3500 frame problem???

[abdiver]

I discussed this issue with my friendly Dodge Service Manager last night. He just got back from a seminar that addressed this issue. According to him (and I trust him, he drives a CTD), the concern is that the bed of the truck provides load dispersion and stiffening that the frame needs when fully loaded to max GVWR. The concern is that if you remove the bed without providing equivalent dispersion of the load along the frame it may crack. Obviously if you drill the frame to install an aftermarket utility body the stresses will be increased locally at the attachment points. There is a kit that Dodge parts will be selling to provide attachment points to the frame without compromising its strength. He has on on order, and it costs about $75. 00. As I understand it, the kit is merely some brackets that go over the frame rails to provide attachment points for the utility body to attach to without drilling the frame. Ken Irwin

Kirwin, Yes, This is my understanding after talking to a few large utility box installers. Also apparently the Dodge's fuel tank sits ababove the frame rails So a bed must sit a bit higher than other manufactures.

 

[Kirwin]

Tool Box Mounting

sag2, I can't answer your question. I will try to get back over to the dealer and look at them when they come in. You may be correct and my guy may be confused. He did state that they were just becoming available if that helps. I don't suspect that they are much for $75. At the dealer $75 spends like $12. 95 anywhere else. It may be a while before I can get over there as I start 12hr shifts Monday. I will post once I take a look at them though. Ken Irwin

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

There are currently only four attachment points (one at each corner of the bed) that can be used for attaching the substructure.

the bed of the truck provides load dispersion and stiffening that the frame needs when fully loaded to max GVWR

Now that seems suspect to me, or at the least, hokey.



If I'm not mistaken since I was looking at it yesterday, and when I go home I will look again, my flatbed attaches at the six stock attachment points via bolts. Nothing welded, drilled, or through frame bolted. Therefore, everything should be just hunky dory. Drive on!

 

[LFalconer]

All, Popping this to the top to see if any more info has been gleaned on this in the last week.



Thx Luke

 

[EEdmondson]

My long bed has 6 attachment points.

 

[klenger]

Sorry, but we're all too busy trying to figure out the G56 transmission problem to be working on this one right now. One disaster at a time please.

 

[RankRam]

LOL Ken!!!!!! :-laf

 

[EEdmondson]

Sorry, but we're all too busy trying to figure out the G56 transmission problem to be working on this one right now. One disaster at a time please.

Klenger, you have to learn to multi-task.

 

[mpwalker]

My 2005 came with a sheet of paper show the proper way to center and anchor a slide in camper, but also it said slide in campers not recommended for dual wheel trucks, not sure they know what they are doing, but can tell you for sure that we see them on the road everyday.

 

[bighammer]

My 2005 came with a sheet of paper show the proper way to center and anchor a slide in camper, but also it said slide in campers not recommended for dual wheel trucks, not sure they know what they are doing, but can tell you for sure that we see them on the road everyday.

Maybe too wide for a novice driver to get the duals between the jacks with a reasonable margin of error. (DC covering their butts)

 

[KDoerr]

I Do not know what you are all talking about. Now up here in Canada You will see Dodge ram 1 tons with a 8 foot wide and 10 foot long flat deck trucks that are loaded on the deck with 5000 - 8000lbs and the roads are bad and we have never had a problem with the new G3 dodge with frames cracking or even twisting. But out of the 10 trucks we have, we all love the G2 frames, and the long frames which you can not get any more. SO YOU ALL DO NOT WORRY YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Thats My two cents. AH.

 

[JHardwick]

Sounds like an urban legend to me, lol :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

JHardwich quipped:

Sounds like an urban legend to me, lol

:-laf :-laf :-laf



That we managed to whipped ourselves into a frenzy over. --> --> :{



PS: I looked at my truck and I do have six attachment points AND drain holes on the bottom of the hydroframe.



