GMC Sierra Duramax Diesel vs Ram Cummins HD vs World's Toughest Towing Test 

Thanks for watching. Check out this GM vs Ford HD Diesel MPG Comparison: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JwBiUFMN8kQ.html

Gentlemen, if I may add my 2 cents. I'm on my 3rd Duramax (15, 16, now I own a '17 L5P). I don't believe you fairly tested your Chevy in the downhill/braking portion. The correct method for going down a long steep grade is to have the exhaust brake engaged while using the cruise control to adjust speed. The computer will then control the variable vanes of the turbocharger to achieve the desired speed set by the cruise control. I have traversed many times the same sections of i70 through the tunnel where you perform your tests. I am always amazed how well the truck goes downhill; I often use the term "hand of God" when referring to how the truck responds when I tap down the cruise control to go a few miles/hr slower when confronting the twists of the same road. I never need to apply my brakes, not once. Often I talk to Duramax drivers at campgrounds who don't know about this simple procedure. If I may make one other comment. The Ike Gauntlet while being an extreme stress test for trucks is not indicative of how trucks perform while towing on 99.9% of North American roads. Here's my case; last year I bought an '17 F250 to tow my TT. I live in the North East where mountains are less of a concern than out West. However, while towing 10k the F250 could not sustain the set speed on cruise control on even the smallest of grades. If set at 65mph, the truck would slow down on an incline to 61-60 before downshifting to 5th, then race up the hill, eventually speed past the 65 then upshift back to 6th gear. I kindly refer to the Ford as having a lazy cruise control. This is real world driving that no one on RU-vid tests. I sold the Ford 2 weeks after, and returned to my Duramax's. The Duramax at most will lose 1 mph up hills and rarely needs to downshift. This post is not a poke at Ford, but a request to conduct tests on how trucks perform how real people use them, not just a stress test. You guys are great, and I do appreciate all the effort you put into them.

You also have to take into consideration the overall quality of the truck. I owned a 2014 ram 2500 Cummins and in 4 years there has been over 8 recalls on the truck/engine. Plus the Allison trans will last way longer. For these reasons I made the switch to GM.

Thanks for another video. I don't think most viewers realize how much time that is spent on these tests. I don't know either but it looks like a full time job.

I'm a born and raised Chevy guy, but all 3 trucks are badass and have their own ups and downs. It's 100% personal preference honestly. Besides stock power is so restricted with EPA bull shit now days. Delete kits, exhaust, CAI and tune really wake these engines up and make them beastly trucks. Were talking about 200-300hp/tq gain EASY on mild settings for all 3 brands. That's badass if you think about it. Stock is lame for old farts lol I get keeping it stock for warranty purposes, but in reality all 3 stock will basically perform the same or close to each other at least. Again pick what you like best, I would buy a Chevy, but that doesn't mean the Dodge and Ford are not super nice and performance/towing beast.

i have a 2018 GMC Sierra HD with the L5P. I live in Denver. I tow my 15k lbs toy hauler over this pass all the time. I do not touch the brakes going down hill. I use the cruise control, no brakes needed. Lots of steep passes all over Colorado. I can't think of one pass, where i the exhaust break is not sufficient. In my opinion, you guys are not properly 'driving' the truck. Thank you for the videos and reviews. very appreciative of your efforts.

I wished you guys SHOWED the GMC, did you use cruise control? Why did the GMC lose points for brakes and tow hitch, but not GAIN points for being faster, quieter and smoother ride? I also don't think it's fair to test an off road truck like the All Terrain X against a regular truck. The GMC has off road suspension and tires so it's tow capacity is limited.

After 4 super Duties of varying engines I got pissed I went to buy Chevrolet in 05 however they changed to the ifs suspension I'm not having it, I went and bought a Ram 3500 with the Cummins 4 by 4 I gotta tell you I truly love this truck after 13 years of ownership I replace the serpentine belt and a water pump other than regular routine maintenance I use Lucas injection cleaner exclusively as well as Lucas Oil stabilizer with my Rotella oil this truck has never let me down and it pulls 20,000 pounds on a regular basis I guess I'll keep it for another 13 years.

Keep up the good work, Mr. Truck & TFL are the only ones to give actual info. mpg, towing, proper towing, capabilities.

