Bought a C&C

[AfterBurner]

Finally got into a new truck! Went with a 2011 3500 C&C SLT 4X4. Pulled the trailer about 60 miles today and all I can say is wow! What a difference from my '02.



Truck seems to have same amount of acceleration on tap whether loaded or unloaded. I do like the headlights so far. Really like the new interior layout as well.



I didn't think the brake controller would work since I have hydraulic brakes on the trailer but it works just fine. The engine brake shuts it down so hard in tow haul I hardly use the brakes, so I can't tell yet how well the controller works, but it will shut the trailer down when I engage them with the manual slide.



Only problem so far is that the dealership forgot to give me the spare tire, so I have to go bother them about it tomorrow.



Got insurance and registration on it without a hitch. Thanks Harvey for the insurance help.



Forrest

 

[RVTRKN]

Congratulations on your new truck, and welcome the C&C family.

 

[RVTRKN]

Forgot to ask you about your spare tire, did you order the truck or did you buy what was on the lot. The spare tire is an option on the C&C and if it was ordered, well they forgot it.

 

[Bill Stockard]

(snipped)I didn't think the brake controller would work since I have hydraulic brakes on the trailer but it works just fine. The engine brake shuts it down so hard in tow haul I hardly use the brakes, so I can't tell yet how well the controller works, but it will shut the trailer down when I engage them with the manual slide.

Forrest

I'm curious why your integral brake controller works with your hydraulic disc brakes when other members with the integral brake controller report it is incompatible with their RV trailer hydraulic disc brakes. Has Dodge updated the integral brake controller? Is the integral brake controller different on a C&C than a pickup? Do livestock trailers have different hydraulic braking systems than recreational trailers?



Bill

 

[AfterBurner]

Yes, the spare tire option is on the window sticker. On the brake controller, I'm not sure. I read on a horse forum that the 2011 furd controller would now work with hydraulic disc brakes... so I wonder if dodge changed the 2011 controller as well. Haven't dug into the owners manual yet and of course the salesman had no idea.

 

[RVTRKN]

The brake controller is for electric brakes, so if you have hydraulic, the only way the controller could intergrade with it, would be with the truck systems, for example limit the EB.

 

[KIKER]

Did you purchase from the dealership in Clyde? I have been pestering them about one for several months now and haven't made a deal yet. I want to get out of my dually and into a C/C, possibly a single cab.

 

[HBarlow]

Congratulations, Afterburner, that's a good looking truck and trailer. Also like the CM bed.

You guys with the full skirt CM beds are making me regret being a cheapskate and buying the regular flatbed and adding storage boxes underneath. I saved a lot of money but your beds are making me question the wisdom of being too cheap to spend a little more money and get the nicer one.

From what I have read there are several different electro-hydraulic disc brake set ups offered on trailers. Some may be compatible with the Dodge Ram OEM controller, some may not.

Several years ago when I was transporting I picked up a horse trailer at a mfr. in OKC for a backhaul toward IN. My BrakeSmart controller didn't work with the brakes that trailer had. But I pulled several Alfa fivers with hydraulic disc brakes that my controller activated just fine. I don't remember what the brake brand names were and don't know how they differed.

Are you active duty USAF?

 

[Bill Stockard]

AfterBurner,



Great looking truck. You have it rigged out nicely. If I still towed, there would be one just like yours including the CM "hauler bed" in my driveway.



Bill

 

[AfterBurner]

Looked into the manual and it states that the controller is only for electric and that you must purchase an aftermarket controller for electric over hydraulic brakes. So it shouldn't work, but it does. Will probably get a maxbrake in the future anyways.



I saw the skirted bed as a must. With the flatbed you can't just throw stuff in it like a p/u bed, so I wanted the toolbox storage, and might as well get it skirted too.



I am active duty Air Force. Just got out of the cockpit about eight weeks ago and now am working in Civil Engineering at Dyess.



Bought the truck at Star in Abilene. Looked at Clyde but liked the features and the color of the truck at Star.

 

[HBarlow]

Looked into the manual and it states that the controller is only for electric and that you must purchase an aftermarket controller for electric over hydraulic brakes. So it shouldn't work, but it does. Will probably get a maxbrake in the future anyways.

I saw the skirted bed as a must. With the flatbed you can't just throw stuff in it like a p/u bed, so I wanted the toolbox storage, and might as well get it skirted too.

I am active duty Air Force. Just got out of the cockpit about eight weeks ago and now am working in Civil Engineering at Dyess.

Bought the truck at Star in Abilene. Looked at Clyde but liked the features and the color of the truck at Star.

Thank you sincerely for your service to our formerly great nation.

