180 replies to this topic

[MyRCRocks TT Newbie]

So, can anyone please educate me... I'm considering a new Dodge Crew Cab 4x4 2500... I pull an enclosed trailer all summer (7x16) loaded with 2-3 bikes, 1 quad, and camping gear, and in winter months, I plow as weather dictates (private/residential)... I've never owned a diesel truck, but there is a promotion going locally (Atlantic Canada) for a no-charge upgrade to a Cummins Turbo-diesel instead of the standard Hemi... Is this a worthwhile upgrade? For what reasons? I put roughly 25000-30000 km/year on a vehicle and this would be my daily driver... How does fuel consumption compare? Maintenance costs?
All insights are appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[HardCoreHusky TT Newbie]

I'd say do it. The pros: the Cummins lasts forever, better fuel milage, more power, oh and it's a CUMMINS

                    The cons: the oil changes are nearly 3 times as much, however you do them half as much.

I have a 2000 3500 dually with the Cummins and I will never own anything less.

[79yamdt TT Gold Member]

I thought the cummins was the only reason people bought a dodge truck.
Maintenance cost is higher on diesel trucks so are repair bills. It sounds like a diesel wouldn't be a bad option since it sounds like you tow a lot. Lots of torque and better fuel milage than it's gas equvilant.

[MyRCRocks TT Newbie]

Maybe to quantify further... I only tow MAYBE 8-12 weekends/year within 180km...
Honestly, I believe a properly equipped 1/2 ton would easily do what I want, but the current Dodge deals seem good... Is there any reason to shy from them in general?

*DISCLAIMER*... I hold absolutely NO brand loyalty... If there are issues with these trucks, please elaborate... My last 5 trucks were Ford, Chev, Toyota, GMC, Toyota...

[Lead Head TT Gold Member]

How much does your trailer weigh, this truck going to be a daily driver?

The new Cummins 6.7 does not get the mileage of the older 5.9, and reliability has not been terribly aweosme on them. Oil changes, fuel filter changes, air filter changes, etc..will all cost more. In some cases they actually negate any mileage increase the Diesel may offer. The Ford 6.7 Diesel offers far better mileage and power, but costs quite a deal more.

Honestly, if you're only going to be pulling 24 days total out of the year (assuming they're to there/back on each of those 12 weekends) and it's going to be your daily, a gasser would probably be a better bet. I'd wait until Dodge rolls out the 6 Speed for the 2500 Gassers though - or get a Ford/Chevy gasser that already offer a 6 speed auto.

Edited by Lead Head, 19 January 2012 - 10:48 PM.

[KGSloan TT Bronze Member]

check out the new f150 ecoboost before you make a decision is all i have to say

it's the best of both worlds, in my humble opinion.  I am not brand loyal, but i have always owned GM vehicles with v8's since i was 16 years old (camaros and then trucks).  I went to buy a new truck and was looking at dodge and chevy, wasn't even going to look at a ford didn't want anything to do with one.  a buddy convinced me to test drive the ecoboost and i was sold - it's phenominal.

it has a torque curve like a diesel (not as high, obviously, but same shape - FLAT) and it gets great mileage unloaded.  it's a really nice truck too.

oil changes cost $40 and are 10,000 mile intervals.

no other half ton on the market with a gas v8 can dream of comparing towing wise - they just don't have the power down low (90% of the available 420ft-lb is available at 1,700rpm on up) of this twin turbo engine.  check them out - i was having the same debate and couldn't justify a diesel initial cost and expense so stayed half ton - this is the most "heavy duty" of them and will have the best pulling experience in my opinion.

another huge plus, it does great at elevation due to the forced induction.  

Edited by KGSloan, 20 January 2012 - 02:41 PM.

[MyRCRocks TT Newbie]

I was told I couldn't plow with the Ecoboost by my local dealer... Apparently due to the location of the intake, and a plow's tendency to disrupt some airflow... They won't even mount our (legally mandatory) front license plates in the center of the Ecoboost models...
Kinda rules that out...


And the 2500 with the Hemi has a 6 speed for 2012...

[Chickenhauler Get Help Now]

I wouldn't touch one of these new diesels.  Too much crap to go wrong, and when it does, it's not cheap to make right again.

Then, factor in this isn't a simple engine anymore, it's an extremely complex system of engine management controls, valves, filters, and injectors.  Lots to go haywire.  And not just anyone can work on them.  Make sure your dealer has a good tech who works on them day in, day out, not just some schlub who went to a 3-day 'class' and now knows where the oil filler cap is.  An inexperienced tech can make what should be a simple repair turn into an epic saga of return repairs.

EGR, DPF and Urea?  Not a good recipe for longevity IMHO.

[clutchless TT Gold Member]

I just did this with a used Chevy 2500 HD. Diesel or not.

Two options were. 24,000.00 for the Diesel with 100k - 125k all of them had been used to tow with. Horse trailers, boats, rv's etc.

2nd option was a gasser with 80k miles. He used it to tow a boat from the storage yard 4 miles to the launch. He wanted 18k. It is spotless.

I talked the gasser down to 16k and swooped on it.

It was all math for me. I wanted a smaller monthly payment. And figured out that even with the 12 MPG on the 6.0L it would still be cheaper then 15 - 19 MPG on the diesel and I got a truck with less miles. I'll drive it around 7000 miles a year.

In the end 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 4x4 Power everything, leather, heated seats, telescoping side mirrors, tint, wheels, factory tow package = 16K.

I promptly dropped around 500.00 into it going full synthetic, adding a leveling kit, replacing a CV with a torn boot.

I'm ready to tow.

