Need advice on a tow vehicle!
 

I am trying to decide between the following:

Dodge 3500 Crew Cab SLT with Cummings

GMC 3500 Crew Cab (base) with 6.6 Duramax

Pros:

Dodge is fairly loaded, and 3k cheaper

GMC is slightly larger and appears to have a edge in quality

Cons:

I can find about 100 Dodge 3500s in town, and only about 2 GMCs

GMC is a base model - no power windows, cruise, etc.

This will not be an everyday driver, however.

It will be towing a Donzi 38Zr.

Weight: 8300 pounds (minimum race weight) plus equipment, fuel, and triple axle Myco trailer. I would guess the total to be around 10,500 pounds (?).

either one will tow it just fine... I prefer the GMC only becuse I have driven it, and I own a Chevy 2500HD.... I have not driven the new cummins...

I'd go for the Dodge !
That little 6 cylinder sure does keep up with those big V8 diesels just fine !:D

Anybody else?

Need more info. . . any more GMC proponents.

Is the 3500 Dodge single or dually ? I have the specs and it looks like both can max out trailer at 13950 lb or 15800 with HO diesel.

Both are dually long beds, and both are automatics.

Then your looking at recommened trailer weight of 13,950 and GCWR of 21,000.

I work at a Chevy/Dodge dealership. I drive a Dodge, but ONLY because I got a rediculous deal on it. I've since subscribed to the TDR (turbo diesel register-for cummins diesel owners only). Let me tell you non-Dodge diesel guys that these things can be made to ROCK:eek: , however at the expense of loosing your warranty!
Overall the truck is fine, 2500 quadcab 4wd w/4.10 LS. I'm getting right at 18 MPG in city/hwy combo driving. I feel OK driving the Dodge with it's 7yr 100k warranty on everything! I'm towing approx 10,000lbs too!

Now since I'm the manager in Chevrolet (don't ask about me buying a Dodge:crazy: :rolleyes: ), the Duramax/Allison combo is
awesome. It is true that the setup costs more, but you get what you pay for. The Chevrolet should ride better, have more power and have less trouble than the Dodge (in my opinion). However,
both should get the job done.

Good luck!
Steve

I'd drive right past the Dodge and Chevy dealer and get the new 6.0 Ford.:D I know everyone likes to make jokes about Ford but they are the most used vehicle for Ambulances and tow trucks for a reason. I just know of too many problems with both the Dodge and Chevy trans. Engines are great but they have not figured out how to get the power to the ground.

GM, the tranny along is worth it. Saves on brakes and is as good as it gets. Wonder why one cost more and you can't find any? Can APBA get you a deal on one since you will be towing a race boat? I'm sure they want as many GM trucks towing race boats as they can get. It's not what you know but who you know. Couple of GM dealers here on the board that might be able to help. :) :cool:

Do you think maybe because they cost so much less and when you are just putting a flunky in the drivers seat it will save the co. a whole lot of money on thier fleet. Ever notice what the boss man drives? Just something to think about?:) :cool:

I know you Ford and Dodge guys are not going to like this, but pulling that Straight Front Axle is all over the road. I pulled with a Dodge and Chevy 3/4. Hands down the chevy feels way more under control! Have you read anything about that Duramax? That motor has went through more test then anyother truck motor. They put that motor under full load for 2500 hours, two times more than most motors. They also ran the motor at normal temp for 3 hours or so and ran ICE COLD water through the block and had very few problems. Resale on a Gm is higher than anyother truck.

we have a 2003 dodge cumming ho 6 speed 373 gears and ive all redy busted seaveral power strokes butt i love my new dodge 2500 srw rides good drove the power stroke ther is nothing at all wrong with it great truck but i love my dodge 305 hp 555 pft and 500 miles to a tank an'it bad my cousin has a 6 lt ps and loves it 17 miles gallon is the best he can get

oh allmost for got the dodge and ford have SOLID axels they woint break like the ifs do dana 60 with 1.88 diamter axel compair to gm 1.00 in shaft and dana 80s inback

chev or gmc duramax
 

I just bought a 2003 2500hd Duramax with the allison tranny 2 weeks ago and it is the most awsome tow machine I have owned. I replaced a one ton with the 454 and this out tows in every way. I tow a dump trailer that when full is around 12000 pds and also a bobcat trailer that is as heavy. The allison changes down in the tow mode and pulls up any hill easy.
Mark.

