I am in the market for a diesel. I am trying to chose between the Duramax and the Powerstroke. I will be looking at a 4x4, 3/4-ton, crew cab, lwb/swb (doesn't matter).


I haven't heard much about how this engine performs under loads (fully loaded three-horse slant trailer with living quarters, min. 9k pounds).


Can someone inform me of any known issues with any year of the Duramax?


My husband currently owns an '01 2500 Cummins but my '97 F-150 was just totaled and we will be trading his Dodge in on the Duramax or Powerstroke.

With the Ford engine issues lately it kinda like rolling the dice when you buy one. Just my personal opinion but I'd go with the GM DMax or the Dodge Cummins 600.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif Edited by: a bear

From a towing load standpoint 9K won't bother any of the diesels on the market today. Gm with 605 lb/ft of torque, or dodge with 600.....9k on a double axle horse trailer won't bother either one.


Thats if you leave it stock....go up to the basic programmers....say +90hp and you truely won't even know it's there. I pulled a two horse with dressing room(family horse farm) I had a BIG draft and a BIG cleaveland bay thouroghbred cross in there. I was getting yelled at for accelerating too fast and "not giving them a good ride". The thing is I was trying to be slow........it's just too much with the tuner on...so I backed it off to stock and life was good.....even stock I had no lack of power.


The new cummins is just that, new. It might have issues once the miles rack up....or not.....the Dmax has one major issue.........the injectors.......GM stands behind the problem and has extended warranties on older trucks. I feel that GM has the best overall package......Dodge probably has the better motor......but look at the whole vehicle and GM wins no question.

Is the 9000# trailer weight including the three horses?


Even if not, owners have said that they are pulling loads twice that weight with no problems.


We like our trucks on here so you will most likely get a biased answer here, but you cant deny the Duramax/Allison combo set up is a great package compared to what else is out there.

We like our trucks on here so you will most likely get a biased answer here, but you cant deny the Duramax/Allison combo set up is a great package compared to what else is out there.


No, there is no denying that is a great set up but this is a very tough decision for me (and my husband). I'm just trying to get info on issues with each engine and tranny. Thank you.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

I pull 13000 roughly and the truck d/a pulls it like butter on slick bread.........with no puter mods..I like it but draw your own conclusions.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

I would factor in the size and noise issues also.


I tested all the diesels before I purchased my Dmax.


The Ford is huge inside but much noisier then both Dodge and Chevy. The ride is closest to the Chevy which is the best, stock. The Ford also drove the most like a diesel. It was slow to accelerate from a stop. Took a few rpms before the turbo felt like it kicked in. I had a hard time getting used to it, coming from gas motors. It was my second choice, size was a major factor for me.


The Dodge is small, not alot of fun in the back seat for long rides. I had a 03 gas 4door and my 15 yr old daughter was always cramped in the back. I will say the ride was better then the ford and the motor accelerated like a gas motor. Also the Dodge, though its not the nicest interior, is the best put together. The dash, doors, windows, are tight, no noises. I interior noises and this was by far the best. Also the engine is quieter inside then the Ford, but not close the the Chevy.


I really didn't want the Chevy. I wanted a solid axle, but after riding in it I couldn't pass it up. The ride is pleasant, and the best of the 3. The engine felt the most like a gasser, there is not lag and you can gradually pull out in traffic and not have to rev the engine to make speed. I drive slowly and rarely take it about 2,000 rpm. The inside is not as large as the Ford but is a comfortable medium. My daughter, who also wanted the Ford because of the size, says its not to bad and she is comfortable on 4-6 hr rides. The Chevy also has the nicest, look inside. The main factor I picked it was the engine noise. The engine is so quiet inside the cab most of the time I forget I am in a diesel. My wife even likes it. The only issue is the fit of the interior. I am starting to get little rattles and the dash makes noises when you hit small bumps. I am living with it, because of all the other positives but I wish it was better.


I tow a 25' toybox about 400 miles every other weekend, weights about 7500 loaded and it is no problem. I rarely have to take it out of overdrive. The egt's stay below 1100.

Muddywoman,


I love my Duramax and while pulling my 3H slant trailer it puts my 3/4 ton gasser to shame. And I thought that was a big truck. I love the Allison Transmission although the downshifting sound and feel while in tow/haul mode gives me a little too much testosterone! I feel like a truck driver but kinda love it in a weird(love my truck) kinda way. And for being a woman too, I love the interior of the Chevy. I have the LT model and holy wah eh, can't beat the heated seats and leather comfort. I feel guilty sometimes for having such a pretty truck, but I think I'm worth it, and hubby thinks so too(sorry guys). So yes you would love the Duramax for pulling your prized equine friends.


Good luck!

I feel like a truck driver but kinda love it in a weird(love my truck) kinda way. And for being a woman too, I love the interior of the Chevy.


Auto makers know no boundaries when it comes to gender! I loved my '97 F-150 and still do and will do my best find out what happens to it.


I feel guilty sometimes for having such a pretty truck, but I think I'm worth it, and hubby thinks so too(sorry guys). So yes you would love the Duramax for pulling your prized equine friends.


Good luck!





I know any of the diesels could pull my babies (horse, dogs, and hubby!) but trying to figure out what issues there are with each engine and transmission. Besides, we're already leaning toward the GMC DA. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Well you are leaning in the right direction.


