PowerStroke vs. Cummins

[bigjohn]

I will be towing a 19 footer with a 125 and a 9.9 Merc on it. Want to get a truck with a pickup camper and was wondering how much difference there is between the diesels in the two 3/4 ton trucks? Will I notice a big difference between the Ford and Dodge or small difference when towing?

[bellbuoy]

If you are going with slide in camper, you may want to consider a one ton, as with a slide in of any size over 8 ft. you be pushing if not exceeding the GVWR with a 3/4 ton.


Bellbuoy

[wyosteve]

You probably won't notice much difference between the two diesels towing. They are pretty equally matched. Both can be upgraded easily with an electronic chip if you want. Fuel mileage will likely be just a bit better with the Cummins (Inline 6 vs. V-8). The Cummins will be a bit easier to work on if you do some of your own mechanicing because of more room in the engine compartment. I'd suggest you test drive both and pick the one that feels best to you. FWIW, I'm on my 5th Dodge w/ Cummins.

[J.P.]

Check out the GM Duramax. More hp and torque.

[mlc]

BJ, I own a '97 4x4 Dodge w/ a Cummins. I occasionaly use a Ford w/Powerstroke at work. The Ford does have a bit more power IMHO. It is not enough to sway my choice.

As posted earlier, I would look at the 1 ton also. Mine is a 3/4. The weight of the engine reduces the amount of weight you can carry in your truck. There is an exception or two. The Canadian Bigfoot and Northern-Lite weigh much less than most campers and are rather well made. These campers can be purchased at a considerable savings in Canada.

Take care,
mlc

[Jesse-WI]

If you want to read about powerstrokes, check this site out. There is plenty of info to be found in the forum area.

http://www.ford-diesel.com/

Jesse Fletcher
Ford Excursion with powerstroke

[targa2]

How come the G.M. duramax lost out miserably in pulling competitions to Ford and Dodge if it has so much torque? 240ft versus over 400 ft for Ford and Dodge.I think that G.M. rates there hp and torque rating at max rpm or something because I have seen them lose several of these competitions. I like the new Duramax so don't get me wrong. My buddy just got one and it's a beauty. It claims to be 100 hp more than a Cummins so why does it lose in pulling competitions?I don't understand.

[bigjohn]

Thanks all. There is a huge difference in cost between the Fords and Dodges. If that in-line 6 will do it, I think that is the way I may go.

[rogerm52]

What pulling test? Where? Who performed it? What tires were used? Did all of the trucks have the same tires? What gear ratios? Were they truely comparing apples to apples?

The last I saw, the GM came with Firestone Steeltex tires. I love the truck and if I were to buy one, those tires wouldn't even leave the dealer lot on that truck. They are awful and don't hook up well at all.

[MadMax]

bigjohn I have 2000 Cummings quad cab w/ the manual 6 speed trany with 354 gears. I now have 70 thousand miles on the truck and I love it!! Most every place I go with the truck I am pulling something with it. It took 7,500. miles for the engine to brake in and start getting some fuel economy. Empty, going down the interstate with the cruse set at 80 mph I constantly get 20 mpg. In the summer I pull a 30' fifth wheel with a 20' boat behind it. It handles all of that with no problem and I average about 13 mpg. I did put a chip in the truck and it made a big difference. All that chip was is a little black box that plugs into your injector pump to advance the timming of the engine. It takes 5 min to install. That way if I need to take it into the dealer for something I can take that little black box out and nobody knows. My self the 354 gears are the right set up for the truck and work perfect for pulling. I would not put 411 gears in for pulling they are too low and will take away your fuel mileage. The new 6 speed trany is a very solid and breaks down the power range just right when you have a load on. I hope this helps you. Got to have a Cummings!!

[Kevin/CO]

The cummins engine should be a little bit better for wear and tear plus the power and ability to work on it, but be advised cummins is under newer ownership. The company should be the same but if you don't have a good dealer and have some problems it might take a little work and time to get help from cummins. Still a great company with great peopel and a great product.