I can't offer any advice on which vehicle but your estimates on your total weight are pretty low. A triple axle Myco should weigh around 3000 pounds for steel and 10 to 15 % less for aluminum according to the rep at Myco I spoke with. (I know aluminum usually has better weight savings but not according to Myco. They say it has to do with their construction) Add a tank of fuel plus other fluids and you are easily at 13,000 lbs.

I own a Ford and would buy one again but if I had to pick over the other two, I would go with Dodge. I prefer the Cummings and the Dodge looks better.
Sorry Chevy fans.

If you can keep an automatic transmission in the Ford or the Dodge long enough to tow something, then I say go with it. But, if you want a truck that will back-up its value then go with the Chevy. I have pulled with the Dodge and the Chevy. Both over 13,000 lbs and the Chevy sure does ride nice.

Bobby , Thats a easy answer Chevy/GMC. i know a guy you has one for use for the season, drop me a line if intrested.

Allison 1000 transmission makes the Chevy the best in towing.

I have a chevy 2001 3500 dully with the Duramax and every option, 25,000 miles. My Cig & trailer weight is 14,040 lbs and it pulls like a dream. I like it so much I just ordered a new one yesterday. I like some of the new options. Someone can own mine for payoff if they want it, $ 30,000 or make me an offer.

Fountain1fan, How do you like the 6 speed tranny? Have heard several talk about starting in 4th gear, believe they call it progressive shifting in the big rigs. Was told you can use one gear in town from a stop light to 40+ mph. Any truth to the “fewer shifts” advertisement?

Just some more info,
The new Dodge supposedly has a new automatic. Hopefully it is better than the last one. Although I keep hearing how week the current one is and know a lot of people including myself that have these and have had no problems. Some of the trucks have close to 100k on the trannys pulling 11,000 racecar trailers.

Yes the new Chevy is awesome and the Allison is suppost to be the God of all trans's but it will cost you. Also I'm still waiting to see how those Izusu motors will be around 200k miles. I know my Cummins will last that long...It's just the truck I'm worried about:D

Both trucks will do the job . Honestly the dodge does have more problems then the chevy . THe dodge is a little quieter at idle but makes the same noise as it did when running down the road . The 2003 dodge and chevy make good power . Up till now the dodge seamed to get the best milage .I haven't checked it lately .

When you ask people their opinion , you have to ask thoes that have had these trucks of the same year ! YOu can't compare a 2003 Dodge to a 1995 ford or chevy or vise versa !

MY opinion from many miles of experience in all of them
Right this minute ,

Chevy has the trans if you want an automatic. Power is good .
I just had a 2003 chevy for 2 months ,got rid of it . Didn't like the way it drives and neither did anyone else that I let drive it .

dodge's power is good but makes the most noise and has the most problems with front ends ,brakes , and frames (again, my experience). but may get better fuel milage then the chevy. 1-2 mpg.

I keep coming back to Ford. I have had several of every year model f350's. LOVE them ! The only bad thing about a Ford is the automatic but I wouldn't buy an automatic in a truck if you payed me ! POwer is great , ride is great, and have never had a problem with one since 1985 (glow plugs bad ) . Granted ,I don't keep them long . Some 50-60k miles some not . NOw that they have the new 6 litre and new trans I would bet that it will be the way to go ! I wish mine would get here soon .......:( I've sold 4 F350s' and 1 excusion to customers but it figures mine is the one that got lost in the makings !!:mad:

Make your own choice and get the good warrentee !!!:p And yes , There are many power aids to help it go faster !! ( Thanks for the plug "CAT" ) ;) They may not be needed but sure are fun ! :D I sell most brands but I do have my preferences for each truck .

