I drove a 21 Ford today. Having owned a recent Ram and currently owning a GMC I agree with the above. The Ford interior is far and away the worst build build quality of the three.
Duramax as a towing truck vs. Ford
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I drove a 21 Ford today. Having owned a recent Ram and currently owning a GMC I agree with the above. The Ford interior is far and away the worst build build quality of the three.
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I think the Ford HDs look better then the current Chevy and GMC. The Chevy is growing on me but the GMC back end makes me want to barf and the front end is too.. complicated.
I fear we may have already ran the OP off but I'm not sure what you expect when you ask, Ford or Chevy?
As far the original comment about Ford owners stating GM doesn't have enough power? That's just Ford fan propaganda. I used to pull the loads the OP mentioned, and more, with a 6.0 gas truck, no problem. Any modern diesel pickup will easily pull the loads the OP needs to pull, with ease.
I just had a question about the statement of buying a "newer" truck. We don't know what the current truck is and how much newer we're talking about here. Most of the replies appear to be around new trucks.
Assuming we're talking about something no more than 10 years old, they're basically all 400HP and up. They all will tow the loads fine. So just pick the truck you want and go. Cross your fingers and hope that you get a good one. Trying to find a good used modern diesel truck can tend to be a crap shoot. There are plenty of them that have multiple problems that end up on the auction block. Buying a known late model truck in a private party deal would be a good strategy, in my opinion.
As far the original comment about Ford owners stating GM doesn't have enough power? That's just Ford fan propaganda. I used to pull the loads the OP mentioned, and more, with a 6.0 gas truck, no problem. Any modern diesel pickup will easily pull the loads the OP needs to pull, with ease.
I just had a question about the statement of buying a "newer" truck. We don't know what the current truck is and how much newer we're talking about here. Most of the replies appear to be around new trucks.
Assuming we're talking about something no more than 10 years old, they're basically all 400HP and up. They all will tow the loads fine. So just pick the truck you want and go. Cross your fingers and hope that you get a good one. Trying to find a good used modern diesel truck can tend to be a crap shoot. There are plenty of them that have multiple problems that end up on the auction block. Buying a known late model truck in a private party deal would be a good strategy, in my opinion.
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Although I don't have a new truck, my LMM tows a 17k 5vr without issue. I have towed the camper only on the east coast including through the mountains and the truck is more than adequate for what I tow.
As others have already pointed out, drive all of them and then decide which one will work best for how you intend to use the truck.
Before I purchased the LMM, I drove them all. When I was shopping the Ram just sucked in about every category. At the time, the Ford was the most comfortable but after doing research on the lack of reliability of the unit, I went with the GMC and have no regrets.
I never put a lot of faith into "published" numbers as none of them are truly accurate. For me, I went by what felt right/seat of the pants for my intended purpose for the truck.
12 years into my LMM it is the best most dependable vehicle that I have every owned. Two years ago, I got the bug for a new truck. Drove a couple of new GMC Denalis. While I liked both of the trucks that I drove, I just couldn't justify the $80k for a new truck when mine is still working as advertised.
Happy shopping.
As others have already pointed out, drive all of them and then decide which one will work best for how you intend to use the truck.
Before I purchased the LMM, I drove them all. When I was shopping the Ram just sucked in about every category. At the time, the Ford was the most comfortable but after doing research on the lack of reliability of the unit, I went with the GMC and have no regrets.
I never put a lot of faith into "published" numbers as none of them are truly accurate. For me, I went by what felt right/seat of the pants for my intended purpose for the truck.
12 years into my LMM it is the best most dependable vehicle that I have every owned. Two years ago, I got the bug for a new truck. Drove a couple of new GMC Denalis. While I liked both of the trucks that I drove, I just couldn't justify the $80k for a new truck when mine is still working as advertised.
Happy shopping.
Actually the closest on the published HP and torque numbers are the Ram, look at any chassis dyno numbers that are published.
To me pulling a load up a hill is only half of the job completed, having a strong exhaust brake on the decent is even more important. Ford and Ram have GM beat hands down on the exhaust brake.
Full exhaust brake mode, Lift off the accelerator and the exhaust brake kicks on without the transmission getting involved and downshifting. I didn’t use tow haul mode on my Ram just for this reason, when the truck downshifted its slowed me down too much with the same trailer weight I mentioned above. Without the downshift my truck maintained my decent speed. Heavier loads the downshift would probably be needed on the Ram.
