What's the best diesel TV?

[fayliss]

I have a 31foot JayFlight RKS, about 8K pounds fully loaded. My wife and I just retired and want to travel around the country. I want to move into a diesel TV, probably a 2500 series, extended cab and short box. I am looking for any recommendations that will help me make a wise decision, as this will probably be the last TV I buy. My current gas TV simply works too hard getting around in the mountains. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[dg1971]

Fayliss, the best diesel is a Chevy, GMC, Dodge, Ford....in other words, they all are good diesels in todays truck market. I am going to say go with the Chevy as I have driven nothing but Chevy's all my life with no major breakdowns or issues. The next poster will tell you to get a Dodge, and the next will recommend a Ford. One thing for sure, if you are driving in the mountains, you will definately want a diesel. I have a 2500 short bed extended cab and have had it for 7 years and 100,000 miles and love it. It pulls my 8000 pounds great at 8800' elevation.

[KachFam]

Well, like dg said, everyone has a favorite. The best way to figure out what you want is to drive them, research the reliablilty/specs/etc and then get one and hope for the best.

That said...
I went with a '03 Dodge Ram Cummins. I was looking at '03-07 to avoid the emissions junk of the newer ones (although it's not that big of a deal if you have it, I just like the simplicity and tried-and true designs. I went with the Cummins because it has 2/3 of the overall parts of its competitors and a long track record of commercial use and very long service life. It's probably the least advanced truck of the big 3, but that was a selling point to me. Even for an older truck, it's holding up very well and I keep up on all the preventative maintinence I can think of. It was a bargain in my book for way less than half the price of new (although I would have spent 5-10k more to get a lower mile truck if I could find one clean and a good buy).

Like I said, you have to try them all and you'll probably instantly rule out one just due to personal preferences. The Chevy/GMC Duramax is a great truck and had the best ride when I was test driving. If I was full-timing and not driving off-road as much this is probably what I would have bought. Ford had some dud years with the diesels, but that seems to be over now with the newer ones. They also build a really nice truck. Probably the mid-point between the tougher feeling Dodge and the more refined GM products IMO.

I don't think any will have power or capability issues for you but maybe check the specs and make sure you have capacity for all the cargo you'd ever want and even step up to a 1 ton if you need it.

Have fun - especially if you're buying used. It can be tough to find any diesel that hasn't lived a rough life! If you're going new, it may just come down to which make of truck is giving out the best deals this week.

[edatlanta]

The best TV is a paid for one which mine now is. Happy Days.

[norty1]

Oh that's simple, get a F250 Ford, Lariat or King Ranch. I am sure everyone will agree with me. LOL

[fayliss]

Thanks for all the good comments. I will probably go used to save some money as several of you said. I'd like to buy in the spring, so I have some time to look. I really never considered the Chevy, but I guess I better take closer look at it judging from your comments. Thanks a lot.

[Moving Target]

Fayliss, I bought my first diesel, a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. I am in love with that truck!! Pulls my Jayco G2 effortlessly. Looking to upgrade to a 5th wheel here soon.
Good luck finding your truck and Happy trails traveling!!

[kipper]

Well the Chevy /GMC may be the overall best combination , Allison transmission and a great engine , the Ford is a new motor , have not had too many problems , stay away from the older ford 6.0 and 6.4 , I'm a mechanic , and put turbos and egr coolers on them too often . the Dodge has a good motor , but weak trans . The Dodge quality has come around a bit in the past few years , but to be honest they all have their ups and downs and either way you go you should get a nice truck .

[AndrewClay]

I've heard there were recalls/problems with the new Ford diesel? Is all that cleared up?

I bought a '12 Chevy 3500 SRW, 4x4, Duramax/Allison, and love it so far (~6 mos). I just had to put my first DEF in, wasn't too bad. It is silly, but that's what happens when we let eco-communists run things.

[MrKong]

Don't forget how fast the Dodge trucks rust out.

[cekkk]

Mine. Really. If you can get a low mileage 7.3 Powerstroke it's the best, most bullet proof diesel light truck engine ever built. And while a good one brings a premium for an older vehicle, you'll save a whole, huge amount of money! And while the newer engines from all three makers have a lot more power, most don't have a lot of history behind them. Ford is on its third redo since dropping the 7.3 so I'd be wary of the 6.7, seeing as how their 6.0 and 6.4 engines were such failures. Hate to say that because I've been a Ford fan for years.

Don't know much about Chevy's engine. I will say that where we live, diesel pickups are as common as Beemer in LaLa land, but very few of them are GM types. But if I was looking for a new one today, I'd look real hard at one.

Lots of Dodges here, so I drove a 3500 a few months ago. Riding in the cab reminded me of the difference between my '87 Bronco, noisy and cheap inside, and newer Expeditions. But the engine and transmission were impressive for a short drive. And they are known to be darn good engines. You see one on the side of the road every now and then, having fallen out of its rusted compartment.

[clutch]

Drive them all and go to the diesel truck forums and make an educated decision based on what is important to you.

Early GM trucks had over heating problems--- - - - - - -like 10 or 12 years ago.

Ford had engine, turbo, tranny problems- - - - - - - - - - just a few years ago.

Dodge had a weak transmission -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - two transmission models and 9 years ago.

Last time I checked it is now 2012 and they all work well. Unfortunately, some people are still stuck in the past.

[rsbwjohnson]

just bought a 2012 f250 3 months ago. i love it so far. i did my home work and got the dealer to find me a xlt with only the options i wanted.
4wd,center console, 4 door, rear back up camera.
got for 10k off sticker with rebates.

[pjsl01]

We just bought a 2002 ford excursion with the 7.3 diesel. This is my first diesel and I love it! I know the duramax is a good motor too.

[Moving Target]

Not in Arizona. lol

[Seann45]

GM Duramax.. tried tested and PROVEN..
Ford keeps reinventing the engine every few years...
Dodge the Cummins is a great engine too bad it comes in a Dodge.. :hihi:

[SBruman]

2500 duramax, two years away and counting....

[Chakara]

In Nov I bought my parents 2005 5.9 CTD 6 speed manual. Has a bit over 100k on it now and running strong. No issues in its life beyond general maintenance. There is a leak in the hydrolic break booster that I'll have to fix soon - couple hundred bucks as far as I can tell.

I'm happy - pulls like a mother and is pre-bad-to-diesel-emissions stuff...

~15 MPG around town
~19 MPG highway at 70mph
~13 MPG towing @ 65mph

Or at least that is seems to the be the case if I ignore the computer and measure myself.....

-Chak

[Gunnar]

I'd say get which ever brand catches your fancy. Check it out well, do some research and don't look back. I myself have an 03 F350 with the 6.0.

We recently had a family outing. Of course the 3 major brands were there. One with a dodge was worried about overheating, the GMC was worried about tranny temps. There is a rather long hill approx 7 km/ a little under 5 miles I guess. It starts at an 8% grade and continues with 7%, 8% and the upper portion is 8.5%. I pulled pretty close to 10.000 lbs up that hill without a care in the world. I would love a newer truck but can't find any good reason to replace the one I have. It's a beast.

Ok enough for my Ford plug. Look around and get what you like. I'm sure you probably have a preference in the back of your mind.