Mega Cab

[Bertram65]

I would bet the vast majority of crew cabs that Ford and GM sells are short beds, this combined with the ability to use an existing frame probably made the decisions pretty easy. I would also bet they will offer the dually and long bed in the near future.

 

[JStraw]

Tim, that could very well be true. It just go to prove that Dodge does need to get a 4500/5500 series truck for its loyalist. I've been window shopping for a new trailer and they are weighing in at 18K. All though I don't want too, it would make me switch brands. Unfortunately, DC sees a need for more passanger room than work capability.

 

[DanWilson]

JMO- but I don't see why anybody would even consider buying a 3500 pulling rig with srw and a short bed. Longer bed/ wheel base gives a smoother ride if nothing else. But ditto all the reasons Rusty mentions. Another consideration is lateral stability. Think about cornering with a trailer on. The trailer is trying to push the truck sideways with its forward momentum- duals counter this to a great degree, about twice as much as singles. I had flat once a long while back when the rear tire flexed away from the rim and the tube(c. 1973) was pinched when it flexed back (not an issue nowadays, but you get the point) The there's the traction issue, stopping more than accelerating. More rubber= more whoa; just think how it would react if there were no brakes on the trailer(tires).

 

[MABurns]

JMO- but I don't see why anybody would even consider buying a 3500 pulling rig with srw and a short bed.

I can tell you the reason I did, I tow about 5% of the miles I drive. I don't need a dually the rest of the time. And my hitch weight is only 2,300 pounds so a SRW does just fine!



I don't see why anbody would want an ugly dually... ...

 

[JL penner]

Ok, ok, ok... ..... everybody needs to chill out... ... Do you remember back in 94 when dodge first brought out the new body style? You couldn't get an extended cab right? Do you remeber in '02 when they switched again? You couldn't get a 2500 or 3500. At least give them a chance to come up with something before you completely throw DC under the bus. They may have something for everyone... . or at least plan to come out with something for everyone. As it has been stated before, the main reason they are showing this with the shortbed is because they were able to produce it much quicker and cheaper (same chassis).



So lets all just take a deap breath, put the pitchforks and torches down and go back to enjoying the CTD sitting in your driveway. You can start complaining when all the details are fully released.



(BTW this is directed at everyone including myself) :-laf

 

[GerryDrake]

You gotta remember that nowadays, most truck owners don't buy a 4 door truck to pull 5th wheel trailer. They like to have the trailer towing ability and also have enough room in the cab for the family.

I find this an interesting statement. I don't know that it is wrong, but there certainly are a lot of people (us) that do buy a 4 door truck to pull 5th wheel trailers. Certainly in my circle. Since I got mine 18 months ago, 5 buddies have done just that. Two stayed with the F*** brand, but all have 4 door long beds and 5'ers.



Just my observations. . not a challenge for statistics or anything

 

[DanWilson]

I tow about 5% of the miles I drive

Then I'm gonna jump out on a limb and say you don't really need a CTD. I rig up for the worse case, the most I can put on my trailer (backhoe, tractor, dozer, bobcat,etc) and still get untracked and stopped, all else is a secondary concern, even if that is only 5% of the time. Just an opinion. I guess that's why we have progressed past Henry's paint color options of black or black- to each his own. #ad

 

[JStraw]

I rig up for the worse case

Sounds like you need a class 8 then. :-laf



Just joking. But if anyone knows of new class 8's for the price of of a 3500... .

 

[RustyJC]

But if anyone knows of new class 8's for the price of of a 3500... .

Actually, there are a couple of individuals that take late model Class 8 tractors with relatively low mileage and modify them for RV towing - convert to single rear axle, etc. A number of these trucks still have drivetrain warranties. These trucks normally sell for around $30-35K.



Rusty

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Actually, there are a couple of individuals that take late model Class 8 tractors with relatively low mileage and modify them for RV towing - convert to single rear axle, etc. These trucks normally sell for around $30-35K.



Probably a fair number of those available for conversion in past times - but probably LOT'S more now, with the upward spiral of diesel fuel prices, driving marginal outfits outta business...

