Need new diesel truck

[EightySix Four]

So our F-250 work truck blew the headgasket (common problem with the powerstroke apparently) at 132,000 miles today. With all the problems we've had with the truck and the amount of labor necessary to fix the damn thing we've decided to just replace it. We have relatively few requirements, it has to have rear seats (doesn't have to be 4 door though), long bed, and be able to tow 10k+ lbs reliably.

I honestly have no interest in another powerstroke Ford until the new ones come out but I can't wait that long.

So I'm torn between three options. The 2009 Ram 2500, the 2010 Ram 2500, and the Chevy 2500hd. A local dealership told me they expected the 2010 Ram 2500's to show up on their lot in 2.5-3 weeks which I can handle waiting for.

It seems the 2010 Ram does not have any changes to the Cummins (I mean why would they?) but should have some improvements to drivability and comfort.

The 2009's are not known for their comfort but are going for 0% for 72 months due to imminent replacement. The Cummins diesel is expected to have a 350k mile service life.

The chevy has the most HP/Torque and a solid trans, but I know next to nothing about the diesels under the hood and long-term reliability.

What do you guys think?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

As long as you can afford it:

Ram 2500/3500 with the optional Cummins. Amazing tow capability and 650lb ft of Torque!

Car And Driver 2010 Dodge Ram HD Review

I'm sure the discounts on the lefotover 2009 Chevy Duramax will be good though so you might want to check out those as well.

 

[MikeMike]

well, the dream truck is the Cummins w/ an allison transmission... after that its all up to you...

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
well, the dream truck is the Cummins w/ an allison transmission... after that its all up to you...

That'd make for an easy choice. Ford toys/comfort with a cummins diesel and an allison trans.

 

[Vette73]

I go Chevy/GMC. I have nto heard/seen any problems with their diesel engines since they replaced the 6.5. Even then the 6.5 was not bad per say but the injector pump would fail to much.

 

[drnickriviera]

If you are really considering the Dodge, go to www.turbodieselregister.com and subscribe. They always have good info. Why do you want a new one? Last I heard, the 6.7L Cummins sucks ass. Maybe try to find an 06-07 with the 5.9L?

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
If you are really considering the Dodge, go to www.turbodieselregister.com and subscribe. They always have good info. Why do you want a new one? Last I heard, the 6.7L Cummins sucks ass. Maybe try to find an 06-07 with the 5.9L?

Because I'll put 100k miles on it in two years if the company stays even 3/4 as busy as it currently is.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
As long as you can afford it:

Ram 2500/3500 with the optional Cummins. Amazing tow capability and 650lb ft of Torque!

Car And Driver 2010 Dodge Ram HD Review

I'm sure the discounts on the lefotover 2009 Chevy Duramax will be good though so you might want to check out those as well.

Link fail...

http://www.caranddriver.com/re...uty-first_drive_review

 

[herm0016]

duramax is much better than a power stroke, and i would say on par with the cummins. the chevy truck is better than the dodge. when it gets cold our f-350s/450s are always dieing. We do not have any dodge work trucks, but we do have a few chevy's in the yard and they fare much better. they are also better to sleep in than the new fords.
the dmax is a great engine, and i believe a better all around truck than the dodge.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: herm0016
duramax is much better than a power stroke, and i would say on par with the cummins. the chevy truck is better than the dodge. when it gets cold our f-350s/450s are always dieing. We do not have any dodge work trucks, but we do have a few chevy's in the yard and they fare much better. they are also better to sleep in than the new fords.
the dmax is a great engine, and i believe a better all around truck than the dodge.

What kind of mileage do you have on the Chevys?

 

[herm0016]

im not sure, we only have a few of them and they are pretty new. we have fords from 150k to 10k miles though. the 2008/09 fords are the worst fords we have. I have seen the chevy's with over 200k on them and they are running great still. the majority of the pickup truck owners at the shop have duramax trucks.

here is where i work:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/2011SuperDuty/?p=fieldwork

the halliburton part was filmed at our camp.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: herm0016
im not sure, we only have a few of them and they are pretty new. we have fords from 150k to 10k miles though. the 2008/09 fords are the worst fords we have. I have seen the chevy's with over 200k on them and they are running great still. the majority of the pickup truck owners at the shop have duramax trucks.

here is where i work:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/2011SuperDuty/?p=fieldwork

the halliburton part was filmed at our camp.

Did you get to play with the 2011?

 

[herm0016]

only our cement department got them. we did not get to play.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: herm0016
only our cement department got them. we did not get to play.

Thanks for the info

 

[meister]

i have a 6.4 2008 powerstroke, no problems at all. My brother has a duramax, no problems at all.

both good trucks.

get the duramax since you are burnt out on ford for now. both are good engines and trucks.

mark

 

[Soccerman06]

I got a 06 Chevy 2500hd, havent had a problem yet with the diesel and have about 63k on the odo.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

The contrast between the puppies and the 2500HD is quite amusing.

 

[brblx]

in a rare move for me, i vote for the chevy. the duramax is nice. cummins makes for stiff hillbilly dicks, but who wants what is essentially a scaled-down semi truck motor in a pickup? it's damned solid, but the duramax is a lot more refined.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I'm a bit biased, So I vote for the Chevy/GMC.
I'm not a fan of Dodge reliability. Sure the Cummins engine is great, but the rest of the truck will fall apart around you.
http://www.popularmechanics.co.../new_cars/4230317.html
The above is a shootout between the F350, and 3500's. I know you're looking at 2500 level, but all the mfgers line ups across the board are fairly similar.

The GM's are just better. Better fuel milage, better comfort, better power.

 

[bruceb]

You can't go wrong with the RAM / Cummins or the GMC with their diesels ... both are top quality. All you need to do now is figure out which one you like better, as to interior, exterior, bed size, fuel tank size, roominess, comfort and who has the better price.