Big 3 diesel trucks comparison

[Woodrow]

I may be in the market for a new tow rig in a few months. I have an ‘08 Dodge 3500 Cummins 4x4 that I bought new, but I am tired of fixing/maintaining it. I’d rather be more focused on TJ work. I live out west, so mountains are always involved when I tow. Typically, I’m towing around 8k which is technically well within gas half ton territory but I have been there and done that. The power, stability, and range of a 1T turbo diesel especially on a winding grade at altitude is worth the additional price of entry to me. The question therefore is Superduty, Dodge(I don’t like the ram name), or GM?

For several reasons, power being at the top of the list, I initially favor the Ford. There is a dyno comparison that was done a year or so ago and in raw numbers, the superduty crushed the other 2:

https://www.dieselarmy.com/features/whos-lying-about-horsepower-ford-vs-chevy-vs-ram-dyno-shootout/

I drove a Superduty shortly after the current aluminum body came out in 2017 and again a few days ago (2 different ‘27 Tremor variants). Gotta say I don’t love it. Its hard to believe anything could make my 20yo Dodge feel sporty but the Ford has to be 11/10 on the “drives like a school bus” scale. It felt very under damped and it didn’t take much speed into a on-ramp corner to make those front tires howl and push. One of the new ones I drove also had a drivetrain shudder on hard acceleration that felt like a loose pinion does. The other one (a $110K Platinum FFS!) had a broken mirror adjustment button.

I have yet to drive the new Dodges and GMs. I like the Cummins platform and the new 8spd transmission has gotten good reviews. That combo is also available in a power wagon this year. The IFS in my old ‘94 GMC is far better driving than my dodge so maybe the new GMs will be better road drivers too. But Stellantis just seems to suck all around and GM quality hasn’t been awesome lately either.

Anyone else been through this comparison lately and care to comment?

 

[Woodrow]

Sorry @Chris. I realized I should’ve posted here right after I posted.

 

[Apparition]

I wish we’d have gotten you into mine like we talked about in Utah.

Haven’t driven a ‘27 so can’t compare.

But I pissed off a BMW X5 M series the other day because he couldn’t out run me to an upcoming right turn the other day, he was on my left.

I knew what he was trying to do since he had two failed jumps on timing the light prior to it actually turning green. Sport mode took care of him and I didn’t even launch it in 4x4.

Good luck on your hunt. Hope you find what suits you.

 

[Woodrow]

I wish we’d have gotten you into mine like we talked about in Utah.

Haven’t driven a ‘27 so can’t compare.

But I pissed off a BMW X5 M series the other day because he couldn’t out run me to an upcoming right turn the other day, he was on my left.

I knew what he was trying to do since he had two failed jumps on timing the light prior to it actually turning green. Sport mode took care of him and I didn’t even launch it in 4x4.

Good luck on your hunt. Hope you find what suits you.

Funny. 500whp and 1100ft.lbs to the wheels is hard compete with

 

[Zorba]

There's no way in Hell I'd ever buy a new truck, diesel or otherwise, to replace something like your '08. For a plethora of reasons - but that's me.

 

[Rickyd]

Who has the best emissions equipment warranty and easiest lemon byback right now?

I think that would be one of my highest priorities on something so expensive and failure prone.

Research which issues the 3 have and decide which you want to deal with.

And of course,go drive all of them.

 

[WVJeep304]

I know at least a dozen people that have bought Cummins equipped Rams in the last 4 years. Every. Single. One of them has had major issues, 4 of them traded in on something else immediately. GM certainly has its issues as well. I've actually been diehard GM since birth, and currently own 2 GM trucks. But if I had to buy a new truck today, it would be an F250 powerstroke without any hesitation. Ford definitely has its issues as well. But I like the look the best, I prefer the interior, and trust it more than the alternatives.