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Towing. Cummins vs. Powerstroke vs. Duramax

Which is better, all around? 2025/2026 models?

  • Ram Cummins

    Votes: 13 81.3%

  • Ford Powerstroke

    Votes: 2 12.5%

  • Gm's Duramax

    Votes: 1 6.3%
  • Total voters
    16
R

Rowdy Dalton

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Messages
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Points
18
I am looking and reading up on all newer Diesels. I want the most reliable between the three. Discuss the Pros and Cons of each engine(newest models), including electronics.
 
It's going to be hard to quantify which one is more reliable; they all have [mainly] emissions related problems. I would drive them and look at the overall package and make a decision from there.
 
I would want the Cummins out of the three diesels. The Ford is hard to beat as a truck. The GMCs are nice but not sure if I would own one. No Chevys here.

I think, as stated above, you need to drive all 3 and compare options and packages. You are spending some coin. Do yourself the favor and take your time to consider all things that could go wrong or that you really like from each. Make sure you compare apples to apples as well. It’s only fair.


Sent from me
 
Also, build out each one on the website and then look what Mark Dodge, Granger, or Koons will actually sell you that Ram truck for and try to get a Ford or Chevy close in price. In my case I couldn't even come close for a comparable Ford.
 
It’ll be fine. Do a survey on which truck of the big 3 you consider best for towing on a RAM HD forum. I promise, no one here will be biased.:p
 
For what most pepole tow any of the big 3 will due. My case was the Mega Cab and the Ram Box. I have always had the Cummins and love the low end torque the straight 6 has over the rest.
 
There are some really good reviews and towing tests on youtube.

JB reviews, TFL, Gettys garage are examples.
 
My deleted and tuned 2006 duramax with a built transmission. And rust free.

But it was in an accident and it's hard to buy those these days.
 
I’ve owned the 6.7L Power Stroke and 6.7L Cummins.
I like the Ford engine best except for the fuel pump. The CP4 is a ticking time bomb. I think the Ford runs cleaner than the Cummins - my DPF took forever to require a regen. The Ford is smooth as silk and super quiet.
When you step on the go pedal the power just rolls on with the Ford. The Cummins “fusses” a bit while accelerating- is noisy and feels rough - but does get there.
The Ford does have a telescoping steering wheel while Ram does not and the electronics aren’t nearly as buggy as the Ram. I also miss the driver door combination lock and aluminum body.
I do like the interior of my Ram much better. It feels a bit classier, less utilitarian and the mega cab is awesome.
 
wrvond said:
I’ve owned the 6.7L Power Stroke and 6.7L Cummins.
I like the Ford engine best except for the fuel pump. The CP4 is a ticking time bomb. I think the Ford runs cleaner than the Cummins - my DPF took forever to require a regen. The Ford is smooth as silk and super quiet.
When you step on the go pedal the power just rolls on with the Ford. The Cummins “fusses” a bit while accelerating- is noisy and feels rough - but does get there.
The Ford does have a telescoping steering wheel while Ram does not and the electronics aren’t nearly as buggy as the Ram. I also miss the driver door combination lock and aluminum body.
I do like the interior of my Ram much better. It feels a bit classier, less utilitarian and the mega cab is awesome.
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about the Ford too. I've heard on reviews they tow better than the 2025 Ram, but with all the updates, unknown if the Ram fixed the lifter issues, or just kicked them down the road. I hear you do get more options, and comfort with the Ram. I guess the biggest issue would be Engine Reliability.
 
Rowdy Dalton said:
I've heard good things about the Ford too. I've heard on reviews they tow better than the 2025 Ram, but with all the updates, unknown if the Ram fixed the lifter issues, or just kicked them down the road. I hear you do get more options, and comfort with the Ram. I guess the biggest issue would be Engine Reliability.
Click to expand...
I lived in fear of the CP4 grenading and now it’s the intake heater, but to a much lesser extent. Otherwise both engines are remarkably well built and reliable.
I might add that I averaged 12 to 14 mpg empty and 9 mpg towing in the Ford and 23 empty with 12 to 14 towing in the Ram.
I don’t regret switching to my Ram and would choose it over the Ford if I had it to do again.
 
