A standard pickup truck is good for standard towing and hauling duties, but when big jobs arise, Canadians often turn to Heavy Duty (HD) pickup models for their extra toughness, capacities and confidence. These capability-enhanced trucks ride on stronger, beefed-up platforms; offer higher limits for payload and trailering, and often come powered by diesel engines with the torque output of a small earthquake.
If you’re shopping for a “newer” used HD pickup model from one of the Big Three, you’ll find plenty of selection between Ford, Dodge and GM products. For years, this market segment has been a virtual battleground with constantly evolving firepower and toughness winning the dollars of Canadian shoppers.
Of course, as strong as the Ram 2500, Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty models are, they’re still machines that are made from parts that will eventually wear out, fail, and require replacement.
Positive that you require the services of an HD truck? Planning to start some shopping? Consider our list of tips as you investigate your options for maximum peace of mind.
Tires and Brakes
Heavy Duty trucks use heavy duty consumable parts like tires and brakes. These are pricey to replace, so be sure the vehicle’s seller isn’t trying to stick you with a replacement bill. Inspect the tires and brakes for remaining life, or ask a mechanic for help if you’re unsure how.
Suspension
Not surprisingly, Heavy Duty trucks are heavy which means added stress on suspension components. Though HD trucks have beefed up suspensions, many owners have reported wear complaints with components across all truck brands. In particular, many owners taking to the web say to watch the front-end hardware in Dodge HD pickups.
Performance Tuning
Numerous companies make “programmers” that plug in to the computer of Heavy Duty pickups and alter the factory engine management settings to crank up horsepower, torque and gear-shift speed. Many models in the used market have had one of these modules installed.
Hacking into the engine or transmission computer can make a Heavy Duty more fun to drive, however, the extra power can cause differentials, axles, the transmission, and the engine or turbocharger to age more quickly than Mickey Rourke’s face.
If accelerated wear doesn’t sound like your cup of joe, be sure the truck you’re considering isn’t currently reprogrammed, and that it hasn’t been in the past. Note that non-dealer reprogramming of the engine computer will likely void the truck’s warranty.
Fluids
Fluids are important for the long-term life of any truck, and even more so in HD models that are more frequently exposed to activities like towing and hauling. Be sure the seller treated the machine you’re considering to high-quality, frequent fluid changes -- preferably at the model’s dealership. If you’re unclear on the service intervals, be sure to budget for a full fluid change to be on the safe side.
Scan It
As diesel engines are now cleaner and more sophisticated, more and more computer systems and sensors have been added to monitor their operation. Problems with any of these systems or sensors can cause a world of problems -- though they’ll typically result in a “Trouble Code” that is stored away inside the engine computer. Don’t buy a used HD truck without having its computer scanned by a mechanic ahead of your purchase. This could save you thousands down the line.
Engine Problems
Diesel truck engines generate extreme amounts of heat and pressure that push components to their limits. Repairs aren’t cheap. Though proper maintenance is ideal for peace of mind, a mechanical inspection by the truck’s dealership should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase. Mechanics will be well aware of common issues, and shoppers can search for them in online owner forums ahead of their purchase for more information.
Some common issues include EGR systems and blown head gaskets on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke, which many mechanics and owners advise is very difficult and expensive to work on. GM and Dodge models may have fuel injector and electronic issues, depending on the year and model. Bad injectors, possibly caused by “dirty” diesel fuel, can be very expensive to replace and will result in driveability, power and fuel-consumption issues.
Note that since the Dodge Cummins diesel engine is a straight-6, it’s easier and often less labour intensive to work on than a Ford or GM diesel V8.
There’s really no answer as to which HD truck is the best between the Big Three, so be sure to research common issues with all three makes before deciding on one.
If you’re shopping for a “newer” used HD pickup model from one of the Big Three, you’ll find plenty of selection between Ford, Dodge and GM products. For years, this market segment has been a virtual battleground with constantly evolving firepower and toughness winning the dollars of Canadian shoppers.
Of course, as strong as the Ram 2500, Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty models are, they’re still machines that are made from parts that will eventually wear out, fail, and require replacement.
Positive that you require the services of an HD truck? Planning to start some shopping? Consider our list of tips as you investigate your options for maximum peace of mind.
 |
Tires and Brakes
Heavy Duty trucks use heavy duty consumable parts like tires and brakes. These are pricey to replace, so be sure the vehicle’s seller isn’t trying to stick you with a replacement bill. Inspect the tires and brakes for remaining life, or ask a mechanic for help if you’re unsure how.
Suspension
Not surprisingly, Heavy Duty trucks are heavy which means added stress on suspension components. Though HD trucks have beefed up suspensions, many owners have reported wear complaints with components across all truck brands. In particular, many owners taking to the web say to watch the front-end hardware in Dodge HD pickups.
Performance Tuning
Numerous companies make “programmers” that plug in to the computer of Heavy Duty pickups and alter the factory engine management settings to crank up horsepower, torque and gear-shift speed. Many models in the used market have had one of these modules installed.
Hacking into the engine or transmission computer can make a Heavy Duty more fun to drive, however, the extra power can cause differentials, axles, the transmission, and the engine or turbocharger to age more quickly than Mickey Rourke’s face.
If accelerated wear doesn’t sound like your cup of joe, be sure the truck you’re considering isn’t currently reprogrammed, and that it hasn’t been in the past. Note that non-dealer reprogramming of the engine computer will likely void the truck’s warranty.
Fluids
Fluids are important for the long-term life of any truck, and even more so in HD models that are more frequently exposed to activities like towing and hauling. Be sure the seller treated the machine you’re considering to high-quality, frequent fluid changes -- preferably at the model’s dealership. If you’re unclear on the service intervals, be sure to budget for a full fluid change to be on the safe side.
Scan It
As diesel engines are now cleaner and more sophisticated, more and more computer systems and sensors have been added to monitor their operation. Problems with any of these systems or sensors can cause a world of problems -- though they’ll typically result in a “Trouble Code” that is stored away inside the engine computer. Don’t buy a used HD truck without having its computer scanned by a mechanic ahead of your purchase. This could save you thousands down the line.
Engine Problems
Diesel truck engines generate extreme amounts of heat and pressure that push components to their limits. Repairs aren’t cheap. Though proper maintenance is ideal for peace of mind, a mechanical inspection by the truck’s dealership should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase. Mechanics will be well aware of common issues, and shoppers can search for them in online owner forums ahead of their purchase for more information.
Some common issues include EGR systems and blown head gaskets on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke, which many mechanics and owners advise is very difficult and expensive to work on. GM and Dodge models may have fuel injector and electronic issues, depending on the year and model. Bad injectors, possibly caused by “dirty” diesel fuel, can be very expensive to replace and will result in driveability, power and fuel-consumption issues.
Note that since the Dodge Cummins diesel engine is a straight-6, it’s easier and often less labour intensive to work on than a Ford or GM diesel V8.
There’s really no answer as to which HD truck is the best between the Big Three, so be sure to research common issues with all three makes before deciding on one.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert |