F250 6.4 vs GM 2500 6.6

[Frac999]

What does the forum readers prefer to pull a 5th wheel with either the F250 Powerstroke or the GM 2500 6.6 Duramax. And any reason why.

[Lued]

I had a Ford 6.0 diesel, if I had it to do over, I would go with the Chevy Duramax.

[Hitchhiker]

I pull with a Duramax, it does a great job and is a strong engine. I had 3 of the Ford 7.3 liter Powerestrokes that were also great engines but when Ford went to the 6.0 and 6.4 liter engines they gave up a lot in dependability and reliability. My vote would be for the Duramax.

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker I pull with a Duramax, it does a great job and is a strong engine. I had 3 of the Ford 7.3 liter Powerestrokes that were also great engines but when Ford went to the 6.0 and 6.4 liter engines they gave up a lot in dependability and reliability. My vote would be for the Duramax.

i had a 1992, 7.3 idi, an 02 7.3 and a 06 6.0 powerstroke.
my 6.0 was a gem, pulled great, 12-13 mpg pulling the fiver,
died in blue ford guy, not really
i just liked the towing capacities and features that made me feel comfortable
the trailer brake controller was a fantastic item, cooling was superb even at 70 in 100 degree desert heat
now the game has changed, gm and ford are strong contenders in the rv pulling machine arena, with features we need.
i would drive all three and read read read and get what is important to YOU,
what scares me is seeing a 3/4 tons truck pulling a 20k fiver.
i see it everyday dodge gm and ford guys, then add a towed behind the fiver and they drive like its a racecar.
get real world weights of the towed load and then get a truck with enough capacity and reserve to handle it safely

[450Donn]

Neither! First I would never again consider a 3/4 ton anything for a fiver. Just way too much pin weight for the typical 3/4 ton.
Second, the 6.4L Ford is all brand new, new motor new emission systems and totally unproven. I would shy away for at least one to two years.
The GM Duramax, while basically a carry over it again is all new emissions along with changes to the motor to produce more power. After fighting one I would not consider a new D'max for at least one to two years to let them get the systems ironed out.
There is actually only one system that has been in use for more than a few weeks, Dodge. Do yourself a big favor and check out the new Dodge before jumping into an unknown.

[TXiceman]

Right now, if I had to buy new, I'd go with the DuraMax and that is after two 7.3L Fords. As for the 3/4 ton truck, make sure you have enough GVWR on the truck to carry the pin weight without over loading.

Ken

[wingnut60]

I believe the 6.4L is in the '08/'09/'10 PSDs--not exactly an unproven engine. Could you have said that in late '07--yes. Now its the '11 that is unproven.
Joe

[travelinfool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frac999 What does the forum readers prefer to pull a 5th wheel with either the F250 Powerstroke or the GM 2500 6.6 Duramax. And any reason why.

I drove a Ford F-250 w/the 6 litre diesel for a short time. Great truck and engine combination for a 28ft light weight travel trailer. Traded it for an '07 Chev 3500 with Allison and Durmax combo duelie when we bought our 39 ft McKenzie 5th wheel. We're near max on loads (16,600 lbs) on the Chev. The Ford is weight rated higher. Poor fuel mileage on the Chev. No matter pulling or empty, we get between 10.5 and 12.5 mpg. Engine has 41,000 miles on it and is box-stock.

Good Luck,

[SuperGewl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frac999 What does the forum readers prefer to pull a 5th wheel with either the F250 Powerstroke or the GM 2500 6.6 Duramax. And any reason why.

Not enough information to help you. What TT/5th wheel you plan on pulling is a big factor. If the truck is not rated for the job then it just doesn't matter which one.
Decide on the 5th wheel then ensure you get enough truck to pull it safely with. Use the GVWR and hitch weight of the 5th wheel to help determine that.
As far as trucks each has it's good and bad things. Choise the options you want and what you like the best. As far as the engines and Trannies, I can say that if most could have what they really wanted they would choose the Cummins with an Alison combo, however you can't get it in a Light duty truck. If you move up to a MDT you can get it but be prepared to pay thru the nose. Your only other step between the two are the F450 and Ram chassis Cabs, GM got out of it due to restructering.
these trucks are designed for up-fitters and heavy towing so don't expect good around town mileage, but they will get the heaviest of 5th wheels moving down the road.

Right now as far as trucks the 2011 Fords Super Duties tout some good specs as well as the GM and Dodges so choose your options wisely.

[Frank P. Martin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelinfool No matter pulling or empty, we get between 10.5 and 12.5 mpg.

I'm getting pretty much the same fuel mileage as you with my 2009 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Allison that has almost 8,000 miles on it. The only time I got anything better is on highway driving empty. Then I got 18-19 MPG.

Although I got a lot better fuel mileage on my 1996 Ford F-250 PowerStroke on local driving when empty, the difference in power between it and the 2009 GMC is like night and day. The GMC would blow it away.

[pthomann]

I noticed on your post that you are getting 18-19mpg empty with your 2009. I have a 2008 with 53k miles and am only getting 16.5 empty. Do you have a chip in yours or is it stock? Is there something I should be doing differently with mine?

[Frank P. Martin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthomann I noticed on your post that you are getting 18-19mpg empty with your 2009. I have a 2008 with 53k miles and am only getting 16.5 empty. Do you have a chip in yours or is it stock? Is there something I should be doing differently with mine?

Please note (I should have highlighted it) that the 18-19 MPG was with highway driving when empty. The MPG would have been even higher, but about a quarter of that tank of fuel was burned in local driving, thus reducing the overall MPG for that tank of suel.

BTW- My Duramax is 100% stock (and so was my 1996 F-250 PowerStroke). I'm sure I'll eventually find one, but I have yet to encounter a hill, when towing, that the Duramax was unable to maintain the posted speed limit.