Which Tow Vehicle; Dodge Ram 2500 or Ford F-250

[earl9653]

I'm looking to buy a new Tow Vehicle and interested in what others think. The two trucks I'm looking at are the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and the Ford F-250. Both are 6.7L diesel, 6 speed transmission, short bed crew cabs, right at 13,000 lb tow capacity, and the same price.

Is there a preference between the two?

What mileage have others experienced?

Thanks

[Mopar1973Man]

Hmmm... All my MPG records... But I'm a 2002 Dodge that is heavily modified and producing more power than the new 6.7L...



But if your wondering most Dodge Cummins trucks will make 500K miles without any problems... I got a few that are heading for 1 million miles...
http://mopar.mopar1973man.com/cummin...milestones.htm

[Tanker42]

Welcome to the forum. You might take a look a Trailer Life magazine. They did an article comparing Ford, Dodge, and GM.

[av8arkie]

Get a GM!

[taylorj]

I have a 2004 Dodge 5.9,3500,single axle,long bed,six speed(All stock). I have a 2010 Jayco 365 BHS.12,800 empty. My truck gets 11-13 MPG pulling @ 70 miles per hour. Without a trailer 19-26 mpg depending on how I drive. I have never gotten less than 19! The truck pulls the wheels off of my camper. I had a 2000 Dodge 2500 before, spending the extra for the 3500 was the best decision I have ever made. The long bed pulls much better, I would buy an automatic next time. Hope this helps.
Camper 10

[Gibby3275]

Check out http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/08...tout.html#more


They did a VERY indepth Heavy Duty shootout with the big three.

[29BHS ECO]

In real life and after 100 to 200,000 miles you probably won't tell one from the other looking at the record book, so get the one that has a color you like . Larry

[cekkk]

This really hurts me, but the Dodge has a bit of history to its 6.7, has corrected a soot problem in the early models and does NOT require the expensive emissions fluid of Ford (and GM). Ford, my long-time favorite, has yet to find a viable replacement for the Navistar 7.3 since it tried the 6.0 in '03. Now, done with Navistar, they'll try it on their own with the new Scorpion. Who knows? But if I were buying new, and I'm not, I just couldn't risk the money on this new engine until it has has several millions of miles experience. Can't comment on GM other than to say this is truck country and in a parking lot full of trucks, most will be Dodges, due to reliability and price, followed fairly closely by Ford, less so since the diesel difficulties, and, well, maybe a Chevy, maybe not. Don't claim to know why. I drove one years ago and it was maybe a bit too car like, quiet, Buick ride. Scared me off. If I only drove on paved roads I'd probably have bought it. Love my 7.3 but it's noisier than my old 6.9. Whatever your choice, enjoy camping.

[Derek700]

For what it is worth our Local paper tested the big 3 and ranked them this way GM, Ford then Dodge. GM and Dodge were 3/4 ton's and Ford was a 1 ton as that was all that was available. The one thing that they commented on was that they weren't convinced that the Ford Transmission could handle all the power of the new engine. I don't know which I would chose if buying new (which i am not) a friend at work has the GM with Duramax and has really liked it so far, he was a Ford guy before this. I really like the look of the new Fords.

[kipper]

I guess Moparman had a computer problem , Im starting to have flash backs to Ross Perot pie charts . But if i were to buy a diesel it would be a GM with a Duramax , Ill take my chances with the new Ford engine next . and sure Cummins diesels will last a long time , its the rest of the Dodge you have to worry about , the transmissions are very trouble prone , the dash boards are prone to cracking, body hardware ect. . Dodge is starting to come around .but if Im laying down 50,000 clams it had better last . Durmax has been around andis tried and true . ( I drive a F150 with a 5.4 gas )

[clutch]

The Dodge transmission problems ended with the 2003 model year. The newer 6 speed automatic, introduced in 2007.5 is very tough and is probably equal to the Allison.

[kcconawa]

Originally Posted by cekkk+

Dodge does NOT require the expensive emissions fluid of Ford (and GM). Ford, my long-time favorite, has yet to find a viable replacement for the Navistar 7.3 since it tried the 6.0 in '03. .... if I were buying new, and I'm not, I just couldn't risk the money on this new engine until it has has several millions of miles experience.

