In need of feedback!!!

tthomass · August 7, 2005

Ok, I'm in need of a truck for sidework really (I do landscaping) but having trouble deciding on one. At the moment I'm looking at a Dodge and a Chevy.

The Dodge:

2000 Dodge 3500 dually w/ Cummins diesel, 50k, 12ft dump......$17,000

Pros: its a dump! owner is friend of family and truck has been

more of a personal vehicle, never really "worked"

Cons: its a dump! not soemthing really want to take out

everywhere or travel in, its a regular cab, not extended

The Chevy:

2001 Chevy 3500 dually w/ 6.0L gasser, 47k, no dump, 8ft

bed....$18,900 @ Chevy dealer

Pros: crew cab and loaded interior, something i can use other than

just work

Cons: not a dump, big a$$ end on the truck

Now, I am kinda in a pinch because the Dodge I need to make a decision on this week as to buy or not from the family friend before he really lets it out on the market and really, its a helluva a truck.

The Chevy is nice I haven't had time to research a lot. Dad always had Chevy's but mostly 1500's for his business. I am just getting into really researching but a heads up would REALLY be appreciated on the Chevy. So its a '01 3500 with Chevy tranny, not Allison and a gasser. What may I have the pleasure of looking forward to with this truck, problems? Whats the gas mileage, 14? I know diesels have room to help with mpg w/ the addition of chips etc but what about gassers?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the "noobness" but time is short.

Ron J · August 8, 2005

I would keep looking for a 2002+ Duramax.

Most of the GM 3500's I've seen had 8.1 or Duramaxs. I think most people that want a dually, want to pull something with it.

Cummings makes a great motor, but Dodge makes chintzy vehicles.

I had a 2001 Dmax dump . It went to the shop for little problems too often. My 2002 crew dually has had very few problems. I replaced the 2001 dump with a single cab 2004 Dmax dually. The new dually weighs 2,000 lbs less than the 2001 10 ft. dump. The 2004 has n LS interior with all the buttons making it a pleasure to drive. Shorter turning radius etc.

Daubs · August 8, 2005

I wouldn't get a crew cab long box with the 6.0 gas engine if it were me. A truck that large needs the Big Block or the Duramax. The 6.0 is going to work had and suck down gas. If I were you I would keep looking for a Duramax or 8.1

I've got a 2500hd crew short box with the 8.1 / Allison. Installed volant and Westers and I'm getting about 10.5 around town and 14+ highway. Good numbers for a "gasser"

Trouttrooper · August 8, 2005

If you are limiting yourself to just these two trucks I'd go with the chevy. I personally have had too many breakdown issues with Dodge p/u in various jobs I had in my previous life.

Compared to all other 1 ton trucks of today that one is definitly underpowered, BUT it's no wimpy engine either. If it's just for a local landscaping job then I'd say it would be enough engine to meet your needs. People today are just getting plain spoiled by the power that is available nowadays.

Case in point. My dad way back when bought a new 1984 chevy 1 ton crew cab SRW with just the 350 in it. Yes it is a little slow climbing mountain passes with a load, but it frequently hauled the horse trailer loaded and pickup camper down the highway at 65 mph on the flats. Total weight almost 18000 pounds. The truck is still running today, same engine same tranny with no repairs to either one.

My previous truck had the 6.0 and I hauled up to 5 tons of hay on it down the highway often and it could maintain 65 mph fairly easily.

If I were you I'd try to find a non-dually. You really don't need the stability of the wide butt and maneuvering those extra two tires around corners can be a pain. The SRW 1 ton has pleanty of bed load capacity.

builderpaul · August 8, 2005

Depends on your definition of side work. The Dodge is a real work truck. You will be able to do lots more work with a 12 dump. It would be my choice if I was going to make a living landscaping. Not a personnel vehicle. BTW I don't see crew cab as being a negative in a work truck employees have there own vehicles, why take up valuable cargo space?

The Chevy is a dual use truck but not really great for work (low power and no dump) and not really good for a personnel vehicle (too large 8' bed). It may be just what you need if you can only have one vehicle. I would get the dodge just for the business (easier to separate tax expenses that way also) and a separate truck for personnel use.

Superman TNT · August 8, 2005

I have owned both. I owned a 2001 Dodge 3500 1 ton dump w/ the Cummings. I current own a 2004 2500HD w/ the 8.1L gas. Here are my thoughts.

I bought a very expensive extended warrenty for the Dodge because everyone knows how weak the trannies are. I towed with mine, a 40hp John Deere with a bucket loader and back hoe (10,000lb loaded trailer). I bought it with 24k miles on it. The tranny went around 40k I think. The engine was solid and I really loved having the dump. It was a regular cab also, not the extended. Because of this I could only really use it for work kind of things. Althought the truck had a radio, we never used it. That truck was LOUD! You couldn't hear a thing when that engine was cranked up. Mine was a 4x4 also. Over all, great work truck and the engine will run forever. Weak tranny and everything else. I would avoid it unless you can get the Dodge extended factory warrenty that will cover everything. I sold the truck with like 15k miles left on the warrenty so I wouldn't have to deal with replacing the tranny the next time.

My Chevy is super nice, not a work truck at all. It is loaded w/ more stuff than I'll likely use. I have the 496 (8.1L V8) with the ally tranny and 4:10 gears. I think this thing will out tow the Dodge I had. The tranny is really just incredible. Everyone told me "get the Allison" and raved about it. I really didn't think I would be able to tell the difference. Boy was I wrong. You know it has something very different in it from the monment you put it in drive. Very, very nice machine. I have a number of friends with the 6.0L and they get about the same gas mileage I get. So for the money I would not get a 6L. They don't have anywhere near the power, torque and don't come with the Allison.

I hope this helps. One last thing . . . I bought my 2004 2500 HD LOADED, extended cab, LT, 4x4, plus a lot more with only 2,400 miles on it for $25,000. I mention this because it isn't much more than your talking about spending. I would shop around a little if I were you. I would pick a Chevy over the Dodge if you plan on keeping it for any length of time and plan on working it at all.

Ag Teacher · August 8, 2005

These two trucks don't fit together and I can't understand why you are picking from these two. Should be an easy decision.

Are you hauling large loads? - go dodge

Is this your daily driver? - go chevy

Is it for pulling large trailers? - go dodge

Are you hauling around 5 of your best friends? Go chevy

Do you just want a big truck to look cool? Go Chevy

Do you just want a big truck to sound cool? Go Dodge

These two trucks have totally opposite uses. Choose the one that fits your personal uses best.

SimplyRAD · August 8, 2005

I wouldn't get a crew cab long box with the 6.0 gas engine if it were me. A truck that large needs the Big Block or the Duramax. The 6.0 is going to work had and suck down gas. If I were you I would keep looking for a Duramax or 8.1

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These are my thoughts exactly.