Welcome. Just remember to put those reported issues into perspective. Those manufacturers have produced hundreds of thousands of trucks and you hardly ever read reports by people not having any problems. I don’t pay much attention to internet forums where people are complaining. Forums having a community that help members fix issues or provide helpful insights are the ones to read.

I would recommend having a knowledgeable and reputable diesel mechanic look at anything you are considering purchasing. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice. The big three all make quality trucks with each having their own issues.

Love my 2022 with the 10 speed. It is shocking smooth compared to my previous 5 speed Alison. It is never in the wrong gear…never…

 

X2 ^^^

I lean Duramax. I sold my ‘06 3500 DRW CCLB Duramax, bought a ‘22 3500 SRW CCLB Duramax. Absolutely love both of them. ‘22 huge step up from ‘06 towing capacity.

 

I traded my 2008 Chevy 3500 Dually in on a 2021 Ram 3500 SRW Crew Cab Laramie in March last year. A few friends have Rams and Love them so I thought I would try one. While it was a nice truck both my wife and I never warmed up to it so last week we took a pretty big hit and traded it in on a 2023 Silverado 3500 Dually and both love it. The things we didn't care for with the Ram were the front end would wander a bit and was constantly chasing it with the steering wheel, had to have the transmission fixed at 8000 miles, but the biggest thing was the Exhaust brake (always heard they were great) and while driving at 30 to 70 mph is was very good when driving slower it kicks off at 20 mph (torque converter unlocks I believe) and then won't work again until you get back to around 30 mph (torque converter locks back up I believe). Where we live and go camping we are on windy mountain roads and need it to work at slower speeds. We have one gorge that I go through with 15 rolls of hay on my trailer with 4 switchbacks at 10 mph so after the fist one I'd be on brakes the rest of the way down. With my 2008 I would put it in 1st gear at not touch the brakes the rest of the way down. Haven't towed with the 2023 yet but playing around on some hills it was still working at 10 mph. Another thing you may want to compare as your going to be towing 16000 to 18000 lbs is the rear leaf springs the Ram 3500 SRW doesn't have as many leafs as the Ram dually or the Chevy 3500 SRW at least the ones I looked at. These are just my observations and opinions and good luck with your search and adventures.

 

There are expected failures on these trucks regardless of brand. The tranny is the strong point on the Duramax, vs Ford and Dodge. The emissions stuff is the weak point on all three. Deleting is out of the question if you live in the USA. It's a big no no so don't even consider it. Don't let the truck sit for weeks on end either, they don't like that. Trickle charger for your batteries (you only need 1 trickle charger to help maintain both batteries) Don't drive it like an old retired person either. You need to get on it and run it hard from time to time, that helps out the DPF and other things. As a 2018 owner with 92,000 miles on mine, I'd say I am satisfied, even though I've had a few issues along the way. I frequent the Ford and Ram forums and see all the trouble they have too, and i do believe we experience less issues. While my best diesel I've owned was a 2008 Duramax, my 2018 isn't too bad.

 

I hear you, I had a 2007 Dura. and loved it. My 2021 AT4 is another sweet one with the 3.0 surprisingly strong and smooth runner, so far only 20,000 mi. so far.

 

First, all three of the manufacturer trucks are good, and I would have no problems with any of them. It really is more of a preference of what you like, or which one is more comfortable in. I currently have a '23 Chevy 3500 SRW, and my last truck was a '19 RAM 3500 SRW with the HO engine. Both have pulled my 5th wheel trailer without any problems, and each have there plus and minus on towing. Currently, the only problems I have had was with the RAM, the EGR valve went out on a trip towing my trailer, and no RAM dealer could look at it for a minimum of several weeks in the area I was in, and EGR valves were at least a week to two weeks backlogged. After talking to several diesel mechanics, I drove the last 200 miles home with the bad EGR valve, at a top speed of 45-50 mpg (30 on hills), yeah, that was fun. Unlike Ford and Chevy, RAM de-fuels on each shift due to a weaker tranny case (they say from '19 on, it doesn't, buy mine surely did). RAM has the best exhaust brake of the three. End result, if I need another truck, I am not brand loyal, only one that does what I need, and is priced right.

