rsh_757
Auburn, WA
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I have said this at least a dozen times on this forum. This is the WRONG place to get an answer for your question. Get the one you like, period... In years past, it was easy to weigh the differences, these days you can't go wrong with any of the big three diesels. They all tow like monsters and each one can be equipped with the works.
I would add though, if you are considering a Ram, wait until the 2010 model year for the chassis change (if you are talking crew-cab.
2008 Cougar 310SRX 5th Wheel
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 4x4 CTD
2008 Nissan Armada LE
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dshelley
hernando, mississippi
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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Mayoman wrote:which in your opinion is the best truck for the money. Personally like the GMC Duramax/Allison Combo with Dodge my 2nd choice but could be swayed. Just looking for opinions.
I bought in 2005 a Dodge, others bought the Chevy/GMC, and others bought the Ford. Looking through this forum confirms almost all reasonable people are happy with their individual purchase regardless of brand. This only means there is no clear winner. Any of the 3 will do more than you might need. The performance is so close you probably couldn't notice from one to the next. The only way to determine which is best is to put the words "for me" after the question, and it seems you have already answered it when you stated that you personally like the GMC. That's the best one for you.
2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab, Shortbox, 5.9 Cummins, auto, Reece 16K hitch, bedsaver
2004 Holiday Rambler Savoy 28RLS
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soyboy
Frederick, Maryland
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They are all good trucks with their own pluses and minuses. If you are traveling on long trips and spending a lot of time in the truck I would focus on the interior and seat comfort. I think that is where you will find more difference between the makes.
,2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 Black EC D/A 4X4, REVOS Pwr. TT Mirrors, A.R.E. Cap, Equal-i-zer Hitch, Jordan Ultima
2003 Jayco Kiwi 23D, Carefree Awning, Trimetric.
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wcjeep
Tacoma, Wa
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SRW vs DRW is all about tire capacity. There are other minor differences. By far the biggest is weight carrying ability.
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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dhamblet wrote:JIMNLIN wrote:a 3500 SRW or the DRW ?? Makes a big difference in payload capacity for a heavy 5ers pin weight.
Huh? SRW has greater load capacity than DRW by only a few hundred pounds, IIRC less than 500# - basicly the added weight of the fender flares, wheels, and tires takes away some of the Dually's load capacity. A 3500 is a 3500 regardless of how many wheels it has.
for me its all about axle capacity/hauling capacity. Just as a example the 3500 DRW Dodge has a 9350 RAWR as compared to the 3500 SRW 6400 RAWR which is close to 3000 lbs. Thats the reason a 3500 DRW LDT size truck is the choice of commercial haulers over any SRW LDT size truck. If axle capacity/payload is a concern then close attention needs to be paid to the different brands RAWR numbers.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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marty649
Waycross GA (okeefenokee swamp)
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dhamblet wrote:JIMNLIN wrote:a 3500 SRW or the DRW ?? Makes a big difference in payload capacity for a heavy 5ers pin weight.
Huh? SRW has greater load capacity than DRW by only a few hundred pounds, IIRC less than 500# - basicly the added weight of the fender flares, wheels, and tires takes away some of the Dually's load capacity. A 3500 is a 3500 regardless of how many wheels it has.
this only works if you close your eyes tap your heals 3 times and chant theres no place like home, no wait thats the spell to get home, whats the one to make a srw carry more than a drw, oh ya there isn't one. try again.
2005 Dodge 3500 Quad cab CTD Dually, Laramie, G56 sbc con-ofe, GPS-NAV, Sirius, intake and exhaust, Gauges, 100 gal aux fuel tank, Rokktech, Quad box, Pacbrake, 85,000mi
2000 Gulfstream Seahawk, Sat TV, Solar, 6.5kw gen, Washer/Dryer
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YnotTurbo
Alpharetta Georgia
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It's like asking, what taste better, Big Mac, Whopper, or the Thickburger from Hardees? They all taste good, just some are easier to eat while towing a camper...LOL!
