Just joined the 2012 crowd!!

[JGilbert]

I traded in my red 08 5500 Laramie quad cab 4x4 C&C on a white 2012 Laramie 3500 4x4 crew cab dually two days ago. I am constantly AMAZED by this truck!! It is WONDERFUL!! So quiet and powerful.



Here is the story. We full-time RV since we retired 4 years ago. The past two years, we have used the 08 5500. While it was a good truck, it rode like an old western movie buckboard wagon. We bought it because at the time, the 3500's could not haul our fifth wheel trailer weight wise. I started looking at getting a new truck.



We found a red dually 2WD in Phoenix. We had the salesman in Tucson do the deal on it. We were happy and went to lunch. While at lunch, we got a call from the salesman. It seems that the red dually we wanted was damaged in transit so much that the Phoenix dealer was trying to get Dodge to do a buyback on it.



So, we were back to square one. The monkey wrench in our desires was that any truck we bought HAD to have the Max Tow package. There were none so equipped in Tucson. There were two MT Laramies in Phoenix, one red in the shop and one white. We took the white one. Even though it came with 4x4 and the sliding glass hole in the roof, we took it. The Tucson Dodge guys gave us a great deal on it. Adding the 4x4 and the hole in the roof was about $4000 more than the other deal on the red 2x4, but we got it for $1500 more.



We picked it up two days ago. Had the step bars installed locally here in Tucson day before yesterday for $400. The Dodge boys wanted $700 to put on Mopars. Got the bed Line-Xed with the premium pack yesterday. We have an appointment Wednesday to get the 20K Curt hitch installed.



Life is good!



Down the road, I see us installing a Transfer Flow 50 gallon aux tank.



We now have 530 miles on it. It had 191 after the trip to Tucson from the Phoenix dealer. The first fill up netted 13. 7 mpg. I really don't see that as a problem, as it will only get better as we get her broke in.



Anyways, just had to share!!



Joe



I tried to upload some picts, but was unable to. You can follow this link to see the pictures though. MobileMe Gallery

 

[Slow Six]

Good for you, I'm sure you will enjoy the new truck. I got mine last Dec. It was the only one in western Canada equipped the way I wanted. The max tow seems to be scarce. For all the max tow costs and what is included I'm surprised there is not a lot more of them. Enjoy!

 

[JGilbert]

I guess most dealers think everybody wants a 3. 73 or 3. 42 rear ends for mileage. I need the Max tow for our 18,000 lb fifth wheel. Loving every minute of it so far.

I also just remembered that I had let my TDR subscription lapse. :--) Got that taken care of right away!!

JoeOo.

 

[mrtrombley]

VERY NICE, just what I would be looking for if I won the lottery. Good luck with it, enjoy.

 

[crispyboy]

Congratulations!

That is a nice looking ride.

Question: - you said this truck was quieter than you 2008 model. Why do you think it was quieter? Different exhaust? Was the 2008 "deleted"

 

[GVallus]

Congratulations Joe! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. I picked it up last week. Very impressed with the max tow package and power. This truck has the best fit and finish of any of the duallys I have owned. Going to hook up to my Airstream in about three weeks for a shakedown cruise here in PA. Still have to get some photos of it though.

Best of luck with your truck sir. GV

 

[JGilbert]

Congratulations!

That is a nice looking ride.

Question: - you said this truck was quieter than you 2008 model. Why do you think it was quieter? Different exhaust? Was the 2008 "deleted"

The 2008 was bone stock.



This 2012 has double seals on the doors. I'm also told that there is a layer of noise reduction stuff on the firewall. I do not know if that is true or not. I know that I do not have to have the radio on as loud to hear it in this truck.



Joe

 

[JGilbert]

Congratulations Joe! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. I picked it up last week. Very impressed with the max tow package and power. This truck has the best fit and finish of any of the duallys I have owned. Going to hook up to my Airstream in about three weeks for a shakedown cruise here in PA. Still have to get some photos of it though.

Best of luck with your truck sir. GV

Thanks GV. THis truck is awesome. I cannot wait to get the Curt hitch installed and hit the road back to Texas in about 2 weeks to see how well she tows!!



Joe

 

[crispyboy]

Ok I was just curious about the noise factor and if many things changed.

I have a 2009 and many people are impressed by how quiet the truck is.



The build sheet for my 2009 truck has the following:



HGAP Hood Insulation

HGBS Dash Liner Insulation

HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group

HGFS Floor Tunnel Insulation

HGGP Body Insulation

 

[GVallus]

You are very welcome Joe. After all, our worst day camping is better than our best day working; right?