For an auto tranny you can't beat the Allison right out of the box. I am sure there are some stick shifter out there that will argue that the manual will pull better and last longer then the Allison but this tranny takes alot of the guess work out of it for you.


As for the engines I am sure the Duramax has had just about as many problems to date as the Cummins has had when it was this old. Now I am just guessing, I do not have asact figures on that.


Now this is my opinion, go for it.

Drive all three, but there really is nothing close to the DMAX Allison!

Go with the old Dmax YOU'LL be glad you did!!!!! My.02 Brianhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif

I pretty much went the Duramax route for the same reassons radvans states. I have 35,000 on the truck and about 50% is towing a 6K and 10K pound trailers. And I love the Duramax-Allison set up. Someone must have specifically built it with the towing market in mind.

I noticed you posted this in the LB7 forum. If you are buying new, then you will be getting an LLY. It is a newer version of the LB7, you can read up on the changes here.

I think no matter what forum you go to, the people there will try to sell you on what they have. This is a largely GM forum, and we love our trucks. If you go to a Ford forum, they will try to sell you on their trucks and that the Duramax is a Maxipad, or Durajunk, or whatever. Bottom line is that you are doing the right thing by going around and asking questions. I believe the Duramax Allison is the best combination out there. Together they are impressive. Dodge has a nice engine in their Cummins, but I don't like their interior much at all. Plus my best friends Dad worked for Dodge, so they always drove them. Lots of them, because they were always breaking down or just falling apart. Meanwhile we always had GMs, and drove them for hundreds of thousands of miles with no major problems.

There is a distinct possiblity that you would be happy with any of the big three, so go with what you like. If I could be as impartial as possible, I'd say go with the Duramax/Allison. Strong engine/tranny combination. Nice interior. Ride is nice (especially if you drop a small amount on Bilsteins). Looks are nice (YES, even the Chevy looks good). The only thing people really complain about on these trucks is the towing mirrors. I tow a 32' 5er enclosed autowagon and don't have any problems with them. Maybe they could be a little bigger, but I see what I need to see.

Dennis

Go with the old Dmax YOU'LL be glad you did!!!!! My.02 Brianhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gifYea what he said!!:ro) ):h :ro)

I purchased a GMC because of the engine-transission combination. The Allison is a great transmission.

:ro)
2004 GMC 2500HD Ext. Cab, Long Box ,Duramax (LB7)/Allison; GMC bed liner; Air Lift Super Duty air bags; Michelin LT265/75-R16 LTX M/S ; Luverne Running boards; Bilsteinshocks; Isspro gauges; Racor frame mount fuel pre-filter.


Towing a 2004 Everest 291L 5<SUP>th wheel

</SUP>

I pull a 3H living quarters trailer. We usually only haul one horse but have had 2 horses and a mini. With our normal load of one horse, we hit the scales at 20200 early last year. That puts our trailer at about 13000. Depending on the fluids and horses, we likely hit 14000. I would recommend puting your trailer on a scale. If you are in the market for both, consider a dually. Goosenecks have heavy pin weights. I'm 6800 on rear axle which is over weight (for any SRW 2500 ) At a minimum, get the 3500 SRW.

I love the truck. The interior/exterior looks and feels good. We specifically liked the amount of back seat room. The engine and tranny have been flawless. Our first year on the truck and trailer was 35000 miles, 15000 pulling horse trailer. 11 out of town shows including one in Tulsa, OK and one in Canada. Every drive has involved a series of good grades of 6%.

As reported by a ford dealer. the early 05`s are having a tranny problem, the Tow/Haul mode does not work worth a cr*p. Just passing on what I was told.

Jomar

You, know the Ford is really nice ride too. My brother had an 03 Duramax with no problems and took a chance a spec'd right, 04 F250 CC P-stroke that has been a great truck. He was leery of course but has not had any problems. Although its a Lariet it is no where near as fancy interior wise as the GM trucks. I love the size and the power is without question stout. For me to switch would be a tough task. I love my GMC and am biased. The Cummins is a great engine but I refuse to own the Dodge truck built arround it. Both the D-Max and Powerstroke are outstanding powerplants and the transmissions are pretty comparable, although I think the Alison is probably more advanced. The choice really comes down to what you charish most. A smooth cadillac like ride and interior or the higher more truck like stance, view and ride of the solid front axle Ford. I cheated and drive a lifted GMC for the best of both worlds.

Auto makers know no boundaries when it comes to gender! I loved my '97 F-150 and still do and will do my best find out what happens to it.
Well My 97 F-150 died a horrible death as well (see picture) and I loved it. I first was looking for a ~00-02 powerstroke which I have drivend often, then test drove several Cummins, but after ride in a duramax there was no turning back. Although I don't haul anything very heavy...

I lifted my duramax just a little as well (only 1.5 iches) to make it look a little more like a powerstroke.

Now thats what I call a flame job. Kudos to the artist, much more realistic than anything I've seen on American Choppers lately.

I've had all three... There is NOTHING like a Dmax/Ally IMO. And to me more so the tranny.

Plus... I feel like I'm in a car (I know some want to feel lik they are in a truck,but not me !).. its so comfortable.

Anyway... I pull a bumper pull three horse loaded .. like nothing...

btw.. what kind of dogs ? I have GSP's and hounds... ;)

http://www.waycoolkennels.com