I ordered a new 3500

[JT Anderson]

You know how it goes. You begin to look at your old ride, in my case an '06 3500 4x2 qc that was going to need an injection of money to keep it running right for awhile. After taking a long time to make the decision, I decided I'd rather put that money into a new one with the improved 6 speed automatic. I had driven editor Patton's truck with the 6 speed auto two years ago and never forgot that it was always in the right gear at the right time, unlike my '06 truck with the 4 speed box. So Monday, I ordered a 2010 crew cab 3500 dually, 4x2, with 8 foot box, automatic, SLT,3. 73 rear gears, and popped for the 40/20/40 premium power seat in dark slate, power adjust pedals, etc. It should be delivered in late May to my dealer, Rice Dodge in Alcoa, TN. Jim Long is the guy I have worked with on truck deals for years. Did I pay too much? Probably, but they've always been there when I need them for service, and their business has been run efficiently, which is why they've made it through the tough times. I consider dealer support to be worth a lot!

you'll get to read more soon about my experiences with this new truck and how I outfitted it for towing my two fifth wheel trailers-not at the same time.

Jim Anderson

 

[HBarlow]

Welcome to the world of ISB6. 7s Jim. You'll like the new truck.

Did you study the gear ratios before ordering 3. 73 gears? Engine rpm will be very low at highway cruise speed in top gear in the six speed automatic. My 4. 10 gears work very well for towing 14,000 lbs. Unless I push speed up to around 65mph I don't even use sixth/second overdrive when towing.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Congratulations Jim! I look forward to reading about your new truck. I know you weren't too happy with the performance of your '06 with its 4-speed automatic towing your big heavy Mountain Air 5th wheel. The new truck with the 6-speed automatic should be up to the job.



Bill

 

[Rattler]

I drove by our local dealer over the weekend, and they have finally gotten in a couple of 3500's. Both are two-tone trucks and are great looking trucks, one is inferno red and sand with everything they could put on it, but that 55k pricetag. :{:{

 

[JT Anderson]

Hey guys, and thanks for the comments. I tow the heavy trailer a total of twice a year to FL and back for a total of 1500 miles a year. The rest of the time I tow a 30' toyhauler with no slides that weighs well under 10K, so thought the 3. 73 would work okay, and I can always use 5th or 4th when the terrain gets hilly. The rest of the miles, it is empty and/or on flat ground. We'll see if my thinking is right or wrong as time goes by and it will be a fun experiment we can all learn from.

Jim Anderson

 

[jeepit]

I drove by our local dealer over the weekend, and they have finally gotten in a couple of 3500's. Both are two-tone trucks and are great looking trucks, one is inferno red and sand with everything they could put on it, but that 55k pricetag. :{:{

Whoa. . guess I'll be hanging on to mine for quite some time to come... .