Navy Chief
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie w/6.7 CTD, 6 speed auto, Factory Exhaust Brake.
2007 KZ 41CKS3 Montego Bay Sportster
2006 Kaw KDX 200
2008 Can AM Outlander Max 650
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Real Trucks Don't have Sparkplugs!
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PAWildcat
Temple ,PA
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Joined: 12/06/2006
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Make a list of what you want to have in the truck, and then compare the brands. I did that when looking for mine. I was always a GM guy, was expecting to get a Dodge, but ended up with the Ford.
2005 Ford F-250 PSD CC 4x4
2006 Forest River Wildcat 29BHBP
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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Mayoman wrote:Personally like the GMC Duramax/Allison Combo with Dodge my 2nd choice but could be swayed. Just looking for opinions.
You should go with what your gut is telling you.
JIMNLIN wrote:dhamblet wrote:JIMNLIN wrote:a 3500 SRW or the DRW ?? Makes a big difference in payload capacity for a heavy 5ers pin weight.
Huh? SRW has greater load capacity than DRW by only a few hundred pounds, IIRC less than 500# - basicly the added weight of the fender flares, wheels, and tires takes away some of the Dually's load capacity. A 3500 is a 3500 regardless of how many wheels it has.
for me its all about axle capacity/hauling capacity. Just as a example the 3500 DRW Dodge has a 9350 RAWR as compared to the 3500 SRW 6400 RAWR which is close to 3000 lbs. Thats the reason a 3500 DRW LDT size truck is the choice of commercial haulers over any SRW LDT size truck. If axle capacity/payload is a concern then close attention needs to be paid to the different brands RAWR numbers.
Jim
There has been much discussion on this board, and other boards about the differences between the different models of trucks.
For instance, the 2500HD/250 vs. 3500HDSRW/350SRW comparison is sort of moot. Only about 1/2 dozen differences between these two types of trucks. The most significant being the rear spring stack.
But to compare a 3500SRW to a 3500DRW, the differences are quite large. Especially in the case of GM trucks. The GM 3500DRW will have a much THICKER axle tube, as well as the addition of overload leaves. Oh, and the extra two back tires.
I know on the fords, the DRW trucks come with the Dana 80 axle, the Visteon axle is not up to the task that the 350DRW demands.
Also on the GMs, the 3500HDSRW has a 9900lb GVWR, whereas the 3500HDDRW has an 11,400 GVWR, most of the difference being rear axle capacity/hauling capacity.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L80E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454
30 year student of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
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dhamblet
Olympia, WA
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Joined: 01/13/2005
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surveyorjp wrote:dhamblet wrote:
Huh? SRW has greater load capacity than DRW by only a few hundred pounds, IIRC less than 500# - basicly the added weight of the fender flares, wheels, and tires takes away some of the Dually's load capacity. A 3500 is a 3500 regardless of how many wheels it has.
I am pretty sure this isn't right. Somebody provide some links please to prove or disprove this claim. I can't believe a DRW would have less capacity than a SRW.
Reason I know this is I recently bought 2 Dodge 3500 CTDs, a 2005 SRW 4wd QC, SWB, Laramie (which I sold a year later) and a 2006 SRW 4wd QC, LWB which I still drive. You want proof? look it up on the Dodge website yourself, I did it twice and I'm not interested in researching it again. The ONLY thing a DRW gains you is a little stability and the peace of mind that if you blow a rear tire theres another to carry the load until you pull over. Plus when you need tires you get to buy 6, not 4.
2005 Dutchmen 35SRV, Pergo floor, 5th Airborne, JT Strong Arm, Kodiak Disk Brakes, Backup camera
2006 Dodge CTD RAM QC 3500 LWB 4WD, Reese 16k, Airlift, Pacbrake, Britebox, 60g aux fuel tank
04 HD Ultra, CanAM 400MAX Quad
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