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pulling trailers
David;
I would caution you against purchasing a Dmax engine yet. The track record of GM on diesels for pickup is not good. The 3 previous engines have not been stellar. None have been worth the extra money.
I would wait a few years to determine if the engine will build a good reputation. They spent extra time and effort on the engine and built a new plant. Izuzu and Deere had a hand in the new diesel.
Izuzu's track record with road diesels has not been stellar either. The small cabover Izuzu/GM has had problems. Deere has never produced an engine for a road vehicle.
Wait and see, buy a Ford or Dodge or repair the Chev.
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Peters, I'll agree that GM hasn't had a very good record with the diesels in pickups (and cars) in the past, but sure wonder about your statement about Isuzu not having a good record either. You obviously know something I don't because I used to have an Isuzu diesel sedan, my dad had the little Chevy/Isuzu pickup, a good friend had an Isuzu pickup, my wife's former employer had an Isuzu cabover, and both my brothers have had GMC/Isuzu cabovers. And in every case, they were the most trouble free vehicles we ever owned. Now obviously it's too early to pass judgment on the new Chev. diesels, but if I had the money to buy a new diesel pickup, you can bet that's the one I'd buy.
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Drove Dodges in the past and the cummins might be good but the wrapper stinks. Drove Ford and I could get use to it but the are changing their diesel to a new G2 6.0 liter next year so thats out for now. My dad has a 93 ford diesel before the power stroke and loves it. 2 of my brothers have power strokes and say they cant be beat. I just like GM when you sit down and the controls all turn the same way and then you get in the others and everything is backwards. I browse the diesel page on the net and GM is working thu the first, second year problems. I am looking for a truck when I get ready to retire to pull a 5th wheel. My truck I use to haul a Saturn pickup slide in vintage 1969 it weighed about 3200 empty alot of hard miles on the truck. The camper was in the back yard several winters back and blew over. I now pull a popup with my van but would like to move up. I just wont be able to do both at the same time, But I am still young enough to wait. See I am growing up.
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I agree I like the layout of the controls and the seats etc. in the GM/Chev better than the other two trucks with diesels. The wrapper is not the main concern with me when buying a diesel as it is ~ 1/2 the price of the truck.
If I am buying a diesel then I am buying a long term investment. The pay back on the extra expense for the diesel is more than 150,000. In other words you don't save a cent until you have more than ~ 150,000 miles on the truck.
If you are not thinking about resale or the high milage then you are better with the V10 or other large gas engine.
The Izuzu diesels in their pickups have not performed well. Most made 150.000 miles or more but this makes it a break even proposition with having to but up with less power etc. This makes it a poor return on investment, place the extra money in an ivestment over the life of the truck and you will be farther ahead. For me the average life of the engine and truck needs to be more than 300,000 miles to make the investment attractive.
The Izuzu/GM cabover has not held it resale value and most in the used papers have had the diesel engines worked on in less than 150,000 miles.
GM has pushed how much effort an extra time that they put into this engine. They also held it back about a year to work the bugs out of it. Did they get them all? With GM and Izuzu's track records I would not bet on it. I certainly was not willing to bet 30-40 K on it.
I am sorry if you think I don't know what I am talking about. I researched my purchase as a SAE member. I followed the GM development in the SAE. I talked with oweners and even Cummings engineers before I made my purchase.
I just helped a friend rebuild a 98 GM diesel in a 3500 crew cab. fully loaded. He picked up the truck with less than 150.000 on it for less than 5000. It cost us less than 1000 for parts, but he is a diesel mechanic and has a complete machine shop. It took a few months to complete. Not your average situation. Was it a good deal for him? Was it a good deal for the original owner?
I am not in the position to buy a new truck and as my diesel is only 2 years old hopefully will not be in that position for a long time. I would give it at least one more year so at least the hot shotters have a chance to put some hard high miles on them and check it out.
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Becky -
My $0.02 worth:
If you aren't doing a lot of trailering w/ your horses, a 1/2 ton pickup is "enough" for most simple 2 horse trailers. I live in the upper midwest - its relatively flat and straight. Lot's of people get away w/ a two horse and a half ton like this. Most of the horse people I know who do a lot of trailering, or who plan long trips west or south, have a 3/4 ton or bigger.
