New Pick-Up Comments

[ExcelRVGuy]

Good morning,

Ok, here's the deal..... We use Dodge 3500 DRW's Standard Tranny's for our delivery fleet. We have been using them for 20 years.

It's time to buy a new pick up and retire one of our old tired ones. I have heard good things about the new GMC (Chevy) Duramax/Allison

I have also heard good things about Ford.

We usually put about 400K miles on a truck before retiring it and would be interested in hearing good and bad reports concerning each of the Big 3 before making a purchase decision.

I'm not interested in getting into a debate about all the reasons we should be using MDT or HDT's.

Just wondering what kind of luck you are having with Ford and GM compared to Dodge.

All comments will be appreciated.

Bryan

[LindaH]

Bryan, IMO the Cummins is the best of the "Big 3" diesel engines, although the Duramax/Allison combination is hard to beat. I personally don't like the Powerstroke...I don't know about the new engines, but pre-ULSD engines were far less fuel efficient than either the Cummins or the Duramax.

The other thing to take into consideration is weight ratings. When we were looking for a pickup back in 2007, Ford had the highest weight ratings, with Chevy next and Dodge last. I don't know how the current crop of trucks rank in that regard.

[RustyJC]

See signature - 24,500 GCWR (enough for my needs).

Rusty

[Aarondeere]

I've been following this over on the trailer life forum for a few months and from what I can tell the new Ford and GM twins haven't had any real issues. They both now require urea which can be a pain on how you look at it (Dodge doesn't YET) but on the upside they are getting much better fuel economy empty compared to the Dodge though pulling I haven't really seen that much better. Ford/GM offer much higher towing capacity along with much more hp/torque. I test drove a new Ford but ended up going with a 3500 Dodge. Here's my take:

Ford Pro's
Most hp/torque
High tow ratings
Nice interior

Ford Con's
HIGH price tag
Urea
New engine/transmission

GM Pro's
Almost equal hp/torque to Ford
High tow ratings
New frame with larger tires
Good transmission

GM Con's
Not as high a price tag as Ford but close
New engine (60% is new)
Old carryover interior

Dodge Pro's
New interior (I think its the best in class)
New true crew cab
Proven engine/transmission (Been out since 07) so bugs are worked out or should be I hope.
No urea
Cheapest of the 3 by a long shot when comparing out the door price and incentives (More than offset the fuel economy difference for me)

Dodge Con's
Lowest hp/torque compared to Ford/GM
Lowest tow rating
Lowest fuel economy

Hope this helps


Forgot to say...I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three.

[jaird]

Brian, your 400k milage might limit you to the Cummins engine. Both Ford and Chevy are lighter duty engines.

[rockintom]

Bryan,

Boy do you know how to get this crowd riled up!!! I think this is your way of using a passive-aggressive behavior to get back for us picking on you with our comments on Excel!!! I love it!

Of course my opinion is quite biased but I think you should take a peek at the new GM. I've done a deep dive on it and it looks like to me it's gonna be a good one. I don't know where some of the previous comments are coming from....I think more from hear say and not facts. The Duramax/Allison is not all new, just upgaded a bit for more fuel mileage, cleaner emissions, and more HP and torque.

My old '05 Chevy 1 ton (Tugger) has been great. He has 92,000 miles and purring like a kitten. I do take good care of him. I had a speedo issue and a left rear axle seal go out while under warranty. Not bad, considering about 65,000 miles are towing. Even got 72,000 miles on the original set of upgraded Goodyear tires.

I have a friend that had the same truck as mine (runs dealer traded cars on a flat bed) and he traded it in on a new Chevy just because he was getting nervous cause it had 489,000 miles! He has had minumal repairs done in it's life.

Like you say the big 3 will and do have good trucks.

I don't know how quick I'd want to jump into a new Ford with the all Ford designed engine, though.

Besides, Pete and Duanna need to have a nice ride to the RGV next winter!!! They stay in a nice rig....why not a nice truck to take them there??? rockin'

[Aarondeere]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Bryan, Boy do you know how to get this crowd riled up!!! I think this is your way of using a passive-aggressive behavior to get back for us picking on you with our comments on Excel!!! I love it! Of course my opinion is quite biased but I think you should take a peek at the new GM. I've done a deep dive on it and it looks like to me it's gonna be a good one. I don't know where some of the previous comments are coming from....I think more from hear say and not facts. The Duramax/Allison is not all new, just upgaded a bit for more fuel mileage, cleaner emissions, and more HP and torque. My old '05 Chevy 1 ton (Tugger) has been great. He has 92,000 miles and purring like a kitten. I do take good care of him. I had a speedo issue and a left rear axle seal go out while under warranty. Not bad, considering about 65,000 miles are towing. Even got 72,000 miles on the original set of upgraded Goodyear tires. I have a friend that had the same truck as mine (runs dealer traded cars on a flat bed) and he traded it in on a new Chevy just because he was getting nervous cause it had 489,000 miles! He has had minumal repairs done in it's life. Like you say the big 3 will and do have good trucks. I don't know how quick I'd want to jump into a new Ford with the all Ford designed engine, though. Besides, Pete and Duanna need to have a nice ride to the RGV next winter!!! They stay in a nice rig....why not a nice truck to take them there??? rockin'

Hey Rockin....no rumors there. Here's the link GM Announces Best-In-Class Power Figures for 2011 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 Diesel - PickupTrucks.com News Good stuff. While the Duramax is a great engine I read somewhere it's about at its limits in this design unlike the Ford which has much more possibility. Not bashing GM but with all these new emissions coming into effect, GM and Ford had to really change stuff around.

