Have to agree with Scott on this one, a Cummings is a cheap knock off of a "Cummins" So it is a buyer beware with one of them.......
Reality is, if you travel at elevations above 5-6000' a lot, then get a induction style motor, ie a "TURBO" diesel, or a gas rig like the "Ecoboost". If you are below the 5-6K foot mark, and only travel above occasionally, then it really will not matter much tween a hemi or the gm 6.0 gas rigs vs either brands diesel. ALL will get the job done if setup properly.
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
As a 2010 2500 Cummins owner, I would advise that if you can afford the diesel, by all means go ahead and do it. My trailer weighs in at about 9,000 lbs when in travelling trim. I have taken it through the Appalachian mountains, and the truck barely knows the trailer is there. When in tow/haul and with the exhaust brake active it pulls and stops the trailer effortlessly. Just recently, I hauled a 12,000 lb skid steer loader, and the truck basically "shrugged it's shoulders" and said its about time you gave me something to do. My average fuel economy when towing is 11-12 mpg. Lifetimes mpg is 15.4 mpg, combination city, hwy, and towing. (I track every ounce of fuel via a computer program). As far as 2wd vs 4wd, if you can do it, go ahead & get the 4wd. I have 2wd, and have come close to regretting it severakl times on construction sites. When you have 650 ft/lbs of torque going to the rear wheels as soon as you hit the gas, it will bury in a heartbeat if the ground is at all loose. I have only gotten stuck once, & that was after the last trip with my trailer as I was putting it away. I keep my trailer in the back yard, & it had rained heavily the day before I got home. As I backed the trailer through the gate, I got stuck in a soft patch where the gate is. It was great fun jacking the rear of the truck up and placing boards under the wheels with the trailer attached. I have since vowed that the next truck will be 4wd even though I'm in "flat" Florida.
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting "Wow, what a ride!".
2002 3500 6 Speed
2005 ALFA
Just 72 feet!
Hi, deciding between a Diesel or Gas truck don't even try to compare them by fuel costs. I have seen Diesel costs below Regular Gas and quite a bit higher than Premium Gas. I thought California was high until we took our Alaska trip. Just buy the best truck for your needs.
Bob
2005 Airstream Safari 25-B
2000 Lincoln Navigator
Equal-i-zer
Yamaha 2400
4x4 diesel and no regrets. Do it once and do it right. You'll love mountain towing and be ready for anything - including a bigger trailer in future if you want.
If you want "haulin' ass horsepower and torque", go for the diesel. It's an expensive option but the engine will still be running when the rest of the truck is a rusted hulk. Any of the "Big Three" diesels are good choices.
Cheers
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise) 2006 Silverado 2500HD D/A, Isspro Gauges, Linex, Westin Nerf Bars, Fold-A-Cover 2006 Cruiser CF30SK.
Reese 16K Slider, Bedsaver, Prodigy Controller, Rearview Camera, JT StrongArms
I've owned and towed with both the Cummins and Hemi. I believe all male humans should own at least one Cummins powered Ram. If you're towing high altitudes, you might actually need it. Either way, I don't think you'll regret it. When you get over it, there will be plenty of silky smooth, whisper quiet gas engine pickups to choose from.
'10 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
Any EPA 2008 or later diesel will require a Diesel Particulate Filter.
Field experience says this first generation of filters do not last anywhere near as long as they thought, and will be a major expense item going forward.
DPF failures can result in a tow and parts are not plentiful and not necessarily stocked at every dealer / certainly not aftermarket vendors.
That means delays for diagnostics and repair.
Factor this in with the mechanical and electronic and software complexity of a modern EPA 2008 diesel, and pretty quickly, the equation in favor of gas tips considerably in costs and hassle.
Do you really want a vehicle that 3/4 of authorized dealers probably cannot work on because they don't have a cracker jack diesel tech?
Gasoline does the volume, and if there are good gas choices that does the job (6.0 gas, V10) choose it.
X2 for the Dodge Cummins Diesal engine. I have an older one and it pulls like nothing else. I prefer the Dually but you may not. I like the additional stability of the dually foot print.
Jim
RV:2012 Montana 3625RE Quad Slide SKP#108921 TV:2004.5 Dodge Dually 3500 HD Favorite Quote:''Life's tough, pilgrim, and it's even tougher if you're stupid.''-- John Wayne
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Hi, deciding between a Diesel or Gas truck don't even try to compare them by fuel costs. I have seen Diesel costs below Regular Gas and quite a bit higher than Premium Gas. I thought California was high until we took our Alaska trip. Just buy the best truck for your needs.
