Advice from Kodiak/Topkick or F650 owners

[TwinCreek]

I'm in the market for a new truck. My 2005 F350 crewcab, dually, 6.0L lemon lawsuit is hopefully nearing an end and I will be truck shopping soon. Anything with a Navistar/International is out of the question after my previous experience, so that leaves me with Chevy cc/dually or going 2.5 ton. The dodge is out due to the cab/bed configuration. I'm using the truck to tow a 10,000lb race hauler trailer cross country, with 5-6 people.

My questions:
What do 2006 and newer owners think of their Chevy/GMC 1 ton diesels?

For the F650 folks, how do you like the CAT or Cummins powered Ford?

How about you Kodiak/Topkick owners? Would you buy your truck again?

 

[wushaw]

Only a 10k trailer?
What problems with the Dodge Mega cab? I know it's a short bed but it should pull a GN with no problems.
Going with a class 4 and up truck would be great but it's only 10k trailer....right?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

How about you Kodiak/Topkick owners? Would you buy your truck again?

I'm a repeat buyer of a Topkicks. Currently have about 10 of them. Also some Navistar and Isuzu. Topkicks are what my drivers and foremen like the best. I've driven them dozens of times, with a Cat engine and Allision transmission they make for a good reliable truck.

 

[tractorsanmore]

I think chevrolet has a 4500 series truck with a duramax and allison trans and the dually bed on it

 

[tommu56]

I have a ram mega cab with ctd you won't have any problem with it and i think it has the most leg room in the rear compaired to my avalanche that i had i looked at duramax but i'm 6'3 on a good day and i was tight in the chevys the mega cab was another thing we keep a 12v cooler behind seat with drinks in it
and only have to stop to unload what we drink


tommu56

 

[capt_met]

i drive a chevy 3500 with the duramax allison. towing only 10,000 lbs. it won't break a sweat. if you like the interior room that would be plenty of truck.

 

[Builder]

I'm in the market for a new truck. My 2005 F350 crewcab, dually, 6.0L lemon lawsuit is hopefully nearing an end and I will be truck shopping soon. Anything with a Navistar/International is out of the question after my previous experience, so that leaves me with Chevy cc/dually or going 2.5 ton. The dodge is out due to the cab/bed configuration. I'm using the truck to tow a 10,000lb race hauler trailer cross country, with 5-6 people.

My questions:
What do 2006 and newer owners think of their Chevy/GMC 1 ton diesels?

For the F650 folks, how do you like the CAT or Cummins powered Ford?

How about you Kodiak/Topkick owners? Would you buy your truck again?

Why would "anything with a navistar/international is out of the question"? I'm sure you know that IH medium duty trucks are available with the DT466, which is widely regarded as the best medium duty diesel on the planet. IH is the world's biggest seller of M/D diesel engines and M/D diesel trucks.

Another thing: If you're ruling out "navistar/international", then you might want to rule out the F-650....it's built by a IH/Ford joint venture known as "Blue Diamond" in a plant in mexico. The F-650 has a lot of IH parts & DNA in it.

CAT powered medium duty trucks have had lots of problems with the CAT smaller diesels. You'd be much better off with DT466 power than C-7 power.

Lots of guys I know are buying C-6500's with the 7.8L Duramax (Isuzu) diesel or the 4500/5500 with the smaller 6.6L Duramax and are pretty happy.

I have a 6.6L DMAX in my GMC3500 and like it so far. I also have a DT466 powered IH dump truck and it's the best diesel I've ever owned. (knock on wood).

 

[CATMAN]

Here is a little info on the CAT C-7 engines. When they were first introduced, we did see some injector problems. We would have to change all 6 injectors to get the engine to run right and the correct power. CAT engineers came out with newer software which helped, but didn't total cure the complaints. The engineers designed newer style injectors with their own software(non-interchangeable) for the newer injectors. Old injectors are discontinued and if one fails, then we replace all 6 injectors to the latest style with the latest style software. This is working good.

Twincreek; What I really want to tell you about is that here are different engine configuration that vary with HP ranges to meet EPA emissions regulations. Example: same model of engine(C7) but three major internal component changes{pistons,injectors,turbos}. Now, the truck dealership salesman may say: This engine can be set from 175 HP to 330 HP with software. NOT TRUE. There are times that a small increase is only software and nothing else. Other times, it may need software, 6 injectors and maybe one turbo. ($$$)​

Conclusion: My point is to purchase the correct HP and transmissions capablitilies at the point of sale and don't be mislead by some fast talker trying to make a quick sale on a truck he has sitting on his lot that may have a lower HP and weaker transmission combination because that shows a lower sticker price. Internal component changes are probably common with most engine manufacturers to meet those tight EPA standards.(requires fine tuning of compression ratios, timing ,injectors, and turbos). I'm just warning you to think ahead and don't "impulse-buy" on a big ticket item like this. Also, If this is your first taste of the "big truck market", you need to be aware that the transmission work may be done at one repair shop; the engine work at another repair shop; the electrical, body,suspension and interior at the OEM dealership. Motorhome customers that are use to car repair are always surprised how this works.

 

[pekabu]

Not to push the Dodge, but the cummins is a really good motor. I have been seeing a lot of press on the new 4500/5500 dodges. I don't know if they are availible yet, but the come with exhaust brakes. Might be worth a look.

 

[CATMAN]

pekabu, One of our CAT mechanics has a Dodge with the Cummins engine in it and he has had really good luck with it, also. He did put on 4" exhaust when he put in a chip/software. His next step is to go with a stronger clutch, then put in larger injectors for more power.