[Still Working "NOT"]

No opinion, since I'm a HDT guy.

I stay away from new engines and trucks for two years until they get the bugs worked out then see how they hold up. I'm a Ford person but until they get their engine working correctly I'd stay away from it.

Dodge has had great engine's but I don't like their looks.

GM, believe Tom should know. Did I really say that?

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Bryan, Of course my opinion is quite biased but I think you should take a peek at the new GM.

So far I think all the above responces chose their own TV as thier first choice...

Sorry Rockin' your not alone. I think we all have our own bias on TV or 5th wheel or what ever.

Here is a link I posted earlier by PickupTrucks.com. They compared all the Mfg trucks and gave their OPINIONS. It might be usefull.

They also did an article on Ford's increase in torque to 800 lbs and HP to 400.

I'm sure that Bryan's needs are way different than mine....most others might be also. My TV is a daily driver, sometimes I work out of the truck and need to carry the Family, all of them...at times. Towing the Beast around is secondary for me and primary hauler for Bryan. I never considered the Dodge, as hard as I tried...GM didn't fill my needs and made the best 'choice' for me in the end. A 2011, F-350. But this is my bias.


workhorse

[jaird]

Various sites indicate average time between overhaul:
Cummins 6.7---350,000 miles
Ford 6.7-------300,000 miles
Duramax6.6----250,000 Miles

Both the 2011 Ford and the 2011 Duramax require Diesel Exhaust Fluid(Urea). The 2011 Dodge/Cummins in pickup trucks dosen't require Urea. Urea costs approximately $10/Gal at a local Chevy dealer and consumption will be proportional to the amount of fuel used. A Chevy site indicates 5gal./5000 miles but did not say whether this was bob-tail or pulling a load.

Time will tell if the projected fuel economy for the Ford and Chevys will offset the cost of the urea and the maintenance of the urea injection systems.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workshop So far I think all the above responces chose their own TV as thier first choice...

Ummmm....well, yeah. If I had thought a Ford or GM was a better truck and had a better engine than a Cummins, I wouldn't have written a check for a Dodge!

Rusty

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Ummmm....well, yeah. If I had thought a Ford or GM was a better truck and had a better engine than a Cummins, I wouldn't have written a check for a Dodge! Rusty

Rusty,

But the Cummins is just a part of the Dodge, and the Cummins is darn good....but it's only part of the package.

See Bryan what you started.....but it does get us off fussin' over our coaches for a change!

This thread is the same old thing as we've seen for years when it comes to the "best truck". As my dear ol' Dad used to said....it's like women....they's all good, just some are better than others!!!

[RustyJC]

Tom,

Everyone is going to weigh the variables differently. To me, the Cummins was the most important part of the package - it's a proven quantity, and my previous Cummins have been bulletproof. With the 68RFE 6-speed automatic (it's a proven quantity also) and the new HD crew cab bodies that Dodge introduced in 2010 (take a look at the Laramie interiors - this ain't your Grandpa's Dodge any more), there was nothing in the Dodge package that was significantly overshadowed by Ford or GM.

Others will see it differently and make other choices, and that's OK. My point was, why would one reasonably expect anyone to recommend anything other than what their evaluation led to as the best choice?? Of course we're going to recommend what we voted for with our wallets - just like we would do with our 5th wheels unless bad experience with our choice would lead us to choose something different next time.

Rusty

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Tom, Everyone is going to weigh the variables differently. To me, the Cummins was the most important part of the package - it's a proven quantity, and my previous Cummins have been bulletproof. With the 68RFE 6-speed automatic (it's a proven quantity also) and the new HD crew cab bodies that Dodge introduced in 2010 (take a look at the Laramie interiors - this ain't your Grandpa's Dodge any more), there was nothing in the Dodge package that was significantly overshadowed by Ford or GM. Others will see it differently and make other choices, and that's OK. My point was, why would one reasonably expect anyone to recommend anything other than what their evaluation led to as the best choice?? Of course we're going to recommend what we voted for with our wallets - just like we would do with our 5th wheels unless bad experience with our choice would lead us to choose something different next time. Rusty

Rusty,

Well said! I guess I was generally referring to the road noise, ride characteristics, and interior trim in the past. I do understand that Dodge has addressed some of those issues. With that said, I you really didn't care about that stuff.......dollar for dollar the Dodge is the best bet. Some of my perceptions about Dodge trucks may be based on my history of the few that I rode, drove and towed in a few short years ago! In all fairness,I haven't been in a new one for almost 2 years. rockin'