Thought I was checking out of Hotel Earth permanently yesterday. Had an old man turn in front of me yesterday right before the 2-mile bridge on Tawakoni with me going about 55 mph. Luckily, I hit his passenger side and no one was injured other than both of our Silverados. Must say, I was impressed, I hit him dead on T-bone pretty hard and I'm pretty bruised today, but the seat belt and airbags saved my rump. State Trooper said he had a similar accident a week before where a lady in a Durango had the engine push into the cabin and it broke both of her legs with the bones sticking out. I was amazed when I was able to walk away and I'm certainly thankful my wife and infant weren't along for the ride.

Anyway, I think she's totaled and I'm probably going to need a new tow vehicle. Any recommendations on a diesel 3/4 ton Chevy vs. Ford? I drive to the lake about 45 miles each way each day without my boat, so fuel economy would be good. More importantly, I have to lug my 21' Ranger around the country for tourneys and fishing trips and I'm curious on everyone's thoughts about which is better for a tow rig. I buy my trucks used, a couple years old, then put in full synthetic oil and take care of them well and run them until they drop. Mainly concerned with which one is going to run the best and longest. Resale's not a big issue, since they aren't worth a lot by the time I trade them (really high miles). I believe Chevy changed to a 6 speed tranny this year from the 5 speed Allison, not sure what effect this will have on towing or if there is a big reason why they did it. I've traditionally owned GM trucks, but since the Fords have been updated more recently, and it usually seems that the more recently updated model always wins the awards from the car mags, I am curious if they have outdone the Chevys. Also, I've always had 1/2 ton gas trucks in the past. None of these could really tow in overdrive without shifting back and forth constantly. Will these big diesels tow in OD no problems?

I'm especially interested if anyone has had both the 6.0 Ford and the 6.6 Chevy and can give me some firsthand experience.

Thanks and keep those seat belts buckled!

Good Fishing,

Tom

Tom, don't overlook Dodge. My 2004 2500HD 4x4 gets 17-20mpg with the 5.9 Cummins. Will it tow your rig? You'll have to constantly check the mirror to make sure the boats is still back there. Thats how well they pull. As far as Chevy or Ford goes, all I can tell you is that we are seeing a ton of 6.0 problems(turbos, heads, and injectors) at our dealership right now. Ican call the svc manager at our Chevy store and get some info on the Duramax problems(if there any) if youd like.

The Ford Diesels are just getting broken in around 150k miles if that says anything. Go with a turbo diesel F250 and you'll like it. If you want to bump up the mileage, for $400 you can have a Quadzilla engine chip installed. Without a boat, you'll be getting around 28mpg highway if you use cruise control.

I would agree with Randy. They are having problems with the Ford right now on Turbos and the Chevy, well it's a Chevy. The Cummins would probably be the best Route to take if your going Diesel. I have a Dodge diesel right now and I'm experiencing the same mileage as Randy. If it makes a difference they are cheaper too.

I have been a Chevy man ALL my life.. I am now on my first Dodge Diesel... wont ever own a ford or chevy again.... and I am a Master Certified ASE, GM Techncian. I have the large exhaust without the chip and get 20-21 hwy, 17 pulling the boat(mine is a 2001 Dodge 3500 dually, 6 speed)--

BTW! Thanks Brian Spagnola www.txmotorcars.com I still LOVE the truck!!!

i have the 6.0 F250 turbo diesel. no problems here. 16-17 city, 19-22 highway, 14 towing the bass rig. and it is not broken in yet. and it's not broken yet either!

the 6.0 did have problems when it came out, if you're buying used don't buy an '03 or '04. go with the older 7.3 (2002 or older) if you're buying used ford diesel, or buy a new/used '05.

i have never owned a duramax, but i know too many people that have not repeated their puchase to believe in that truck.

cummins is the best powerplant in a truck, the problem is what they put them in. flame me if you will, but dodge just does not build a truck that will last as long as it should. tranny trouble (esp. in the automatics) and various "gremlins" are to be expected, whether the owners care to pipe up about it or not.

finally, look at who sells the most. the F250 powerstroke has been #1 for quite a while, in spite of not being the least expensive of the three. businesses rely on these trucks day in and day out, they buy ford because they work, and work some more.

finally, i'm glad you're okay, seatbelts save lives!! i'll trade you a demo ride in my truck for a ride in your boat!! but we'll catch more fish in your boat!

j

Dodge/Cummins Best diesel out there.

RED

Dodge and Cummins the best out there. Six cylinder versus V-8, go with the straight 6. If
v-8's were so good they would still be putting them in the big trucks.

I wouldnt do the Ford they are having lots of problems, Chevrolet is a good truck, shifts way to much unless you chip it, Dodge will blow both away as far as fuel milage, i have an 05 Dodge 1 ton crew cab and get 15.5 pulling a Z21 and can get 21 on the highway empty when i drive right. I pull large livestock trailers and have with all 3 makes of truck and the Dodge is the best pulling wise and capacity wise, it dont have the interior of the Chevrolet or the smoother ride of the Ford (springs are longer for a little better ride on the Ford but it will hit the overload springs before the Chev. or Dodge)its more of a "Truck".

