Arbitration Works

[MChilds]

A couple of months ago I posted a problem I was having with shudder and vibration in my 2001 3500 2WD 6-spd. I received a lot of suggestions from TDR members and I tried every one of them without success. I filed for arbitration and got some action from DC. They set me up at a dealer who put over 600 miles on the truck trying to fix it until they called in a Chrysler tech to say it was just a characteristic of the truck, presumably to get out of any further warranty obligations.



The good news is that the arbitrator didn’t buy Chrysler’s standard answer and ruled in my favor after feeling the problem on a short test drive.



I have a choice now between a 2002 2WD or move up to a 4WD by paying the difference. I was wondering if anyone has experience between the 3500 2WD and 4WD as far as driveline shudder and towing; I tow a 13,000-gooseneck trailer. Any help would be appreciated; I don’t want to go through this again.



Thanks.

 

[pwknapp]

I hot shot with a 96 3500 4x4 and really like it. Solid front axle and love those training wheels for stability. Truck is approaching 400k and I pull a 40ft gooseneck 9200# empty and registered for 35k. Hope this helps.

 

[dmurdock]

Well, i've towed around 12k with both... . a 3500 4x2 (my old truck) and a 3500 4x4 (current truck). The steering is a little better in the 4x2, but they both pulled the same. . no shudder in either of them (unless of course you have it mashed at 1000rpm... which you shouldn't do! ). Personally, I like the 4x4 better, but that's just preference. Either of them should suit you fine.

 

[MChilds]

New truck a'comin

Thanks for the replies. My preference is also a 4X4 so good feedback is nice to hear. BTW, my 2WD drove great (other than the shudder) and I think that was because I carefully adhered to the tire pressures compared to the weight using a formula and also the tire booklet that came with the owner’s manual. It’s a lot less than most think for instance, my 2WD at gross weight calls for only 50PSI in the rear tires if you read the manual; the formula calls for 54PSI. Through trail and error, I ended up with 60PSI; 65PSI on a hot day or high speed driving. At 22,000 miles, the tire wear is perfect. Anyway, the formula:



Axle Weight ÷ # of Tires ÷ Tire Rating X Recommended Tire Pressure



Dodge 3500 Truck Rear Example



Maximum Rear Axle Rating 7500 Lbs



Tire Rating (ea) 2778 Lbs



Maximum Tire Pressure 80PSI



Number of Tires on Axle 4



7500 Lbs ÷ 4 = 1,875 ÷ 2778 = 0. 674 X 80PSI = 53. 92 PSI

 

[RustyJC]

No shudder on our 6x4 (see signature) pulling our 13,500 5th wheel - except at launch if I'm not careful with the clutch and throttle!



Rusty

 

[MChilds]

Things are looking up

Thanks Rusty; great news. I sure would prefer a 4WD and I think you are now the third to say it works out. Can you give me more info on the B&W hitch? BTW, you can view the trailer I tow in the classified as I had it up for sale because I didn't have a truck to pull it.

 

[RustyJC]

Re: Things are looking up

Originally posted by MChilds

Thanks Rusty; great news. I sure would prefer a 4WD and I think you are now the third to say it works out.

Well, actually, ours is a 2WD! The "6x4" just meant that it's a dually (6 wheels), but only 4 are powered.

Can you give me more info on the B&W hitch? BTW, you can view the trailer I tow in the classified as I had it up for sale because I didn't have a truck to pull it.

Check out http://www.turnoverball.com and click on the hidden gooseneck hitch (turnover ball hitch) as well as the companion RV (5th wheel) hitch. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll try my best to answer them.



Rusty

 

[MChilds]

Turnover Ball

Rusty. Thanks, I had seen the website but didn't know anyone using the turnover ball. According to the installation instructions, they recommend 6” forward of the rear axle, which would be to my liking for tracking. (I used to drive a big truck and when the pin weight allowed I could air slide the trailer forward and the truck drove straight as an arrow) Is that where yours is mounted? And did you install it yourself? Thanks again.

 

[RustyJC]

I installed it myself according to the instructions provided by B&W. Their mounts use existing holes in the frame, so unless you redrill the mounts, you pretty well wind up with whatever hitch placement they design into it. The center of our gooseneck receiver is probably about 2" forward of the rear axle.



My recollection is that a fair number of TDR members are using the B&W turnoverball. Maybe some of them will chime in here with their experiences.



Rusty

 

[dan_gilson]

MChilds: Here is another reason for getting a 4x4: I noticed that you had a 6 speed and am assuming that you will get another. I find the reverse about right when unloaded but way too tall when towing. It is nice to cut that in half via low range and a 4x4 option is less than a gear splitter. Hope this helps.

 

[MChilds]

Dan,

I forgot about that one and I will get another 6-spd. I do remember seeing an article in one of the TDR issues about a vacuum disconnect so when in 4WD, the front wheels weren’t locked in to keep the truck from binding on pavement but I’ve lost my back issues. Do you know if somebody sells a kit like that?



Thanks.

 

[pwknapp]

Go to Piers Deisel, he sells them.

 

[MChilds]

Pwknapp

Thanks for the Piers Diesel lead.