Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
Where did you hang your 2022 TDR Calendar?
Let’s have a little fun we said, send us a picture and we’ll post it here (there and yonder).
But wait!
As you put your calendar on the wall (or tool box) did you note the cover picture of Brian Bender’s 2020 Turbo Diesel truck? Did you notice our mistake? We failed to mention Brian’s name at the bottom of the picture. (His name is on the back cover but that’s easy to overlook).
Time to regroup.
So, we sent an email to Brian and asked him some questions about his truck. That Q & A dialog follows.(As a side note, we’ll be using this Q & A format for the next 12 months to spotlight the calendar winner for each month – those that wished to participate).
Enjoy the biography and thank you for your support of the TDR.
Robert Patton, Editor
The winning cover photo for the 2022 TDR calendar Contest was submitted by TDR member Brian Bender. We asked Brian some fun and serious questions about the photo and about himself, and his truck. Here are his answers:
TURBO DIESEL REGISTER: Where was the photograph taken?
BRIAN BENDER: This photo was taken at the Badlands boondocking area in Wall, South Dakota. We were on our way from Mebane, NC to West Yellowstone MT doing a family summer trip to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone when we stopped for an overnight here with our fifth wheel. This was much nicer than the Wal-Mart parking lot in North Platte NE the night before. After washing all the salt and rain off the truck from Hutchinson Kansas, we took both sunset photos and sunrise photos, but alas, this sunrise one apparently was the winner. Fun Fact: the edge of the Badlands canyon was right behind the truck but not visible in this photo. (I’ve included a photo where we’re set up right at the edge of the basin).
TDR: Tell us about your truck.
BB: It’s a 2020 Ram 3500 SRW Limited, 4X4, currently with 16,500 miles on the odometer.
Typical fuel economy (highway) you’re getting?
According to my TDR maintenance logs, I have a lifetime average of 12.8 mpg, with a max of 18.5 mpg and a min of 8.3 mpg (all hand calculated). My average empty is around 17 mpg and my average pulling my fifth wheel is 9 mpg. DEF usage has been around 550 mpg to 350 mpg towing but I never drive around not towing enough to know what the true empty mpg is. (All hand calculated and filled from bulk pumps).
Modifications and/or upgrades of note?
The Limited trim package, I must say, is well optioned!! But I have added the MOPAR heavy-duty mud flaps to keep salt, rocks and mud off (thank you, Geno’s Garage!) and a Truxedo roll top cover. I also added an L-track in the bed to tie down loads, added a B&W hitch, Firestone Ride-Rite bags, plus a 60-gallon RDS auxiliary fuel tank so I don’t have to stop so often for fuel. Unlike my 2004 3500, I plan to leave the engine alone on this one as it has plenty of power.
Used for business or pleasure or both?
We use it for pleasure mostly as it’s a personal vehicle, but it is also a working truck and gets dirty just like the rest of them hauling lumber, building materials and going to the dump.
Most unusual thing you’ve ever trailered with it?
Unusual maybe not the operative term but it looked funny pulling a tiny log splitter… thank the lord for the camera(s) as the tiny thing was invisible behind it.
Heaviest thing you’ve ever trailered with it?
To date, that would be either my 16k gooseneck trailer (with tractors on it), or my 17k fifth wheel. We did a 7k mile trip to MT and back this summer and the truck did great!
TDR: Have you ever entered the TDR calendar contest before?
BB: Yes, in 2011 I entered the contest and my 2004 Ram won – and was Miss April! Also, for the 2014 or 2015 calendar the 2004 was one of the small photos on the back.
TDR: Long-time TDR member or new to the TDR?
BB: Member since my first Cummins truck in 2010 (bought a used 2004 3500 6spd)
TDR: Long-time Cummins Turbo Diesel truck owner?
BB: Going on 12 years now, I’ve owned three: A 3rd Gen (2004 3500), and two 4th Gens: 2012 2500 and now my current truck, the 2020 3500.
TDR: Do you or does your family have a name for your truck?
BB: Not yet officially…but I’ve called her “Betsy” a few times like my dad called our old ‘67 Ford F-350.
TDR: Other information you’d like to share about the truck?
BB: I feel that Ram has made the most comfortable and luxurious truck on the market with these new ones and I feel spoiled every time I get to take her out and go to work or play… I feel we have been blessed to be in a position to enjoy these trucks. This is my first new one as I have never bought one with single digits on the odometer.
Congratulations Brian and thank you for being a member of the TDR Community!
Let’s have a little fun we said, send us a picture and we’ll post it here (there and yonder).
