Current Diesels in SRW 1 tons, is one better than the other?

[MHWASH]

We've decided it's time for an upgrade. Current tow rig is a 2013 Chev. 2500 w/Duramax. I will buy another diesel, period. We were towing a 31' toy hauler with 50" SxS. We just switched to a traditional camper and bought a rack for the SxS to go in the back of the truck.

I'm not a die hard Chevy guy, but I've been extremely happy with this one. I'll admit though, I'm biased against Dodge. The Cummins is a great motor, but I feel the rest of the truck is cheap. I towed my Dad's set up, similar to mine, one time and didn't like how it towed compared to mine. His is a 2012 Dodge.

I'm just looking for real world facts. I'd buy another Duramax today and not look back, but I don't want to leave anything on the table by not looking at the Fords if they are equal to or somehow better than the Chevy/GMC.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

What’s your reasoning for getting rid of the one you have? The L5P (dmax) forums are absolutely full of the new trucks back to the dealer under warranty. Long as it’s covered it won’t cost much but being out of a truck while it’s getting fixed would piss me off.

 

[Weldor]

I run a 2500 Ram, my buddy did then traded for SRW 3500 ram. He kind of regrets just not airbagging his other rig. 11 ft cabover. He just does not like the stiff ride. I can't really tell the difference. Of course the gearing is different so his mileage suffers some. I ran powerstrokes ti the Megacab. I agree the Cummins tows just fine but feels different.

 

[mntnguide]

The 10 speed in the new Fords are pretty impressive if you are towing a lot. Have had multiple die-hard other brand fans who tow heavy equipment for a living switch to the Fords around here. From what I have seen, multiple friends with newer gmc/chevy with their trucks in the shop for Def related sensors and issues over and over. Dodge has a great motor, but I would agree, they fall apart underneath far faster than the other brands. My 19' F250 has done nothing but been a great truck for 80k miles. Just took the government B.S. out of it, and its a much happier truck and runs great.

 

[Weldor]

The 10 speed in the new Fords are pretty impressive if you are towing a lot. Have had multiple die-hard other brand fans who tow heavy equipment for a living switch to the Fords around here. From what I have seen, multiple friends with newer gmc/chevy with their trucks in the shop for Def related sensors and issues over and over. Dodge has a great motor, but I would agree, they fall apart underneath far faster than the other brands. My 19' F250 has done nothing but been a great truck for 80k miles. Just took the government B.S. out of it, and its a much happier truck and runs great.

If Ford made a Megacab, I would own one for sure. I really liked my 2016 crew.

 

[Reburn]

I really liked my 13 and 17 Dmax. I like my 23 chevy a touch less. I hear good things about ford. I wont buy another dodge. We had one in 10 and for the 90k it cost then it was the worst ride and lost its front end as fast as any other dodge.

My order would be
Gmc
Ford

 

[bowhuntercoop]

The new 25 rams are not the same. Go drive one, will be blown away. That 6.7 with the new 8 speed is the best driving combo to date. I’ve had everything. Like a shit ton of trucks, 15 plus diesels.

Sold my 22 power stroke to go back to a 5.9 Cummins for reliability and soooo easy to make power.

No questions asked today would be a new ram, then the power strokes. Couldn’t pay to buy another dmax newer then 06. The current ones are terrible quality imo. My next one will be a 25 plus once delete kits are available for them.

Will keep my baby and pass it down to one of the kids. Built trans, 30 overs, charger, headstuds, basic build that makes 600-700 usable horsepower and is a blast to drive. With the airbags on the rear I’ve had zero complaints towing 15-20k with it. Rocket ship and pulling machine. Just hit 125k on the old girl.

 

[MHWASH]

What’s your reasoning for getting rid of the one you have? The L5P (dmax) forums are absolutely full of the new trucks back to the dealer under warranty. Long as it’s covered it won’t cost much but being out of a truck while it’s getting fixed would piss me off.

Reason for the upgrade is our current truck is the Work Truck trim. Manual windows, arm rests have no cushion, ect. We bought this truck when the boys were little and didn't drive too far too often. Now that were empty nesters, were going on more this further away.

 

[180ls1]

but I feel the rest of the truck is cheap.

This has somewhat flipped in recent years. The chevys are much more cheap feeling than the dodges.

I am sure some will disagree.

 

[brca005]

I had a 21 F350 dually for towing our 44ft fifth wheel while we lived in it, I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the motor and transmission combo. I also did a lot of reading powerstroke forums and no one was complaining about the 6.7L and 10 speed combo. Going up and down steep grades (with the exhaust brake), it handled it great, the transmission wasn’t constantly switching gears, same with going back up the steep grades, it would stick in one gear and go. It’s got a ton of power and aside from starting and stopping, I couldn’t tell the fifth wheel was back there.