So you're telling me an engine brake designed to slow the truck down is getting bad remarks for actually slowing the truck down well? The new brake is calibrated with the cruise so unless cruise is on it will slow down aggressively. And why are you making a scene over the trailer hitch? It is the same style hitch that has been out since at least 2015, maybe even 2012 when the frames came out. You never seemed to have a huge complaint before. These videos are starting to show bias and it's not good.

Wait, so your telling me that y’all took off points for the grade shifting working too good?

You must set the cruise control on the GMC in order for to maintain a certain speed otherwise it will continue to slow down due to auto grade braking

Too all of you who care to read this... I've had them all gm, Ford, now dodge.. they all have there ups and downs, can't beat the ride of gm/Chevy, Ford is one hell of a fun truck (fast off the line), but if your in the business of towing heavy loads dodge is where it's at...gm/chev and Ford both started giving me engine and trans problems once I hit 180000km...those are the 2 most expensive to fix..i finally gave up and got a Ram 420000km, 4 years old still going, only wish I had 410 rears truck came with 343 but only did it once so far.. the ride sucks but I'll live with it...all you gm/Chevy and Ford guys got nice trucks but show one that dose nothing but pull 15000lbs to 28000lbs everyday that it gets started in the morning I'm not talking about going to town for groceries or pulling the camper on weekend's

Fan boys are the worst 😂 the only ones winning are the manufacturers bc they keep taking your money. Just like what you like and keep it to yourself. All big 3 trucks are great now.

I had a 2014 duramax and had nothing but issues I switched over to a 2015 ram and got rid of the emission and I’ll tell you it’s got 150k and not ones issue

Pretty hard to argue the results. The GM does in fact look like the big brother of the Honda ridgline, the rear end gear ratios weren’t even close, ram was down on power compared to the gm but was still quicker, .1mpg difference could well be in the computer and I’m surprised they didn’t actually use the fill up method to confirm mpg. The fact that a HD truck can’t get a hitch that will accept your basic safety chains is completely unacceptable-I totally agree on the subjective scoring on that point. Looks like gm is slowing going away from making an actual useful practical work truck and catering to the grocery getters of today’s generation. From the solid axle, to the simplicity of an inline 6, to a masculine truck design, ram has it covered. Sorry GM fan boys lol

You should test the 6 speed manual Cummins.

My camper hooks fit my Silverado's hitch with no problems what so ever...

Every hot shot truck on the road is a ram with the Cummins.

I could be wrong but does the safety chains not hook through the smaller front hole in the hitch, and lock into the bigger slot?

I found it pretty impressive that the gmc with that dumb back rack for lights and those A/T tires did that well on MPG even with having to brake and speed up more then the ram.

Gm has had that problem with the holes for chains for a while now, family member put heavy duty shackles on there because the hook wouldn’t fit

What!? You applied the brakes and it slowed down? Why would that truck do that?

Why can't the 6.6 duramax in the 3500hd pull as much as other heavy duty trucks ? it has around the same power. It's conventional towing is on par with the other trucks , but not the gooseneck or fifth wheel, which is only around 23,000 pounds, while the Ram 3500 and F-350/ F-450 can tow over 30,000 pounds ?

The Dodge is okay but I'll take the Sierra.

Picture this guys .. doing the towing test with all the trucks at the same time with the same weight trailer etc .. I think it would be the best comparison it’s not impossible either .. maybe do it late at night less traffic ? 2 extra camera vehicles one in front one behind

Try turning the hook around and going point first through the smaller round hole lol. Thats how youre supposed to hook safety chains anyways.

You puddin heads would have put the hooks through the front like it's supposed to go there would be no problem. Course learning to drive would be a plus 2

the truck was penalized because you couldn't work a hook? I admit on my 2018 Chevy 2500 its a bit cumbersome but entirely possible to hook up to every trailer I've pulled

Why don’t you guys use cruise control going downhill?

Hitch hookup is equally poor on the newer Fords. Receiver ratings have gone way up at the expense of safety chain attachment ease. Might be a problem the trailer manufactures might address.

I love how real world owners and mechanics come in with factually based and unbiased comments to which the reply is "Butt Hurt"? Maybe those saying that others are "butt hurt" should go test drive the opposing truck and talk to the dealership service department about common problems.