Auto mode on both is a different experience, similar to the GM, except GM cannot figure out how to keep the exhaust brake on when the truck shuts off, GM also does not use the exhaust brake to warm the engine up like Ram, the exhaust brake will put a slight load on the engine to warm it up on cold mornings. I dunno if Ford does that.
Just giving my unbiased opinion on what brand does what when it come to towing, they will all have their problems, and a bigger problem now is finding a truck regardless of the brand, kinda the reason I’m in a GM right now, and it’s the cheapest truck to buy and finance.
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To me pulling a load up a hill is only half of the job completed, having a strong exhaust brake on the decent is even more important. Ford and Ram have GM beat hands down on the exhaust brake.
Full exhaust brake mode, Lift off the accelerator and the exhaust brake kicks on without the transmission getting involved and downshifting. I didn’t use tow haul mode on my Ram just for this reason, when the truck downshifted its slowed me down too much with the same trailer weight I mentioned above. Without the downshift my truck maintained my decent speed. Heavier loads the downshift would probably be needed on the Ram.
Auto mode on both is a different experience, similar to the GM, except GM cannot figure out how to keep the exhaust brake on when the truck shuts off, GM also does not use the exhaust brake to warm the engine up like Ram, the exhaust brake will put a slight load on the engine to warm it up on cold mornings. I dunno if Ford does that.
Just giving my unbiased opinion on what brand does what when it come to towing, they will all have their problems, and a bigger problem now is finding a truck regardless of the brand, kinda the reason I’m in a GM right now, and it’s the cheapest truck to buy and finance.
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I disagree. Why do I want the EB to kick on the instant I let off the throttle? Before EBs did you instantly apply brakes after lifting off the throttle? If I’m going down a slight decline I want to be able to let off the throttle and coast. Seems to make sense since there is no indication I WANT to slow down. Why would it slow me down for no apparent reason. And no, I don’t want to turn my EB on and off every time I want to coast, I want to turn it on and have it activate when I need it to.
Now when I do need it to, or when the cruise is set, the EB works well in my truck, works better than my LML and I thought that one was great. Maybe you need to have yours looked at.
And you are incorrect, your truck does use the Turbo to load the engine to aid in quicker warmups.
I guess you have never driven a real HD truck like a semi, all of my diesel trucks have had exhaust brakes. Why would I want to hit the brakes to slow down when I can make the engine do all the work, EB enhanced that braking and can be regulated buy your foot.
You have to totally lift off the accelerator to get it to engage. You can still coast if you know what your doing, and maintain slight pressure on throttle, if you cannot figure it out than shut the EB off or turn it to auto.
A semi engine brake is activated by lifting off the accelerator. Ford And Ram have it designed correctly. GM only activates he EB when you touch the brakes.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m on the brakes way more with this truck than my old Ram, if I want to maintain the speed limit towing my trailer I lift off the accelerator and the EB holds me and if it starts to slow down I would touch the accelerator to shut it off, pretty simple and saves the brakes.
I’m just saying the GM is lacking on HD truck towing features that the other brands have, you can’t even downshift the GM manually without moving the gear shift and when you do the truck downshifts two gears. Hit the range selection button on a Ford and Ram and it selects limit mode, and you can downshift and upshift the truck yourself. The Ford goes one better, manual is true manual and you can lock the transmission into its selected gear.
FYI, I did not mention anything about cruise control. I strictly talking driver in full control.
Who uses cruise control in the mountains and in bad weather anyway? I want to be in control of the truck, not a computer.
Oh and I didn’t know that about the turbo, I have not heard the turbo kick in and spool up during warmups yet and I could not turn the EB on to activate it like the Ram.
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I’m satisfied with my 2021 2500 Dmax. Only issue was harsh ride and fixed that with a set of Rancho 9000 XL shocks. Great ride now. Nice and quiet as well as smooth. Seats are comfy too. I like the interior. It is a bit understated but that is what I prefer.
Exhaust break works well.
Drove Ram before buying my GMC and it felt sluggish and cumbersome in comparison. Yes interior was nice but not enough to get me to buy. Virtually everything on the touch screen is not what I like. Prefer separate buttons for quick/easy access like the GMC.
Didn’t bother driving Ford as aluminum is for beer cans not body panels on a truck
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Buy what you like and meets your needs. The rumors and innuendo driven by paid reviews and exaggerated specs should be ignored.
Drive ‘‘em and buy the one that works for you!
