We used GM 3/4 ton trucks at my previous job. Rode hard with lots of weight, fast speeds, and lots of miles. Not sure why I still drive Ford's.
6.2 with 3.73 gears? Definitely an underwhelming combo. Now, the 7.3 with 4.30's is in a whole different universe.
My Dad had a 2004 and now he has a 2006. Both manuals. It is crazy that those batteries lasted that long. Great trucks for sureHa, ha, IDK but no bs. I bought the truck new in ‘03 and just changed the batteries out last year for the first time. It’s always been garage kept but I work 12 hour shifts at a hospital and it’s never plugged in when I’m at work. For four years I worked night shift and there were many winter nights that got down to close to -30° and it always fired right up the next morning.
The stock lift pump went out at around 60,000 miles which was covered under the warranty, lost my first transmission at just over 70,000 and warranty went ahead and covered that one as well, then lost my second transmission at around 200,000, hence the reason why I wish I would’ve bought the manual. Also had a couple injectors go bad at around 150,000 or so, but other than those problems, nothing else. It’s my daily driver and basically no rust to speak of either. The only rust is a little bit of surface rust on the bottom of the tailgate.
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What kind of fuel u getting in that 7.3 gas city highway, and pulling, if you'd share
This is interesting and helpful feedback comparing the Cummins to the Hemi. I'm surprised by your Cummins mileage towing as my GF's '12 (deleted) only manages 9.5-10.5 mpg (hand calc) towing her 22 ft toyhauler. I'm always surprised it's so low. My buddy's parents have a similar truck with the 6.4 Hemi, but tow a lighter TT and get 8-9mpg traveling in similar areas, but their camper is a little lighter. Good to see a direct comparison with the same trailer.
This is also very helpful. I've been surprised by the no engine braking comments here and elsewhere, and don't understand it. A gasser shouldn't need an exhaust brake as it has a throttle body to restrict air thru the engine... so maybe it's a function of the transmission instead. My '06 Dmax van has a 4L85E trans and does not have engine braking, and it's because of the transmission (I forget exactly why). The Allison definitely has excellent engine braking, same with the '12 Cummins 6 sp. The new 6.6L GM gasser looks like a great engine, but by backing it with the 6L90, maybe it's similar to my 4L85 and can't engine brake?
This is the thing that kills me when it comes to people recommending diesels... yes, in OPs circumstances(and people who haul a lot of weight frequently) you can't beat a diesel.
You’re missing nothing, but you’re also driving a pre-2007 emissions truck.So, here’s my take. If back in 2003, Toyota offered a true full size, crew cab, 1 ton diesel pick up, I would’ve bought one, and I’d probably still be driving it today. Now, that not being the case, I looked at the big three options that would best fit my needs and bought a Dodge/Cummins. My initial needs were something that would fit a small family (3 at that time, but eventually 4), be able to haul a 3000 lb. slide in camper, and tow a modest boat. This vehicle would also serve as my daily driver to and from work, etc. The fully loaded truck, with every option available at the time, ended up costing me just over $37,000. To date I have just over 250,000 miles on the vehicle, and aside from warranty repairs (lift pump and transmission), and general maintenance costs ie., brake jobs, oil/filter/fuel filter changes (every 10,000 miles), tires, and any other add-ons that were my choice, I have an additional, approx. $12,000-$14,000 into this truck currently. This includes another transmission, front end work, fuel injectors, and some minor electrical repairs. For the last 10 years, give or take, I’ve been averaging about $1000 a year in maintenance/repair costs. Whenever the thought crosses my mind to purchase a new truck, I consider replacement cost of around $70,000, give or take, and it makes no sense to me. If I continue to put $1000 a year into this vehicle, and continue to drive it for the next 18 years, at the rate I’m going, that’ll put me at around 500,000 miles, having owned it for about 36 years with an approx. total cost of $70,000 or an average of about $2,000/year, from new, not including insurance.
Please let me know if I’m missing something here, other than USB ports.
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You can get a new Cummins tradesman for that price. You don’t need a 3500 for that weight, a 2500 will work just fine. I have a 2020 2500 Cummins Bighorn and its rated to tow like 20k lbs. its a beast. Look at most of the commercial towers on the interstate, they are driving cummins. Best engine out there.
