My last truck was a Chevy gasser, and it was a great truck. So now that I'm ready to move up to a diesel, I've been researching both the Chevy and Dodge extensively. Both seem to get rave reviews in online forums, magazines, etc. But, the Cummins is a medium (heavy?)duty engine in a light duty truck. Thicker cylinder walls, simpler design (i.e. fewer moving parts), and proven over time. Also, as an owner of two musclecars, I've noticed that most gearhead types tend to recommend the Cummins. This includes our local Diesel shop here in Sacramento. I've also test drove both a number of times, and found the Duramax to be rather frustrating in and around town. Seems like it just won't get going out of 1st gear. The Cummins seems to launch a little better off the line. I've heard that the Duramax needs to get revved up a bit more, and the Cummins has a slight torque advantage due to its' inline six design. Whatever the case may be, the seat of my pants likes the Cummins better. Ride quality is a non-issue for me so I can't comment on that.

 

Okay, without being biased toward either, as I've owned all three in HD forms....

If you want the best ride quality, best rear axle (full on locker) and the quietest cab, then go with the Chevy. Best daily driver, in my opinion.

If you want max load capacity, strongest frame, best aftermarket support, then go Ford. Best work truck, again my opinion.

If you want the most reliable diesel, best interior (personal opinion here) and easiest maintenance, then go Dodge. Best all around, again my opinion.

I've had all three, I like this truck the best. If I could have it in 5.9 with the 6 speed, it would be the cats azz.

 

I agree above, I come from a family of Diesel's, we have about 12 at the moment. My uncle has 3 dodges and 2 chevys,I have drove all of them thousands of miles. The Chevy is by leaps and bounds so much quiter and smoother than the other 2. But I just purchased a new truck, and I looked at a Tundra, Chevy HD and the Dodge. I COULD NOT GET OVER THE FACT THAT MY UNCLE HAS 350K, AND 257k on 2 of his dodges, My dad has 221K on his, only problems were of course the front ends needing to be rebuilt a few times before the 2006 model.

 

....c....u....m....m....i....n....s....

 

I'm driving a Chevy gas right now , and allthink of is
getting my fat butt backin a Dodge cummins.
So whats that tell ya.

 

Really though, you are the one who pays the note on the thing, so the one who needs to be happy is you.

I hold no "brand" loyalty to any manufacturer and until the day comes that they provide my free vehicles for life that won't change.

I buy the vehicle that suits me at the time and gives me the best bang for the buck.

It YOUR money, it's YOUR ride.....drive all of them and make YOUR decision. Getting opinions on a forum is always gonna be lopsided, although the guys in here are MUCH LESS lopsided that on the other boards. Go to FTE and bring up a topic like this and you had better don the flame retardant suit as the Blue Oval Blinders are in full effect over there.

Again, I've owned one from all three and this truck is my favorite all around.

 

In the last month I traded a 2005 Silverrado 2500 with the DMAX engine on a 2007 2500 Dodge. The Dodge has the 6.7L CTD and mega cab. I liked my Chev but more room was needed in the rear seats. I was pulling a 35 foot fifth wheel trailer. The Chev had no problem pulling this 13000 lbs trailer. Mileage was 10 MPG loaded and 14 unloaded.

I have not pulled my trailer with the Dodge yet except to the truck scales to weigh the rig. Truck 7100, GCWD 20,040. On a round trip to B'ham unloaded I got 16.5 MPG. Less than 500 miles on the OD. It appears the Dodge is quieter On the road. I love the way it drives on the road. I will give some updates when I start pulling the RV again.

 

I come from a long long line of Chevy's. It's all I have ever owned and I have talked my fair share of Crap about Dodge and Ford. For a gasses, Chevy is the shiznits in my opinion. However, when it came to deciding on what to buy in a Diesel, I did lots of research and test drove them all. I now drive my Dodge CTD and love it! and since I don't think I could ever drive a gasser again, I'll be driving Dodge for as long as they put the Cummins in it.
And don't worry about the tranny in the Dodge. As long as your not gonna be adding power to it, it will do just fine. I have a friend with a 2007 Ram 3500 with the 5.9l . He has a race car and races Pro around the country. He pulls a 50' tri axle trailer and if I had to guess I would say it's well over 15000lbs. He has driven over 50k miles 100% pulling that trailer and has had no issues with the tranny and yes it's an auto.

Cummins is the only TRUE Diesel in my opinion. When is the last time you saw a v-8 Diesel in a Semi truck?

 

Cummins... pick up a diesel mag.... look at a diesel event... for the most part its a dodge dominated comunity... IMO

 

One of the things that turned me off from GM is that fact that all of their vehicles comes standard with OnStar. This can obviously be a huge debate, but I simply can't see how this is a good thing. On Wikipedia, they mention, "Starting 2009, General Motors will equip new vehicles with an updated version that allows police to remotely halt the vehicle. Customers can opt out of that function, but critics doubt that this decision will be honored in all cases. Also it could give someone who hacked into the system control over the car." No thanks. If OnStar allowed *me* the ability to halt *my own* vehicle (and took it out of the hands of Big Brother) and if I knew that this information would not be used against me (like warranty, for example), maybe... Actually, I still wouldn't want this feature.