Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Tow Vehicles & Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-19-2014, 04:54 AM   #1
kiltedpig
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Roseville
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #14137
Not a truck war question.

A new 1 ton dually is out of the question so I am looking at trucks that are older. From what I have researched, the Cummings is a great engine in 5.9 12V and 24V but there seems to be a question about the automatic tranny. Duramax with Allison is tops. Ford had a problem with a few years engines.

My question is if you wanted a reliable engine tranny that was 5-10 years old, what would you choose and why to pull a 16k 5th.
 
kiltedpig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 05:10 AM   #2
NCFischers
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,369
M.O.C. #8728
Send a message via Yahoo to NCFischers
Duramax and Allison
NCFischers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 05:22 AM   #3
Capt Kidd
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chico
Posts: 641
M.O.C. #6933
I have an 2007 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab with the newer Cummings and I love it. It has the 6 speed auto and 4.10 gears. It is single rear wheel never felt the need for a dually. It has 4WD. I tow a 15,000# Monty and get about 10mpg at 60 mph.
Capt Kidd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 05:28 AM   #4
TAKPAK
Montana Master
 
TAKPAK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hillsboro
Posts: 593
M.O.C. #8238
We currently have a 2008 GMC duramax/allison combo, and love it. If you are looking for an older rig, my first choice would be the duramax/allison. However, I would get one of the "newer" ones, as the very first dura/ally combos, the allison was a five speed. The newer ones, since around 2004 or 2005 are the six speed. Nothing wrong with the five speed, but that extra gear is nice. Second choice would be the older Dodges, around 1999/2000, that had the 24 valve Cummins, with the manual transmission. But, the guys that have those tend to keep them. If size isn't a problem, you could get a used Volvo or Freightliner RV hauler fairly reasonable.
__________________
Terry and Patsy
Vietnam Veteran, US Navy
2017 3810
2015 GMC Sierra 4X4 3500 SRW
TAKPAK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 06:33 AM   #5
hookman
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 1,475
M.O.C. #6237
07 1/2 or 08 Dodge have the new engine and 6 speed tranny. I have an 08 with 4:10's SRW it tows great.
hookman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 08:09 AM   #6
bethandkevin
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
D/A 2006 or newer.
bethandkevin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 09:10 AM   #7
grayghost03
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
Send a message via MSN to grayghost03
We have both Dodge and Chevy, prefer the Chevy for the ride, Transmission can be an issue on the Ram, but if you are not tuning it, it should not be an issue. I would not shy away from a Ram 6.7 with auto/trans as long as you do not plan on putting a tuner on it. They are both good to go, if left stock. Look for price/mileage/service records, not necessarily in that order.
grayghost03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 12:40 PM   #8
mamestra
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Campbell River
Posts: 194
M.O.C. #12359
We have had great service from our 2007 Dodge 3500 with the 6.7 L Cummins and 6 speed auto, have over a 100,000 miles on it, most of it towing. It has been a great truck I love the stock exhaust brake which makes going down hills a great deal easier.
mamestra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 12:45 PM   #9
ray fischer
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: zelienople
Posts: 300
M.O.C. #3760
Dodge upgraded to a new tranny with the 2004 1/2 model year. My 2005 Dodge 5.9 CTD has been an awesome tow vehicle.
ray fischer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 12:59 PM   #10
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
Top towing vehicle out here in the ranch lands is the Dodge. Older models seem to hold up fine. We're on our third one. Never had a tranny problem, but did break the end of the crank shaft off on the oldest one. Put a new motor in it and traded it a year later. Dodge dealer is still using it himself.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 01:25 PM   #11
Irlpguy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chilliwack
Posts: 1,520
M.O.C. #12935
I owned a 2001 Dodge DRW LB 3500 and pulled my 3402RL with it to Arizona and back, and had pulled a trailer and smaller 5er many miles during the 10 years I owned it. It had the 6 speed manual transmission and had 350,000 miles on it when I traded it in.
The only tranny issues were just before I traded it the synchromesh was failing between 3 - 4 and 4 - 5 gears. Never replaced the clutch or throughout bearing in all those miles. Dodge now uses a different standard transmission from the 01'.

I now have a 2012 Dodge DRW LB 3500 with Auto Transmission and so far am very pleased with it.