I have the '04 Ford and get a max of 14-15mpg hwy w/o a boat. Maybe 12 with a boat on back. I have had some problems, but not sice I took out my Quadzilla chip. It bought me 120hp and an extra mpg, but cost me a couple of trips to the shop. I miss it though. The difference in 15 and 20 mpg that you would see in a Dodge would pay your entry fee by the time you prefish and go to the event. I like everything else about the Ford, but it cost me about $200 per month more in fuel than if I drove a dodge. Not sure what I'll do next time.

Mine's a 02 Duramax crew cab 4x4. No problems yet but some of this year model had bad injectors. Quietest, most comfortable truck I've ever owned. Got 25mpg on a all highway trip to the coast last year but usually get 18-19 in city/highway driving. Get's 15 pulling the boat. As for power, it will pull just about anything that is legal to tow behind a 3/4 ton. I often haul cars on a flatbed with a weight of around 5-6000lbs. Barely even know it's there.

Me too Tom. Got rear ended about 3 weeks ago and it bent the frame bad enough I didn't want it back. Glad you are ok.

I will start by saying I am a Ford guy for sure. I would agree with the guys above that you probably don't want a 03, 04 or early 05 6.0 diesel but the late 05 & 06's have been good. Now if you are talking used then the 7.3 is an awesome motor.

I did some research and that is what I came up with. I ended up buying a 01 F250 Super Crew w/ 7.3 and less than 100K miles. I have only had it a week but so far it is an awesome truck and I would say 17-20 mpg unloaded is definitely in the ballpark. I would say you might loose a couple by hooking that Ranger up to the back.

From what I read (take that for what you paid for it ) the Duramax have had their issues too and the Dodge Cummings would probably be the deal if Dodge could figure out how to make an decent tranny.

Again, just my opinion. Ask Shane to take you for a ride in his...you will fall in love, that truck is AWESOME!!!

Good luck Tom, I hate dealing with that carp. Don't forget to call Chris Tilton @ Bob Utter Ford if he can help you with a Ford and Monte Coon @ Moritz if you need a Chebby

PS - Don't chip whatever you get.

The new Duramax has performed very well with very
few problems. According to my service manager the
only issue has been the recent recall to reprogram
the glowplugs. I have sold a lot of these trucks to
guys on the forum and have heard no complaints.
The pulling power is awesome and they are trimmed out
very nicely.
Good luck on your decision and I'm glad you made it
out in one piece.

2006 Duramax Diesel

Enhanced Duramax Diesel Engine Features
� Class-leading diesel horsepower and overall torque
� A reduction in operational noise for 2006.
� A deep-skirt cast-iron block with induction-hardened cylinder bores and fracture-split connecting rods help increase durability
� Common rail fuel injection, developed by Bosch, is a direct-injection system that utilizes advanced electronics and pilot injection to optimize fuel delivery and help reduce emissions and combustion noise.
� A variable-geometry �smart� turbocharger, located in the valley between the cylinder heads for a compact design, features computer-controlled turbine vanes and an air-to-air intercooler.
� A durable gear-driven water pump helps maximize coolant flow
� The oil cooler is integral to the engine block and keeps the oil temperatures more consistent over the operating range.
� Cast-aluminum cylinder heads feature sintered-steel valve-seat inserts and a four-valve design to help reduce emissions and maximize power.

2006 Allison transmission

� Allison is the same make of transmission used in M1 Abrams tanks.
� The new Allison 1000 Series six-speed automatic transmission available on 2500HD and 3500 models is a GM-segment exclusive.1
� A new, segment-exclusive1 Tap-Up/Tap-Down shift feature on the gear shift lever
� The Allison transmission uses many of the same load-carrying components found in Chevy medium-duty commercial truck transmissions.
� Heavy-duty park pawl
� Grade braking � a feature that automatically downshifts to help slow the vehicle when the driver applies the brakes while descending long, steep grades. And new for 2006, the cruise control system also utilizes this feature so the vehicle can maintain a constant speed during travel over mountainous terrain without the driver ever touching the brakes.
� Impressive gear range, including a low first gear to get the load moving
� Passive shift stabilization to help reduce shift �busyness� when driving on mountainous terrain


Duramax 6600
360 horsepower @ 3200 rpm
650 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1600 rpm
6 speed Allison

PowerStroke 6.0
325 horse power @ 3300 rpm
570 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2000 rpm
5 speed

Cummins 5.9
325 horse power @ 2900 rpm
610 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1600 rpm
4 speed

Source of this info 2006 Chevrolet Truck Specialist
Product Guide


Monte Coon
Sales Manager
Moritz Chevrolet
817-368-2502

My step dad has a 6.0 powerstroke and have already had the heads off 3 times. Plus he only gets about 11 mpg. I own a '03 dodge 3500 w/a Cummins and a 6spd and average around 22-23 mpg. I have 105k on the odometer and havent done anything sept change the oil!!! Defentaly consider a Dodge

I've got an easy answer for you, get one of 'em to sponser you with a free one and use it