Ok so here lately i've been lookin newer trucks and kinda have a toss up.

I want something 4wd, that can tow a trailor with ease (enclosed or car hauler) something dependable, with lots of room.

Anyway i've narrowed it down to a 2004 or older 3/4 chevy crew cab short bed 4x4. Now where i'm stuck is where wheather to give the 6.0L a try or go with a duramax turbo diesel.

me and a friend plan on going in halves on a enclosed trailor and i want something to pull that monster.

I do know diesel are known for there pulling power and dependablity along with great gas mileage. But what about the 6.0 does it even compare?

That and what would be the better option to have an auto or manual tranny?

I've also considered an 2003 or later dodge ram 2500 ext. cab cummins turbo diesel. but they don't offer a crew cab and i have no idea how big there ext. cabs are.

Anyway thanks for everyones input.

Well my friend, this decision may come down to the deal you can get as well as personal preference.

With that said, the Duramax is a good motor...I did hear they were having some overheating issues, however, not sure if a fix was ever determined. The Chevy HD is a nice truck, my good friend drives one and I have had the opportunity to drive it quite a bit. I like everything about it except for the fact that to me, it feels like I am driving a really big car. The front end seems very light to me, and this could have a lot to do with the aluminum Duramax motor.

Any of the Duramax, Powerstroke, or Cummins will suit your purpose and most likely the gas 6 liter will as well. One thing to look at is how often will this rig be towing...if it is not that often, you may want to consider gas as diesel is quite a bit more expensive...it is also much more expensive to maintain. No more 6 quart oil changes...try 16 quarts

I own a 2000 F-350 srw 7.3 with 130,000 miles and have had no problems sence I have had it. It pulls my 30ft TT no problem and gets great mileage. Its alittle on the loud side though but you get used to it I had a 2500 HD before this truck with a 8.1 gas It could tow anything got ok gas mileage when I was not towing like maybe 13 mpg but when towing up a pass in wyoming I would get like 2 mpg no kinding lol. With the 7.3 I get about 19 mpg when not towing and 12 mpg when towing made a big diff in the wallet. The chevy was alot better quality esp in the cab. Any way you go all the diesels are nice. If you going cheap though I would recommend the 7.3 ford has ok power and very good track record for reliablity IMO. But like dieselpowered said If you dont tow much or very heavy I would just stick with the gas engines alot cheaper to maintain and ALOT cheaper if it breaks to fix it

I am a chevy fan....with that being said My friend had a dodge with the cummings diesel and it was a real monster..If I was to buy a diesel it would be a dodge. He got decent gas milage towing my race truck to and from the track and we towed a couple enclosed 30fters up some good size hills and it climbed very good. He hated when it was time to do an oil change. We have a buddy who has the Duramax and he likes it alot. Made a few trips to and from Florida loaded down and did ok until we hit Tennesee mountains then the gas milage went down quick. Get what you want but this is me and my friends experiences with the few that we have had. Good luck with what ever you go with.

My only issue with the Dodge seems to be their issues with their trannies. Rumors I have heard is that they are having a heck of a time mating up that Cummins and the tranny.

Keep in mind, I have loyalty to no manufacturer, I buy the vehicle I like

it just so happens that I own an 04 Silverado HD with the 6.0 liter...I love it. We pull a 16'(cargo area) utility trailer with as much as 4 quads on it and the bed loaded and it does fine. I really don't have a need for a diesel YET, but when the time comes I'll get one, a Duramax of course!

I can't wait to see the performance numbers of the new Superduty. As of right now I wish I could take a Cummins engine and throw it in a Superduty, the Dodge trannies are crap. Don't really know enough about the Duramax's, but I like how quiet they are.

Ya the new 6.4 Liter Twin Turbo Powerstroke looks and sounds like it is going to be a great motor. From my understanding, the upgrade from the V10 will be substantial for this new motor. Someone may need to correct me, however, I believe the numbers are similar to the existing 6.0 Liter Powerstroke, however, International needed to add the additional displacement to make up for the added power loss due to the environmental equipment on the motor. Nevertheless, looks like a great truck, have no make my mind up about the front end yet, however, the interior is incredible!

my 6.0 is gone too many problems no help from ford The 6.4 release date has been has now been delayed again

Am I understanding you correctly...you got rid of your 6.0 liter? What do you have now?

I am sure that with all the problems Ford had with the 6.0 liters, that 6.4 will not see the light of day until all bugs have thoroughly been ironed out.