It is understandable that GM, Ford and Dodge owners will believe they have all made the right choice and will recommend their choice. A whole lot depends on the previous owner if you are buying used.

There should be some decent deals on 2009 or newer used units.


Irlpguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 02:39 PM   #12
HOOK
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
D/A
HOOK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 02:47 PM   #13
Tom S.
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
From the GM side, look for a 2006 or 2007 with the LBZ engine and low miles. Be wary of anything with a tuner or has had a tuner. Tuners are OK, but if abused, they will shorten the length of a engine's life (not to mention the transmission). These vehicles were post GM injector and overheating problems and pre DPF, giving you the best probable mileage. Any GM's after 2007.5 have the DPF (diesel particulate filter) which requires a 9th injector to burn off the soot accumulated in the filter. The early versions were troublesome but seem to be trouble free since 2012 or 13.

Sorry I can't help a lot with Ford and Dodge. I do know that Ford had some clunker years for engines and Dodge had some clunker years for transmissions, but I don't know the details of either.
Tom S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 03:37 PM   #14
DonandBonnie
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Madison
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
We had a 2007 Silverado with the LBZ engine and Duramax 6 spd transmission. Both were very good at pulling whatever we towed behind. While we owned it we had to replace leaking brake lines and leaking transmission lines. Last time I had it on the rack it was raining oil from the engine. Rather than face a rebuild, we decided to trade. Other than developing all of these leaks, it was a fine vehicle.
DonandBonnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 04:18 PM   #15
twindman
Montana Master
 
twindman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,925
M.O.C. #5651
The 2004 Allison was still a 5 speed. Also, stay away from the 2004 (and a half) duramax. They made it for 1 1/2 years. It had an overheating problem. No big deal if you drive where temps are under 85 or 90 or even higher if it is flat. But at 85 and steep hills like around Phoenix, you will over heat. GM could not figure out a fix for it (straight from the owner - friend - of a Chevy dealership).
__________________

Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
twindman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 04:23 PM   #16
sambam
Montana Master
 
sambam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
2nd D/A for me. My current truck is the first year with the DPF. I haven't had any problems related to this. My previous was the '04.5 LLY which was supposed to have overheating issues. I never had any problem there, either. From what I've read and heard over the years, the Duramax/Allison combo is about as good as it gets. But, like Tom, I don't have any good info on Ford or Dodge.
__________________

2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
sambam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 04:44 PM   #17
h2ojocky
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
Ford 7.3 liter was good. Ford 6.4 and 6.0 had many problems. Ford 6.7 that came out in I think 2011 has been great. Chevy D/A from 2004.5 and up have been good. I have no experience with Dodge.
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
h2ojocky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 04:56 PM   #18
steelpony5555
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
Not sure where everyone gets the Dodge trannys breaking thing. The only ones that were a little weak were back around 05. If you get a 3 Generation Dodge you will be fine. It has the 6.7 and the 6 speed tranny. Have had 3 Dodges and no tranny issues. But Chevys are a nice truck too, if you get a newer one.
steelpony5555 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2014, 06:17 PM   #19
maximo
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ione
Posts: 582
M.O.C. #11371
Facts, if you look at top of the line trucks in Dodge, Chevy or Ford you will find that the Dodge is about $10,000 cheaper than the Chevy and Ford. All three of the trucks are rated highly by the people who own them. I drive a 2002 Ford F250 with the 7.3 and love it. I would not even look at a Ford with the 6.0 or 6.4.
I am told by owners of the new Fords with the 6.7 that it is a great truck. I do know when you drive through a RV park there are more Fords than any other make.

Frank
maximo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2014, 02:15 AM   #20
1retired06
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
For the years you cited, all three would work, although I would look at GMC or Ford first.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
1retired06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Quick Dually truck question vipermanden TIRES, Montana Tires 21 02-14-2017 05:36 PM
Question about a pickup truck Capecodcowgirl Tow Vehicles & Towing 16 03-16-2011 01:31 PM
New to me truck hitch question Bob & Lee Tow Vehicles & Towing 6 10-14-2009 11:55 AM
Speaking of bikes, truck roof mount question CountryGuy General Discussions about our Montanas 11 05-07-2005 12:55 AM
Newbie Truck - Hitch Question Montana_139 Tow Vehicles & Towing 0 02-14-2003 04:25 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.