[Ryan_kdx TT Member]

Only pro I could think of is resale value.  I'm pretty sure the diesel will sell higher when it comes time to sell or trade.  How much would the upgrade be if you were actually paying for it?  I wouldnt buy a diesel if unless I absolutely needed one, and even then, would hate using it as a DD.   Do your research first, remember how much everyone loved the ford 6.0 (vt365 i think on the international side)??  Pretty sure the 6.7 is gonna go down that path.  Were you looking a a 3/4 ton just because of the free upgrade?  You sound like you would be much happier w/ a 1/2 ton.  Should tow all you mentioned with no problems.

Edited by Ryan_kdx, 21 January 2012 - 10:14 AM.

[Yamiryder TT Gold Member]

If you plan on plowing, a truck with a solid front axle (Ford or Dodge HD) will normally be better to handle the heavy weight. I'm a diesel guy, so I would say go with the diesel, but it's your choice. Some people will say that the new trucks are unreliable, but i know guys with the new 6.7 Cummins and they've had 0 problems. If you were to remove the DPF and block the EGR, that Cummins would get awesome fuel economy and be super reliable, as this is what usually causes any problems. However, this would void your warrenty.

[MyRCRocks TT Newbie]

Well, the only reason I considered a 2500 over the 1500 was based on the free upgrade to the diesel ($9400+ option in Atlantic Canada)... So far, based on feedback here, and my own internet research, I think the diesel is overkill and maybe an exercise in headaches down the road... I don't need a 3/4 ton truck... It was merely an option worth exploring... Honestly, a Toyota Tacoma will pull my trailer (my brother's does) and would probably even plow my driveway, but a 1/2 ton would seem more suitable...
Maybe time to move to a newer Tundra... I just wish Toyota would come out with some type of fuel savings in their engine engieering... like multiple displacement, or even offering a diesel option...

[Chickenhauler Get Help Now]

IDK if GM has fixed it in their latest versions, but in years past (going back to 88) their frames didn't hold up well to plows, even with the plow prep package.  Lots of broken and cracked frames around and behind the A-arm mounting region.

Of course, using it as a plow truck in one's personal driveway is a far cry from the torment and abuse that a truck sees plowing commercially.

[Yamiryder TT Gold Member]

I think you should really look at an ecoboost F150. That should easily do what you want it to. The Tundra is a good truck, but as you said, they don't offer an engine like the ecoboost. Plus, personally, I don't think the Tundra is the superior half ton either.

[Chickenhauler Get Help Now]

 Yamiryder, on 21 January 2012 - 07:31 PM, said:

I think you should really look at an ecoboost F150. That should easily do what you want it to. The Tundra is a good truck, but as you said, they don't offer an engine like the ecoboost. Plus, personally, I don't think the Tundra is the superior half ton either.

Ecoboost + Plow = no warranty.

https://www.fleet.fo...-html/Q-200.pdf

[Ryan_kdx TT Member]

"Compact" trucks these days are stout.  A tacoma would probably handle what you need to move fairly easily.  The problem I see people running into with them is interior room.  If you take 2-3 dirtbikes and a quad, that usually means atleast 4 people are going.  I would say 4 people in a tacoma, either quad or extended cab, would make for one crappy road trip.  However, I would imagine they make for a much better DD than any half ton.  Whats your current ride?

Edited by Ryan_kdx, 21 January 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[MyRCRocks TT Newbie]

Currently driving a 2nd gen Tundra... Time to upgrade...

[clutchless TT Gold Member]

 Chickenhauler, on 21 January 2012 - 07:37 PM, said:

Ecoboost + Plow = no warranty.

https://www.fleet.fo...-html/Q-200.pdf

That says nothing about the Eco Boost just the EPAS.

[Chokey]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I think anybody that buys these ridiculous massive diesel pickups that doesn't regularly tow 10,000-15,000 pounds for a living is buying them solely for the penis-enlargement factor. They're much more expensive to purchase than a more appropriate (in most cases) truck such as an F150, fuel costs more (offsetting most or all of the mpg advantage). maintenance and repair costs are significantly higher, and they tend to be much less reliable than the lesser half-ton gas trucks. Hell, my little Dodge Dakota will haul 1800 pounds and tow 6000 pounds with no problems, and it does the role of daily driver/part-time pickup just fine, with no need to buy way too much truck. And I didn't have to pay $50k for it, nor do I have $2500 repair bills, $100 oil changes, or $1000 worth of tires.

Edited by Chokey, 22 January 2012 - 08:31 AM.

[clutchless TT Gold Member]

 Chokey, on 22 January 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I think anybody that buys these ridiculous massive diesel pickups that doesn't regularly tow 10,000-15,000 pounds for a living is buying them solely for the penis-enlargement factor. They're much more expensive to purchase than a more appropriate (in most cases) truck such as an F150, fuel costs more (offsetting most or all of the mpg advantage). maintenance and repair costs are significantly higher, and they tend to be much less reliable than the lesser half-ton gas trucks. Hell, my little Dodge Dakota will haul 1800 pounds and tow 6000 pounds with no problems, and it does the role of daily driver/part-time pickup just fine, with no need to buy way too much truck. And I didn't have to pay $50k for it, nor do I have $2500 repair bills or $100 oil changes.

hard to flame someone for making a logical post. I'm getting a daily driver car, probably a civic so i don't have use my 3/4 ton.

If i drive 1000 miles a month, which is really easy to do and i work from home, i will pay 356.00 in gas.

If i lease a new civic with my old truck as a trade in. I will pay 170.00 for the lease. and 100.00 in gas. insuracne will be another 86.00 a month.

So for the price of driving my big truck i can have a 2nd vehicle, prolong the life of my truck and save money.