As you move up to a bigger trailer, you will quickly bump up against the limits of your truck. The engine and transmission is probably fine. I'd think about the suspension though.
If you are going to more horses, or going to a 2 horse w/ a dressing room in front, both total weight and tounge weight go up quickly. This can push the limits of the load carrying ability of a 1/2 ton.
Another consideration that always concerns me is the fact that you are towing a "live" load. As you know, horses move, their balance shifts - and without enough suspension in the truck, you'll know it.
I re-read your post - a gooseneck is more stable to tow, a two or three horse stock style and small dressing/tack area may be light enough for your existing truck - but I'd be careful about much more.
Check the empty weight of the trailer, guesstimate the weight of the critters, tack, hay water, and so on, add in the people, and then check it all against the capacity listings in owners manual or on sticker inside the drivers door. (FYI: my aluminum skinned, 3 horse, slant load, bumper pull has an empty weight of around 4100#).
Another option which I haven't checked myself is to beef up the suspension of your existing truck...there are shops that can re-spring, improve shocks, etc and this might do the trick. I'm told its not too expensive, but not sure what that means.
Good luck -
Stan
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As to the weight ratings...
I have a toyota tundra and the GVWR is 6200. the towing capacity is 7200 and the GCWR is 11800. These numbers lead me to believe that I can haul 6200 in the back, tow 7200 (which is also the 11800 less 4300 and fuel/passengers. Is that how I'm to take this? Or does the GVWR mean that I can only put 1900 lbs in back (6200-4300)?
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What it means is your truck with everything attached can only have 6200 pounds on the 4 tires total. 11,800 pounds is the toal weight of the truck and trailer i.e. GCVWR. as long as you do not exceed the axle ratings of the truck. if the truck has a 3800 pound rear axle you cannot put more than that on the axle. if you and your passengers with all your optional equipment air, 4wd, cap,power buckets fuel bigger tires weight 5600 pounds then you can put 600 pounds in the rear or on the trailer hitch. 11800-5600=6200 for a trailer taking in that a hitch type trailer should have 10 percent of the trailer weight on the hitch to carry properly
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My 2 cents worth on the Duramax. Firstly I would say that there is ZERO comparison to the Ford or dodge. I have owned all. The Cummins diesel may be nice but the truck is not and chrysler dealers are even worse, I guess were supposed to believe that theyre going to get better with new owners..... The ford is a good truck but loud and slow compared to the GM. I have a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton extended cab 2500 Duramax/allison. It is undoutadly the best truck I have ever owned. I have 30,000 miles and not a hiccup. That is a first for me on any vehicle. I get an average of 18 mpg and as high as 22. the amazing thing about this truck aside from the stereo, leather 8 way seats, etc. is how quite it is and that it has the same pickup as a gas engine. The review I read that sold me initially said that the gas engine configured the same as the diesel was only 1/10 of a second faster in the quarter mile. I have spoken to many other Duramax owners and have yet to hear one complaint. I wish I could have said that about the dodge, there are three people in my neighborhood who had to lemon law theirs because Chrysler would not stand behind their product. That's the only and last one of those I'll ever own, Ive owned alot of fords and they have all been good, The best is my 95 Bronco, 95,000 miles and still lokks/runs new.
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I have a business that requires a lot of heavy towing.
I use a delta 12,000 lb. gooseneck.
I also tow a 11,000 dutchman fifth wheel camper.
My 95 Chevy one ton was pure lemon. after one year and a dozen trips to the shop I gave up and traded it.
I bought a Dodge 3500, cummins 5 spd. and it has been a great truck for heavy towing. The Chevy has a better ride than Dodge, but after 116000 miles two dozen states I have no complaints.
One thing of note,Cummins can be serviced at any medium duty truck center or Cummins center. Most of these dealers will not touch a duromax or powerstroke. I buy my filters at the local Kenworth dealer.
As for Ford, they have a good strong truck, but I would wait until the new diesel has proven itself
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