Duramax versus others

[DieselShopper]

I have been buying Chevy trucks for a while just because my local MKE dealer is a good one.

Anybody have any opinions on the Duramax diesel versus the Ford/Dodge models? I think maybe I want to consider putting one of those 3 into my garage for towing my boat.

[Eric MacD]

I own a 2002 ford F250 crew cab with the 7.3 powerstroke diesel. Great tow vehicle. 16mpg with the boat and you don't know its there. Have driven the duramax and it is quieter and more car like in its acceleration. I have not towed with it. I have towed with the old cummins in a 1997 dodge 3/4 ton. It is loud and rough but tows like a beast.The 2003 Fords have a new diesel 6 liter. I have no experience with it. Overall diesels are the way to go if you tow a lot and can afford the 5000$ option. Eric

[Babe Linder]

I asked a man who pulls a cattle trailer all over creation this same question. He told me there were a few constants with all diesel pickups. Lots of power. Noisy. Stinky. He rated them Chevy-Ford-Dodge. I know in studies by companies who have major diesel pickup fleets that Dodges are the cheapest per mile to run. I doubt that someone who doesnt pull for a living would ever see much difference in dollars per mile. It might be that the Dodge pulls ahead if you drive 40 thousand miles a year because of fuel economy. I`m sure this is real helpful. I will never get much below $.60 mile before I get the urge to go-ashopping. It`ll take me 7 years to get that far and I will never last that long. The dealers always park those shiny new ones right where I can se them. Jerks. Good Luck

[FisHn2DMax]

I had a 1999 ford SD Diesel and recently switched to a NEW 2003 GMC duramax.

HUGE difference between the two trucks! I liked them both for different reasons. The Ford was very heavy duty and had more interior room! The GM Duramax is very quiet, gets better mileage, more power, nice ride and has a car like handling and features.

Diesel is the only way to go if towing!!! If you want a Heavy duty truck along with the heavy duty (rough) ride, the Ford with the NEw POWERFUL 6.0 is a good choice! If drivability is important, then the GM Duramax is the ticket! Dodge should be considered since they too have come out with a new quiet diesel motor and a newly designed cab.

I love the Duramax! In fact, I have two brothers that now have the exact same truck as I do after test driving the DuraMax! We're truly a DuraMax family!

[Turbo]

I'm not going to start a brand war, but I'd be leary of the new 6.0L Ford that came out this year. They've had a load of issues on the debut of this motor. Failed injectors which fill the crankcase full of diesel, thereby cooking the turbo. These problems are happening to some folks under 1000 miles! You can do the research, and you'll find Ford people not denying the problems.

As the owner of a Duramax I can say nothing but good things. As said above it is noiser and smells more, but not as noisy as the older Chevy diesels, older Cummins and Ford's. Cummins new motor "borrowed" the same technology as Chevy and really made them quiet. Mine is louder than a gas engine of course, but very torerable. Take one for a test drive and you'll really like it.

The Allison transmission is very smart. It will learn shift patterns and adapt to your style of driving. If you really lean on the engine, it almost seems like it's a Powerglide because you hardly notice the Allison going through the five gears. Very drivable truck.

And if you need MORE POWER, there are an assortment of aftermarket programmers and chips that will really blow you away. Much easier to add power to a diesel than a gas. Five minutes work and you can have almost 400HP and 700+ lb/ft of torque. I've seen them run a Mustang at the dragstrip.....and win. :D

[Jimmy Mac]

I have a 2001 Chev Duramax with the extended cab and really like it. I have a Yar-Craft Storm and you do not even know it is behind the truck when you are on the highway.

I had one problem with the truck. I was screaming across Montana and it started blowing diesel fuel. Seems like a line came loose and everyone behind me got a taste of good old # 2 (good thing I was not pulling my boat). I limped into Billings and the dealer got me going right away. Other than that, the truck has been great.

By the way, my nephew has the new 6 liter Ford. I beleive it carries more power than the Duramax, but the Duramax is a little quieter. We had them idling next to each other and you could tell the Chev was not as loud.

Although I like my truck, I am not brand loyal. If I were in your position, I would research the big three. Before I got my truck, I did a lot of reading on the internet. Then I spent as much time at differnt dealers taking trucks for rides.

Anyway, good luck..

Jimmy mac

[mechanic]

lots of honest and open minded replies. you guys did a good job without bashing. congrats to all!

[Smokeater301]

I just bought and '03 Duramax in a GMC extended cab, I have 6900 miles on it and am getting 17-19 MPG. I replaced the factory firestones with Yokahama 28575R16's at the day of purchase. I love the truck! Like the others state it is very drivable and comfortable. Tows like nothing is attatched and the "tow haul" mode assists you with breaking efforts. Good luck in your search.

[BobH]

I have a 2002 Duramax 2500 3/4 ton. I tow a 27.5 foot fifth wheel and my Lund 1700 Fisherman with it like it is hardly there. This is my first diesel and would not even consider going back to gas mainly because of the torque (better pulling) of the diesel. As far as the smell a friend of mine that does pin striping on trucks told me that when he has a Ford or Dodge in his shop you can smell the diesel fumes for days but not the Chevy. To be far these are not the brand new 2003 Fords or Dodges. I get great mileage and it handles just like a lighter 1/2 ton truck or large car would.

BobH

[Greg from Colorado]

I have a fleet of 12 diesel p/u 7-dodge, 2-ford and 3 duramax. We have started to phase out the fords due to repair /engine problems.
The dodges get approx. 15% better fuel economy than either brand. The dodge pulls better than the Ford and the chevy pulls better than either. The chevy appears to be 30-40% quieter than either of the other 2. The chevy rides considerable better than the other 2. I have driven my 2000 dodge 110,000 miles w/o any problems we can't say the same for the other 2 brands. My .02 if the $ difference is not a factor Chevy, Dodge and then Ford.

[johnp034]

DieselShopper, you are going to get many varied answers by whoever owns what! The Duramax is an excellant choice. So is the Dodge Cummins. I personally own and prefer a Ford F250, Superduty Crewcab, 4x4 Powerstroke. Any of the three will certainly do a fine job of towing whatever you wish. Its just a matter of personal taste. I chose the Ford after test driving all of them and doing a lot of research. I think Ford has the best ride of them all. The new Dodge Cummins is the quietest. I think the Ford also has the best resale value. Its just a coin toss, and like I say, if your a Chevy guy, go for the Duramax, but you owe it to yourself to drive all three, then make an educated choice.