Time to buy....6.7?

[Texis]

Hi Guys,

I haven't spent any time around the "modern" Cummins, my current truck is a 97 5. 9 P71 pump mechanical (385,000 miles). I am thinking about actually buying a truck that was built in this century... . maybe a 2009-2011?

What are the overall thoughts on the 6. 7? I have read a couple of post about these trucks spending more time in the shop than on the road... . disconcerning. Then there are the "best truck I ever owned" post.

I drive mostly highway, tow 8,000-10,000lbs from time to time and do a bit of off-road at the deer lease. So, will the 6. 7 last as long as my 97 has?

Fuel economy has become a big factor, what type mileage is anyone getting from a 2500 4x4 6. 7? My 5. 9 auto gets 18-19 mpg, (20 once )

Is one particular year better than another in the 2008-2011 range?

Any inputs and thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have had one leaky shock, no biggie factory shocks are junk. 17K and trouble free. Use as a truck and not a grocery getter it will perform flawlessly. I doubt you will get the mileage your 97 does but the 4th gen trucks are so nice you won't mind the difference. I would get the HO 11 or 12.

 

[EGroeneveld]

The 2007. 5 6. 7 had some issues with being grocery getting trucks but from what I read that I believe has been fixed. I'd recomend ordering a 2013 just the way you want it to be That way you only get what you want/need and you'll have the max benefit from the warranty and newness factor.



I love my factory ordered 2011 Truck. 35,000 trouble free miles so far. I haul a 5-6K truck camper and pull a 6,000-8K pound enclosed trailer for playing I'm hauling a trailer or the camper almost every weekend. My dually is also my daily driver for my 12 mile round trip commute.

 

[cerberusiam]

Will it last as long as your 97? Probably not.

Will it get as good mpg? Quite likely not unless you do deletes and tear into the engine.

Will it tow more easier? Yep.

Will it be a LOT nicer? Big yep.


You have a choise of spending a chunk of money for a newer truck without warranty you make changes to and maybe get the reliability and economy of your currrent truck, or, buying new for warranty and living with the economy.

If you can swing it but a new one and keep the 97 for daily use.

 

[RonD]

The biggest thing you will notice is when in a 2011-12, you can have a conversation with the other person in the truck, the 2nd generation trucks sounded like the trash truck coming down the road, the new ones are very quite

 

[EGroeneveld]

Agree, my 2011 is quieter then my wife's Camry going down the HWY inside the cab.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I agree my 11 dually even with the Geno's muffler elimination kit is extremely quiet. I can easily carry on a conversation with the wife... ... . is that good? Yes yes it is! Ouch

 

[NIsaacs]

I like my trash trucks, they sound like a mini "Pete"

Nick

 

[Hoefler]

My 08 had 62,000 miles when I traded it for my 2010. The 2010 currently has 51,000 mile on it. I will be trading it late next year with about 80,000 miles on it. The 08 had some growing pains, but nothing major and all went away when the turbo was replaced. The 2010 has been completely trouble free. Both trucks spent 90% of the time pulling something. Would not hesitate to do it again!

 

[crispyboy]

I have a 2009, the last of the 3rd Generation with approximately 38k miles. So far it has been a good truck but would buy a 4th generation just because it has a nicer interior. My brother was impressed enough with my 09 in the quietness and the way it drove that he traded his troublesome 05 6. 0 Powerstroke in on a 2012 Dodge 2500 back in August. He is quite happy! His 2012 has all the bell/whistles and it seems to be quieter than my 09. The 2012 definitely feels more powerful and responsive on the throttle. I have no complaints on power with my 09 as it pulls a trailer with ease.
In the hills of Northern KY my fuel mileage is 16 in mixed driving, 17-18. 5 on the interstate (65- 70 mph) and 11-13. 5 towing a travel trailer at approx. 65-70 mph. My truck has 3. 73 gears.
The fuel economy gets better once the engine reaches 25k miles and then levels off.
I would buy the newest truck you can afford but would target a 2011 or newer if you can swing it. The 2011's had more power and an upgraded brake controller. You can get a good deal on a 2012 right now as the 2013 trucks are supposed to have more worthwhile improvements and it may be awhile before the really good deals can be had.
This is my first diesel truck (had diesel cars and tractors) but in my opinion the 6. 7 will go the distance but it's going to take more $$ in maintenance cost for oil changes, filters and upkeep of emission components (if you keep them).

