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Need advice on a tow vehicle!

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View Poll Results: Which should I choose?
Dodge 3500 SLT with Cummings Diesel
33
45.83%
GMC 3500 base with 6.6 Duramax Diesel
39
54.17%
Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

Need advice on a tow vehicle!

Old 02-12-2003, 03:03 PM
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Question 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.
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Old 02-12-2003, 03:37 PM
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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 (?).
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Old 02-12-2003, 03:41 PM
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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...
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Old 02-12-2003, 03:46 PM
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I'd go for the Dodge !
That little 6 cylinder sure does keep up with those big V8 diesels just fine !
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Old 02-12-2003, 04:22 PM
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Anybody else?

Need more info. . . any more GMC proponents.
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Old 02-12-2003, 04:31 PM
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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.
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Old 02-12-2003, 04:35 PM
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Both are dually long beds, and both are automatics.
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Old 02-12-2003, 04:39 PM
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Then your looking at recommened trailer weight of 13,950 and GCWR of 21,000.
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Old 02-12-2003, 07:09 PM
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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 , 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 ), 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
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Old 02-12-2003, 07:34 PM
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I'd drive right past the Dodge and Chevy dealer and get the new 6.0 Ford. 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.
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