I'm about to purchase my first diesel truck and am leaning heavily towards a MegaCab. I know this is a Dodge site, so some of this may be biased, but I need to know the fuel consumption of the big 3 to verify that I'm making the right decision with regards to my purchase. What are the problems with the 3rd generation engines against Chevy & Ford? Are they comparable in fuel consumption? I'm not going to be towing a lot, so this area is only a small concern.

 

DO NOT BUY A FORD

They have somethin stupid like 70+ TSBs

 

First what do you plan on towing, a Mega cab may not be suited for it. As far a fuel mileage, the Dodges run about 13 around town and towing and abgout 20 on the highway empty for the auto's.
If yo are going to to a 5vr then you will need a slider hitch for the Mega and the SB. Trust me you WILL need the slider, no matter what everyone else says.
If you don't get a slider you will end up with aobut $5 in damages if you catch it real good.

 

I get about 14 mpg around town and 17 mpg on the highway (at 2000 rpm, which is about 73 mph) unloaded in my 3500 MegaCab 4x4 auto here in hilly and hot southern California. Pulling my 8000 lb travel trailer in 105 degree heat last month I averaged 12 mpg cruising between 65-70 mph. At that time I had less than 3,000 miles on the clock. I have 5,500 miles or so on the odometer now.

As far as comparing to the other two trucks out there, the MegaCab was the best choice for me. Interior space and comfort ranked high in requirements and the MegaCab can't be beat there. The Cummins power, reputation and its relative simple design was important also. Ever look under the hood of a Ford? It's cramped, whereas the Dodge has plenty of room to work. I like that. I also like the looks of the Dodge better than the Ford and Chevy (I hate the Chevy). Being able to slap 35" tires on the stock suspension is a plus also. Overall, I think I have the best truck out there and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

Just bought a 06 crew short bed 4x4. traded my 03 7.3l ford in the 6.0l ford is a piece of !!!!!! . could not run fast enough to give me one. . the duramax is a good truck from what i am hearing. if it were me i think you can tell what brand i would by. have only removed the silencer ring and leveled the truck so far and i am getting about 20 mpg avg.

 

After my 3rd tank of fuel Im averaging 14.2mpg all city. I really like my Q/C 4x4 Laramie and I dont see myself getting rid of it any time soon.

 

Obviously I would say Dodge. But I also wonder why so many people who are worried about fuel consumption and MPG would buy a full sized truck, especially those people who don't tow often. When I decided on my 2006 2500 CTD, I certainly wasn't thinking I would be saving money on fuel. Yes, diesels are more economical in terms of burning fuel, but when put into a huge truck, you aren't doing much better. If you want economy and don't need to pull then buy a Mercedes with the diesel. If you are like me and HAVE to have a truck, then your choice should be easy, buy a Dodge CTD.

 

It is also dollars and cents I bought my truck in January for about 33 500 otdmy brother just bought a durajoke comperably equiped but with a lift and tires and wheels so 5k extra lets say and he was almost 49k otd I will admit I like the interiors of the Gms better they have some nice touches but not worth an extra 10k and I put 35s on with no suspension work he has to have that 6" lift for his 35s. And my dad Chevy man to the bone actually told me I got a better truck.

 

I have owned all three and this is my second Dodge. I had trouble with the first Dodge and I was looking hard at GMC but I just like the Dodge better all around. You cant beat the Cummins motor it has been proven for many years. Remember, any dealer Ford ,Chevy and Dodge will all say the same thing if you have a problem. "I cant seem to duplicate your concern" . So far I have 15000 miles on my 06 since April 1st and all it has needed is oil & filters. Good luck.

 

I looked at all three. My take what made me choose dodge.


I love the ford bodies and the inside, more room than the QC, but not big like the mega. The only reason I didnt go with Ford is the poker puke motor. Didnt like that fact of spending that much money for a truck to "possibly" buy problems. I know a cummins can have problems like the rest of them but they have a good track record.

I drove the chevy, didnt care for the body, but looked at it cause the Dmax hade the new motor. Very nice inside, had nice power. Just not a chevy guy. After about a month of research, ready all the forums that I could, I just stuck with Dodge(got rid of da Hemi)

As far a miles, Havent went through a tank yet, had to run back to the dealer the day after I bought it, went 168 miles. came out with 17.18 mpg over head had 17.5.

 

I think any truck is OK for normal "passenger car" use, but as soon as you start bombing or hauling, the Rams really outshine everything else.

We use & abuse our service trucks to make $$$, and they hold up real well to whatever we can throw at 'em. We have '98 & '05 3/4 ton outfitted for HD use - they usually run around at 10K # gross, and sometimes hauling a 12K # gooseneck/load. I've been in, around & under these trucks for years, and the Rams, IMOH, are simply designed better from an engineering standpoint.

The 1 ton F**ds we had started to fall apart around 60-70K miles The Duramaxes make a good poor man's hotrod - cause you're gonna be poor before you're through...

Our new truck gets 17.5 mpg highway - loaded!

 

Well I can tell you about the D-max vs Dodge. I had an 03 Dodge loved the way it drove and pulled. Unloaded it wouuld get around 19-20 on the hwy, around town 16-17. My local dealer was not real good and could not work my problems out. I own an 05 GMC with the D-Max crrently. I liked the Dodge better but I haven't had any real problems with the GMC. I just finished a 4000 mile 2 week trip empty and fule milage was all over the place 13.5 to 18 on the hwy. It would appear west of Missouri I got worse milage than East. I think find a good service deprtment and go with that brand. I would be leary of the 6.0. I had one break in my drive way on a test drive. I am considering swapping the GMC out for a new 06 Dodge when all the big rebates hit. I just like the Dodge but the GMC is not a bad truck.