Make sure read those articles mentioned in other posts and don't miss this key point quoted above. This emissions fluid is EXPENSIVE and must be factored into your cost/MPG calculation.

I have friends with the duromax tranny and they love it.

I will be in the market in a couple years (my 7.3 F250 has 255,000 basically trouble free miles). That cummins engine has always been a reliable hoss that Ford competed with when they had the 7.3. No more, Cummins now stands alone but is still very noisy.

If I were buying today I would love to have the cummins engine w/duromax transmission on a ford chasis and body! If you find one, please e-mail me ASAP! If I have to buy this year, it would be the dodge cummings and pray the body holds together.

[SmokerBill]

I don't know. My Cummins seems pretty damm quiet for a diesel.

I don't get anywhere near the mpg that Mopar gets with my 2010 Ram, but mine is fully stock, with all the emissions stuff intact. Towing I average 9 to 10 mpg, worst was about 7 and best was about 12. Wind and hills have a big impact on mileage. With no load I get 16 if I drive fast and hard (fun) but can get about 20 if I drive like Grandma.

The emissions goes through a regeneration cycle to burn out the soot, accumulated in the particulate filter. Mileage and power both suffer when the regen is active, and it can last for 45 minutes or so at highway speeds. But usually it has great pulling power, no problems with hills or speed with towing.

I've heard rumors that some of the 2011 or 2012 Cummins Rams will get a boost in torque- from 600 ft pounds up to 800 or 850. You heard about that one Mopar?

I haven't had one problem with my Ram, and I've towed my TT about 8000 miles the last 2-1/2 months, plus another 4000 miles driving unloaded. Has a bit over 16000 on it right now.

Worst thing for the Cummins is driving easy and excessive idling. Causes soot buildup problems, among other things I hear. Work 'em hard, and they'll have few problems, in my humble opinion.

Have a good one,

Bill

[SmokerBill]

I think it looks pretty nice, too.

[av8arkie]

The Duramax engine and Allison transmission are the best combo out there.....PERIOD! The new (2011) Duramax was the highest HP and torque on the road, until Ford re tuned theirs after the GM numbers were released. The engine is quiet and the tranny is second to NONE! The fully boxed frame is a solid platform to handle all the power! The ride is fantastic and the duallies can tow up to 21,000 lbs. The fuel economy has been improved 10% over the last generation of engine with power improvements. (397 HP & 765 torque compared to 360 HP & 665 torque on last generation engine.) I do not know how much the DEF fluid costs since I have not bought any yet but with the mileage improvements I cannot see this truck costing any more to operate than the pre 2011 models! FYI. My DEF tank is a hair over 5 gallons and, depending on amount of fuel used, should last 5000 miles. I do not dislike Fords and would NEVER own a Dodge but I would say GM fuel mileage is better than Ford and probably a little less than Dodge. Good luck in your choice but if you ask 100 people you will, more than likely, get 100 different answers!

[av8arkie]

Just cheked and DEF fluid is about 1 dollar per gallon. That equals 1 dollar more per 1000 miles under normal driving conditions.

[dg1971]

As long as your Ford or Dodge has a Duramax Diesel and an Allison Transmission, take your pick. (In other words, get a Chevy or GMC) Bottom line, all three, Ford, Dodge and GM have outstanding selling points.....I think all the statistics and road/durability/towing tests give a slight edge to GM.

[Crabman]

REAL trucks have at LEAST 8 spark plugs. UH OH, I better hide now! Just kiddin guys. MY choice Chevy or the Dodge a close second. I have Too many friends with the Ford 6.0. Hope this new engine is much better. Like Av8arkie said, 100 people a hundred different answers.

-Lee

[av8arkie]

Originally Posted by Crabman

REAL trucks have at LEAST 8 spark plugs. UH OH, I better hide now! Just kiddin guys. MY choice Chevy or the Dodge a close second. I have Too many friends with the Ford 6.0. Hope this new engine is much better. Like Av8arkie said, 100 people a hundred different answers.

-Lee

What is a spark plug?

[Mopar1973Man]

Originally Posted by av8arkie

What is a spark plug?

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main...&products_id=5



A bit of fun... Did you know there "Was" a listing for spark plugs for the Ford Diesel at one time... (Misprinted parts book)