Get rid of the subjective scores. Use everything else.

I like all trucks. In my opinion the 2500 series world is an 80 20. that meaning 80% empty 20% towing /hauling. the Dodge, suspension wise is built heavier than the Chevy having a solid front axle but again for 80% of the time riding empty or lightly loaded a softer ride would be more appropriate. also the Gm cost more up front but holds more value in long run. that all being said I bought the Gm and am very happy with it all around. if your towing or hauling more than that 3500 series and up is more appropriate. again my opinion. thank you Fast Lane Truck for your work and dedication.

Why do you guys never feature a G56 6 speed manual transmission in any of your videos? You can order them from Dodge.

Both nice trucks but I'm sure the Cummins will be going up and down hills well after the GM is parted out.

No matter how they try (GM with the Isuzu Duramax), it will Never out-perform the American Cummins in a Dodge. Don't believe me, no prob. Go to ANY rural farm town, you will see 2 types of trucks working hard on a farm. Fords, and the mighty Dodge. Nuf Said. The Chevy's are to take the hey to the cattle, or drive to the real work trucks.

In the GMC this is the same engine engine brake and transmission you tested in the Super Ike and were extremely impressed and only used the brake once and it slowed you more than you wanted with more weight. This isn’t a fault of the vehicle but the driver not knowing how to tow a load downhill. They have the manual shift feature for a reason, find the gear that works and use it, don’t go stabbing the brakes and then hitting the throttle going down hill.

GMC all the way, Ram is ok but most people I know have had way better luck with GM than Ram

Am I the only one that saw the broke down Ford on the side of the road at 1:05? Ford=Fast Only Running Downhill!

Life exists beyond that damn ike gauntlet, so sick and tired of the stretch of road

I'm a GM guy; and I agree with the scoring. Hopefully they learn from their mistakes.

Going down grades is the l5p strongest asset. You guys need to review your technic for a zero brake application down steep hills.

Dodge has a good engine in that truck! I prefer the GMC all day everyday! no matter what kind of antics FTL wants to dance around with about safety chain hooks!!! give me a break!!! Talk about something that matters!!! I have the same hitch hook up multiple different trailers and I've never had a problem!!!

I would totally agree with you on the safety chain loops in my opinion it's a very stupid design and I do believe the new Fords have got something similar which is also aggravating. Curious why you didn't use the higher horsepower Cummins option When comparing it with a newer higher horsepower Duramax? The ram equipped with the aisin transmission would have been a better comparison to the new Duramax, in my opinion.

My son said "I want my haircut like Nathan's dad."

You guys should do a segment on these SUVs’, 2018 Ford Expedition, 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 2018 Chevrolet Suburban, 2018 GMC Yukon Denali, 2018 Cadillac Escalade

shouldn't you try to get trucks with the same axle ratio?

In the 2017 GMC HD vs Ram vs Ford test at11:09, Kent said about GM, "using the grade shift, the exhaust brake, and your cruise control if you use the cruise control, and it will just lock on. You don't even touch the brake." Since you don't use CC in your tests perhaps at least making this statement in the downhill analysis somewhere would keep viewers from mistakenly thinking that GM's exhaust brake doesn't work very well. Obviously, it does.

So let me get this right, in a downhill test where brake fade and runaway vehicles is a big issue you downgrade a truck that downshifts and slows you down with little braking. How is that anything but a plus cause you know you can slow down and come to a stop if you need to and you're not going to overheat your brakes. That should have given it a better score.

I don’t have an issue with the hooks on my travel trailer. I have the 2016 Silverado. While it is awkward and a strange design, the hooks do work with it.

Could you do a similar test with the RAM Diesel with manual transmission? Would be interesting to see the difference in times.

The Cummins I6 Diesel & The Duramax V8 Are Matched Up.

Found On Road Dead 1:05

In the GMC going down hill the grade braking works best with the cruise control on! Hey Nathan! It is NOT the trucks fault the safety chain hooks are too small!!! But if the two? I like that Ram best! As much as I like that Blue in the Harvest Package, the beautiful Brown Frost Beige Interior color is not available with the blue or harvester red, you get stuck with the boring black! Mine would be a Laramie in Pearl white and the brown Frost Beige Interior! It’s too bad cause I like that Blue!