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have a 2009, the last of the 3rd Generation with approximately 38k miles. So far it has been a good truck but would buy a 4th generation just because it has a nicer interior. My brother was impressed enough with my 09 in the quietness and the way it drove that he traded his troublesome 05 6. 0 Powerstroke in on a 2012 Dodge 2500 back in August. He is quite happy! His 2012 has all the bell/whistles and it seems to be quieter than my 09. The 2012 definitely feels more powerful and responsive on the throttle. I have no complaints on power with my 09 as it pulls a trailer with ease.
In the hills of Northern KY my fuel mileage is 16 in mixed driving, 17-18. 5 on the interstate (65- 70 mph) and 11-13. 5 towing a travel trailer at approx. 65-70 mph. My truck has 3. 73 gears.
The fuel economy gets better once the engine reaches 25k miles and then levels off.
I would buy the newest truck you can afford but would target a 2011 or newer if you can swing it. The 2011's had more power and an upgraded brake controller. You can get a good deal on a 2012 right now as the 2013 trucks are supposed to have more worthwhile improvements and it may be awhile before the really good deals can be had.
This is my first diesel truck (had diesel cars and tractors) but in my opinion the 6. 7 will go the distance but it's going to take more $$ in maintenance cost for oil changes, filters and upkeep of emission components (if you keep them).

Minor correction, the 10 and 11 have the same brake controller the 12 is da I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER!

 

[sbattle76]

I love my 2012 2500. There are so many negative articles and comments out there though that will deter you from buying one. bottom line is... treat your truck right and you shouldn't have many issues. My only problem was a bad serpentine belt tensioner at 1,000 miles. The 12's have great break controller, and great Exhaust brake. These trucks are beast's!!! But they do like to drink lots of gas and oil.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I love my 2012 2500. There are so many negative articles and comments out there though that will deter you from buying one. bottom line is... treat your truck right and you shouldn't have many issues. My only problem was a bad serpentine belt tensioner at 1,000 miles. The 12's have great break controller, and great Exhaust brake. These trucks are beast's!!! But they do like to drink lots of gas and oil.

Holy crap if you used diesel instead of "GAS" it might get better mileage!

What do you mean drink lots of oil??????

 

[crispyboy]

Holy crap if you used diesel instead of "GAS" it might get better mileage!

What do you mean drink lots of oil??????

I think he means the oil changes can sometimes be more frequent than what someone is used to depending on the duty cycle of the truck. I have had only 1 oil change that came early and it was at 2500 miles. I think it was due to my wintertime usage was limited to a drive every two or three weeks from Nov thru March. Truck is used much more frequently in the summer and I have not had the oil change indicator come up early.

 

[sbattle76]

Holy crap if you used diesel instead of "GAS" it might get better mileage!



What do you mean drink lots of oil??????

Crispyboy hit the nail on the head. Short oil change intervals... my first one came on at 2100 miles. hope it does't keep doing that! And yes, I use Diesel, not "GAS" - its just a general term.

My milrage is actually better than the ram 1500 4. 7L that I had. it got 10-11 back and forth to work and around town. My new 2500 gets 13. 5 solid for 3 tanks with mixed driving hwy/cty, and about 18 for a tank of all hwy driving without a load. Hwy with a load is around 14. 5-15.

 

[RustyJC]

I would get the HO 11 or 12.

Although that might be the preferred option, my early 2011 truck with 350/650 has never lacked for power in any towing situation I've experienced, and that includes some pretty challenging situations towing our 16,000 lb GVWR 5th wheel in the Ozarks in Arkansas and in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. If you get a sweet deal on an early 2011, don't discount it unless you absolutely MUST have the biggest and baddest.



By the way, our truck has never been in the shop for anything other than routine service. It's been a great truck, and the creature comforts are miles above my previous 2002 3500 HO/6-speed dually.



Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

Although that might be the preferred option, my early 2011 truck with 350/650 has never lacked for power in any towing situation I've experienced, and that includes some pretty challenging situations towing our 16,000 lb GVWR 5th wheel in the Ozarks in Arkansas and in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. If you get a sweet deal on an early 2011, don't discount it unless you absolutely MUST have the biggest and baddest.

By the way, our truck has never been in the shop for anything other than routine service. It's been a great truck, and the creature comforts are miles above my previous 2002 3500 HO/6-speed dually.

Rusty

Your MS is a little lighter than ours. My sig says 27K but we hit the scales on our way south a couple weeks ago and the wife added a bit more weight! We are now at 27,740#.

It would be interesting to swap trailers to see how your truck would pull my load and how mine would pull yours with the 150' # difference. Even with the 3:42 gears my truck pulls great.

We just came from the coast on 101 south across the pass towards LA not sure what it is called but it is very sreep. The slowest we hit was 50 for a bit in third. Most of the passes like the grape vine the slowest is 55 in third.