What is the current state of big 3 diesels?

As far as performance and ability they all have it in spades but if there are going to be problems it will most likely involve the complicated emissions systems, none of the manufacturer's are immune from that.

They are all great trucks and as complicated they are these days there's plenty of places to have problems. That doesn't mean they will but there are a lot of pieces to these modern diesels. I have a 2015 Ram 3500 SWR and my buddy has a 2015 Chevy 3500 SWR. It's amazing how similar our trucks are even down to only 50 lbs. difference in towing capacity. Both of our trucks will tow all day in 2nd OD on the interstate and barely notice there's a trailer behind them.

I went to a diesel clinic with head mechanics from all three dealers and they said 2013 is when they all really figured out the new emissions and also got mileage a lot better. With 4000 miles on mine I'm averaging 17.9 daily driving and 12.0 towing around 10k. My last tank daily driving was 19.53 so no complaints with mileage.

I have a 2012 Cummins. Great truck. The only real problem I've had from it is not running it hard enough. My bad. Soot builds up in the EPA exhaust system and messes up the O2 sensors. Fixed that by towing more. Aww shucks. Tell the DW it's time for truck maintenance, GOTTA go camping. That fixed the problem. Hasn't been in for a cleaning in over 30,000 miles. At 78,000 so far.

I like my 15 Ram better than my 12...better fuel mileage and and throttle response. Also like the fact Ram has a def Guage instead of just a warning light letting you know how many miles worth of def you have left as the new ford's do.

2015 GMC 3500 Srw Duramax 22000 kil ,use it like a grocery getter when not towing a 15k fiver,gets 4 mpg better empty on the highway than the 06 5.9 Cummins that also was a great truck.

Your going to get a much better response to your worries by looking in on each truck brand diesel forums.
That way you can find if their are any common issues or just a single truck issue.....and the fix.

xaugievike wrote:
Let's avoid brand bashing please...

Just curious about real world experiences with the newer diesels. My experience is with the pre emission LBZ. How are the new ones doing, particularly with all the emissions equipment and any problems that stuff is (or is not?) causing?

Thanks for your input.

I plan on holding on to my LBZ for as long as I can get in it to drive it.

path1 wrote:

What is the current state of big 3 diesels?

Nothing changed.

Ford and GM trying to catch up to Cummins and Cummins is not helping themselves by trying to make them quieter and cheaper.

Catch up how? Quieter and cheaper? Not following...

45Ricochet wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
Simple. They are all good.

You know I agree for the most part but the real answer is father time. SCR is only what about a 4 year adventure for the big three.
The OTR trucks seem to be doing fine so maybe the same will happen with the newer pickup. Anything is better than the 2008-2010 years :W

X 2. Hoping that the new emissions controls on these will stand up to the miles I expect to put on my truck.

2015 sierra denali vs. my 04.5 15 gets about 2mpg better on the highway when unloaded, engine is quiter than the 04.5LLY, interior much better and quiter.

about the same mileage towing, uses about 5 gallons of DEF every 6,000 miles.


Neighbor has a 2012 dodge, another neighbor a 2012, F250. I've ridden in them and they are also very nice and have proven to be reliable so far.

all three of us have compared and each of us have found things in the other trucks we would have liked to have had in ours.

IMHO all 3 are very fine trucks, pick the one you want/like best and I suspect you will be happy.