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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Dodge or Ford Diesel

Ric
User ID: 0589754 Jan 6th 11:25 AM
Can anyone tell me whether they recommend a Ford or a Dodge diesel for pulling a travel trailer or 5th wheel. I am in the market for one and am undecided without consumer input. Thanks!

BillW
User ID: 3131844 Jan 6th 5:40 PM
Ric, I'm definately not going to get into the battle of what vehicle and engine is best, but I can relate to you my own experiences. I purchased a 2004 Chev. 2500HD Diesel/Allison Transmission and couldn't be happier. The Allison is probably the premier transmission at this time. This new LLY engine has 310 HP and 590 Ft Lbs of torque and is quieter than either the Ford Power Stroke or the Dodge Cummins. I am pulling a 32Ft 5th wheel with fully loaded scale weight of 10,760 lbs. I am well within all the weight ratings and on two long trips this summer (including both pulling and local driving) I got 13.86 MPG (3200 Miles)and 13.52 MPG (2700 Miles). Without pulling the 5th wheel, I got 18.1 MPG mostly highway, but some city and local driving. I am not a lead footer.
I cannot give you any feedback on the Power Stroke or the Cummins, but the Cummins is supposed to be a very fine engine. I hope this has been some help and good luck in your ventures.
BillW

cwsoules
User ID: 2540134 Jan 7th 7:26 PM
I went with a Dodge as I wanted the Cummins diesel. Chevy did not have the Allison tranny when I bought my truck or I would have looked at Chevy harder. I am happy with my truck, but I did have to beef up the transmission.

John Harrelson
User ID: 0436494 Jan 7th 9:05 PM
Hello Ric,

I also would not want to start a "lively" debate on which truck is best...

But let me say this, I had a 1993 Dodge Diesel 2500 4x4 and got rid of it in less than one year and got a 1993 Ford 3500 4x4.

As to the diesel engines they are very compatible and neither one is any better than the other in my opinion....

BUT ... BUT ..... the Dodge has serious problems with the transmissions in their heavy duty trucks and the front end suspension..

They are the same light weight trannys that are in the smaller Dodge trucks and cannot handle the torque of the diesels engines..

The front ends are notorious for shimmying and wearing out quickly.. NOTE: this is the 4wd models I am talking about, not the 2wd models.

So the choice is yours, I suggest choosing the one that gives you the best deal for the money paid...

John

frankie
User ID: 0972444 Jan 29th 8:38 AM
A personal choice is what it is.I have had good luck with Dodge, on my third new one now 2004 diesel 4x4 3500 srw.Never had a tranny issue,but know others who have.I know a ford owner that is on his 3rd ford after ford bought back his other new ones because of problems.Chevy has a great tranny,no doubt but have had other issues with engine.The big three all make good deisel trucks

C. Nuwer
User ID: 1370014 Jan 29th 5:11 PM
I have been reading the replies and I have a questions. You mention the Dodge Diesel having
transmission problems. Are we talking standard or automatic tranmissions. We have a 2002 Dodge 4 x 4 and it is a 6 speed.

Lloyd
User ID: 0763414 Feb 6th 12:38 PM
I have a 2003 Dodge 3500 Laramie 305HP HO with the 48RE automatic. This truck is awesome, passing 18 wheelers going up hills at 75 mph towing my 31ft Cardinal 12,500lb 5th wheel is great!
The Cummins will go an easy 500,000 miles before an overhaul Ford and Chevy will be much less.
I perfer Dodge but I have owned a Ford that was a great truck also.
You might want to spend some time reading what owners are saying at http://www.turbodieselregister.com/

Unless you get a lemon you will probaly be OK with any one of three, they have come along way since 1978.

Dan H
User ID: 0074284 Feb 11th 8:20 AM
What kind of milage are you getting with the Ford Pickup 6.0 diesel, 373 gear, automatic, 4x4 towing an 8,000 lb travel trailer?

rompinreed
User ID: 0812164 Apr 13th 2:27 PM
While I love Cummins diesel engines I like Ford suspensions and there fore bought a "97 Ford F-250 and at 70 mph going up the mountains here in Arizona I am pushed back in my seat if I floor it while doing 70 uphill and pulling my 32" wilderness 5th wheel. The front I beam suspension got loose on me once and my mechanic said the fords are known for that so he tightened up some bolts and I'm good to go. Also remember this,, My Ford F-250 is one of the roughest riding trucks I have ever ridden in. I love it but there are trade offs. Dodge trucks don't like me,It's mutual. Neighbour has the Chevy duramax with A/T and loves it.Try them all.

Steve
User ID: 0750024 Jun 10th 4:11 PM
Test drive all of them and then decide what is best for you. Keep up with scheduled service and any one of them will take care of you. Good luck to all!!

