CTD Ram just doesn't do it

[DHamblet]

Well, I've had my QUad Cab SB RAM CTD 3500 4WD AT now for a bit over a year. Pulled our 14,000# fifth wheel all up and down I-5 and all over SO Cal and AZ. And it just doesn't cut it. Plenty of power but stopping power is terrable w/o an Exhaust Brake. That combined with what I consider other deficiencies ie. very poor headlights even with brite box - lousy heating system - lack of ignition interlock to unlock doors when stopping - inadequate automatic transmission to handle an exhaust brake, and I think I'm gona sell/trade. Before spending more money to make the truck right I've just about convinced myself to go look at a Duramax and cut my losses. HAve enjoyed participating here with all u good folks. I know how much you guys love your Dodges and this is not intended to inflame or offend.

 

[jwilliams3]

Good luck! See you later.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

D-Max

Think you got problems with the Ram wait till you get your Chevy! V-8, Allison, aluminum cylinder heads- GOOD LUCK. Dad always told me "there is a reason big-rigs dont run v-8's" Buy an '07 they will have the bigger auto with exhaust brake capabilities... I just hate to see you go from one dissapointment to a bigger one. My buddy did the same thing you did he said the D-max was quick then he blew a head gasket and traded in for an '05 Big Horn... . not going back he said.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Enjoy your new truck!

 

[BigDan]

What's wrong with the heating system, it had me sweating the other day. What wrong with the door locks and ingition... you want to unlock the doors wile driving???? I have no complants with my brakes... . Oh well have fun.



Just make sure the heater blows hot enough for you before you throw down $45K :-laf :-laf



I just bought my cherry 03 for 1/2 that

 

[Buffalo]

I'm not trying to dissuade you from your decision but, none of the diesel powered trucks are perfect, right out of the box.



I have a couple of friends with Duramax/Allison's & they are happy with them. However, they have their problems, also.



As well as the Allison shifts, along with extra gearing, I've heard that the new Dodge 48RE's have fewer problems. My one friend is on his second Allison. You are very close to one of the premier, super heavy-duty, transmission shops in North America. DTT (Diesel Transmission Technologies) in Abbottsford, BC (Can. ) can probably upgrade your trans. to bullet-proof status. Since your trans. is so new, it might not be all that expensive & you will end up with one of the strongest transmissions you can get.



Some of the newer Duramaxes are having overheating problems. Don't know if they have a fix for that, yet.



If you get a 4X4, the frame hangs down very low. Any driving on rough back roads may compromise the skid plates. My one friend bends his up almost everytime he drives on rough back roads. He's had to bend it back into shape & sometimes, it's bent up so badly that it has to be replaced. On his last trip, he bent it up so badly that it "tweaked" his frame rails, inwards. He occasionally asks me if he could use my Dodge because it has more ground clearance & as he says, "It's just a little bit tougher".



Don't get me wrong. Neither one of those guys would trade their Duramaxes for my Dodge. They like the quietness, ride & all the "bells & whistles" (electronic gizmo's) on the Chevy's. I, on the other hand, would not trade my Dodge for both of their Chevy's. I don't dislike their trucks, I just LIKE my Dodge/CUMMINS!!! Enough to have two of them.



Generally, the Duramax/Allison's are more expensive than the Dodge/Cummins, also.



If you do decide to go with the Chevy product, I don't believe you will be making a "terrible mistake". The vast majority of Duramax owners, that I have spoken with, really like them. All the trucks have their plusses & minuses. If the Chevy has more plusses & less minuses than the Dodge product then, that's the truck for you.



Check out the Duramax website. I believe it's Diesel Place.com.



Best of luck with your decision.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[brods]

SO CA and AZ and the heating system is no good??? And yes, the doors not unlocking with the turn of a key is a real show stopper. Trade it immediately!

Good luck with the Chevy.

 

[GButia]

good luck! I had a ctd, had a dmax and now I am back with a ctd..... if your not happy with the ctd there isn't a diesel pickup out there that will make ya happy.

 

[RMalone]

It's the best heating system on any vehicle I have owned, takes a bit to get warm at 10-20deg. But thats the price you pay for 900+lb of iron. Bummer you didn't like the truck!

 

[Featherman]

Heating issues

I wish you well with the Chivie... ... ... ... ... ... ..... I'm surprised you had trouble with the items you mentioned, especially your heat!!!!!! I live in an area known as 'Winterpeg" and I had no issues with the heat, never had issues with the brakes either with my 3rd gen, but then again there are no mountains around here.



The times I did take the truck out west to pick up some old Mopars the truck performed flawlessly.



Good luck

 

[TPoulsen]

I hope you really weigh out all the options for your needs before you kick your cummins to the curb. I'm not going to talk you out of what ever works for you, but I can tell you that I'm running my 3rd dodge /cummins truck. I have had one of each gen and can honestly tell you that each of the trucks went to the dealer for repairs once each. Gen 1 replaced bearings in 5 speed @ 420,000, Gen 2 replaced cracked fuel line @75,000, Gen 3 replaced u joints @ 45,000. I do all of my own maintence and try my best to keep on top of them. All of trucks have been manuals, and I have been nothing less than happy.



