Lady in Glendale, AZ needs advice

[Khaney]

Hello, I spent several months skulking around the discussion forums before recently joining TDR. ALL of you are responsible for my decision to buy a Cummins instead of a PowerStroke or a V10. I only haul a two-horse bumper pull, but six years of white knuckle driving out of the Verde Valley with my half ton made me realize I wanted something more. Now that I have made the plunge, I wonder if I am in over my head because I have zero mechanical knowledge and will therefore have to depend on others to make sure my beast is well cared for. This is where I hope those of you in the Phoenix area can help. The truck is still under warranty, but I am quickly learning that going to the dealer probably isn't the best idea for basic maintenance such as an oil change. I can't do it myself like most of you out there, so I need to find a place with someone I can trust who knows what they are doing when it comes to a diesel truck. Ideas???

 

[lizzyhermit]

I'm a Phoenician, have taken my 98. 5 nowhere but the dealer, and completely satisfied and will pass on a recommendation for Bill Luke Dodge on Camelback at I17. Call Cheryl Stephens (a service advisor), you'll be glad you did.



BTW, Cheryl drives a 98. 5 4wd long bed pulling her horses to rodeo events. She understands our trucks.



Send email if you want additional info or just someone to jabber at

 

[Bob Wagner]

get in touch with Fred

www.desertdieselparts.com



Fred will give you honest advice and he's a TDR member too

 

[Todd G]

I personally give thumbs up to Larrry Miller Dodge on Bell Rd. They have been very good to me for the last 6 years with no complaints. Let me know if you need any help.



Todd

 

[MikeR]

I only haul a two-horse bumper pull, but six years of white knuckle driving out of the Verde Valley with my half ton made me realize I wanted something more.

Welome aboard and sorry for the expensive influence,but you do tow more than alot of guys that I know.



I guess it all depends on what kind of reputation the local dealers have in you area. Email the guys listed in the 'Travel Companion' section listed in the members only area.

You'll be suprised to find the Cummins actually requires very little maintenence comapared to a gasoline pig. Another place to do your oil and fuel filter changes would be places like: Cummins dealers, truck stops(if they have a shop), big rig dealers and shops that are listed under diesel injection services and such.



-Mike

 

[BK]

Ah... how nice, what a smart lady too... one that can understand why we love the smell of diesel and the sound of the CTD. It's great to hear that you've made such a wise choice through your own impartial investigations. I spent a year deciding on what diesel to buy. After 15 years of towing with gassers, I said enough is enough...



Except for some basic understanding on the differences between the diesel and the gasser, I can't see any reason you may think you got in over your head. You've greatly reduced your chances of winding up stuck on the side of the road. You've got something that was built well within the range of the job you'll be putting it up to. And the CTD has less required maintanance than the gassers or other diesels for that fact.



Do you have a Cummins repair shop in your Area. .

If you not sure, visit their website and give them a call.

While they can't do the warranty work, unless Dodge sends you there, they can do all you PM work.



I do not trust my local Jiffy Lubes and such. And it's been shown that DC does not accept just any filter to honor the engine warranty. There are only two service shops that will supply the right filter... your local DC dealer or Cummins shop.

Some folks do use their local jiffy lube and supply oil filters they bought from Geno's or the dealer.



Cummins web site:

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/index.cfm

 

[Todd G]

I also get all my filters at Cummins Southwest on Encanto and I-17. Much cheaper than the dealer. You can also get oil there or go to Wal-Mart and buy Rotella or Delo for cheaper yet.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Khaney, give me a call. I'd be more than willing to help you out. I'm West of you in Waddell, past Luke Air Force Base off of Bethany and Citrus Rd.

 

[Shooter]

If Bill K endorses Fred then I would not hesitate to haveDesert Diesel work on my truck. .

 

[JSoloman]

Hey, another gal on board!! This is great.



Just so's you know, the guys here on TDR were a big influence in my decision to go Cummins, as opposed to Powerstroke. They have lots of great ideas and mechanical experience to share. If you run into a problem, most times it can be solved or at least help you with the answer to hit the technician at the shop with!