Let us know how the truck handles your trailer. My Airstream is a 34 footer but not much of a load at about 9K. We do have a few "hills" to pull around here, but nothing like the members in the West. Our PA, MD and WVA elevations are anywhere from 1200 to about 3000 feet. Still, there are some real steep merging ramps like on I68 in MD that give you a workout getting on the highway.

To Crispyboy; it sure is quieter than my 99 was and I think slightly quieter then my 2008 truck. Regardless, it sure runs good and the transmission / engine combination is awesome. GV

 

[bigblock_doc]

Inside the door panels is a heavy rubber barrier. I got pulled over for not hearing

a CHP after he honked at me to go on the green arrow. CA. lights are a lot different

than most. He didn't write me but he said that I have to pay closer attention.

What does a deaf person do? I had my 28 ft. trailer behind me so any noise just

bounced back at him. Truck is really quiet with the windows up.

 

[JGilbert]

Inside the door panels is a heavy rubber barrier. I got pulled over for not hearing

a CHP after he honked at me to go on the green arrow. CA. lights are a lot different

than most. He didn't write me but he said that I have to pay closer attention.

That would be ANOTHER reason for me to not return to Kalifornia. I hope to never visit there again.



Joe

 

[CUMMINZ]

JG, Did you have a HitchCrafter on your 5500?

 

[JGilbert]

JG, Did you have a HitchCrafter on your 5500?

Yes, I did.



Joe

 

[CUMMINZ]

Yes, I did.



Joe

Joe,



Could you take time to give us a summary as to why you did not go back with a 5500? I think it would be valuable for perspective buyers of future 5500 buyers. I have posted from the beginning that I thought a 4500/5500 would be a little harsh on persons and RVs usless the RV was super heavy.



Thanks in advance

 

[HBarlow]

He did that in another thread:

Hello Mr. Barlow,

Yes, we did tire of the buckboard like ride when not towing. We lived with it for 2+ years before I started looking for a new ride. I should have listened to you and many others before purchasing the 5500. It would have saved me some money.

So far, we LOVE this new 3500!! Very comfortable and able to tow 19,550 lbs. With our new trailer maxing at 18,000, we have a nice cushion. This baby rides like a Cadillac.

Joe

 

[CUMMINZ]

He did that in another thread:

Well HB, I would like him to answer himself if he is up to it! How did it tow, how did it ride when towing, how does it handle the RV on dipped out interstate highways compared to the 5500 with 19. 5" wheels, etc.

 

[JGilbert]

Joe,

Could you take time to give us a summary as to why you did not go back with a 5500? I think it would be valuable for perspective buyers of future 5500 buyers. I have posted from the beginning that I thought a 4500/5500 would be a little harsh on persons and RVs usless the RV was super heavy.

Thanks in advance

When I bought the 5500, Dodge had zero trucks that could haul a big fifth wheel legally except the 5500. I wanted a Dodge mainly because they were the ONLY ones at the time that included an exhaust brake. We test drove the 5500 in Lexington, NC and I loved the interior, the exhaust brake, the 52 gallon fuel tank, and on and on. We bought it. After purchasing, I discovered that with a 5500, I really needed an air ride hitch to keep from shaking the 5th wheel trailer apart, so I purchased one of those also.

The combination of big truck and air ride hitch was intoxicating. I was in love. HOWEVER, it was short lived. If the road was smooth, the ride was great. If the road was bumpy, EVERY bump was transmitted to the butts of those riding in it. I explored the possibility of having a Kelderman 4 bag front and rear Air Ride system installed, but at a cost of $7000 to be installed at the factory in Iowa, and not being able to get a confirmation from Jason Kelderman that it would improve the ride that much, I decided against it.

We lived with it for 2+ years until I finally gave up and started to look at a new truck.

The 5500 is a fine truck for those applications that it is meant for, be it ambulance or tow truck conversions or delivery box type trucks. It is NOT meant for pleasure riding or comfortable traveling. As we have traveled the U. S. , I have discovered stretches of Interstate highways and secondary roads that, in my mind, I have mentally crossed them out as far as going back over them due to the concrete sections being at the exact distance to get a rocking/bumping effect going inside the truck so bad that drinks were spilling from the cup holders and even slowing down from 60 to 50 or so did little to ease the bad effects and this was towing the 5th wheel when you would expect the ride to be significantly better.

With this truck, I am ready to go over the same roads once again to see what the differences are. I can already tell what that difference will be. We are in the Tucson area again this winter for the 3rd year in a row. I am traversing the same roads in the new truck that I have in the old one too. The difference in ride is amazing. The bumps are still there, but it is almost like you are floating over them. These bumps are no long jarring my spine. I am once again happy.

