Which truck Dilemma?

[fly boy]

I own a towing beast.... 2006 dodge 2500 Mega 5.9 cummins with the 6-speed manual.

Now here is my issue.... the wife hates it, and has trouble driving it. And I will never own a towing/hauling business so don't need the beast. Most I might ever own will be a trailer that gets towed 2-5 times a year(if that). The new technology of trailers and how light they are, I could tow a trailer I want with an F150.

Which truck would you suggest as a replacement for the beast? I have a budget of $30-35,000, and would prefer a diesel for long term reliability.

I have been eye balling 2013ish F250/350's, and 2013ish Duramax. There are a couple requirements... NOT 4.10 gears (need better MPG). Adjustable pedals for a short wife, and if possible leather for easy cleaning because of kids.

Post your opinions, but rather than "ford sucks" add a reason why that truck sucks..... "ford sucks, because I own a dodge" Thanks all

[Snowman78]

Cummings Nissan titan

[opie011]

Cummins Nissan titan

Fixed it for you

[Gman]

Sounds like you're talking about just getting a newer beast.

[Zundfolge]

Based on the various ratings sites, it looks like the Ford and GMC are basically tied for best in the category so look at both and pick whichever one comes in the color you want.

[Grant H.]

Sounds like you're talking about just getting a newer beast.

This.

Any of the 3/4 ton diesels are going to be similar to your Dodge, and probably not well liked by your wife. Perhaps her only real dislike is the clutch on the Dodge, but for you to say that she "hates" it, means there is more.

I have both Chevy and Dodge 3/4 Diesels, and a few 1 tons, in our company, and we have had fords, and they are all about the same in size, handling, etc. The chevy gets the nod on turning radius, and ride comfort, and the ford gets the nod for the higher price, and dodge gets the nod for having the better motor (Cummins still is the name to beat).

Given what you are talking about, I agree with Snowman. Take a look at the Nissan Titan with the baby Cummins.

[Grant H.]

I will add this.

Don't get a 350/3500 for your stated use case, especially not a dually, but I would suggest shying away from the single wheel models as well.

You don't need the capacity per your post, and you don't want the ride quality for your wife. Also, duallies mean 2 extra tires every time.


Other thought:

Does your wife need to drive the truck? Not saying she shouldn't, but in our case the only time my wife drives my personal truck, or any of the company trucks, is when her car is in the shop. She doesn't really like any of them (my personal is 525/1019 HP/TQ with a manual and a clutch the size of smaller NE states, and the work trucks are all crew cab long beds). She used to drive my personal when the weather was bad, and I would take the less awesome car, but I bought her an Xterra, and she basically never drives the trucks...

So, depending on the why, maybe consider keeping your truck if it's already paid off.

[Bailey Guns]

Well, if you want a diesel in that year range you're pretty locked into a 3/4 or 1 ton...which is what you already have. Not sure that's gonna solve the issues you're wife is complaining about.

[fly boy]

This.

Any of the 3/4 ton diesels are going to be similar to your Dodge, and probably not well liked by your wife. Perhaps her only real dislike is the clutch on the Dodge, but for you to say that she "hates" it, means there is more.

I have both Chevy and Dodge 3/4 Diesels, and a few 1 tons, in our company, and we have had fords, and they are all about the same in size, handling, etc. The chevy gets the nod on turning radius, and ride comfort, and the ford gets the nod for the higher price, and dodge gets the nod for having the better motor (Cummins still is the name to beat).

Given what you are talking about, I agree with Snowman. Take a look at the Nissan Titan with the baby Cummins.

I will add this.

Don't get a 350/3500 for your stated use case, especially not a dually, but I would suggest shying away from the single wheel models as well.

You don't need the capacity per your post, and you don't want the ride quality for your wife. Also, duallies mean 2 extra tires every time.


Other thought:

Does your wife need to drive the truck? Not saying she shouldn't, but in our case the only time my wife drives my personal truck, or any of the company trucks, is when her car is in the shop. She doesn't really like any of them (my personal is 525/1019 HP/TQ with a manual and a clutch the size of smaller NE states, and the work trucks are all crew cab long beds). She used to drive my personal when the weather was bad, and I would take the less awesome car, but I bought her an Xterra, and she basically never drives the trucks...

So, depending on the why, maybe consider keeping your truck if it's already paid off.

She doesn't like the clutch, and the fact that she has to sit so close to the steering wheel. She's a shorty, and in order to push in the clutch, she has to be inches from the wheel. Also, she's got bad knee's so pushing the clutch is a pain. She drives the truck when she can fit things in her CRV i.e. anything bigger than bags of groceries. I would say at least once a month she needs me to do something with the truck for her, or she has to take the truck. Lately with my work schedule, she's forced to use the truck. Hence why I was looking at different options. The Chevy and fords had adjustable pedals for her, and size wise, she doesn't care. Between my truck, and her work econoline vans, she's capable of larger vehicles.

I am definitely looking at the Nissan. Completely forgot about that option, so thanks!

Sounds like you're talking about just getting a newer beast.

I will agree that all larger trucks with diesels will be considered a "beast" but they usually have better mpg than a gasser.

[JohnTRourke]

Diesels are not what they used to be. The emissions has killed them. OH sure, they still work and make monster power (although crappy mileage), but then something big goes wrong (because the emissions stuff is incredibly complex) and BANG you're out thousands.

Also new diesels require DEF fluid

If you don't tow or haul all the time, you really don't want a new (post 2010) diesel.

As someone else said, you don't want a 3/4T, 1T, you want a 1/2T.