Great to have you on board.



Jen

 

[PHX ATC]

I'm new to the CTD scene as well, except on the other side of the valley - Mesa. Funny thing is, I called Fred Swanson today just to ask about adding a performance EZ and was pleasantly suprised. Fred was eager to answer questions and actually listened to me, not just heard me.



I will get my oil changed and warranty work done at the dealer (Earnhardt's) until it is out of warranty, then it's off to Southwest Cummins on I17. My father in law had tons of work done there with his big rig when he had it and nothing but good things to say about them.



I've learned alot just surfing this site and plan to learn more as I pick everyone's brains about the CTD.



If you ever tow the horses out east, drop me an email, my wife and daughter adore horses. Of course, I've allocated all the money to juicing up the truck so a horse is out of the question!



Toby

 

[GBerry]

Welcome Khaney to the TDR

Im sure you will be happy with your choice in PU and the TDR! I have been very happy with my PU and completely happy learning about the CTD from all the great members of the TDR. Great info and fun topics just for reading.

On your info request Ill second MikeR and cive a extra vote for the cummins dealer quality service parts and prices I just bought a airfilter from my local Cummins dealer today and was cheaper than a auto parts store I frequent by more than $15. 00 the auto parts store wanted $34. 95 and Cummins wanted $17. ?? dont remember the change and the cummins filter was a fleetguard filter same as you get from the D. C. dealer with the Mopar lable so you know it will fit correctly in the air box !! oops sorry got side tracked... . welcome to the TDR!!!!!!

Guy

 

[Khaney]

Wow,

Thanks everyone for such fast replies to my question. It is nice to see how friendly everyone is! Fred, I will give you a call tomorrow. Lizzyhermit, I too had Cheryl as my service advisor several years ago when my 1/2 ton was still under warranty. She was great. I will get in contact with her again.

And Jen, I too am glad to hear of another woman here. Most of my horsey friends seem to have either Ford's or Chevy's so I have no one to talk to when it comes to a Cummins. Thanks to all for your help. I'm sure I'll have more Q's in the future.

Katy

 

[SLittle]

Katy - You need to get better friends



Down here the horse people prefer Dodges and Fords, probably more Fords, unless hauling real heavy then I think the Dodges dominate. There is a huge paint horse show down here and BIG horse trailers from every state show up, about 80% of these are pulled by CTD's.



My wife doesn't participate in these forums but she's the one that drives the truck



Scott

 

[Todd T]

welcome aboard Katy & Jen.



listen to the gang and they wont steer you wrong.



BTW if your ever out in the Mid West (IL), Bailey (APHC) and Blue (APHA) would love some company, if you need a place to board the horses overnight.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Welcome and hope you will look into getting a Exhaust brake for that 6, spd now, That you have the GO ,you need the Whooo . No white nuckle down hill with two horses in tow with a Exhaust brake. Your choise, but get one that is aft of the turbo . Then see about gauges, look at posts . Exhaust brake will save brakes and expence, and gagues can save Eng and other parts longer life . See the post. Money well spent . Plenty of help avalible, from a member near you . LOL Keep on truckin . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[xcucv]

Just had a DTT installed with an Edge Comp by Fred Swanson at www.desertdieselparts.com I am very happy with him and he goes way out of his way to help.



Plus he is only a few mile west of you.



A big thumbs up to Fred.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Welcome Lots of Help Around the Valley

Welcome I live around 40th Street and Baseline. Not into horses just CTD's!!! I bought my truck and have had some work done by Bill Luke on Camelback. They are okay for service and the few times they have done work for me have had little problem but nothing serious. I am just more comfortable doing most things my self. You can see my signature and this was done by myself. You need any help just ask and there are allot around on TDR to answer and local to physcially help if they can just let us know. I will second the motion the exhaust brake is a must it is needed a lot more on a diesel than a gasser it is really unsafe without one. You will never be without it once you have it. gauges second and the fun begins. Enjoy your truck mostly!!!