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franklyfrank · 08-18-2016, 10:28 PM

Which is the best all around choice ? Considering performance, quite operation, and general maintenance. What are the issues with the emission additives ?

drboyd · 08-18-2016, 10:48 PM

Subscribing.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-18-2016, 11:25 PM

Hi, the best one, is the one that you decided to spend your hard earned money on. Since they sell big numbers of all of them, they are all the best.

SpletKay06 · 08-18-2016, 11:54 PM

Im a Ram guy so thats my option. But they all share the same emissions issues anymore. The problem is the egr recirculating the sooty exhaust right back in your engine. Not to mention all the issuses with the dpf and scr.

crispyboy · 08-19-2016, 06:55 AM

The competition is fierce between the big three at this point in the game (comparing 2016 models), it really doesn't make that big a difference for the general rv towing duties most on this board use them for.
Since many of the kinks have been worked out of the various brands I think it really comes down to personal preference of the curb appeal, warranty, price, comfort, etc....
I am partial to the straight six cylinder engine in the Dodge (used since 1989 in two variants) - it is a proven work horse especially now that they have had a good automatic transmission since 2007 and the emission system have improved.
I have friends and family members with their brand of trucks and which seem to do just fine for them.
Do the preventative maintenance, don't abuse it and typically a vehicle will perform pretty good.

Tyvekcat · 08-19-2016, 07:39 AM

LOL There was already a thread removed yesterday, we going for two in two days?

I like the Cummins in the Dodge, ( will always be Dodge to me). Very reliable, doesn't overheat, and pulls like a EMD SD60.
It has Michelin's on it too, if that helps,

joel · 08-19-2016, 07:39 AM

Got a brother with a 2016 duramax and a bro in law with a Cummins both swear by them. If you have a local fleet service check with them if you know them. Mine says if $ are not an issue go duramax. That being said he drives a Ford with probably the best engine ever the 7.3 power stroke. Of course he has the facilities to completely rebuild them and put it in any thing he wants. I have almost 200,000 on my duramax and would buy the same good luck shopping.

xrvr · 08-19-2016, 07:41 AM

Cummins, I don't know what a Cummings is.

Tyvekcat · 08-19-2016, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

Cummins, I don't know what a Cummings is.

damned ole auto-correct. Guess it thought it was the town, ( without the 'S')

Glad I didn't do that on the DTR forum

thanks for warning me Avionstream,

xrvr · 08-19-2016, 08:14 AM

I shouldn't have said anything. Same thing happens to me all the time, just being a smart as@

Mrjkq · 08-19-2016, 08:26 AM

I've has two of the 3 you mentioned. Both the duramax & powerstroke were excellent trucks. My complaint with the ford was twofold, the mpg was poor and the 26 gallon fuel tank was insufficient for long term towing unless you enjoy frequent fuel stops and I mean frequent as it didn't take long for the needle to get below a half tank and then you start planning for your next fuel stop. My GMC had a 36 gallon tank and I understand the RAM has 31 gal.

SCOTTinNJ · 08-19-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

I've has two of the 3 you mentioned. Both the duramax & powerstroke were excellent trucks. My complaint with the ford was twofold, the mpg was poor and the 26 gallon fuel tank was insufficient for long term towing unless you enjoy frequent fuel stops and I mean frequent as it didn't take long for the needle to get below a half tank and then you start planning for your next fuel stop. My GMC had a 36 gallon tank and I understand the RAM has 31 gal.

True. But Ford addressed this for 2017.

**GCinSC2** · 08-19-2016, 10:58 AM

Dodge Cummins here 2005 with 183K on it.

But you didn't specify new or used and year?

One thing about the Ford that I cannot accept is since roughly the 6.0L and for sure with the 6.7L is having to remove the entire cab to work on the engine. It just rubs me wrong.

Good luck.

VaTravelers · 08-19-2016, 11:19 AM

I have a Ford F250 - I had some problems with an internal oil leak which caused an injector problem. It cost me $2,200 to fix. Other than that it runs quietly and smoothly and get's decent mileage. But as everyone has said, they all are more than qualified to pull an AS up a hill or down the road without any problems.

NWRVR · 08-19-2016, 11:32 AM

When I was looking I subscribed to the big three forums to see what the complaints are to see if there were any big issues. They are all about the same and with any forum, you are generally reading posts by people with problems, you seldom see posts from the majority that are happy. We went with the F350 for payload, HP, quiet engine (comparatively), torque, roomy cab and great price. Good luck in your search!

J. Morgan · 08-19-2016, 11:50 AM

Having owned all three makes of these Diesels within our family of companies, IF I were to ever be in the market for another one ton diesel, I would not buy any of these three except for the Cummins Ram, period.

Gradiens super tenui glacie.

m.hony · 08-19-2016, 12:02 PM

Fleet of Duramax/Allison here-
Can't compare to a modern Ford. We haven't had a Ford since the 7.3 Navisatar.
Never had any experience with Ram.
We looked at a Ram once.
In comparison the bodies and ride quality seem better on the GM trucks. We ruled out the Ram.
In general the Duramax/Allison are very smooth, quiet, and powerful.
The family that owns the company I work for thinks GM hung the moon.
I think Toyota hung the moon, but...
If I were to choose between the 3 I would personally choose Duramax/Allison.

chaseav · 08-19-2016, 12:14 PM

I always read these threads from 30,000ft so as to avoid the ground fire. I've never owned a diesel but hope to someday. The only input I can offer is that it seems Ram guys are either the most vocal and / or numerous. When I do buy, I plan to go almost entirely on looks alone.

NY24 · 08-19-2016, 12:46 PM

2016 is Cummins 101st year in business. 'Nuff said.

Wingeezer · 08-19-2016, 12:58 PM

I suspect that when it comes down to it, there is not a lot to choose between the big three.

We have had our Duramax for 8 years now and have been more than pleased with it.

The only issue we ever had was one trip where the truck went into "Limp mode" when in the fast lane on an interstate - truck immediately lost power and would not run more than maybe 20mph.

The fuel filter life suddenly dropped from about 60% left to 0% at the same time.

We had unavoidably fuelled up earlier in the day at a very seedy-looking gas station in the hills of Pennsylvania and my immediate thought was a load of bad fuel. Diesel fuel with age can grow algae.

We managed to "limp" five miles down the interstate to a small town with a GM dealer.

I told them what had happened and of my suspicions. I asked if they could change the filter and if possible dump the remaining 1/4 tank of fuel.

When we picked the truck up an hour later they had changed the filter but said the fuel looked fine so they did not dump it. That concerned me a bit, but we did make it home - maybe 250 miles - with no further issue, and it has never happened again.

So far that has been the only issue with the engine that we have had.

We did also have problems with the integrated trailer brake system in the Sierra - now fixed after several attempts I think! It was somewhat frustrating and after multiple visits to the dealer I almost got to the point of trying to bypass the system in favour of an aftermarket controller, but it has now been fine for a couple of years.

Brian.