CTD Ram just doesn't do it

[Ol'TrailDog]

I'll agree the new Dodges have some things that definately could have been better (and some things that are nicer).



But we have three Duramax six speeds here that pull horse trailers and a gooseneck flatbed. All three of them have been back several times. Two have had DMF replacement once and one twice with less than 40K. Although the Dodges have been less than perfect, from what I've seen of the GM products has made me glad I don't own one.



But to each their own. Give the Chevy a shot and see how you like it.

 

[JUeckert]

goodluck with your decision. cant really believe the gm would benifit you in the brakeing dept,but i get your point about the heater. the heater in my 05 takes for ever the get to temp,especially at idle,it's almost as bad as my old 6. 2 gm diesels,my ford is the best. at any rate,good luck with your decision. .

 

[supeerman4422]

chevy brakes are the worst!!! my family has an 01 3\4 ton suburban, whenever you step on the pedal it feels like the ABS comes on becasue the rotors are so warped! so if you want good brakes i wouldnt go the cheby route! its on its 3rd set of rotors from the factory too! good luck with whatever you decide to do



-Tom

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Leaving Dodge for GM??

Me thinks you just want a new/different truck. Go for it. IMHO, the only valid thing you brought up was 48re. Yep, it can use some help and for the cost of beefing it up you couldn't trade if all things were equal. And on the brakes,... I think the problem is the brakes on whatever you towing as in heads up testing of brakes on everything I've read for the past couple years the Dodge outperforms Chebby and Furd. Be sure to buy one of those "SEND HELP" signs for your window when you trade. Later.

 

[Coolslice]

Enjoy the new rig. I sometimes wish I had bought a Chevy. All trucks have issues but I have never met an unhappy Dmax owner. I hear about them all the time on this forum, but what do you expect. :-laf I have not had any major problems with my Dodge but the problems I have had are unacceptable for a design as old as the Dodge is IMO.

 

[BRayls]

Enjoy the new rig. I sometimes wish I had bought a Chevy. All trucks have issues but I have never met an unhappy Dmax owner. I hear about them all the time on this forum, but what do you expect. :-laf I have not had any major problems with my Dodge but the problems I have had are unacceptable for a design as old as the Dodge is IMO.

the old design leads me to think 48re is your target with the comment. if so the trans is great in its designed hp range. just because the engine will make 600 hp does not mean dodge should make the trans hold up to it. when they sell them at the 325 hp range. basically the the trans is good in a stock configured truck. add power you should expect to pay for upgrading the rest. to bad you only gave the tdr 9 posts before scrapping the dodge. maybe we could have helped you find a better dealer or something. the allison will fail as well if it did not defuel in 1st.

 

[BigDan]

He's probably been bitten by the new truck bug, and once bitten you wont be able to get it out of your system reguardless of what people say. The only cure to to buy a new chevy.



He will be so overwhelmed by then new power and ride quality he will stick with all the other little problems he origninally wanted fixed. He will say he's happy but deep down he will miss his CTD.

 

[Donn]

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.

Yes you are with out a doubt duramax material

 

[JRD]

you are aware that dodge has the biggest brakes in its class right?

 

[olznut]

I know I don't tow a 39' trailer, mine is only 25'. but the brakes on my old '03 worked GREAT (and it was a Hemi). I've yet to tow with the '06. I love the cold so I won't comment on the heater. My old company has 15 dmax Chevy 4500's, and at about every 30-40k miles, they puke injectors, all at the same time, the trucks run the same route and miles. They never saw 10mpg as well, my Cummins on the first tank got 15. 2. Kinda sucks when you can't take them all in, some gotta stay out and smoke until it can get pulled off for service. Stick with what ya got, you won't take the $$$ hit on trade. Besides, to me, the GM interiors seem like you're sitting inside a cave. And don't even look like a 4x4... ...

 

[MCummings]

We had a '93 Dodge, a '96, and a '98. 5 (I stil have the '98. 5) and then an '01 D/A, now an '05 Dodge.



The Chevy was be far the worst. Always in the shop. Ate brakes for dinner, and injectors for dessert. The entire fuel system was replaced 3 times,. brakes 4 times, and we sold the thing at 110,000 miles after a PS pump failure (2nd time) when we bought our '05. The '05's brakes are awesome, the ABS doesn't kick in to early,, ever. The transmission is fine, but the torque converter leaves some to be desired, the ride is better, and we aren't bottoming out at work like we used to in our chevy. Our 2wd chevy was just as high as our 4wd Dodge, if not higher, but the ride offroad, and ground clearance is wayy better in our Dodge.



