First Weeks Impressions

[EB]

I've had my new truck for one week now and after 3,257 miles I have a few likes and a few (very few) dislikes. The ride and handling is great. It is very quite, the steering is very quick (takes some getting used to) and the power is very good. I pulled my trailer about half of the miles I traveled this week and the gross wts. went from about 12,000 to 23,000 lbs. When I weighed my truck empty, I was suprised that it weighed 8400 lbs. I thought it would be lighter than my 95 since it wasn't a clubcab. It was heaver by 400 lbs. The first 4 gears really pull but when I get to fifth and sixth it seems kinda flat. I really believe my 95 would out accelarate this truck from 55 to 80. Might be wrong, might just be the difference in noise level but it seems like it to me. The fold out mirrors are great, but in the single cab there are some really bad blind spots. Mileage was from 17. 5 running empty at 73 mph and the towing mileage was a high of 11. 3 pulling empty,(7,000 lbs) and a low of 9. 3 pulling at near gross wt. (24,000 lbs) Speeds with the trailer were at 65-70 mph. The brakes are wonderful. There is no comparison between the 95 and 2003 as far as brakes go. The power seats are really nice and the single cab has a suprising amount of room behind the seat to stash my on the road stuff. This first week I've had the truck has been pretty busy, I won't run that many miles every week, but the miles will add up in a hurry. I'm certanly not sorry I got the truck. Will be posting again in the near future.

 

[boathead]

Congrats on your new rig!

EB,

Glad to hear you like your new HD! I'm assuming you have the 3500 since you have a flatbed. I just ordered a 2003 3500 4x4, HO, 6spd last week, I too have a '95 2500 with the TST cam plate. I can't wait to compare the two, I also believe the '95 will out accelerate the '03, but I really want the added towing capacity and stronger frame of the new truck. I am pulling a 15,000 lb. boat, and though the old truck(I only have 85,000 miles on it!) pulls it quite well, I am constantly worrying about the 5th gear nut/mainshaft that I hear so much about, and plus MY WIFE said "Honey, you should get a new truck, let's not put it off any longer... . " now I know why I married this girl!!! Of course it helps that she is the Office Manager at a Dodge dealer:cool



Sounds like the braking and steering problems may be a thing of the past I have had occasional problems with the front calipers locking up, dealer tried fixing several times, I finally solved the problem with anti seize compound applied to caliper bolts, and of course the steering sector shaft was replaced, but it still has lots of play in the steering. Your mileage numbers look pretty good, I am hoping that mine will do as well( they match the mileage numbers of my '95 almost exactly). Do you have the 3. 73 or 4. 10 ratio? I ordered the 3. 73, according to Dodge's numbers I should be OK with the weights I am towing. I just don't know if I can handle the lack of turbocharger whistle and exhaust noise that I'm used to from my '95, it's music to my ears! I drove a standard output automatic(I hate automatics) and I could hardly tell it was running. LOL!



Good luck with your Truly Heavy Duty Dodge!

looking forward to your future postings

Paul