That is why I stuck with the 7.3 alot of my friends have the 6.0 and they all have problems. With the programmer on my 7.3 I have no prob pulling with the newer diesels. I still dont under stand why ford switched motors from the 7.3 all they had to do is quiet it alittle and up the hp/torq alittle and they would have sold like hotcakes. The extra 1,000 rpm till redline is nice on the small displacement diesels though. 3100rpm redline in the 7.3 is its downfall I think. The rumor I have heard is the new ford diesel is suppose to be quieter then the duramax is that true?

The reason for the switch from 7.3 to 6.0 was due to environmental restrictions handed down from the Government. My 2007 6.0 liter is excellent...with the tuner, it can move some tail

Not sure how quite the 6.4 is going to be...if I could have my choice, I would like my 6.0 to sound like that Cummins

sheesh fellas, kinda-sorta "OFF TOPIC" lol

LOL ya I suppose you are right.

With that said, pharit, of course not knowing what your budget is, let me say this.

Diesels will hold their value, therefore, that may be a selling point for you. I know you did not mention anything about buying a Ford F250, however, if you do decide that is a vehicle you are interested in, I would like to steer you away from the 03, 04, and early 05 (build 1) 6.0 Liters...they did have problems, and I would hate to see you spend all that money and not get what you paid for.

Now keep in mind that early model 03's (build 1) was actually a 7.3 liter...that is a nice strong proven motor!

Yeah I think we did lol

One thing I know I looked at when I did buy the 2500HD is the 6.0 does not have a option to get the nice alision (sp?) transmission. Only the 8.1L and the duramax did at least back in 2001 when I had mine maybe it has changed. I loved that alison tranny behind my 8.1. All though my father has a 2500 suburban with the 6.0 and the reg 4 speed auto and he has not had any prob. Good luck

I have a '04 K-2500 Ext-Cab
6.0 with A 3:73 axel an A 4spd O/D Auto

However I did not buy it for the MPG, 14.2 I have pulled a 38' Toyhauler
up the Mountains and along the rim no issues

I wanted to stay with 3:73 as I don't trailer with it everyday and being
a shortbox I put on a set of BFGoodrich T/A's LT285/75R-16 Load Range
"D" What A Big Change

If I were buying a truck tomorrow for pulling stuff around, it would be a cummins, no question.

I got rid of the 6.0 because after taking the truck to ford for a no power problem was told the egr cooler was leaking coolant into cylinders + the turbo was bad would have to fix these problem to make it run than maybe I would get lucky and it didn't bend rods when engine hydolocked (spelling) Than ford said no warenrty because first dealer added a banks six gun to the truck because it wouldn't pull the first owners camper. The first dealer bought the truck back and took it to a auction. The dealer listed it as a trade in not a buyback. The dealer I got the truck from traded it for a new explorer. I have the same problem I don't know what to buy? older 7.3, cummins, gas motor.

I would GREATLY recommend getting a Chevy with the Allison Tranny, its a great transmission, and a great truck.

If you want better gas mileage get a diesel and if your not going to do a ton of towing then a gas motor will be just fine.

I drive a 1999 K2500 Crew Cab with a 7.4L Vortec and it hauls our 26ft. camp trailer and 2 quads in the bed just fine, but the gas mileage is not the greatest. lol

here is a quick Story:

I have a 2006 Duramax 3500 4dr long bed

I added the edge with attitude - 4 inch turbo back MBRP exhaust
AFE Stage 1 air intake

I have been driving around on #1 setting = 30 HP ( no trailer attached )
my milage went from 14 MPG to 14.5 MPG

Last weekend I pulled my 38 ft Cyclone trailer down to the beach = 11,500 lbs
4 .5 hour drive - thru several mountains & passes - ect
my milage went from 14.5 MPG to 14.4 MPG - still on level #1 setting

I had it in the "trailer towing mode" the whole way - runs slightly higher RPM in that mode
the water temp only climbed about 5 degrees from 183 /184 degrees to 189 /190 degrees
average OSA temp was 55 to 67 degrees

I have pulled several trailers with several gas trucks .....

I can tell you I will never go back to Gas again

The silverado 3500 with the Duramax is the best truck I have ever driven & towed with .....

I would have to agree with going with a cummins!!!! Get the 6 speed and you won't have any tranny problems at all!!! Unless you are hard on clutches...LOL