If you do go with a powerstroke, I believe Ford is finally fixing the CP4 issue (I also could be wrong but I thought I saw something about Ford replacing it), if it does have a CP4 in it, I would highly recommend the S&S disaster prevention kit. Out the door for kit and install, it was around $1200 for me, I looked at it as a cheap insurance policy for if it ever grenaded then it was mostly contained and would just have to buy a new pump and labor, then having to shell out $15K for a new fuel system. S&S also has a CP4 replacement, the technology on it is pretty cool and what I would’ve replaced the CP4 with had mine grenaded.

If I was to buy another diesel today, I’d buy a powerstroke without hesitation and have full confidence in the motor to do anything and everything I wanted it to do.

I honestly think Ford has things figured out since bringing everything in house and also are the ones who have figured out the silly emissions, to still get a ton of power without choking the engine. I’ll also say, deleting a diesel, is one of the best things you can do to it and improve longevity.

 

[Sunshine40]

I've been a life long dodge guy. Ie had a few 2nd and 3rd gen cummins and I agree, killer motor, the rest of the truck falls apart and feels kinda cheap.

I recently got a new 5th gen and I really think ram got it right with those trucks. Its super comfortable and the interior in my opinion is nicer then the comparative ford or chevy. I'd consider taking a second look at them.

 

[Skerhunter]

2020+ plus trucks ford vs gm - they are more similar now than they have ever been with the exception of the front end. For me the GM ride is more comfortable (currently pull trailers with a 19 3500 gmc and 19 f350) but not a deal breaker.

GM has a better warranty still.

Dodge trucks have been banned from our place. Last two we owned (14 and 18) were constantly broke down. Mostly with transmission/drive train issues. New ones our neighbors/friends have bought are no different and constant issues.

 

[Marshfly]

I have had 2014 and 2019 Cummins in 3500 SRW trucks. The 2019 was significantly better than the 2014, especially with the deeper axle ratio it came with. Zero issues with either.

That said I bought a 2023 Ford F350 SRW King Ranch with the HO 6.7 and 10speed last fall. Holy SH!t. Absolutely mind-blowing. Smooth as hell. Power everywhere. Like jaw dropping power. That engine/transmission combo is a must drive if you are shopping for a current diesel.

 

[Bc3006]

The new dodges definitely have better build quality than the older ones. Cummins are still great, but much more electronics these days

 

[Robobiss]

I have a ‘17 2500 Cummins that has been fairly trouble free. It tows a 14k pound or so trailer often enough, and has a 1k pound snowplow hung off of the front of it for half the year, and pushes lots and lots of snow.

It has 165k on the clock. In the last two years it has had both front wheel bearings (one was bad, replaced the other for fun) both front U-joints (one was bad, replaced the other one for fun) and upper and lower ball joints on each side. All of the parts that were replaced were original. For a truck that gets beat on and drives on crap roads with a big heavy diesel engine+1,000 pounds of snowplow, I think that’s alright.

Aside from “wear parts”. I’ve replaced a NOX sensor (5 minute job in the driveway) and I had a hell of a time chasing an ABS issue that turned out to be a broken wire in the main harness running along the frame from the front to the back of the truck. I just completely replaced those wires.

 

[jimh406]

First, I'm not caught up with all of the brand specific issues. I'm driving a 2010.

Most of the issues seem to be around the fuel system/injectors. Unfortunately, all of the brands source parts from the same suppliers. There is a specific bolt falling into the cylinder issue with Cummins. Cummins isn't what it used to be.

I'd take a look at all of the recent diesel issues. Personally, I'd avoid a newer one for the reason that people haven't found all of the issues yet. Btw, each of the brands have brand specific sites. I'd go look at them before spending my money.

I'd also test drive one of the newer gasoline engines like the Ford 7.3 and Chevy 6.6. Those two do a lot better than gasoline engines of the past. Of course, regular gasoline is a lot more available than diesel and doesn't require DEF. I believe diesels still have more range though.

 

[Fowl Play]

Almost at 120k miles and just put another 15k miles on my F350 6.7 this year in the mountains from Colorado to Montana towing a 20,000lb fifth wheel fully loaded (per CAT scale). Wonderful ride. Engine and transmission is a monster. Doing it again this year. Don’t have experience with the other diesels besides test driving them and purchasing the Ford. But I would definitely give them a look.

 

[Marshfly]

First, I'm not caught up with all of the brand specific issues. I'm driving a 2010.

Most of the issues seem to be around the fuel system/injectors. Unfortunately, all of the brands source parts from the same suppliers. There is a specific bolt falling into the cylinder issue with Cummins. Cummins isn't what it used to be.

I'd take a look at all of the recent diesel issues. Personally, I'd avoid a newer one for the reason that people haven't found all of the issues yet. Btw, each of the brands have brand specific sites. I'd go look at them before spending my money.

I'd also test drive one of the newer gasoline engines like the Ford 7.3 and Chevy 6.6. Those two do a lot better than gasoline engines of the past. Of course, regular gasoline is a lot more available than diesel and doesn't require DEF. I believe diesels still have more range though.

You live in Montana, Jim. The only place that doesn't have diesel is Costco.

 

[jimh406]

You live in Montana, Jim. The only place that doesn't have diesel is Costco.

I never tried to buy diesel there, but in any case, not everyone lives in MT.