I think its personal opinion for the most. I don't think you would beat the reliability of the Cummins. I had a 2002 Duramax duelly it was nice the Allison trans was good also. I like the the 3500 Ram I just purchased better, I think all in all the comfort of the interior and the rest of the truck being a BEAST and rugged is what I like. Im not going to plow with the Ram and it hasen't plowed, But my 3500 G.M.C nose dived so bad with a 8 foot Fischer V plow the plow wouldn't clear a curb. The Ram is much Stouter of a truck
 
wrvond said:
I’ve owned the 6.7L Power Stroke and 6.7L Cummins.
I like the Ford engine best except for the fuel pump. The CP4 is a ticking time bomb. I think the Ford runs cleaner than the Cummins - my DPF took forever to require a regen. The Ford is smooth as silk and super quiet.
When you step on the go pedal the power just rolls on with the Ford. The Cummins “fusses” a bit while accelerating- is noisy and feels rough - but does get there.
The Ford does have a telescoping steering wheel while Ram does not and the electronics aren’t nearly as buggy as the Ram. I also miss the driver door combination lock and aluminum body.
I do like the interior of my Ram much better. It feels a bit classier, less utilitarian and the mega cab is awesome.
Click to expand...
I can say with the new 8 speeds, the 25s have they definitely get up and go now compared to the later models.
 
Xflight29 said:
I can say with the new 8 speeds, the 25s have they definitely get up and go now compared to the later models.
Click to expand...
I agree, but my only worry is the lifter/cam issue. It sounds like it might be the same set-up as before, and the weak spot of the engine.
 
To the OP, I would say don't overlook your local dealerships like I did. I decided on a Ram and love the truck. But there was not a huge difference in my mind between the three. However, I did not look into our local dealerships for the three brands. For the recalls, warranty, (extended warranty if you have one), you are stuck with the brand dealer. In my case the Ram dealer here would have bumped the Ram decision down to position two or maybe even three. Our GMC dealer is great, Ford dealer here is fairly good also. Ram dealer is a huge national chain and has been nothing but frustration at times. Plus the Ram dealership is understaffed with techs by about 50% and most of those are newish. I do have a good service writer who seems to be able to get the couple of good techs they do have working on his customers so I am thankful for that. But that service writer has been there for a long, long, time and when he retires, it will be a disaster.
 
I am fortunate to have a Great dealership to do buisness with everything up to date well staffed and state of the art, Even the building is only a few years old.
 
Will_T said:
To the OP, I would say don't overlook your local dealerships like I did. I decided on a Ram and love the truck. But there was not a huge difference in my mind between the three. However, I did not look into our local dealerships for the three brands. For the recalls, warranty, (extended warranty if you have one), you are stuck with the brand dealer. In my case the Ram dealer here would have bumped the Ram decision down to position two or maybe even three. Our GMC dealer is great, Ford dealer here is fairly good also. Ram dealer is a huge national chain and has been nothing but frustration at times. Plus the Ram dealership is understaffed with techs by about 50% and most of those are newish. I do have a good service writer who seems to be able to get the couple of good techs they do have working on his customers so I am thankful for that. But that service writer has been there for a long, long, time and when he retires, it will be a disaster.
Click to expand...

I own a Jeep Wrangler, and I am very familiar with dealerships and warranty service. Unfortunately, Stellantis is the owner of Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler. They have proven themselves cheap, and not friendly towards their customers. Sure you have good dealerships, and bad, but Stellantis is running the show. Now, there is a new boss in charge of Stellantis, and hopefully will turn things around, to deal with known issues, and the customer service issues.
 
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