D_Casten As for the six speed , Ford has a "LOW,1,2,3,4,5. you normaly start in 1 whitth 3.73 gears which is pretty low , you could start in 2 if you want . Dodge has 1,2,3,4,5,6. Same thing , 1 is a "low hole" .start in 2 but very low ,could start in 3 if empty . you'll Never start in 3rd in a ford or 4 th in a dodge . HAven't seen a chevy with a manual behind the D-max yet .
As for big trucks ,In my kenworth with the 10 speed I start in 3rd loaded or 4th empty and jump to 5th, 7th ,8,9,10. With an 18 speed I start in 4th and go to 7,,10, 13,,16,17,18. Only 250 rpm's betweeen shifts .YOu can skip a few with big power !!




Hope this helps . JOE

Dodge 3500 Crew Cab SLT with Cummings

I have a 2500 with the Cummings and I love it.;)

Last race season our tow vehicle was a 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Duramax daully crewcab .We tow @ 15000 miles & averaged 12-13 mpg.This truck easily towed my 42' fountain /myco trailor at 70-80 mph. We sold this same ''KING OF ALL DAULLYS "to several other race teams with the same results.This season we added a chip to our 2003 GMC (90 EXTRA HP) .We pick up to 16-17mpg towing with more power than Ford or Dodge....

BIGOAKSOFFSHORE.COM P2-32

Hey CAT, WHo's this boot guy your talkin about ?!?!:crazy:

Now that sounds like some suckin up from a guy that wants the best price on his ranger chip .:D :D

I would bet the best one would be a super chip . They only make good stuff for ford gas engines and nothing else ! My second choice for your would be Diablo . They work real well when they work !!:rolleyes: I would imagine they got the bugs worked out by now .that was last year . They make about the most power if they got them working right . I have honest contacts at the companies I can find the truth ! I sell hypertech and hypermax too . Wouldn't recomend them for you .

The only thing is , you HAVE TO RUN PREMIUM !!! Thats how they make their power . More timing and better fuel . I havent' done a 6 cylinder ranger yet . I have one too but I think we should experiment on yours !!!!:D :D Send me your e-mail address to [email protected] and I'll send you back some info and prices . JOE

Don't forget over 97% of the powerstrokes placed in service since 94 are still running. Don't know what the Dodge Cummins numbers are. I am interested to see how the Izuzus are holding up at 200,000 + miles.

I have driven both and are both excellent choices.

However the new HO Cummins with the new 5 spd auto would be my choice. The engine is proven and I think that Dodge finally has their stuff together with the new truck. Plus you can get up to 20% off msrp...I drove a Hemi with the 5 spd and it is incredible!!

The Allison is a nice setup too but i have had a couple friends that have had problems with theirs...Not to mention that they paid about $6k more than what a nicer equipped Dodge would have been. The Dodge has the stiffest ride out of all the big dually's, but it is a sacrific to have the strongest truck available.

I have driven fords since '95 but next truck(hopefully soon) will be the new Dodge quad cab 4x4 Cummins HO/auto dually.:D :cool:

Where did you get THAT from:confused: :confused: :confused:

voted for dodge.
its not like a rock.its stronger then rock!

Check out this months Trailer Boats magazine...it features a heavy-duty tow test with Chevy, Ford, and Dodge towing a 10,000# boat....pretty in depth test. They picked the Ford PSD #1...don't remember if they picked the Chevy or the Dodge #2.

I read that test! The pictures of the diesels smokin' the tires were great!! At heart, I'm a die hard Ford guy, but from what I've heard about the NEW PSD's, I wouldn't buy one until they get the kinks worked out (ie until the stop blowing up:eek: )!! Our dealer group has 5 Ford stores. The Ford PSD's perform great with the new powertrain, but lots of problems. Maybe the should've tested them like GM did:rolleyes: .

Steve

Love my Dura Max ----2003

I have heard the new Dodge is KILLER

Jon

dodge is killer