Anymore word on a "medium" duty Dodge or DC truck?

[RobG]

As I battle with my 2001. 5 POS to try to make it run right, I have been giving serious thought to trading for one of the '03 F550's with the 6. 0 and 5sp auto. Thing is, I have some serious problems doing so, most of it having to do with the attitude of the typical Ford person. They're stuck up, very hick-like, and damn near every one of 'em in town drives like a total a-hole. And over on f-d.com, I really dislike their constant bad-mouthing of Cummins.



Thing is, I also have a big problem with the new Dodges having such a miniscule quad cab compared to both GM and Ford. Then let's figure in the fact that only Ford has an F450 and F550. Well thing is, I _need_ the capacities of the F550.



There have been rumors of a medium duty Dodge, and also rumors of a medium duty from Sterling, both of which would be intended to compete with the F450/550. Has anybody heard of anything new on this front? I'd just as soon not wait two more years. As it is, I'll have to wait 9-12 mos for the '03 F550 since they won't get the new motor and transmission for the first six months of production (so I've read).



And before anybody asks, the point of the F550 is to haul around a 5000 lb. camper (a Lance 1161), plus have a utility body on the truck, and tow a 10k lb. enclosed trailer, and keep everything within all the mfr's specs. The F550 is the only truck short of an FL60 that can do it, and an FL60 or FL70 costs nearly 2x as much.



Rob

 

[M'staedt]

Freightliner is working on a medium duty truck. I've seen a couple of prototypes with regular and extended cab (including a rear seat that folds into a sleeper bunk). One was Mercedes powered and the other was Cat, but I would think a Cummins may be available. Should be out in the next year or so. Have also seen magazine articles on a new Detroit Diesel for smaller trucks, but I haven't seen any engines yet.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I understand that the Cummins is an option on some of the heavier-duty Ford trucks (ever wonder WHY the Cummins is OK in the BIGGER Ford trucks, but NOT "good enough" in the 3/4 and 1 tons?)



ANYWAY, worrying MORE about the perceived "attitudes" or "acceptance" of other truck owners over YOUR personal needs and expectations in a vehicle is kid stuff - buy what genuinely WORKS BEST for YOU, and STOP worring about what OTHER people might think - whoinhell is PAYING for the dern thing anyway, THEM or YOU!



ALL things being equal, chances are you will be VERY happy with whatever brand you end up with - they all have their good and bad points, their own weaknesses and quirks... Pretty much like PEOPLE...

 

[Jff24Gordn]

I have a friend who was on the Dodge medium duty project. The accountants killed it back in October.

 

[RobG]

Did GM suddenly take over at DC or something? This would be the third time that they've dropped the ball with regard to their trucks:



1. The half-a$$ quad cab

2. No real automatic

3. No medium duty lineup



If this is really the case, and another medium duty doesn't come out by way of Sterling or Freightliner, then I'll be making my exit from Dodge owner status.



*sigh*



Rob