*Don't believe the RAM fanboys saying that RAM stepped up to the plate with exchanging the CP4 to the CP3 in the '19/20 trucks as good faith, it only happened after NHTSA opened an investigation into it after RAM kept saying they had a solution to the problem CP4 for over a year. And yes, Ford still runs the CP4.

 

Another factor, You might consider looking into a DRW if your pulling a 18k toy hauler. You will appreciate the added stability. If its not a daily driver and only a tow rig its a no brainer in my opinion.

 

It's never been cheaper and easier to delete one of these trucks than it is now if you go that route. Just depends on what your area is like with testing.

 

Beware Ram after the EPA fined Cummins $1.68billion this week. All Ram 2013-2023 2500/3500 diesels affected. Over 1,000,000 trucks. Ram’s liability is not yet known but several bloggers believe Ram will have to either provede a fix that may or may not emasculate the trucks…or buy the trucks back.
shades of the vW diesel debacle 10 yrs ago.j

 

emasculate how?

 

The fix retunes the truck so much it has no power. That is what happened with the VW “fix” that was offered for their TDIs. It was so bad they ended up cancelling the fix and just did buybacks.
BTW, none of the 3-4 bloggers I read had any idea what the fix might be but given Cummins/RAM have known about this since 2019 and there is no EPA approved fix, it seems doubtful it would be only an easy software fix.

 

The fix retunes the truck so much it has no power. That is what happened with the VW “fix” that was offered for their TDIs. It was so bad they ended up cancelling the fix and just did buybacks.
BTW, none of the 3-4 bloggers I read had any idea what the fix might be but given Cummins/RAM have known about this since 2019 and there is no EPA approved fix, it seems doubtful it would be only an easy software fix.

It's a software fix, nothing else. Cummins is the one being held responsible.

The end result will be more DEF used as the emission 'failure' is NOx related at certain on road conditions. It won't affect horsepower.

The VW situation was on a different emission system (lean NOx trap) and the re tune in that case required more EGR flow, so the engine performance (and fuel mileage) changed.

 

Hi. I have a 2018 loaded midnight edition 2500. Bought it new. Still mint with only 69000 kilometers on it ( 43000 miles). Sorry not for sale but I haven't had much trouble to speak of. Had a def issue just before all the warranties expired but 1 week after I deleted it and what a difference. Mileage went way up and it kicks ass. I run synthetic 10/40 and change tranny filters and oil myself. Never had an issue with it. I live in northern Alberta.
As far as Dodge goes....I hate to say it but the 3500's absolutely suck for ride quality and steering issues. My ex boss and a friend of mine had them and when I drove each of their trucks it was the same thing in both of them.
Anyway good luck with your search

 

well at least it will keep the Ram Cummins boys a bit on the humble side. They can get a bit cocky at times.

 

It's software, and the judgement is very recent so that's why nothing was done. They have 3 years to get to 85% of the trucks, so it's going to go slow anyways.

Do a little digging. There are very technical articles out there descibing what the actual problem, judgement and mandated corrections and conditions are. The sky isn't falling.

 

I have a truck for you
2019 Gmc 3500 HD Denali SWD
41000 miles a garage queen used to pull my camper we live in Iowa
Let me know if any interest
gregglivermore@yahoo.com

 

I have a truck for you
2019 Gmc 3500 HD Denali SWD
41000 miles a garage queen used to pull my camper we live in Iowa
Let me know if any interest
gregglivermore@yahoo.com

Upload a picture or two for @Rules24 and the rest of us to gander at.

 

Hope the pics loaded

 

Pics

 

Here you go

 

Have been a GM customer since 16 years old now im 65. My experiences have always been good, my previous Truck was 2006 Chevy 2500 HD with Duramax Diesel , sold it in 2021 with 320,000 miles and still ran and looked new. I do all my own maintenance and the only thing other than brakes , hoses, and oil changes was a starter at 295,000 miles and Water pump at 300,000. I upgraded in 2021 to a Sierra 3500 HD Dually with the Duramax Diesel because I bought a 44 foot 5th wheel even though the 06 pulled it Great, The 2021 has been Great Thus Far, expecting the same or similar results as my 2006,

 

Sometimes forums can make you feel like you’re somehow going to be stranded at some point. The truth is that MOST of us will go problem free for the lifetime of the truck. I believe.

Buy what you want, chances are you’ll be happy with your purchase for a long time.