P.S. Close friend of the former co-owners son, so I am a bit biased.

[George Eh]

Hi Bigjohn, no problem with any ot the 3 diesels having the power but just want to restate that 3/4 ton trucks will be over their GVWR with most campers. The gvw is 8800# but the diesel engine is so heavy they have a payload capacity of about 2000#. From that figure you have to subtract weight of camper loaded which includes water, propane, food, etc. plus people and extras in the truck. Ford may be the only one that makes srw 1 tons the rest may all be dually's. Have fun looking.

[bigjohn]

Thanks George. I see 3/4 ton pickups with popup campers that wiegh approx 1200 lbs. going down the road pulling fishing boats all the time. Fords, Dodges, etc. Do you think they all are exceeding weight restrictions? I don't know what my toungue weight is but the boat weight is close to 3000 lbs. If I get a 1300 lb camper does that mean I need a 1 ton truck?

[TeaDrinker]

New Duramax deseils seem to have a problem with dieing during deceleration, then you lose the powersteering, this can lead to accidents.

[Tug Boat Owner]

Hey a Chev pulled me out of the Ocean no problem with the Duramax and the Allison Transmission.....All the Dodges and Fords that tried failed miserably.....I'm sure everyone here has seen the documentary

[Not Even Clost Targa2]

Check this out for accurate Engine comparisons and the development of the duramax http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/gmheavy2.html

[char6656]

I just got an excursion with the diesel. 525 ft/lbs of torque and 250 horsepower. The torque this year is up from last year. We use the fords with diesel in our family business and have had good luck with the 3 0r 4 we keep going at a time. The real culprit in a tow vehicle is the transmission and heat. No matter the brand if it does not come with a transmission temp guage get one installed. Good luck..

Clay

[neume]

If you want a real towing experience, check out banks turbo and exhaust upgrades for the cummins, and the power stroke. I think they have the best kits without goning into the injector pumps or injectors. The cumputer chip will also keeep you from going past the exhaust temperature limits. I have one on my 1999 1 ton dodge. It has 300hp at the rear wheels and developes 700 ft lbs of torque. It is like driving a muscle car of the 60's. Gets great milage too.

[J.P.]

The Duramax has 525 lbs. ft. of torque at 1800 RPM.

[SdDoc]

Another advantage or disadvantage is the fact that the cummins does not have glow plugs. THey have a wire grid to warm the air before it goes into the motor. THe ford has glow plugs. these can be pricey to replace if you go beyond the 100,000 mile warranty. Ask some mechanics which to buy that fix them. Listen to what they have to say..

[George Eh]

Hi Bigjohn, you should be fine with a lightweight camper but definitely check out the towing forums on the ford diesel board. The old timers there will give you any and all the info you need. Also check out this website it gives you much info about the superduties. Have fun. http://fordtruck.fordtraining.com/f250/html/spcfrm.htm

[bigshooter]

I have a 3/4 ton silverado HD 4 full doors and it "IS" the most powerful diesel out there! Take one for a ride and you will not believe how much quieter it is and how good the mileage is! I pull a 19ft tourn. boat and I don't even know it is back there! Try before you buy!! Chevrolet really stepped up to the plate with their new diesel and they have all the bugs worked out of them now!! Good Luck!

[Dobber]

I suggest a test drive with all three.Then you will see the difference.Dodge will get no vote.Chevy has the best truck,but in my mind the engine is not proven yet.By the way i'm a mechanic and work on all three brands.

[clancy]

I agree with Bigshooter on the chevy. I have the 3/4 ton crew cab with the duramax - man what a truck! Great mileage, incredible torque, and really quiet. Do yourself a favor and drive all three before you buy. No comparison in my opinion.

[fish]

I did not know the ford had glow plugs

[Duramax Owner]

I have run diesels in the bush all my life and this is the greatest light diesel I have ever owned. I am suspicious of posts that spell diesel wrong. We run these trucks hard and generally go with them for three years. Maintenance and clean fuel and air are important to every engine.