...thats why I've suggested several times..set the cruise to 50mph ..the truck will adjust itself for downgrading...if then you have hit brakes..take points off

Can we have some real men test these trucks out ????

GM's had the best engine braking in the Diesels for years! now the Dodge boys from FTL are going to complain about it. who really cares!! I've never had any issue with any of mine all the engine brakes work fantastic!

I think you should make 2 runs. One downhill as you do now and 2nd with cruise on. You could take the best or average of the uphill climb as well. It is only 16-minute round trip. This would clear up some of the complaints.

It doesn't take a truck nut to know that Ram is a towing machine

Love my 2015 6.7 Cummins

Was grade braking activated? Hold the tow/haul button down for a few seconds to turn it on/off.

I have not driven a Cummins but have an f550 powerstroke dump... just as a disclaimer. I have this exact Sierra(I removed the cheesy bar). Really, it is a modern marvel. Especially the downhill speed control. You really just have to know how to drive it. Basically, you press the brake once, the truck will downshift, and then you can keep an exact speed just by easing on and off the throttle. If you do not give it throttle it will almost stop, at full towing capacity! The safety chain hookup IS stupid, I rigged some chains and resolved that. Overall I think it's an amazing machine. I prefer it to the powerstroke. Can't speak for a cummins.

Your testing is far too subjective to human error. You should always be using cruise control at the speed limit. If traffic is an issue, go at different times.

I’ll say this the fact that the gmc would drop way below your sweet spot then YOU would have to accelerate tells me the truck is doing its job by slowing itself down

It’s been the same hitch for like 5 years and now it’s problem lmfao

Video idea for you! Many people have said that a newer half ton truck is just as capable at towing as older heavy duty trucks. Do a comparison and see!

So a computer difference of .1 mpg and 2 seconds (give or take right?)? So basically even and no clear winner. If you had a heavier trailer you may want that GM engine brake. Chain hooks? That's a $100 fix to get larger hooks that you could have gotten with the trailer when you bought it. You subjectively nit picked for things that aren't really a problem or lack of capability. No added points for no need for a weight distributing hitch for the GM and Ford. New safety hooks are cheaper that a weight distributing hitch.

I love your videos guys. It looks like a lot of fun to do. I noticed that you guys concentrate on the most powerful engines available. However, I know for a fact that a good percentage of trucks sold in Canada and the U.S. are equipped with the base engines. I have a 2015 F-150 Super crew 4x4 with the base 3.5 L Ti-Vct engine. Never once have I ran into a lack of power. Now, I don't have anything to tow but I do haul junk around without a problem. I would love to see what the base engines in these trucks from Ford, Ram and Gm can actually do.

How’s that truck have a payload in the 2,500lb range, while my similarly equipped GMC 2500HD SLT All-Terrain only has 1,9xx? Crazy how the actual door sticker payload ratings are affected.

Interesting with the uphill you didn't have tow/haul mode on for the Ram but you did for the GMC. Not sure I understand why?

I hate to agree with you Nathan lol but on the hitch I do. I ended up buying a new hitch for my truck at the GM factory one was garbage. Also it’s interesting how my 2015 2500 has a max tow of 17500# and this one has a max of 13000. That low number is useless to me. I won’t be buying a new GM any time soon. Great video and good work taking a hard line on that.

Cummins is a true Commercial grade Medium-Duty Truck engine. Duramax is an overboosted pickup engine that's sounds like a gas engine.

Ram did it with a 8 yr old design with less hp and trq. Not to mention 10 to 15k cheaper sale price out the door! Like I have said for years ram is smart in keeping a lower hp aka cheaper 2500 option. The real truck war is in the srw market as that's 60% of sales.

GM is messing up the basics. DEF tanks that hang down and hitches you can’t hitch to? They’re asleep at the wheel.

There's really no competition when it comes to diesel. Cummins reigns champion.

There is too much bias in these tests... they spent so much time talking about the Ram and NO time talking about the GM. Scoring the truck based on a hitch application is inaccurate as well, since that can be changed.

1st- I suggest you use the grade braking and exhaust brake as if you owned the truck. If the downhill braking is too strong, then step on the gas. Otherwise use cruise control. 2nd If you have to guess at the time, then a redo is in order. 3rd-Maybe the personal opinions should account for only 2 points not 25. From the comments we can see how much brand loyalty exists. So, a true test should be more fact driven and less subjective. Nathan is biased. Just like most of us. Sorry guys, love this test except for a few methods.

