Just got registered here after reading quite a few of the posts. A lot of knowledgeable folks here for sure. Always good to find a place to get some straight answers rather than all the advertising hype.

I'm one of those fellas that really NEEDS a diesel but don't have one...yet. Looking towards maybe this fall during money tree harvest.

We pull a 16' stock trailer with up to 4 horses right now. With a 1/2 ton GMC. And yeah, that's quite a little bit more than we should. So that's where the need starts.

Ultimately, I'd like to get set up with a 20' or 24' gooseneck stock trailer and a 24'-30' gooseneck flat for hauling hay and tractors and such.

With what I've read some rules of thumb seem to have surfaced...don't go near a 6.0 Powerstroke, Dodge parts cost 3x as much as Ford or GM parts, Cummins engines are great but come in a Dodge, Duramax is power king, 7.3 Powerstrokes last forever, Ford brakes aren't worth a darn, Allison transmissions are the best.

Some questions that been rolling around in my head:

Are there any GM diesels from years 2000 to 2007 to avoid?

For what I'm planning, would a dually be enough of a benefit over a 3/4 ton or SRW 1 ton to outweigh any disadvantages?

What mods would be a good return on investment towards durability, fuel mileage and power? What would be a wise sequence to add modifications if not done all at once?

Are air bags the hot set up for pulling?

I'll be posting them questions in their appropriate sections as I get going but i'd appreciate any comments to keep me on the right track.

Looking forward to picking you alls brains and maybe I can add a little help along the way in return.

Al
Smokin P Ranch
Custer Park, Illinois

Just got registered here after reading quite a few of the posts. A lot of knowledgeable folks here for sure. Always good to find a place to get some straight answers rather than all the advertising hype.

I'm one of those fellas that really NEEDS a diesel but don't have one...yet. Looking towards maybe this fall during money tree harvest.

We pull a 16' stock trailer with up to 4 horses right now. With a 1/2 ton GMC. And yeah, that's quite a little bit more than we should. So that's where the need starts.

Ultimately, I'd like to get set up with a 20' or 24' gooseneck stock trailer and a 24'-30' gooseneck flat for hauling hay and tractors and such.

With what I've read some rules of thumb seem to have surfaced...don't go near a 6.0 Powerstroke, Dodge parts cost 3x as much as Ford or GM parts, Cummins engines are great but come in a Dodge, Duramax is power king, 7.3 Powerstrokes last forever, Ford brakes aren't worth a darn, Allison transmissions are the best.

Some questions that been rolling around in my head:

Are there any GM diesels from years 2000 to 2007 to avoid?

For what I'm planning, would a dually be enough of a benefit over a 3/4 ton or SRW 1 ton to outweigh any disadvantages?

What mods would be a good return on investment towards durability, fuel mileage and power? What would be a wise sequence to add modifications if not done all at once?

Are air bags the hot set up for pulling?

I'll be posting them questions in their appropriate sections as I get going but i'd appreciate any comments to keep me on the right track.

Looking forward to picking you alls brains and maybe I can add a little help along the way in return.

Al
Smokin P Ranch
Custer Park, Illinois


Welcome, there is a ton of info on this site.

Welcome to the site! Each make will have their ups and downs. Its all going to come down to the truck you feel comfortable in.

Thank y'all for the welcome. Looks like I'll be spending quite a bit of time here learning.