Checking in

[sdbelt]

I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I've been a Ram owner since August of '94, when I purchases a V10 powered 4x4 Ram.



A few months back, the need for a quad cab suddenly materialized, and the '95 was traded in on a 3500 SRW CTD HO QC 4x4 SLT w/ 48RE. Details about my truck can be found here: http://home.earthlink.net/~sdbelt/newtruck.html



I've got almost 4000 miles on it, including the most recent 600 miles pulling a 10k+ fifth wheel travel trailer. I'm pretty happy with the truck and my purchase (isn't purchase validation great!). Still ahead, I've got a lot of mods to do, including gauges, transmission upgrade, exhaust, and computer upgrade. A video entertainment system is also in the works. Details about these and other changes are noted or will be noted on my web site.



Regards,

 

[Casey Balvert]

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to the forum Steve. Great to have you on board and I am sure you will find lots of great information and advice.



Casey

 

[Dean Upson]

Welcome, Steve. I, too, have been a Ram owner since (July) 94 when I purchased my first CTD. Good luck with the '03.



Dean

 

[Prairie Dog]

Welcome indeed!

How does towing with the Cummins compare to towing with the V10?



Scotty

 

[sdbelt]

The V10 only did a few pulls of significant load. Maybe twice I pulled 6k lbs, and that was back in 95 or 96. 6k lbs was nothing for the V10, and it pulled that load just fine. It drank gas, like most of us drink beer, but it did it just fine.



In 1999, the V10 was basically retired,when I bought a sedan to use as a daily driver. From then on, it saw very limited mileage (~500 miles/yr). The reason I bought the truck, was to cart my quad (ATV) around in the bed, and once our second daughter was born in 1998, those trips became few and far between.



I bought the '95 w/ a V10, because it was new, I could afford it, and so I bought it. It was more of a purchase of passion than of need, as it was certainly overkill. The only reason I ever towed more than a trailer full of jet skis with it, was because I could, and folks would occassionally ask me to. But this was extremely limited.



To be honest, I never thought I'd sell the V10. I had put a lot of money into modifying that truck, along with a lot of personal blood, sweat and (almost) tears. Not until we decided to get the travel trailer did I ever consider selling it (despite years of nagging from the wife).



So I can't really compare. I will say that I'm quite impressed. I'm pretty sure that at altitude the Cummins is surely kicking my old V10's butt. I pulled our 10k+ trailer up to 9k feet this last weekend, and honestly didn't notice a performance difference at any point up into the mountains. It seemed to pull equally strong everywhere. Though I don't have data to support this, I'm sure my V10 would have started to struggle above 7k feet. I can't say I was surprised by the CTD's performance, but it was encouraging just the same.



Hope that helps,

 

[mgonske]

Welcome!

Steve, it's nice to see another DiRT member crossing over to the dark side! I loved my V-10, but I love the mighty Cummins even more.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by sdbelt

..... I pulled our 10k+ trailer up to 9k feet this last weekend... .

sdbelt, Where were you towing at 9000 ft?

 

[Fred Swanson]

Steve, welcome aboard. Hope you enjoy the new 03. Were you in the Show Low area at 9,000 ft?

 

[sdbelt]

Yes, I was in eastern Arizona, and pulled my trailer up to Winn Campground which is just a few miles from Greer, AZ and about 30 miles from Show Low/Pinetop. Altitude at Winn Campground is near 9250.



It was mighty pleasant up there, and I hope to go back soon.

 

[JThiessen]

Welcome Steve....DiRT Graduate....

I'm starting to wonder if this is a natural progression, like graduating from high school and going on to college..... Spend 10 years on DIRT with our gassers trying to figure out why we cant get better mileage and how to solve that damn Ping. Then we finally get it..... get the one that pings naturally!!!