth anywhere from $5-8k less than Cummins

 

[GaryCarter]

Both are probably equally reliable for the first 100k. A gas engine is not going 200k towing, so how many miles are you planning on?



If you're city driving, the gas engine will be better at short hauls; warms up fast.



Fuel will probably be $4 next year. Diesel 10-13 mpg; gas 6-10.



Gary

 

[67guzzler]

But I'm looking for the least trouble between 0 and 100,000 miles. My question is... are todays "stock" cummins (and Dodge package around it) able to stay out of the dealership repair bay?



Remember those guys who bought new 12V's and put 250,000 miles on them with only oil changes and filter changes? No other work required.



What are the chances a new 5. 9 can do this? Assuming everything was put together right at the factory... and it was all good to begin with... whats gonna wear out or quit on me at 50,000 miles, 75,000 miles, 100,000 miles. Will the injection pump and lift pump go the distance.



I've just got a horrible taste left in my mouth from VP44's and Carter electric fuel pumps. I wouldn't trust a 2nd Gen 24V any farther than I can push it... cause you might just have to push it.

It sounds like you either have made up your mind that you don't trust the product and want someone to talk you into it OR you want some type of guarantee that the product will go 250,000 miles without trouble. There are no guarantees and nobody should talk you into buying a truck that you might not want or trust. I'd hate to recommend something to someone who has unrealistic expectations and then feel responsible for their inevitable disappointment. I seriously doubt that the engine will go 250,000 miles without needing some sort of repair. It might go 100,000 miles. Repair is different than replacement. I agree with Scott's comment about resale values. I doubt too many people will be lining up to buy a used 2500 gasser.

 

[Hoefler]

I have a contracting business, just a one horse operation. I bought my truck to pull my tool trailer, weighs in around 7,000. If I don't work, I don't get paid! I feel the reliability is there. The fuel milage is a little disappointing though. I live in the Ozark mountains, every where I go is up hill and always hard pull ( it seems like it anyways ). I chose the auto because of being able to maneuver it tight spots and backing up step drives. Out on the highway ( when I get on one ), milage is better. The only other complaint I have, is the anti-spin axle. It don't work, period!! If it was not for 4wd, I would have needed a wrecker. The had part is finding a good dealer that has techs the will think beyond the computer. Anyway, that is my two cents worth.

 

[KDillard]

Cummins all the way with 6spd

I had an 03 2500 hemi 4x4. They definitely do not tow like a cummins. You have to rev the hemi high to tow. The transmission always hunts for gears while towing. I was getting 9 mpg towing a 21ft bassboat. I know get 15mpg towing same boat. As far as depending on whether id bet on an engine for food on the table I would most definitely go cummins. There were so many issues with the hemis in 03-04 that guys are still ditching them for a cummins. Guys were breaking valve springs on stock engines getting stranded left and right for a while. There were so many TSB's for the hemi it was pitiful. Especially when you compare it to the cummins. Definitely go 6spd. Dodges autos are no where near strong enough for the cummins. You can only put to the ground what the trans can handle. If you can catch an 05 with the nv5600 then jump all over it. The automatic that is mated to the hemi definitely isnt standing a well matched unit either. Guys with 45k miles on DTW are getting trannies replaced left and right as well.





On maintenance down time the cummins is by far cheaper. 12 quarts ever 7500 miles is great. considering the hemi needs 7quarts every 3k miles. plus on the hemi you cant change the fuel filter either. there are many reasons to get the cummins but the hemi isnt a proven motor setup yet to get my vote on dependability.