Is it Really that Bad?

[glbtrekker]

Hi all, new here. I'm look for my first new tow vehicle in several years (I'll be buying new). Currently, I'm towing a #9k TT that's about 34' long and I'm towing it with a 2013 Chevy Express 3500 with the 6.0 and 3.42 gears. I don't tow often (4-5 times a year), but when I do it's typically a 1,300 mile round trip on I-75. The 6.0 Chevy does just okay, but it doesn't have much power to merge and is constantly downshifting and running 3,500+ rpm on anything other than a minor grade (which gets incredibly annoying inside the van). So now I'm looking for a 3500 CCLB for my next tow rig. I've always wanted a diesel, but have been turned away due to all the horror stories about major issues and crazy expensive repair bills.

So...honest question, are modern diesels that bad? If it's properly maintained, and not generally abused, are they reliable? Or, should I be considering a gasser? I like to have plenty of reserve for future upgrades, but don't want to break the bank with constant repairs.

Here's the curve ball. I live less than 1 mile from my office which I travel to 5-6 times per week and I drive around 11k miles a year total. I do make longer trips of say ~100 miles roundtrip about once every week or so. Should I run away from a diesel?

Thanks everyone, not trying to start a debate, just trying to figure out if it's that bad, or just trucks being abused/neglected.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

The cummins diesel pulls like a freight train. It doesn’t have any inherent problems but it will have more expensive maintenance than a gas truck.

The 6.4L Hemi with the 8 speed will pull so so so much better than that clapped out 6L that you would be incredibly happy with it.

 

[RAM_Dad]

Agree. 9k trailer with limited towing, Hemi would be a great choice.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Really depends on who you ask, some will say you need a 3500 dually with the HO to tow anything bigger than a 2000lbs trailer…..

In my opinion The hemi will serve you well with no issues for your setup, a modern diesel would not be ideal for your situation

 

[jetrinka]

Hemi, 8 speed and 4.10’s should serve you perfectly

In my worthless opinion the golden age of diesel is long gone. Too many regulations now dumbing them down. It’s not the Diesel engine that will give you problems. It’s all the stuff they bolt to it that will. I actually had a diesel on order and bought a Hemi instead and am glad I did.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Hemi, 8 speed and 4.10’s should serve you perfectly

In my worthless opinion the golden age of diesel is long gone. Too many regulations now dumbing them down. It’s not the Diesel engine that will give you problems. It’s all the stuff they bolt to it that will. I actually had a diesel on order and bought a Hemi instead and am glad I did.

The EGR free (no external EGR) engines are coming - Cummins already has an EGR free EU Stage V. Soot can be further reduced in combustion if they can get ducted injectors worked into the design.

That said, OP's use case is best fulfilled by a Hemi truck.

B6.7 (Stage V) | Cummins Inc.

www.cummins.com

 

[jetrinka]

The EGR free (no external EGR) engines are coming - Cummins already has an EGR free EU Stage V.

That said, OP's use case is best fulfilled by a Hemi truck.

B6.7 (Stage V) | Cummins Inc.

www.cummins.com

That’s pretty awesome. I had no idea that was around the corner

 

[Firebird]

The Hemi will tow it well, and the Cummins will tow it better. I’ve owned 6 Cummins trucks, and all were very reliable

 

[Grayson]

Hi all, new here. I'm look for my first new tow vehicle in several years (I'll be buying new). Currently, I'm towing a #9k TT that's about 34' long and I'm towing it with a 2013 Chevy Express 3500 with the 6.0 and 3.42 gears. I don't tow often (4-5 times a year), but when I do it's typically a 1,300 mile round trip on I-75. The 6.0 Chevy does just okay, but it doesn't have much power to merge and is constantly downshifting and running 3,500+ rpm on anything other than a minor grade (which gets incredibly annoying inside the van). So now I'm looking for a 3500 CCLB for my next tow rig. I've always wanted a diesel, but have been turned away due to all the horror stories about major issues and crazy expensive repair bills.

So...honest question, are modern diesels that bad? If it's properly maintained, and not generally abused, are they reliable? Or, should I be considering a gasser? I like to have plenty of reserve for future upgrades, but don't want to break the bank with constant repairs.

Here's the curve ball. I live less than 1 mile from my office which I travel to 5-6 times per week and I drive around 11k miles a year total. I do make longer trips of say ~100 miles roundtrip about once every week or so. Should I run away from a diesel?

Thanks everyone, not trying to start a debate, just trying to figure out if it's that bad, or just trucks being abused/neglected.

If you were going to change I would go for the 6.4 Hemi over the diesel. If you're only going short distances most of the time I would attempt to avoid the CCLB as well, due to parking. (I don't know what type of parking your office has so it may be a non-issue)

That being said the 6.0 can handle a lot more power than stock, a tune helps dramatically. I don't think I would want to be the one to do any work period on another 6.0 Chevy Van after changing the spark plugs for a friend.

 

[CanadianIronhead]

Hi all, new here. I'm look for my first new tow vehicle in several years (I'll be buying new). Currently, I'm towing a #9k TT that's about 34' long and I'm towing it with a 2013 Chevy Express 3500 with the 6.0 and 3.42 gears. I don't tow often (4-5 times a year), but when I do it's typically a 1,300 mile round trip on I-75. The 6.0 Chevy does just okay, but it doesn't have much power to merge and is constantly downshifting and running 3,500+ rpm on anything other than a minor grade (which gets incredibly annoying inside the van). So now I'm looking for a 3500 CCLB for my next tow rig. I've always wanted a diesel, but have been turned away due to all the horror stories about major issues and crazy expensive repair bills.

So...honest question, are modern diesels that bad? If it's properly maintained, and not generally abused, are they reliable? Or, should I be considering a gasser? I like to have plenty of reserve for future upgrades, but don't want to break the bank with constant repairs.

Here's the curve ball. I live less than 1 mile from my office which I travel to 5-6 times per week and I drive around 11k miles a year total. I do make longer trips of say ~100 miles roundtrip about once every week or so. Should I run away from a diesel?

Thanks everyone, not trying to start a debate, just trying to figure out if it's that bad, or just trucks being abused/neglected

First cummins, nearly 100k km, absolutely zero issues, tons of power, does not care what's hooked behind it.