Buying 4500 and have questions

[FFeiller]

glad you thought it out. i know that TX is a lot easier on truck drivers then CA.



i wish i had done my do diligence prior to buying my "bigger pick-up" i would not have bought it because of all the additional fees and licensing required for a commercial vehicle. it has raised the cost per year by about a grand to use my "daily driver". (not to mention the cost of maintaining it)



yes it is a good truck for work when loaded, but not for pleasure.

 

[SPucillo]

Here is an example of what your thinking of, even though it is a little more expensive than a CM bed. You can see how a fiver would look hitched to it for a reference. The only negative is the B&W companion hitch for the flat bed is non adjustable, but if you request a specific height they will change it for you in production. Just thought I would give you another option, I love the fact I can use it as a utility body with a removable ladder rack that you don't see in these pics. It sits a little off level but you can't tell unless you use an actual level.

RVTRKN,

What does a beautiful truck bed like that cost?

I like it, but then I like a lot of things I can’t afford.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

The 3500 C&C have the same "spare tire" issue as the 4500 & 5500, UNLESS you opt for the small midship fuel tank.



When I next upgrade it will most likely be a 3500 C&C, I am debating going "spareless". Instead I may just add on board air and hope I don't have a tire failure, blow out, etc. The ONLY flat in 216K on my 2001 was off road when I ripped a hole in the sidewall, no amount of air compressor would help that and I was a far piece from a paved road and any hope of somebody coming by to offer a ride.



Especially if you go with a dually, you could always swap a tire around and run with a single in the rear for a short piece if you weren't loaded heavy.



SHG

 

[HBarlow]

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Especially if you go with a dually, you could always swap a tire around and run with a single in the rear for a short piece if you weren't loaded heavy.

SHG

Yeah, I rely on that fact also.

 

[HBarlow]

glad you thought it out. i know that TX is a lot easier on truck drivers then CA.

i wish i had done my do diligence prior to buying my "bigger pick-up" i would not have bought it because of all the additional fees and licensing required for a commercial vehicle. it has raised the cost per year by about a grand to use my "daily driver". (not to mention the cost of maintaining it)

yes it is a good truck for work when loaded, but not for pleasure.

Yeah, Texas is not run by left-wing loonies like CA is.

Even in Texas and even with a 3500 I got a surprise when I bought it. I called my insurance company of 31 years and provided the VIN and details to get it covered. I got the insurance card in the mail a few days later and it listed the truck as a "pickup. " I sent an e-mail explaining it was a cab and chassis with a flatbed, not a pickup. The insurance company sent me back a letter cancelling my coverage! I called and the underwriters explained they couldn't write policies on anything with a GVWR higher than 10k. I explained that the previous two Dodges I had owned and they had insured since '01 all had higher GVWRs. That embarrassed them. They explained it was a commerical truck. I explained I am retired and not in any business and do no commercial work of any kind. I sent them digital photos showing the flatbed with a Reese fifth wheel mounted dead center and my fifth wheel, which they also insure, attached. Ultimately they decided to change their policy amd obtain authority from the Texas Insurance Commission to write policies on cab and chassis trucks with GVWRs over 10k. They are a large and powerful insurance company and authorization from the insurance commission seemed to be a simple matter of sending a letter. I have full coverage just like on previous dually pickups.

Others considering a cab and chassis might be wise to check with their insurance company before their purchase.

 

[RVTRKN]

RVTRKN,

What does a beautiful truck bed like that cost?

I like it, but then I like a lot of things I can’t afford.

The bed costs about 10K after you add the goodies. The truck/bed combo cost me close to 60K but my C&C has all the goodies that ran up the cost and the bed is there best bed offered. They have other options that are cheaper. Here is there link, B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. What can I say, when I go all the way, I go all the way. With truck prices the way they are now, and I'm sure B&W will deal, you will get it cheaper.

 

[FFeiller]

i sure agree with you on that one Harvey. CA is a disaster.



my insurance was certainly cheaper with the 03 & 05 dullys. have to have 750,000 commercial coverage

 

[HBarlow]

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my insurance was certainly cheaper with the 03 & 05 dullys. have to have 750,000 commercial coverage

That's federal DOT requirement for commercial trucks. Do you use your 5500 for some commercial purpose or is that just a state of CA requirement because they don't like manly trucks?

 

[Wiredawg]

Closed Deal Today on 4500!

Well all,



I closed the deal today on a 2009 Ram 4500 QC, 84" Cab. Got a great deal at James Oneal Dodge. Getting the 11'4" bed there too to take advantage of $900 Upfitter incentive. Bed is being built now w/ two 48" built-in toolboxes, BW turnover ball hitch and Companion 5th wheel. Vivian and I will fly out next Fri to Atlanta, dealer is picking us up at the airport, gonna go pick up the truck and mosey down to New Orleans for a couple of days.



Thanks for the advice and look fwd on reporting my experience w/ this truck



New Dodge Ram 4500 HD Chassis, Bremen, GA, Truck Chassis Quad Cab, James O'Neal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Stock: 09121



here is a liink w/ the type of bed: New Dodge Ram 4500 HD Chassis, Bremen, GA, Truck Chassis Quad Cab, James O'Neal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Stock: 09122



I'll be putting around 950 miles back home, so should be interesting.