The dealership where we traded for our new ride had never seen a Laramie 5500. They had to do a bit of scrambling to give us a price. We owed $29,000 and they offered $26,000. I took it. Maybe I could have done better on the trade in Texas, but after test driving the 2012 3500, I knew I DID NOT want to drive the 5500 any longer.

In life, you have to make choices both good and bad. I made a bad choice in getting the 5500, and after finally admitting defeat, rectified that bad choice with a good one. We hope to keep this 3500 for a bunch of years. I had the bed Line-Xed, the new Curt 20k hitch installed, and this Wednesday am having a Transfer Flow 50 gallon diesel tank installed.

The tank situation is one area of this truck that is lacking for me being a full-time RVer. It only has 35 gallons. The 5500 at least came with a 52 gallon tank. So with the 50 gallons I'm adding to the bed, we'll have 85 total. I can do a lot of traveling with that amount of fuel. The other area that is different is that the 5500 with the 19. 5" wheels will turn much sharper than the new 3500, but the 3500 is more responsive in the steering area.

Joe

 

[JGilbert]

Well HB, I would like him to answer himself if he is up to it! How did it tow, how did it ride when towing, how does it handle the RV on dipped out interstate highways compared to the 5500 with 19. 5" wheels, etc.

Danny,



I will hook up the 18,000 lb fifth wheel on the morning of April 10th to head back to Texas. We plan on 4 days traveling. That will provide a good basis to report on how it tows and handles compared to the 5500. I will report back then on the subject.



Joe

 

[CUMMINZ]

When I bought the 5500, Dodge had zero trucks that could haul a big fifth wheel legally except the 5500. I wanted a Dodge mainly because they were the ONLY ones at the time that included an exhaust brake. We test drove the 5500 in Lexington, NC and I loved the interior, the exhaust brake, the 52 gallon fuel tank, and on and on. We bought it. After purchasing, I discovered that with a 5500, I really needed an air ride hitch to keep from shaking the 5th wheel trailer apart, so I purchased one of those also.



The combination of big truck and air ride hitch was intoxicating. I was in love. HOWEVER, it was short lived. If the road was smooth, the ride was great. If the road was bumpy, EVERY bump was transmitted to the butts of those riding in it. I explored the possibility of having a Kelderman 4 bag front and rear Air Ride system installed, but at a cost of $7000 to be installed at the factory in Iowa, and not being able to get a confirmation from Jason Kelderman that it would improve the ride that much, I decided against it.



We lived with it for 2+ years until I finally gave up and started to look at a new truck.



The 5500 is a fine truck for those applications that it is meant for, be it ambulance or tow truck conversions or delivery box type trucks. It is NOT meant for pleasure riding or comfortable traveling. As we have traveled the U. S. , I have discovered stretches of Interstate highways and secondary roads that, in my mind, I have mentally crossed them out as far as going back over them due to the concrete sections being at the exact distance to get a rocking/bumping effect going inside the truck so bad that drinks were spilling from the cup holders and even slowing down from 60 to 50 or so did little to ease the bad effects and this was towing the 5th wheel when you would expect the ride to be significantly better.



With this truck, I am ready to go over the same roads once again to see what the differences are. I can already tell what that difference will be. We are in the Tucson area again this winter for the 3rd year in a row. I am traversing the same roads in the new truck that I have in the old one too. The difference in ride is amazing. The bumps are still there, but it is almost like you are floating over them. These bumps are no long jarring my spine. I am once again happy.



The dealership where we traded for our new ride had never seen a Laramie 5500. They had to do a bit of scrambling to give us a price. We owed $29,000 and they offered $26,000. I took it. Maybe I could have done better on the trade in Texas, but after test driving the 2012 3500, I knew I DID NOT want to drive the 5500 any longer.



In life, you have to make choices both good and bad. I made a bad choice in getting the 5500, and after finally admitting defeat, rectified that bad choice with a good one. We hope to keep this 3500 for a bunch of years. I had the bed Line-Xed, the new Curt 20k hitch installed, and this Wednesday am having a Transfer Flow 50 gallon diesel tank installed.



The tank situation is one area of this truck that is lacking for me being a full-time RVer. It only has 35 gallons. The 5500 at least came with a 52 gallon tank. So with the 50 gallons I'm adding to the bed, we'll have 85 total. I can do a lot of traveling with that amount of fuel. The other area that is different is that the 5500 with the 19. 5" wheels will turn much sharper than the new 3500, but the 3500 is more responsive in the steering area.



Joe

Bless your heart Joe, When I saw your truck at Denton getting your hitch I then wondered a bunch about a 5500. I had driven enough of them in the last 3 years I knew it was not the truck for me. That is why we had spent a bunch of money on our 3500. We plan to keep it for 10 years. Thanks a bunch for the comments.