Ric User ID: 0589754	Jan 6th 11:25 AM Can anyone tell me whether they recommend a Ford or a Dodge diesel for pulling a travel trailer or 5th wheel. I am in the market for one and am undecided without consumer input. Thanks!
BillW User ID: 3131844	Jan 6th 5:40 PM Ric, I'm definately not going to get into the battle of what vehicle and engine is best, but I can relate to you my own experiences. I purchased a 2004 Chev. 2500HD Diesel/Allison Transmission and couldn't be happier. The Allison is probably the premier transmission at this time. This new LLY engine has 310 HP and 590 Ft Lbs of torque and is quieter than either the Ford Power Stroke or the Dodge Cummins. I am pulling a 32Ft 5th wheel with fully loaded scale weight of 10,760 lbs. I am well within all the weight ratings and on two long trips this summer (including both pulling and local driving) I got 13.86 MPG (3200 Miles)and 13.52 MPG (2700 Miles). Without pulling the 5th wheel, I got 18.1 MPG mostly highway, but some city and local driving. I am not a lead footer. I cannot give you any feedback on the Power Stroke or the Cummins, but the Cummins is supposed to be a very fine engine. I hope this has been some help and good luck in your ventures. BillW
cwsoules User ID: 2540134	Jan 7th 7:26 PM I went with a Dodge as I wanted the Cummins diesel. Chevy did not have the Allison tranny when I bought my truck or I would have looked at Chevy harder. I am happy with my truck, but I did have to beef up the transmission.
John Harrelson User ID: 0436494	Jan 7th 9:05 PM Hello Ric, I also would not want to start a "lively" debate on which truck is best... But let me say this, I had a 1993 Dodge Diesel 2500 4x4 and got rid of it in less than one year and got a 1993 Ford 3500 4x4. As to the diesel engines they are very compatible and neither one is any better than the other in my opinion.... BUT ... BUT ..... the Dodge has serious problems with the transmissions in their heavy duty trucks and the front end suspension.. They are the same light weight trannys that are in the smaller Dodge trucks and cannot handle the torque of the diesels engines.. The front ends are notorious for shimmying and wearing out quickly.. NOTE: this is the 4wd models I am talking about, not the 2wd models. So the choice is yours, I suggest choosing the one that gives you the best deal for the money paid... John
frankie User ID: 0972444	Jan 29th 8:38 AM A personal choice is what it is.I have had good luck with Dodge, on my third new one now 2004 diesel 4x4 3500 srw.Never had a tranny issue,but know others who have.I know a ford owner that is on his 3rd ford after ford bought back his other new ones because of problems.Chevy has a great tranny,no doubt but have had other issues with engine.The big three all make good deisel trucks
C. Nuwer User ID: 1370014	Jan 29th 5:11 PM I have been reading the replies and I have a questions. You mention the Dodge Diesel having transmission problems. Are we talking standard or automatic tranmissions. We have a 2002 Dodge 4 x 4 and it is a 6 speed.
Lloyd User ID: 0763414	Feb 6th 12:38 PM I have a 2003 Dodge 3500 Laramie 305HP HO with the 48RE automatic. This truck is awesome, passing 18 wheelers going up hills at 75 mph towing my 31ft Cardinal 12,500lb 5th wheel is great! The Cummins will go an easy 500,000 miles before an overhaul Ford and Chevy will be much less. I perfer Dodge but I have owned a Ford that was a great truck also. You might want to spend some time reading what owners are saying at http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ Unless you get a lemon you will probaly be OK with any one of three, they have come along way since 1978.
Dan H User ID: 0074284	Feb 11th 8:20 AM What kind of milage are you getting with the Ford Pickup 6.0 diesel, 373 gear, automatic, 4x4 towing an 8,000 lb travel trailer?
rompinreed User ID: 0812164	Apr 13th 2:27 PM While I love Cummins diesel engines I like Ford suspensions and there fore bought a "97 Ford F-250 and at 70 mph going up the mountains here in Arizona I am pushed back in my seat if I floor it while doing 70 uphill and pulling my 32" wilderness 5th wheel. The front I beam suspension got loose on me once and my mechanic said the fords are known for that so he tightened up some bolts and I'm good to go. Also remember this,, My Ford F-250 is one of the roughest riding trucks I have ever ridden in. I love it but there are trade offs. Dodge trucks don't like me,It's mutual. Neighbour has the Chevy duramax with A/T and loves it.Try them all.
Steve User ID: 0750024	Jun 10th 4:11 PM Test drive all of them and then decide what is best for you. Keep up with scheduled service and any one of them will take care of you. Good luck to all!!