Bought a C&C

[Cummins Ag]

Nice set-up. Great flatbed.

-mike

 

[HBarlow]

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.

"Derated, underpowered?" My 3500 C&C doesn't know it is underpowered.

If your goal is drag racing the extra few horsepower might make a difference. For towing a heavy trailer over a mountain grade you'll never know the difference. The difference between cab and chassis and pickups that most of us appreciate is the way the cab and chassis trucks cruise right past the dealers without check engine lights or smog issues. The C&Cs also have better suspension that doesn't sag under heavy load and require add on air bags, Timbrens, etc. A 52 gallon factory fuel tank is also a great feature. My 3500 C&C has 96,000 trouble free miles and has pulled my HH fiver about 30k. It does a great job with only 305hp and 610 ft. lbs. of torque.

"Not rated for the load and underpowered in comparison to the competition?" You've got to be kidding. Only someone who believes what they read in the Furd and GM advertising copy would believe that.

Just because Furd and GM claim 400 hp or 750 torque doesn't mean they actually put that power to the rear axle when pulling a heavy load or can deliver that power level in a usable rpm band.

A Dodge Ram 4500 cab and chassis would do a fine job with your heavy Newmar fiver. TDR member wiredawg just reported his towing experiences with a heavy Travel Supreme behind his 4500.

 

[rscurtis]

Keep in mind that the Ford engine is de-rated in the C&C application, and Chevy/GMC is out of the 4500/5500 market completely. The Ram also includes an extensive warranty on the Aisin transmission.

 

[AfterBurner]

update

Have 3500 miles on it now. Truck pulls harder now than it did new. I know it's not broke in yet but it has already improved. I know it doesn't just seem to pull harder b/c I've gotten used to it, as I still compare it to my '02.



On that note I still think my '02 is more fun to drive, but then it's not a dually and it's bombed.



The fuel mileage is still awful, 8-9 with the trailer and 14 empty.



Dash has had a rattle that seems to be getting worse. Will take it to the dealership when I get time to see if they can do anything.



Really like how easy it is to add accessories. Truck has the 4 circuits that work off the prewired switch bank (which can be set to battery or ignition), plus another ignition and battery circuit that runs to the rear, through the cab, so you can add your own switch or anything else you might want.



Overall, we are very pleased with the truck and feel like our money was well spent.

 

[HBarlow]

My cab and chassis is never going to be a fuel economy champion but has slowly improved from the results you are seeing with your new one. I think you can expect 9-10mpg when towing and 17 running light on the interstate. I sometimes see even better on the overhead display but have never bothered to hand calculate the results. I figure it is what it is and I am completely satisfied with the truck for my application.

 

[AfterBurner]

Engine stumble?

So with 6800 on the clock we are still very satisfied customers.



I have added 5 gallons of DEF and the tank currently has 34% left ( 8 gal tank); so I think Dodge's claim that you fill it once every oil change (7500mi) is pretty close, if a bit optimistic. Of course it does depend on how drive it too.



Few things wrong:

paint peeling off rear diff cover, about 20% gone

dash rattles

doors won't stay open in more than 5mph of wind or any incline



the biggest worry- When I pulled into the driveway after about 400 mi today, I put it into P turned the ebrake off and the engine stumbled for about 5 secs. It was pretty noticeable, my wife who was getting out of the truck looked at me and said "what was that?".



Anyone else notice any of these?

 

[RVTRKN]

So with 6800 on the clock we are still very satisfied customers.



I have added 5 gallons of DEF and the tank currently has 34% left ( 8 gal tank); so I think Dodge's claim that you fill it once every oil change (7500mi) is pretty close, if a bit optimistic. Of course it does depend on how drive it too.



Few things wrong:

paint peeling off rear diff cover, about 20% gone

dash rattles

doors won't stay open in more than 5mph of wind or any incline



the biggest worry- When I pulled into the driveway after about 400 mi today, I put it into P turned the ebrake off and the engine stumbled for about 5 secs. It was pretty noticeable, my wife who was getting out of the truck looked at me and said "what was that?".



Anyone else notice any of these?

Mine has the G56, so its a little different, seems like it was in regen.

 

[WMoroni]

I've noticed that stumble with mine only once. Almost certain in was in a regen when it did it cause it smelled kinda like lighter fluid after I shut it off. Your Def usage must be better than mine. Last check I figured 603 miles per gallon of DEF. On a side note my oil change light came on at 7501 miles. Mine has definately loosened up but the fuel mileage is still dissapointing. 9 or less loaded, about 11. 5-12 empty, never seen 14 yet.

 

[HBarlow]

So with 6800 on the clock we are still very satisfied customers.

I have added 5 gallons of DEF and the tank currently has 34% left ( 8 gal tank); so I think Dodge's claim that you fill it once every oil change (7500mi) is pretty close, if a bit optimistic. Of course it does depend on how drive it too.

Few things wrong:
paint peeling off rear diff cover, about 20% gone
dash rattles
doors won't stay open in more than 5mph of wind or any incline

the biggest worry- When I pulled into the driveway after about 400 mi today, I put it into P turned the ebrake off and the engine stumbled for about 5 secs. It was pretty noticeable, my wife who was getting out of the truck looked at me and said "what was that?".

Anyone else notice any of these?

Some owners claim the rear differential runs pretty hot. I don't know if that is true. I installed a Mag-Hytec finned aluminum cover on mine the first day I owned it. I recommend the MH cover.

Can't comment on your dash rattles or door holder issues. My two Gen III trucks have been perfect. Never a rattle and I've not noticed doors wanting to blow shut if open in a wind.

 

[DThweatt]

My rear diff had the paint burned off the cover, and the paint burned off under the housing itself.



The fluid was still in good shape and did not smell burned etc.



I put on a mag hytec cover and transmission pan.

 

[AfterBurner]

I get 9-10 loaded and have seen 16 empty (90% interstate), but 14-15 is more common. Using the instant mpg I think it does best at 67mph. It's been hard to get used to as I ran 74mph in my '02 but I'm much happier at the pump next time. I'm going off the computer for most of the calcs, as I can't fill this tank up for $75 or even $150 like I tried yesterday (rejected my card on the third reset, too lazy to go inside) I have hand clalced and the computer was within . 1mpg.



If a mag hytec will fit with the C&C swaybar, I'll probably get one of those. The combination of having the paint peeling and the fact that the new dodges will have a finned cover, makes me feel like it'd be worth it.





Haven't had much experience with the 3rd gens, but the doors on my '02 stay open no problem. It's really annoying when I'm trying to put my kid in the car seat and I have to keep fighting the door. Would think maybe it was just a bad spring, but all the doors are that way so it must be in the design.