Cheers all,



Wiredawg

 

[HBarlow]

Wiredawg,

Congratulations on the new truck. It appears that bug you caught several months ago continued biting you!

I'm anxious to see photos when you complete the outfitting process and get your TS hooked up for travel. I'll also be interested in reading your test reports when towing. I'm satisfied with my "little 3500 C&C" but have never completely gotten over my desire for the more capable 4500.

 

[HBarlow]

That bed is a "JI" made by a company in SW OK. They are located very close to CM which is the company who built mine and both look very similar using nearly identical design features. Your's will be fancier though. Mine is not a full skirted tow bed like the one in the photos, it is a basic flatbed with four storage boxes mounted underneath. I believe both companies build very good, very practical work beds. I've seen lots of them that were fancier or prettier but they cost as much as two or three times more than the JI or CM brands.

 

[RVTRKN]

Wiredawg, its a good thing you bought it now, who knows if they will be around because of Chrysler going BK. Looks good and enjoy it as well as your trip and drive safe.

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks Harvey,



Several factors contributed to me buying now...

1. There aren't many SLT 2009 4500s left, especially in the longer frame

2. 2010s will have urea fluid included in the environmental... too much

3. I do like the current body styles better than the 2010s.



I hope I get to tow 4th of July... if not, might be a while. We are moving into the RV while the house has major renovation/construction. About 5 to 6 months (estimated). I'm getting ready to order gauges from Genos. And brush/grill guard and running boards from Browns Welding.



Take care and be safe.



Wiredawg

 

[FFeiller]

congrats wiredawg, good deal too. you will be very pleased with it's performance



i have not had any mechanical issues with mine and with a 4. 88 it does a beautiful job of towing my track loader around.



harvey, noticed i didn't respond to your useage question. i had to have a CDL A to tow my 14k dump trailer for my work. 750k is required.

 

[Wiredawg]

FFeiller,



I am correcting my signature... it has 4. 44s. I've only driven an 3500 C&C w/ 4. 10s and a Sterling C&C 5500 w/ 4. 88s. Both drove great. I think my '93 rides rougher than either of them. The triip back from Atlanta ought to give us a pretty good test. And, I'm curious about fuel mileage too.



Can't hardly wait until Fri.



Wiredawg

 

[FFeiller]

i'm very pleased with the 4. 88's, do mostly city driving very smooth.



by the way i took my medic/dental training at Ft Sam in 65-66

 

[Wiredawg]

Picked Up the 4500 Today

Well all,



Vivian and I picked up the newest member of the family today in Bremen GA... sweet! We are in Biloxi now w/ over 400 miles under our belts. The computer says 14. 8 MPG, but I'll hand calc tomorrow when I top off. Ride is firm, truck is quiet, except for light whine of the tires. I'm just starting to get used to the extra length. The dealer said they upfitters finished the truck about midnight Thursday. Man, that Aisen (sp) is sweet.



Gotta tell y'all Charles at James O'Neil Dodge is a super guy! The dealership is topnotch too. anyone wants a truck, this is the place to go.



It has been a long day and gonna turn in. Will post pictures when we get back home.



Take care,



Wiredawg

 

[FFeiller]

congratulations! have a safe journey home

 

[HBarlow]

I'm looking forward to seeing your photos and reading your towing report.

 

[Wiredawg]

Trip Report

Howdy all,



Well, we have about 1,000 miles on the truck and I have a few intial likes and dislikes:



Likes:

- Quiet. I never thought I would say this, but I love the quiet. I actually can hear the tires. Engine, exhaust and insulation are big contributors

- Transmission. The transmission is awsome. You can barley feel shifts.

- Engine. Really good power and torque.

- Fuel mileage. The overhead showed 13. 9/Hand calculated 14. 0. There was a bad accident in Baton Rouge on I-10 that held us up about 45 min. I ran first half of trip at 70mph. 2nd half at 74mph. Not much difference in fuel mileage.

- Love the tow body. Nicely made, sharp looking.



Dislikes:

- 76mph governed speed. Not terrible issue, but when you are unloaded running 74 mph (max cruise control speed). From there, you can only slow down to get out of the way, not speed up.

- Goodyear All Traction Tires. These tires wonder on the road. There were a couple of times we went through construction zones w/ sloping sides on the road... the tires like to wonder down the slope. I'll be living with this for a while

- Wheel simulators. Lost the left rear simulator. These Phoenix Industry ones look great, but attach to the wheel with two holes where the spare threads from the lugs are used to screw on fake lug nuts to hold on. There are only about 3 threads exposed. Anyway, I emailed the dealer asking for a replacement. I may use some Locktite to help hold them on.



Overall, the truck is really tough and sits up pretty high. I really need the running boards installed. I'm going the weigh it when I finish adding accessories. I'll post pictures as soon as I can get Vivian to take them for me.



Y'all take care and will post more later on.



Wiredawg