You have my personal sympathy for enduring service under your commander-in-chief. I know you cannot and will not comment about my opinion but I know what it must be like. I was active duty Navy during the disgrace of the late '70s. We had ships that couldn't get underway for lack of fuel or spare parts, ships that could get underway but could not have carried out their mission, aircraft squadrons that had to cannibalize some of their aircraft in order to keep a few flying, etc.

Do or did you fly the B-1? I'm not sure if you can answer that question.

 

[PLefever]

Congratulations on your new truck, obviously a man with very good taste, anxious to hear your feedback after a few thousand miles pulling your Bloomer,



Perry

 

[Fitter48093]

I by no means am a expert when it comes to hydraulic trailer brakes but I have put a fair amount of investagation into converting my 5'ver. I have found the differance is in the hyrdaulic head unit itself. Some are able to read and convert the signal from a regular brake control and some require a differant input from the brake controler; requiring a special control unit. Hope this helps.

 

[AfterBurner]

Just back from an 800 mile trip pullin the trailer. First half had two horses only, second half had three horses and 700 lbs of hay on the bed (overload springs were in use).

Truck handled the load like a champ. Really like the EB. Wasn't sure if I'd like the auto, as I've never pulled with one; but I am very pleased with it's performance. Truck felt a little lacking on power at times, but then it's still stock.



Went through 30% of a tank (8 gal tank) of DEF fluid and got about 8 mpg. Fought a strong headwind most of the trip (yes, both directions ) and was in rolling hills for all of it.



I was impressed with how smooth the cruise control was while pulling a load and in the hills. Didn't use it much, just enough to try it.



Liked tow/haul in town, but when on the highway would kick it out so I could use 6th gear. Truck was happier with the load at 1900-2000 rpm in 6th than 2300-2400 in 5th.



Really like the interior and features of the 4th gen still, though the dash has a rattle at times. Found the headlights to work great, and stay on the road, not point at the sky with a load on... the difference in p/u and c&c rear suspension I suspect.



Not real happy with the stock controller. Gain is turned all the way up, but hardly engages brakes... but I guess I can't complain since it's not even supposed to work with my brakes at all.



Forrest

 

[Ncostello]

Are the HP ratings the same as pickups? Our new 2011 CC's (Ford F350 4x4) at work are de-rated lower than the pickups (and pickup box delete optioned trucks). Pickups get 400/800 while cab chassis get 300/660. While respectable... who would have thought? Aren't CC's worked harder than a typical pickup?

 

[RVTRKN]

Last time I looked and the rating on mine, is 305/610.

 

[AfterBurner]

Last time I looked and the rating on mine, is 305/610.

That's what the 2011 models are rated. These trucks are made for the commercial market where cost of operation is a big deal. These trucks are also designed for a different duty cycle.



I'm not a cummins/ram engineer so I don't know all the reasons behind it, but I would guess you can get more longevity/reliablility for the whole powertrain when using lower power rating. Especialy when you consider these are usually fleet trucks, so you'll have employess that couldn't care less about the truck doing the driving.



You also have to consider that just b/c the p/u are rated high doesn't mean you actually have access to the power. I'm sure the computer on these things make a decision about how much power it'll give you.

 

[CUMMINZ]

AB,

You have a better set of springs on that truck than a pickup 3500. They are designed for carrying a sustained load longer without damage. Learn to use your paddle button on your shifter.

 

[RVTRKN]

I hoped for more HP when I purchased my C&C in 07, but I'm happy with the performance none the less. Its been a great truck when its worked hard and having only 32K miles on it, means it will be around for a long time. The rummers when I purchased it were, that the HP would be increased to 350HP and I waited for the new year before ordering it, which cost me an extra $1800. 00. Only to get a 305HP engine was a disappointment, but the extra HP is for a segment of the market that has to have the competition checked and the problems that existed through the early years of the 6. 7 didn't effect the C&C owners.



The main reason for the lesser HP is to satisfy the fleet bosses that know HP is not what makes a good truck, but reliability, economy, durability and the ability to handle the GVWR, 24hrs-365 days of the year. I truly want to thank D/C for producing a legendary work truck that has not let me down. The Cummins platform is a great engine based on an engine "proved" through out the years. And is the best light duty truck ever built.

 

[RColston]

This is one of the issues that keep me from pulling the trigger on a new truck. Why should I pay a bunch of money for a de-rated, under powered truck (read c&c) to tow my heavy Teton 5th wheel (18,500, 4200 pin weight) when the pickups have much more muscle, albeit Dodge is falling behind the market again. I would love to have a new 3500, but alas, not rated for the load and underpowered in comparison to the competiton. I suppose that if I buy a new 3500 i'll just have a new dually bed for sale as the new 4x4 bed is a bit too tall for my liking.