which new truck

[jrob]

I need input on which new diesel truck to buy. A Dodge 2500/4x4/quad/shortbed or a Chevy 2500HD 4x4/crewcab/shortbed.



Interested in towing fifthwheel camper.



Why should I pick the Dodge other than I like the looks?

 

[billr]

Neither! I would recommend the long bed in either truck for the fifth wheel. There are many good reasons for using the long bed, stability while towing is, clearance of the cab and so on. I would not own a diesel truck that does not have the cummins engine.

 

[SnoKing]

For the Cummins Diesel!



Also Allison transmission is not as good as they want you to think it is. Check this:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=29314



or directly to chubby site:

http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001894.html



I drove buddies Durmax over the weekend and I like my cab interior better. Dash seemed to close in Chevy. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

2500 Dodge is good to about a 10K 5er, above that go with 3500. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

I stayed with LWB and Std cab, so that it would still fit in garage, and handle the 5er without the problems others have breaking rear windows or denting the back of the cab. STD Cabs are hard to find. It drives like a little sportster, and Costco and Home Depot lots are a lot easier to get into and out of. SNOKING

 

[boonsur]

jrob,



To answer your question, If you're going to do serious towing, buy the Dodge/Cummins.



First off, you are buying a real truck engine. Inline-6 has 7 journals for 6 cylinders, V-8 has 5 journals for 8 cylinders, and loads are much more balanced on the journals. Much better for longevity (most semi's are I-6's). Hopefully someone can post the pictures that show the difference in component size between the Cummins and the others. There is no comparison nor doubt which engine is built for trucks. Also the short stroke V8's are meant to wind up higher to get their power. The D-Max may feel faster dry, but for pulling a load you want the engine that will give power down low.



Don't be sold by GM's hype about having the strongest engine. The D-Max is really tweaked to get what power it has, and can't go much higher without melting down. The Cummins is really choked-down to get the emmisions ratings Chrysler needed. For very little money (especially when you look at the price difference between GM & Dodge), the Cummins is easily capable of much higher numbers than Dodge gives it (or GM could ever dream about).



The aluminum heads in the D-Max are still very much an unknown. They have had a lot of problems with them so far. Even if they claim to have worked this out, there is no history to prove it. The Cummins is proven to be good for hundreds of thousands of miles.



Look in the engine bay of both, thinking of how easy it would be to work on them. You will save whether you do your own work, or pay to have someone else do it. With the help of this website, you'd be suprised how much you can learn/do by yourself.



You should be able to find a ton more information by using the search function above. After enough reading, you will have little doubt which way to turn. And, when you're ready to order, you should have little problems picking options.



Good luck!

 

[redneckdr]

which one

i faced the same decision backin june. initial cost + looks +past experience with both gm and dodge, + past experience with the cummins= my signature truck. i ain't looked back!!!! my owmbo (one who must be obeyed) really wanted a crew cab, also. she is totally happy that i held out for the dodge!!

now, if you go over to the shevvie site, and ask the same question, you'll get a different consensus, i suspect. in the end buy what you want. the dodge is cheaper up front. for what you would pay for a new shev, buy the dodge, add about $1000-1500 in mods, and blow the doors off every duramax you see--either dragging or pulling (and pocket the extra money for fuel)! and NO, i'm not prejudiced or biased!

 

[roycrown]

The chevy's engine is an IZUZU !! Can you live with that?

 

[CharlieMiller]

Which truck

I went down this same road. I decided on the Dodge. I drove both and looked them both over. I didn't like the way the interior was layed out and things also seemed cheap - same conclusion the Mrs. came to. I also was sold on the Duramax being unproven - I know how GM has been in the past and it didn't give me the warm and fuzzies. I also searched high and low many hours of research on various websites. Sorted out the BS and came to my decision that the Dodge was for me. I know that some people are brand loyal and I can respect them for that but I feel that Dodge has the best diesel truck around for many of the same reasons mentioned above. I have owned them all through the years and I'm not saying there is a perfect truck but do your homework so you can make an informed decision and won't have any regrets when you do take the plunge. They all have there quirks but all least by doing your homework you will know what they are and what is best "for you".

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

I've heard that the Chevy is having a 35% failure rate with there transmissions, and probably even worse with the motor.

 

[Pit Bull]

Go all of the way Get the Dodge 3500 QC 4x4 with the ETH and the 6 speed. You can then haul anything and it is the best looking truck. Plus it is a great value, check out Melton Sales on the internet, the truck I just discribed they sell for $32,800, not bad.

 

[JSoloman]

If a short bed is what you like, don't hesitate. Once I finally settled on the CTD, the quad cab short bed was a given. I'd been pulling a 5th wheel for awhile with a Chevy short bed with a slide hitch to take care of manuevering into tight spots. The hitch went into the back of the Dodge before I left the dealership. Works well for me.





Good luck with your choice!

 

[chuck3]

You mean to tell me chevy makes a DIESEL ? wow.

 

[jodog]

I have just two words CUMMINS ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RamStud139419850]

I,m currently shopping for a F-350 PSD. My growing boys and limited quad cab space is out of control. That sad excuse for a quad or crew, whatever Dodge is calling it is a disgrace! I love my Cummins, but cab space is a reality I don't think Dodge is stepping up to the plate. I wish I could get a Cummins in a F-350 CC, but for now, the PSD will have to do. I hope I'm not sorry for the change, but damn, if you can't run with the big dogs Dodge boys, stay on the porch! We all want a real crew cab, the only place I need those extra 3" is in my shorts

 

[emarsh]

This photo should tell it all.



#ad

 

[jodog]

Big boys use 6 inrow

Amen,that photo is proof that a picture is wirth a thousand words. I been around big trucks all my life Mack,CAT,Cummins,LEEKTROIT[if its 71 series] detroit if it is a 60 series[6 in a row] . an thats what a rod is suppose to look like.



If you have ever met a Mack guy or a cat guy[NOT hard to tell hat beltbuckle ] they act like there is nothing else made. Look him in the eye an ask about cummins reliabilty,these stuck up as---les even know not badmouth that part!!!!

 

[Charley]

I've got to go along with the rest and vote for Cummins. I did not want a diesel as my towing is only about 5% of my total driving and I spend a lot of time in my truck working. I work in the pipeline industry and run many thousands of dirt ROW throughout the year so 4X4 us a must. I pull a 15,000# fifth wheel so really should have bought a 3500. However I didn't want to spend that 95% of the time not pulling driving too much truck. Figured that when I did tow I would just take my time and let safety set my speed. Finally decided if I did have to have diesel it would have to be Cummins. I like the Dodge looks better than Ford and at the time the Chevy didn't have the new engine or transmission. Boils down to my choice was best bang for the buck to satisfy my high milage requirements. I've never been more right. My first truck was a std. cab 97 12 valve. For a very modest $800 it would outpull the Kenworths and Freightliners on the pull over the hill at Flagstaff and got excellant fuel economy. I wanted more goodies so traded up to 2001 quad cab, auto, 4. 10 axles. Lost the good fuel economy and since I haven't bombed yet go a little slower up the 8% grades now but I still go and am very happy with it for everyday driving. May retire in a few more years, I'm only 66 now and too young, and will probably trade for the 3500, 6 spd, with all bombs I can afford as towing versus riding around percentages will switch.



Don't know where you live but would bet there is a TDR Member somewhere near you that would be glad to show you around his truck.



Right now is the time to buy. Chaprell Dodge in Ada, Oklahoma normally carries over a hundred diesels in stock and will sell you anyone at invoice. If you are not an Okie, no problem, fly into Oklahoma City and they will pick you up for the 80 mile drive back to their shop, fill out the paper work and send you on your way with the MSO so you can register it and pay tax at home. I think they still have the 'no interest financing' till the end of the year so it doesn't make much sense to pay cash. Put the cash in a CD and actually make money by financing.



Charley

 

[GOakes]

Originally posted by boonsur

jrob,









From what I've been able to work out in my (quick and dirty) research of the diesel engines used in rolling stock, boonsur is 100% right. My question is, who is building a V-8 or other Vee configuration engine for trucks and who is installing those in new class 6 through 8 trucks (not pick-ups) ? Several manufacturers (Cummins and Cat amoung them) build large Vee configuration diesel engines for stationary and off road use where starting loads are low and space is limited (i. e. fire water pumps and stand-by generators).



Ford has used the Cummins 5. 9 liter (same engine as used in the Dodge Ram) in their F650 and some of the F750 trucks for several years. That's right when the "7. 3 L Power Stroke V8" can't handle the load Ford steps up to the 5. 9L Cummins I6.

High torque at low RPM is just too much stress for the smaller bearing area of the Vee engine. So far as I've been able to determine the only V8 diesel engines currently installed in new vehicles are in "Pick-up Trucks" (i. e. Ford & GM).