I just traded in a GMC top kick 4500 4x4, and from my experience, I put 28,000lbs gross on it all the time and that was fine other than the alison trans is garbage, from day 1 it chatered violently. When I had my trailer behind it I hauled 35,000 lbs gross combine and it did'nt like that abit, not to mention 3 mpg. Now I have the dodge 5500 and pulling and stopping the weight is not a problem. But I can only put 20,000 lbs gross before the giant fuel tank almost hits the ground. So now I've added airbags to handle the load.

 

seems like there suspension is as weak as the 3500s

 

I was thinking of going to the 5500 topkick. What are all the things you didnt like about it?

 

Well I guess i cant attest for the d5500 or 4500 BUT... HAve driven a few trucks....I used to have a 06 C5500....It road walked like a sun of a gun, very squirly......horrible interior and poooooooor fuel mileage about 6.5-7 I had a f450 before that MUCH more stable with the same weight.

I again have a F550 172" wheel base with a service body/crane on it. It handles excellant...love the truck--its a 2000 modle keep in mind BUT the new ones are even better.

IMO Ford is the only way to go with the commercial trucks. Ill put it this way.. the FORD is OIL FIELD proven and those that are from or work around the oil field KNOW what im talking about. I know the 6L had some issues but this 6.7L is having issues as well. And so far the 6.4L is having VERY few issues. Other than people calling them the flamers. The new dodges have junked just as many injectors as the fords.

Ford are just nicer all around chassis/cab wise. And im not being bias,,,,just going off experience. and what is actually engineered better+quality.

 

I strongly disagree with^^^ I am in the oil business and have been for twenty-five years and owned many trucks from all of the big three and also sterling and the ford is a turd, lets wait a year and see who's sales are better. Every single f 'ed over rebuilt dodge lost there oil pump pickup or oil pump working in the field, they never lasted over 150,000 miles, my whoopy gmc with a six cylinder(utility 350,000 miles) has outlasted all the fords I had in service, and I know that I am not the only one with the oil pump/pickup problem. Anyway my 2 cents on the subject coming from actual field work in the petro business.

flgc

 

I'm with Floridac,Fords arn't even allowed close to an oil lease up here(flaming issue).

 

Yea,if you haul 35,000lbs

 

Like I said, $300 airbags added to the springs and it's the best truck in its class.My complaints about the topkick are the engine revs alot to get power and it did'nt get much power even then. Automatic is the only option, no manual. The transmission chattered in first & second from day one. I drive loaded to 32,000 lbs most of the time and fuel economy was @ 4 mpg. Now my 5500 dodge loaded gets 9.5 mpg and lots more power. And they cost a little less.

 

If they are putting dana medium duty axles in the rear of the 45/5500 series, then what axle are they putting in the front of the 4x4's??? The only ones we have around here are just rear wheel drive...

 

Thanks for the info. I dont know what I will do. They are things I like about the dodge but I just hate the way they done me. I may consider the ford to.

 

I have seen and know more people working in the oil field with Dodges than fords. The 6.4L Fords having VERY few issues??? hahahahha (sorry). I go to 2-3 Ford forums and I see more problems for them than Dodge right now.

If Ford is so much nicer C&C wise, why has Dodge out sold them for 3 months in a row already?

 

there cheaper.

and yes the 6.4L is having very few issues......go read the other forums I follow them as well and lets highlite all the issues. Not saying I wouldnt prefer the cummins if it were still a 5.9L but... thats gone. The 6.7L is having issues too.

Like I said I cannot attest for a dodge commercial truck but can the other two. Fords front ends are bullet proof in the heavy duty trucks. Ask about any CAT dealer that switched to the GM product. Its also the same reason the cummins industrial dealers run a HUUUUUHHHHH a powerstroke LOL. Call around.



I didnt mean for this to start a brand war here but I was only stating what LARGE companies have put up with. And who knows maybe alot of them will start switching to the dodge for a choice in the heavy dudty truck. The field will tell all.

 

I'd only have a F series if liked to have it SERVICED regularly. and I mean real regularly! Ford quit making real trucks after 79.