5PMSMWHR

We're comin' down to the wire. I've got two trucks, same basic equipt, one's a 2500 Ram quad with the CTD, the other is 2500HD Duramaxx, MSRPs almost identical, Dodge incentives 4k vice Chevys $1750. Chevy dealer not as good with my Dodge trade. I'll be towing something in the 33-35 ft range, not extensively. I want opinions.....

Sydwayz

Are you going to do any mods?
Chip/Tuner?
Cold Air Intake?
Exhaust?
Turbo?

How long are you going to keep the truck? How many miles are you going to put on it? Are you going to run it out of warranty?

The Dodge has the most hidden power from the factory. If you are going to try and wake it up a bit, the Dodge will respond the most.

I now own a used PSD Ford, but I test drove DOZENS of trucks, including bringing each make home and towing my 12K boat with them as a test 'tow.' Out of the box stock, the Dodge was the least powerful, but again its the most detuned of the three. I have several friends with D/A GMs and they love them. I have several friends with PSD Fords that love theirs too. In my book, its a toss up. The D/A is a strong drivetrain combo, but the Cummins is a superior engine. When I was looking new, I was leaning Dodge over GM.

Wobble

Both are fine vehicles, better be ready for some pain when you go to trade a Dodge. Two of my buddies took a major bath when trading from Dodges to GM.

One of them traded after 4 rebuilds on his transmission 03 model, don't know if they have addressed that

JasonSmith

If it is of any help. I bought a 04 LLY Duramax yesterday. I towed 10k with it just to make sure that is what I wanted. Let me tell you that I am so impressed with the Duramax. Quiet, smooth for a 4x4 ride, a little more room in the cab than the Dodge, but not as much as the Ford.
I'd go for the Duramax. I was in your shoes yesterday & Chevy won my vote. Not to mention the truck I have is getting 20mpg! It does have a tuner in it, but I don't know what kind.
Good luck.

steve1k99

The dodge is going to be more of a work truck than the chevy, as in the engines are alot louder and ride rougher. I would go with the gm, it sounds like you wont be as screwed if you ever trade the gm.

Rippem

EXACTLY. If your going to drive it everyday or close to it, get the GM. Quietest and best ride/handling. Either one of them will pull any boat you'll have without hassle.
Once you tow, you'll be a dieselhead too...

Don't sweat the extra money for the DMax. Historically, I think you'll get alot of it back in retained value at any given point of ownership.
In alot of households, she drives the crew often as a Suburban....
and the ladies don't like LOUD trucks that ride harsh in the suburbs.
I think this is where the GM appeals to a wider audience...and thus the additional value.

Formulabill

Weak tranny in the DODGE, can not beat an ALLISON 5 sp. auto trans.

Rippem

now 6 speed, w/manual tap shift up and down as well as tow haul program.

Wobble

I love mine, 4th gear is direct drive, 5th and 6th are overdrive.

2000rpm in 6th = 79mph (2500hd)

JPD Motorsports

I have an lb7 with the ally and launched that tranny so the ally isnt bullet proof with over a 100hp programmer the 5th gear goes byebye. on the lbzs people are burning the disks up with 85hp tuners. As for my highway truck I just purchased a 2006 ctd 2500 cc lb and have bassically parked the gmc to run this rig for a while.