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pantera296.
I am in the market for a new truck. I really want a diesel, because i might pull a 5th travel trailer on occasion. I have always been a Chevy guy and think the duramax, Allison combo is still at the top of my list. The only prob is they are so freaking expensive and super hard to find used. My dad has a 2010 f-250, great power, but I just dont think it rides or looks as good as a Chevy. I guess I just want yalls opinion since this is my first diesel. I just dont want to make a 50,000 mistake Thanx
In my opinion the perfect truck is the Cummings engine, Ford Super Duty body, and Allison transmission. Of course thats not possible. Here in Texas 80% of the snow birds pulling RVs here are using Dodge diesels. I had a F-250 FX4 King Ranch that my dealer loaned me when my truck was in the shop, LOVED it, just couldnt and wouldnt digest that $65k price tag. All I can say is do your research. Dodge seems to be the strongest hold here in “truck country.” Have a buddy that loads his trailer with concrete and Ive witnessed 26k pounds, he sets the cruise to 80, and away he goes. No issues to date with his Dodge 2500.
Thanks.. I also see a ton of dodges in the Waco area, just dont know if I could live with the interior. It just looks so cheap and plain.
I am on my third Dodge diesel (trading up) and love it! The one I have now is a 2010 2500 4×4 and you are right about the older interiors. I traded a 09 3500 Laramie (top of the line) and its interior was cheap and plain. But in 2010 they got a overhaul inside and out and it is the best truck that I have personally ever owned. I looked at GMCs, Chevys, and Fords but I couldnt justify the 5 to 9K dollar difference in price. IF I WAS LOOKING AT DODGE, I would look 2010 and newer. GM and Ford make a fine truck….it may just come down to $$$.
GO TO AUTO TRADER . COM THEY ALWAYS HAVE A TON OF USED LOW MILEAGE DIESEL TRUCKS..I HAVE BEEN A GM OWNER FOR 40 YEARS….BUT IF I COULD CHOOSE MY TRUCK NOW IT WOULD BE THE F-250 OR F-350 NOT THE DUALLY….THEY IN MY OPINION ARE THE BEST LOOKING TRUCKS ON THEROAD…AND PUT A SUPER CHIP IN WHATEVER YOU GET…THE POWER IS UNREAL….I HAD A 2004 FORD250 DIESEL WITH A 4″ LIFT KIT AND 35 TIRES.6.0 LT. WAS SICK UNTIL I ADDED THE PROGRAMER.AFTERIT WOULD BURN THE TIRES OFF.I OWN A CHEVY 1500 NOW,BUT THE FORD WOULD BE IN MY GARAGE IFI COULD AFFORD ONE…IM SORRY TO THIS DAY I TRADED THE FORD AWAY…..ROBIN
I have a 2008 GMC 2500 4wheel drive and four door loaded out, I have 134K miles and the only time it was in the shop except for normal maintance was when I got a load of bad diesel (the insurance took care of that except $100. The only draw back to the truck is that it only averages 16.5MPG with out boat and 14.0 MPG and I have a Puma FTDnow and Had Cougar before and the milage didnt change. Great ride and I havent hooked to anything that I couldnt pull, have been thinking about adding a chip and KN air filter but never got around to it. I also pull a trailer hitch 34″ travel trailer and the milage is still around 14 MPG.Eddie
I bought a 2011 Ford F350, Super Cab, 8 bed, 4 wheel drive. I pull a Puma FTD from NY to FL. It rides great towing with a load. It has the new ford diesel( 6.7L) in it and the mileage has been better then the Ford Expedition I had before(retired after 265,000 miles) . On a highway I can get 17-18 mpg towing . I bought the ford because Chevy. did not make a diesel in a super cab w/ 8 bed. Never looked at the Dodge.
Buddy of mine has a new dodge 2500 and loves it. Mine is the old 5.9L and I love it. Dodge is the cheapest bang for tour buck and the newer ones seem pretty good. My buddies that hot shot havent had any issues. I will say that the new fords are sharp and they seem to have finally gotten their engine issues taken care of. And–theres the fact that they didnt take any of my $$. I respect that.
I have two Duramax trucks— mine is a 2007 Duramax and the other is a 2005 GMC Duramax which my wife pulls a large gooseneck horse trailer. So much for picking inexpensive hobbies. Both have been great trucks, although my wifes 2005 has more power I think due to that year had a 5 speed Alison and my 2007 has a 6 speed. I know that at 60 mph I am only turning 1500 rpms and the wifes is more around 1800 rpms. Sorry, I do not remember the fuel mileage she gets with the 2005. Both are 4x4s.I added an Edge chip to my 2007 and I am getting 19 to 20 mpg highway not pulling, and 14 to 15.5 pulling my Couger(even after I switched out the Motor Guide for a new HEAVY Minn Kota Fortrex—sorry Ivan). The part I like about the diesels vs my previous gas tahoe is I can put the cruise control on and it will pull any hill I have thrown at it and never has shifted down. I suppose we do not have the hills up north you folks have down south.As far as finding one, I just went to my buddy who owns a used car dealership and told him what I wanted. Color had to match or at minimum not clash with the Cat. So we settled on Black–matches almost anything–hate getting into it on hot summer days!!!.The only down side I can honestly say about my 2007 is the ride. I have E range 10 ply tires–Michelins and the ride is somewhat rough– I know it is a 2500. I get to hear my buddy say we should have taken his new Ford Ecoboost. So far that seems like a great truck–half ton ride with good power and fuel mileage. Time will tell on durability.I get long winded– sorry, my 2 cents,Bill Mac
I have a 2011 GMC HD 2500 Crew cab (4 door) 10K GVW 4×4 DuraMax/Allison I pull a 25+5 (25K GVW)gooseneck along with all kinds and sizes of boats from bass to 30 + crusiers and I love it..I average nearly 17 mpg. overall and this truck is a beast. It is by far the best GM truck Ive owned and I have owned several.. I currently have just a little of 20K miles on it w/ 0 issues…It does ride “firm” but very good and you have to expect that from a 10,000 GVW truck with 20″ load range E tires… Its overall a much better truck than my 2001 HD 2500 DuraMax/Allison extended cab 4×4 long bed ever was that I still use around here too.. Sherm
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