Hello!! im new to the diesel world as far as duallys, i work with a freand car houling and he has a vary nice fraightliner 10 car hauler and i want to do the same but small, iv been looking at the dodge 3500 and fords also. i like the dodge but the ford 550s are towing 4 cars easy and the dodge slow start but good enough...now... i saw a nice chevy C4500 KODIAK with a 6 car hauler and i want it ....... cost way moor then fords and dodges, can any one tell me what would be the best for the price and long term of houling. and also whats better 5th whell or goos neck ball??? ps... this is nice i wanttthttp://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=1356601&guid=EB3007A0F4284A5390C99FCF0F3067D3 Thanks Alex
I would say go dodge. I would never run a ford 6.0. If your going new, and can afford to wait, dodge is coming out with a 4500 and a 5500.
The only downside to the larger trucks is that they are purpose built rigs, kinda hard to take to the drivethru after a baseball game. I think a Dodge dually with a 6 speed or even an auto and 4.10 gears would do all you want and even do better on mileage (less truck). Add an upgraded clutch and a Smarty or TST for extra mileage and about 40-60 hp and you'll have a reliable, affordable tow rig. Much cheaper than a larger rig that can only really be driven when working. Just my thoughts . . . .
You can go with whichever you like best. The ford 6.0 only blow headgaskets for 2003-2004 models. I have a 06 with 20000miles heavy towing with an aggresive tune and no problems yet.
Thank you... I just got back from Vegas!!1 no play all work but lernennn to the shift my freands fraightliner a lettel better going up and down the hills .. i will be looking at a 2004 dodge this weekend i hope . thank you for your input i know once i get it i will be asking all kinds of upgrad quistens. Thank you . DesertDogTransport, llc (alex)
Gm I Puul Boat With My C4500 I have the 4500 with the duramax i love the truck and any one that thinks the F550 or even the F650 is better than this truck you need to ask real people that have those trucks. I get better mpg than the F650 i have towed the same 38 boat that a F650 has i got better mpg and i had no problems the F650 was screaming it had the powerjoke in it. Also GM are just better than anything else out there. P.S THE GUY WITH THE F650 HAS A BOAT HAULING COMPANY HE HAS SOLD THE F650 AFTER DRIVING MINE AND JUST BOUGHT A KODIAK 4500 WITH THE DURAMAX HE LOVES IT NOT ONE PROBLEM WITH BOTH OF ARE TRUCKS HIS FORD WAS IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 1 A MONTH i am not a ford guy he said he had a powerjoke in it sorry my bad thanks for the info MY KODIAK IS FOR SALE $56,000 O.B.O
The F650 doesn't have the powerstroke as an option. It's either a cummins or cat motor. It will definately out pull any dmax power 4500 as it is a bigger class of truck and can legally tow more.
My Bad I Am Not A Ford Guy "i Like Good Trucks" HE TOLD ME HE HAD A POWERJOKE I AM NOT A FORD SO THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT HE HAD I KNOW WITH AROUND 25,000 POUNDS YOU COULD FEEL THE FORD CRYING FOR HELP "NO SURPRISE" MY 4500 WAS NOT HAPPY PULLING IT BUT IT STILL HAD NO PROBLEM THE FORD WOULD LOCK GEARS UNDER HEAVY LOADS MORE THAN ONCE THAT I KNOW FIRST HAND
Ahh yes it can legally tow more but these trucks have about the same horsepower and torque as the D-max or Powerstroke, the problem is it weighs about 4k more than a 4500 series and has about the same power. It will not out pull it but it will handle the weight easier. That is the reason I bought a 3500 Dodge, the bigger trucks (like the F650 & Kodiak 6500 have the same power but weigh a lot more and get worse mileage (7 to 8 mpg). I wouldn't recommend towing 25k with a 3500 but there are a lot of fella's out there doing it and I bet it is a better bang for the buck than one of the bigger trucks. Just my .02 cents though. :stir:
Get the new Dodge 5500 quad cab with the 4.30 gears. 6speed auto or manual your choice. It will tow 25-35K very easily. The 6.7L with the 6speed auto makes 350/650. The aftermarket tuners and programmers are working on stuff for it. It won't get the fuel mileage that the 5.9 gets but it's a much safer truck for towing 3+ vehicles. You get much bigger brakes and an exhaust brake on the 5500. Safety has to be considered.