God damn that ram only gets sexier

Have you guys ever considered doing some of these tests with viewer's modified trucks? Mainly to see if things like tuning, water/meth make a large difference in the results.

I think you guys should try and come up with a different test because the trucks are so evenly matched that anything could cause a few second difference. Thanks for the videos guys

Does this test matter anymore? Last year the GM HD had better number and they gave the gold hitch to the Ram. They totally neglected the test method and they when with what they like. This year they cover there tracks by giving a extremely low subjective score.

GMC makes nice trucks, but I'd have to give Ram the hand for towing. That Sierra looks sharp though. 😊

I'd like to see some fifth wheel testing. Towing a small but heavy trailer is one thing. Towing the same weight in a 13+ foot tall trailer is a whole different deal. Please test the big 3 duallys with 16,000 lb fifth wheels.

Wish you had a decently wide, steep, dirt, flat, straight mountain road you timed, measured, or raced heads up 1 on 1 with all those mountains yall have...we have some gravel pits up here in northern, MN ?? Lol frfr

I like that Ram gives you the option for a sunroof at lower trim levels, wish GM would do that. Both are nice trucks, I'd take either and be very happy. I'd rip that ugly light bar off of the GMC in a second then all would be good. Thanks TFL for all of the videos you post and taking the time to do so.

TFL, educate your viewers by explaining that Dodge no longer brands trucks. By reading comments all the know it alls don’t know that little fact.

A while back you took comparison measurements between the Frontier and the "Taco." You measured the bed depth and how high the seat was for the floor. I found these measurements to be very helpful. Could you do the same with the new ranger compared to the frontier? Thanks

Ram is the best truck for towing and work. It performs like a big rig. If you want a comfortable truck that’s over priced then get a chevy. If you want a fast truck that’s always in the shop get a ford. Who cares if your the first one up the hill. The question is will my truck do it up the hill for many miles.

I have 3 of these trucks a 2014 2015 2016. I had to us the grinder on all trailer hitches in order to put the chains on.

I'm really confused about the subjective scores because Nathan gave the Ram a 17 and he felt it was hard to knock the Ram but gave the Chevy only 2 points less and he had no issue dropping it because of the safety chain hook up. If the Ram was hard to knock, why did it get almost 10 points knocked off? I guess for the viewers, if a reviewer drops the score like that, maybe a little bit into why it was dropped would be great. Maybe you did and I missed it. I apologize if you did, just something I was thinking about.

If you're going to by a diesel powered Ram, why would you not buy the one with the most power? And, why would Ram offer three different power output options on a truck in the first place?

These guys don't know there ass from there head. Smh

Why did you compare higher geared lower horse powerd dodge to a lower geared higher horse powered Gm ?

I'll agree on the receiver for the gm trucks, bad design on their end. As far as the shifting, did you have the engine brake on or have the cruise set? That makes a world of difference as well. Can't beat the power delivery of the new duramax motor though, I'll take the goofy hitch over an overall goofy looking dodge.

You mentioned only one brake application in the Ram coming down Ike, but did you have the exhaust brake feature on? Curious minds need to know!

If you set the cruise control on the GMC at 55 (or 60 or 50 or whatever you prefer) you would not have the touch the brake or gas pedal. It would just maintain that speed all the way down the hill. I'm sure the Dodge would do the same. The safety chain attachment point thing is weird though.

The gmc had 373s with more hp. Ram had 342s with less hp. Ram is the only one you can get a manual trans in , which a lot of people prefer ! But I'd like to see the ram and the gmc in another test with the same gear ratios in both !

I have a travel trailer and a car trailer and both chains hook up to my 16 Chevy. You do have to slip them on a certain way, which watching the video, you didn't do. Also, as others have mentioned, you need to use the exhaust brake with the cruise control.

The fact that a 3/4 ton GM Diesel has a max tow of 14,500k lbs in a LTZ/SLT platform is sad when a 1/2 ton GM with the Gas 6.2 has a max tow of 12,500. I wanted a L5P until I seen the #’s on GM’s website. I will be sticking with RAM!