Makes me wish I'd gotten one of those Fords with the spontaneous folding seats or the spontaneous flamers. Then I'd really have something to work myself into a conniption over. :-laf

 

[DPelletier]

Yep,

I, for one, intend to dismiss this entire issue as a fairy tale until the day somebody can point to a frame failure or two!



Dave

 

[KDoerr]

Ok guys sell all the g3 dodges and buy those crapy fords. :-laf

 

[abdiver]

I feel this thread has taken a life of it own by all "COMEDIANS" that do not add any information to this thread just useless posts. Out of the over 135 post here are only about 25% that are valid IMHO, Perhaps the TDR need a Comic thread? Don't you all have any thing better to do? I have already stated my findings and feelings regarding this frame issue. I am still waiting for DC to responded to either my email or phone call I made going on 2nd week. I was under the assumption that the TDR was a place to share information. The way I see it is the original poster had some information regarding a possible frame issue, which he shared with us and he also wanted to get information back from any of us. I may have been the only one that was really affected by this as I was scheduled by fly to Spokane that very next afternoon. The Dave Smith dealership was GREAT except for the one salesman I had originally been dealing with. I can certainly recommend that dealership by my over all experience. They did hold the truck for me a few more days, buy unfortunately I did not feel I had enough information at that time to go ahead with that purchase. It looks like I will not be able to get my white truck with the OLDER NV5600 manual transmission. This was my decision, I do not flame the original poster I thank all that post a question and twice thank those that come up with the correct answers, "The FACTS. " At this time it looks like I may have to wait and just get an 06 RAM.



Why do you comedians tell many to buy a Ford just bdcause they have a complaint about Dodge? I would imagine those that want a ford aren't posting on this site.



This Thread would only be a tenth of its size if you comedians did not waste our time by adding you're posts



OK Thats my 2 cents

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm unsubscribing to this thread. I never thought any topic on the TDR board could get like this. I guess it's getting to the point where some research has to go beyond the TDR. It's a shame abdiver had to miss out on his truck but sometimes things pan out for a reason. If I had what I wanted regardless of circumstances I would have had a 2gen truck a long time ago. DCX is the real blame here.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I feel this thread has taken a life of it own by all "COMEDIANS" that do not add any information to this thread just useless posts. Out of the over 135 post here are only about 25% that are valid IMHO,

:{



GOD has spoken :-laf



Buckwheat you got the facts: "not recommended", no reported cracked frames known about on the TDR, pleanty of satisfied folks running with aftermarket beds and campers, six points of attachment, TSB on welding, driilling, or bolting, no rusted through-collapsing frames reported, and threre are drain holes in the bottom of the frame members.



Now perhaps you could doing a little less :{ and adding something substantive? This isn't "Wayne's" World and if folks care to interject a little humor or levity they have that latitude. The reason your mouse has the little wheel, or you can use the scroll bar on the side, is so you can move on by posts you don't happen to want to read or unsubscribe.



Keep the fun coming, personally, that's one of the main reasons I enjoy TDR even if I'm just an ol' curmudgeon.

 

[klenger]

Sorry, but we're all too busy trying to figure out the G56 transmission problem to be working on this one right now. One disaster at a time please.

I'm guilty, but after reviewing most all the posts on this thread, most all of them (icluding mine) are attempting to offer usefull information.



abdiver: I am truly sorry that you could not get the information that you needed to purchase the truck that you need, but the members of the TDR are not the source of the problem or lack of information regarding the frame issue. I am still baffled as to why the dealers cannot get an answer for you. It sucks and is beyond comprenhension as to why DC operates this way, but is probably representative of "life in the big city", especially in these days of out-of-control law suits.

 

[JHardwick]

abdiver,



You've gotten the facts ... ... ... ... ... no cracked frames. This didn't come from DC, but a more diversified group of users more apt to report a failure.



I stand by my post ... ... ... . urban legend (or myth) ... ... ..... call it comedic or truth ... ... ... ..... it's your call, but you get your money back if you make it to the 5th floor :-laf :-laf