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Exhaust break works well.
Drove Ram before buying my GMC and it felt sluggish and cumbersome in comparison. Yes interior was nice but not enough to get me to buy. Virtually everything on the touch screen is not what I like. Prefer separate buttons for quick/easy access like the GMC.
Didn’t bother driving Ford as aluminum is for beer cans not body panels on a truck
. Buy what you like and meets your needs. The rumors and innuendo driven by paid reviews and exaggerated specs should be ignored.
Drive ‘‘em and buy the one that works for you!
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663 Posts
How heavy are you towing/hauling?I’m satisfied with my 2021 2500 Dmax. Only issue was harsh ride and fixed that with a set of Rancho 9000 XL shocks. Great ride now. Nice and quiet as well as smooth. Seats are comfy too. I like the interior. It is a bit understated but that is what I prefer.
Exhaust break works well.
Drove Ram before buying my GMC and it felt sluggish and cumbersome in comparison. Yes interior was nice but not enough to get me to buy. Virtually everything on the touch screen is not what I like. Prefer separate buttons for quick/easy access like the GMC.
Didn’t bother driving Ford as aluminum is for beer cans not body panels on a truck
Buy what you like and meets your needs. The rumors and innuendo driven by paid reviews and exaggerated specs should be ignored.
Drive ‘‘em and buy the one that works for you!
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In the mountains??? I do. All the freaking time. With 10-20k behind me, all damn day. Cruise control with EB is magnificent while towing in hilly/mountainous areas. This capability is a major selling point of an HD pickup with a diesel engine; I am really confused as to how anyone could be so dismissive of it.
I do agree that neither cruise control nor EB should be used in situations of reduced traction, though.
When I first bought my truck I was expecting the exhaust brake to function like it does in a big rig; i.e., engaging as soon as you release the accelerator. But I've gotten used to GM's implementation. I'm not saying it's better but it doesn't bother me. One thing I definitely dislike is that there's no setting to lock out gears while maintaining the automatic downshifting logic (without it, EB is pretty much worthless).
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It’s my daily driver work truck. 4,000 lbs trailer.
Haven’t towed heavy yet but look forward to it. I rent bumper pull trailers but haven’t had a chance to do so yet. Had a 30 ft unit reserved for late this month and renter cancelled so only one I could locate is a 24 footer. Look forward to it.
I’ve been impressed with hwy mpg at 16-17 at 80 mpg. My F150 would do 12-13 at that speed and when loaded with gear ( bikes, 3 dogs, kayaks and gear for a month). worked hard.
Duramax also delivers good mpg around town. 12-13 towing my enclosed trailer.
I like how the truck drives and tows effortlessly. With My 4,000 trailer the F150 labored to maintain speed as well as accelerate.
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Yep, It’s a Bad design on GM’s part to need to use the cruise and or tow haul to get the maximum EB requirements while towing, poor selling feature IMO for a HD truck. I rarely use the cruise, especially towing in the mtns.
I want the choice to use the braking tech As I see fit, not a computer. GM gives the driver no options for that, yah can’t even move the gear selector to L without the truck dropping two gears automatically.
Ram and Ford have the braking figured out, Ram had it figured out In 2007.
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5 liter v8. Was a good truck just, just no comparison to Duramax on power.
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Mine refuses to let me coast when on any type of downhill grade and eb with/without cruise is activated. It engages and downshifts very quickly--and once engaged I can't get it to let go.
Interesting, what year is your truck?. Mine does what you mentioned if I touch the brakes when the truck start to pick up momentum, and I have to correct it.
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My LML is the same. But I don’t mind it at all. Head down I-26 south of Asheville just south of Hendersonville or coming down Monteagle Mountain in TN and it does exactly what I need it to do. Very little breaks. EB takes care of most of it.
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I don't get it. My wife complains when I have the EB on during regular driving. My truck will fall right on it's face as soon as i let off - similar to my Polaris. At highway speed down grades it will maintain whatever speed I was going when I started my coast and let off the throttle (at 65mph theres a 6%grade that will hold 65 for the full 1.5 Mile with no gas or brake. Granted, i have yet to do it towing anything but I can't forsee how the application would hold any different. When i crest a hill and start coasting, if i tap my brake for a second or two, the motor will continue to slow itself to a stop and when I get back on it itll buck a bit as if it's disengaging
Am I a unicorn? 2018 midnight LTZ z71
Am I a unicorn? 2018 midnight LTZ z71
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