But wait!
As you put your calendar on the wall (or tool box) did you note the cover picture of Brian Bender’s 2020 Turbo Diesel truck? Did you notice our mistake? We failed to mention Brian’s name at the bottom of the picture. (His name is on the back cover but that’s easy to overlook).
Time to regroup.
So, we sent an email to Brian and asked him some questions about his truck. That Q & A dialog follows.(As a side note, we’ll be using this Q & A format for the next 12 months to spotlight the calendar winner for each month – those that wished to participate).
Enjoy the biography and thank you for your support of the TDR.
Robert Patton, Editor
The winning cover photo for the 2022 TDR calendar Contest was submitted by TDR member Brian Bender. We asked Brian some fun and serious questions about the photo and about himself, and his truck. Here are his answers:
TURBO DIESEL REGISTER: Where was the photograph taken?
BRIAN BENDER: This photo was taken at the Badlands boondocking area in Wall, South Dakota. We were on our way from Mebane, NC to West Yellowstone MT doing a family summer trip to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone when we stopped for an overnight here with our fifth wheel. This was much nicer than the Wal-Mart parking lot in North Platte NE the night before. After washing all the salt and rain off the truck from Hutchinson Kansas, we took both sunset photos and sunrise photos, but alas, this sunrise one apparently was the winner. Fun Fact: the edge of the Badlands canyon was right behind the truck but not visible in this photo. (I’ve included a photo where we’re set up right at the edge of the basin).
TDR: Tell us about your truck.
BB: It’s a 2020 Ram 3500 SRW Limited, 4X4, currently with 16,500 miles on the odometer.
Typical fuel economy (highway) you’re getting?
According to my TDR maintenance logs, I have a lifetime average of 12.8 mpg, with a max of 18.5 mpg and a min of 8.3 mpg (all hand calculated). My average empty is around 17 mpg and my average pulling my fifth wheel is 9 mpg. DEF usage has been around 550 mpg to 350 mpg towing but I never drive around not towing enough to know what the true empty mpg is. (All hand calculated and filled from bulk pumps).
Modifications and/or upgrades of note?
The Limited trim package, I must say, is well optioned!! But I have added the MOPAR heavy-duty mud flaps to keep salt, rocks and mud off (thank you, Geno’s Garage!) and a Truxedo roll top cover. I also added an L-track in the bed to tie down loads, added a B&W hitch, Firestone Ride-Rite bags, plus a 60-gallon RDS auxiliary fuel tank so I don’t have to stop so often for fuel. Unlike my 2004 3500, I plan to leave the engine alone on this one as it has plenty of power.
Used for business or pleasure or both?
We use it for pleasure mostly as it’s a personal vehicle, but it is also a working truck and gets dirty just like the rest of them hauling lumber, building materials and going to the dump.
Most unusual thing you’ve ever trailered with it?
Unusual maybe not the operative term but it looked funny pulling a tiny log splitter… thank the lord for the camera(s) as the tiny thing was invisible behind it.
Heaviest thing you’ve ever trailered with it?
To date, that would be either my 16k gooseneck trailer (with tractors on it), or my 17k fifth wheel. We did a 7k mile trip to MT and back this summer and the truck did great!
TDR: Have you ever entered the TDR calendar contest before?
BB: Yes, in 2011 I entered the contest and my 2004 Ram won – and was Miss April! Also, for the 2014 or 2015 calendar the 2004 was one of the small photos on the back.
TDR: Long-time TDR member or new to the TDR?
BB: Member since my first Cummins truck in 2010 (bought a used 2004 3500 6spd)
TDR: Long-time Cummins Turbo Diesel truck owner?
BB: Going on 12 years now, I’ve owned three: A 3rd Gen (2004 3500), and two 4th Gens: 2012 2500 and now my current truck, the 2020 3500.
TDR: Do you or does your family have a name for your truck?
BB: Not yet officially…but I’ve called her “Betsy” a few times like my dad called our old ‘67 Ford F-350.
TDR: Other information you’d like to share about the truck?
BB: I feel that Ram has made the most comfortable and luxurious truck on the market with these new ones and I feel spoiled every time I get to take her out and go to work or play… I feel we have been blessed to be in a position to enjoy these trucks. This is my first new one as I have never bought one with single digits on the odometer.
Congratulations Brian and thank you for being a member of the TDR Community!
)... Looked briefly at the 20' GMC Duramax, but stayed with the 6.7 Cummins and the AISIN, no complaints!! I did not like the 10spd inhouse imitation Allison, and after hearing about all the problems from 