Anyway, have fun with the Ford, or Duramax, they both have as good, or better interiors!





Merrick

 

[KSears]

hope you have plenty of money , for after you find out the Duramax isn. t much I am sure you will want to try a Ford, and then you will find you should have kept the Dodge,,good luck, have fun, terrible those couple things you mentioned guides your choice of a vehicle, most people towing look for performance ,longevity,and dependability,see ya!

 

[BRayls]

We had a '93 Dodge, a '96, and a '98. 5 (I stil have the '98. 5) and then an '01 D/A, now an '05 Dodge.



The Chevy was be far the worst. Always in the shop. Ate brakes for dinner, and injectors for dessert. The entire fuel system was replaced 3 times,. brakes 4 times, and we sold the thing at 110,000 miles after a PS pump failure (2nd time) when we bought our '05. The '05's brakes are awesome, the ABS doesn't kick in to early,, ever. The transmission is fine, but the torque converter leaves some to be desired, the ride is better, and we aren't bottoming out at work like we used to in our chevy. Our 2wd chevy was just as high as our 4wd Dodge, if not higher, but the ride offroad, and ground clearance is wayy better in our Dodge.



Anyway, have fun with the Ford, or Duramax, they both have as good, or better interiors!





Merrick

tried and tried to convince them the tc is junk. still no change. I can assure you it is cost related.

 

[obie1]

JWILLIAMS said it best ... ... ... ... . see ya! :-laf

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

goodluck with your decision. cant really believe the gm would benifit you in the brakeing dept,but i get your point about the heater. the heater in my 05 takes for ever the get to temp,especially at idle,it's almost as bad as my old 6. 2 gm diesels,my ford is the best. at any rate,good luck with your decision. .

Guys, call me hard core, but I'd rather have a Dodge/Cummins with NO heater than a brand spankin new fantastick Ford or Chev :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Gifford]

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.

LOL!

 

[RVTRKN]

Enjoy the new rig. I sometimes wish I had bought a Chevy. All trucks have issues but I have never met an unhappy Dmax owner. I hear about them all the time on this forum, but what do you expect. :-laf I have not had any major problems with my Dodge but the problems I have had are unacceptable for a design as old as the Dodge is IMO.

The sad face on the work truck means I'm unhappy. The heater will prove invaluable when the DMAX overheats and it is the only thing that will get you out of the desert. YOU DON'T NEED BRAKES CAUSE IT GOES SO SLOW. Try dieselplace.com you will read blown engines from glow plugs overheating as normal and it is the best truck. Good luck with your new DMAX you will need it.

 

[thejeepdude]

Yes you are with out a doubt duramax material

:-laf



Some people get it, some people don't. It's like why do Jeepers put up with their unreliabilty, terrible MPG, pathetic handling... the answer is, it's a Jeep thing... you wouldn't understand. Well, it's a CTD thing... YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND.



Enjoy your new car, DHamblet.

 

[klenger]

1) As far as I know, Dodge/CTD is the only brand that recommends exhaust brakes, even on the autos starting in 2006.



2) You can program the truck to not automatically lock the truck at all, so they don't need to be unlocked when stopped.



3) BrakeSmart



4) Pulling a 14,000 lb 39' toyhauler with a SRW short box? No wonder you're haveing problems.



5) Enjoy the new Dmax

 

[BHolm]

As already mentioned the brakes are not the trucks fault. I suspect your trailer brakes are where the problem lies. The Dodge has larger more powerful brakes than the GM trucks. You will be disappointed on that front.



As for heat, the GM trucks come from the facotry with a cold front for the grille and a complete bumper cover for cold weather. Having owned two Isuzu-max trucks in northern Minnesota, I can say from experience that they NEED those cold fronts installed. I have never needed such a contraption on my 7. 3 Ford or any of the four Dodges I have owned. If you think it will warm up faster or provide better heat, you will be disappointed on that front.



The door lock things has already been discussed, change the setting, fix the problem for free in under five minutes.



None of the brands are perfect, I will go along with that. I have tried them all except the 6. 0L Ford as you would have to be brain dead to go down that road. Chevy makes the best car of the three. That may be what you are after, I don't know. You seem to be concerned about truck issues though, towing performance in particular. I can assure you, from hundreds of thousands of miles of towing experience that the Dodge is the worker of the bunch.



Maybe before you jump, try towing that fiver with an Isuzu-max. Don't forget the fuel milage either. Neither of my Isuzu's could top 13-14 mpg during average driving. Under similar conditions my '05 and '06 CTDs get more like 17-18.



Good luck with the Chevy.