No I'm not into all the little gadgets the chevy offers, seat memory, auto unlock, Hi I'm onstar and you have a falt tire, but that's just me.



I don't have alot experience with the chevys, but will tell you my cousin (05 d-max 2500) borrowed my 5ver (12,000lbs)last fall to do some hunting in Montana and blew a head gasket on a simple 4% grade going over Logan Canyon. Call it a fluck I don't know. The d-max does run pretty good, will pass almost anything but a fueling station.



Best of luck,

 

[WhiteSheep]

The devil you know may be better than the devil you get. The Dodge Cummins has by far the fewest problems of the American Diesels. If you want toys, buy em and add them to your Dodge. It will be lots lest spendy than a new truck, whatever the brand.

 

[TSpecht]

For the heater buy a winter front (which helps the coolant get up to temperature quicker and keep it there), consider plugging the truck in, and realize that most diesels are probably going to be similar in the heater department unless other makers offer a supplemental electric cab heater. After my truck is up to operating temperature regardless of outside temperature the heater is hot enough to drive me out of the cab (or crack a window, turn mixer door to "blend" with outside air, etc)...

The first thing I did was disable the automatic locking feature. I figure I'm smart enough to choose whether to lock or unlock the doors. It's one switch to have to momentarily push. That "problem" sounds like trying to sell yourself on the decision to sell. That having been said I'm not a fan of all the fluff electronic gadgets the Chevy comes with that IMO don't help with much of anything. Just all flashy to try and get peoples' attention IMO...

For less than the hit you'll probably have in depreciation you could have the transmission built and aquire an exhaust brake, perhaps even have a little left over.

Of course you need to do what's going to make you happy, if you have the perception about the Dodge that you don't like it, no amount of money you can throw at it will make you like it. Good luck with the Chevy if you decide to go for one of those instead...

 

[mconstable]

Well, I've had my QUad Cab SB RAM CTD 3500 4WD AT now for a bit over a year. Pulled our 14,000# fifth wheel all up and down I-5 and all over SO Cal and AZ. And it just doesn't cut it. Plenty of power but stopping power is terrable w/o an Exhaust Brake. That combined with what I consider other deficiencies ie. very poor headlights even with brite box - lousy heating system - lack of ignition interlock to unlock doors when stopping - inadequate automatic transmission to handle an exhaust brake, and I think I'm gona sell/trade. Before spending more money to make the truck right I've just about convinced myself to go look at a Duramax and cut my losses. HAve enjoyed participating here with all u good folks. I know how much you guys love your Dodges and this is not intended to inflame or offend.

I've been yanking our 37. 5 Fifth-Wheel all over the country full-time w/o an exhaust brake... adjust the trailer brakes tighter

Headlights... get some Silverstars.

Heating system... plug it in... if you cook with cast-iron, you know how slowly it warms up, and how long it retains heat... that's the beauty of it! Slow expansion rate means way longer service life compared to Aluminum.

 

[BigDan]

I'm on my 3rd Cummins, 2002, 1999, 2003 Loved all of them. After my 99 saved my live there was no other choise but to get another one.

I dont know if id still be here if I had a Chevy.



#ad

 

[BTighe]

i still can believe that picture. at least the truck went to good use.

 

[GWBourne]

What's wrong with the heating system, it had me sweating the other day. What wrong with the door locks and ingition... you want to unlock the doors wile driving???? I have no complants with my brakes... . Oh well have fun.



Just make sure the heater blows hot enough for you before you throw down $45K :-laf :-laf



I just bought my cherry 03 for 1/2 that

my heater is NEVER just above the blue portion... damn thing will cook ya in a heart beat.



i think it would be worth the couple grand to upgrade the transmission and get an exhaust brake, but thats just me... .



if ya go D-max, hope ya get one that doesnt dissapoint ya... the allison isnt much better than a 48re when you start adding power... .

 

[SHobbs]

BigDan,



Been thinking of ya man. How are ya doing after that wreck? Glad you are still here and alive and kicking.

 

[JRG]

The lack of heat could be from this TSB-24-004-03 All Defrost/door inoperative.

The defrost door may break at the pivot shaft, causing inadequate travel. The system may not completely close, causing a lack of air discharge out of the floor vents and full discharge from the defrost outlet. This may be caused by a broken actuator stop on the heater A/C (HVAC) housing. The bulletin describes the repair procedure for replacing the defrost door and the lower half of the heater/AC housing.



I thought you could disable the auto door lock. Besides when you pull up on the handle the door unlocks anyway.



I thought the '05 was exhaust brake approved? (the '07 will have it built into the turbo I think) I do have a Pac brake on my '03.



Seems to me that if you were going to buy a new truck the '07 answers all concerns. Although with the things you talk about, it seems maybe there is something else you dont like cus frankly, no offence, they seem kind of petty. The hit you take on used rig and the hit you take on a 1 day old D-max, seems you could buy some extra fuel or goodies.



Keep in touch,



JRG

 

[BigDan]

Doing great, going to PT 3 times a week, looking for a new job, maybe diesel mechanic. I'll have a full update thread along with pics of my new to me CTD... . as soon as it stops raining. Ive owned it for 2 months and havent washed it by hand yet due to the wet winter out here in CA... .



sorry to hijack