Looking for Dually, 3rd or 4th Gen

[dward]

I'm looking to go back to a CTD 4x4 DRW to carry a large slide in camper.

I had an 03 with many mods and a Smarty Jr which worked out well.

Around So Cal, prices for an 08 with lower mileage are around $38K.

I'm sure the 08 is nicer in many ways than the 03, but is it worth looking at the 4th Gen.

I'm mainly looking for reliability and longevity. I don't need all the bells and whistles and I think 350/650 will be plenty of power. My 03 with the Smarty was set on level 3 and had plenty of power.

What are the advantages of the 08 over 03 and 10 over 08?

Are the trans the same in both?

If the only upgrades in the 4th gen is the body and cosmetics, I would probably be ok with the 08.

Looking to carry a camper around 5K lbs, which is probably overweight, but my 03 carried my 5200 lb Lance ok.

What would you do?

 

[Bill Stockard]

What year/model Lance are you hauling? I too haul a heavy Lance slide-in truck camper and am not interested in another truck until the GVWR on a Ram 3500 dually pickup is increased significantly similar to the previous version of the Ford F450 pickup.



Bill

 

[RVTRKN]

I would look for a good used 07, 5. 9 or older truck. but if you want the auto, then an 06 to 07 model. The 48RE has the exhaust brake capability within those years.

 

[Grizzly]

I too, like Bill Stockard, hauled a large heavy Lance truck camper. My 05 3500 DRW handled the camper much better than my previous 95 3500 DRW and that's without a rear sway bar. The 95 had a sway bar. An 03 and newer 3500 DRW are all good. I especially like one that has an NV5600 6 speed manual transmission.





george

 

[rrl989]

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[TulsaOkie]

Just added a new one to my fleet today, 2011 Laramie 3500 drw 4X4. Dodge has proved itself to me, the 6. 7 has never left me on the side of the road. 50k seems like a bargin to me. I did it Harvey..... took that leep and still kept my old truck... more miles to go. .

 

[jgillott]

All other factors being equal, I would go with the 2010 or newer based on just the interior alone. We have 2 3rd gen quads and a 2010 Crew Cab 1500. The new crew cab has an amazing amount of room compared to the previous trucks.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Really depends on what you want to spend.



It is hard to argue with a brand new, never abused truck that has a warranty. Drivetrain will be the same so you cant base it on power. You will also get the more refined 4th gen interior if you go new as well as all of its other new features.



If you cant swing the payments, then maybe do look at a nice condition 3rd gen. If you go this route, do consider the 5. 9s. They are hard to beat. Do be mindful as previously mentioned if you want a auto. Then I would suggest you take your chances with a 6. 7/68rfe combo.



Best of luck!

 

[dward]

Thanks for all the good info.

I would be looking at a camper with a weight around 5k lbs wet, like the Lance 1191 I had on my 03. I didn't really like the 4ft overhang but the side door was nice. I like the 992 with the double slide and large holding tanks but it has a similar weight.

Arctic Fox would also be in the running.

I guess I'll have to drive a new truck as well as an 08 to see the difference.

Maybe I should bribe my co-worker to sell the 03 back to me.

 

[HBarlow]

Just added a new one to my fleet today, 2011 Laramie 3500 drw 4X4. Dodge has proved itself to me, the 6. 7 has never left me on the side of the road. 50k seems like a bargin to me. I did it Harvey..... took that leep and still kept my old truck... more miles to go. .

Congratulations on the new 2011. I'm staying away from dealers because I don't want to be tempted.

Did you mean you will continue hauling with your '07. 5? How many miles currently on your '07. 5?

 

[champspa]

if you can wait say 6 to 8 months they will be going at a rock bottom rate . fuel prices usually have a detrimental effect on sales and prices plummet . diesel is 3. 19 here at the most reasonable places but it's going uppppppppppppppppppppppppp .

 

[TulsaOkie]

Congratulations on the new 2011. I'm staying away from dealers because I don't want to be tempted.



Did you mean you will continue hauling with your '07. 5? How many miles currently on your '07. 5?

349k, she's still hummin along fine... i'll use it till spring, that way the new one won't get dirty... . First drive was today, sure feels nice !!!