 

[KCJackson]

I think the fact that the Mega is available as a 1500 (albeit with a 3/4-ton GVWR of 8510) is the key model. This will comepte with the Chevy/GMC 1500HD Crew (with 6. 5' bed) and will absolutely dwarf the F150 SuperCrew (with 5. 5' bed).



One thing I just thought about regarding the Mega's rear cabin... I hope they have additional grab handles. Those who know the 3G Quad know that the grab handles are on the b-pillar - with the Mega, the rear seat is a good 10 inches further back than on the Quad, so if there's no handle over the door, that will make for a very awkward reach to grab the B-pillar handle then try to get your body backwards to the seat.



I expect Dodge to really push the 1500 Mega in marketing as a heavy duty full size "family truck", so the Cummins powered rigs will probably be second banana.

 

[Farmall Hauler]

Any news on other specs regarding drive train? 5 or 6 speed auto trans offered with the CTD, 4. 10 gears, 2500 and or 3500 series?

I am awaiting for any of these specks as well. Their has been no information on any different towing capacities with the new G56.



Mark

 

[KCJackson]

I posted that earlier in the thread, but I'll repeat it



1500 Mega - Hemi/545RFE

2500 Mega - Hemi/545RFE, Cummins/G56, Cummins/48RE

3500 Mega - Cummins/G56, Cummins/48RE



engines are still as they are in 05 - Hemi 345/375, Cummins 325/610.



All with either 3. 73 or 4. 10 axle, 4x2 or 4x4. The 1500 Mega uses the HD Quad frame, not the 1500 Quad frame.

 

[Tim]

Then I'm gonna jump out on a limb and say you don't really need a CTD. I rig up for the worse case, the most I can put on my trailer (backhoe, tractor, dozer, bobcat,etc) and still get untracked and stopped, all else is a secondary concern, even if that is only 5% of the time. Just an opinion. I guess that's why we have progressed past Henry's paint color options of black or black- to each his own. #ad

That is total nonsense.



I don't tow that often, but when I do, I tow big.



Try towing 10,000# with a gas engine sometime. I did it for the last 3 years. I'm tired of it, and I bought a Diesel.



No brainer for me. You can think what you want about whether I need it or not. 5% or not, I'm tired of pulling with a gas engine. It's horrible.

 

[KVaughn]

Dodge should have just made it into an Excursion / Suburban type of truck so you could actually use the back for dry cargo space. Not much else will fit back there. It reminds me of that Hummer with the 3 foot bed.

 

[JTryles]

Then I'm gonna jump out on a limb and say you don't really need a CTD. I rig up for the worse case, the most I can put on my trailer (backhoe, tractor, dozer, bobcat,etc) and still get untracked and stopped, all else is a secondary concern, even if that is only 5% of the time. Just an opinion. I guess that's why we have progressed past Henry's paint color options of black or black- to each his own. #ad

At least in my case, I rarely tow or haul anything that a 1500 can't easily handle. I just appreciate the "fun" factor of the Cummins! Oo.

 

[FATCAT]

Lets see ... a true crew cab - OK, ... no 8' box, no duel wheels, useless payload capacity ----> another Half***** job by DC ... . Yawwwwwwn.

 

[KHogan]

Let's see... The Durango sells well until they change the looks... . better vehicle with crappier looks still equals less sales. Instead of making the Dakota/Durango look like the Ram, they make the Ram look like the Durango! What happened to all that crap during the intro of the 3rd Gen Ram about not wanting to alienate the current Ram owners by messing with the K-Wop Big Rig look? The current Ram, even with the crappy Nav radio, is head-and-shoulders looks-wise above this new '06 monstrosity (inside and out).

 

[Rockcrawler]

Well, This thing is going to fit me like a glove. I'll wait a year, but it's likely in my future. My current 3500 SB truck is used for 95% towing, either my 28 Pantera or my 38' race trailer with living qtrs. It hauls my 38 just fine with my superglide hitch. Yes the numbers are close, but I'm in there, I've hit the scales to show it.



3/4 of my miles are 10 hour + roadtrips with teams and family along, usually 3-6 of us in total.



It amazes me how many think only an 8' bed and dually will get the job done- maybe in your case, (and maybe not). I'd like to see those options too, and I think they'll come, but in the mean time, I'm good.



I also find humor in that so many people think nothing of 500 lbs or so over GVWR in a dually (the older ones had far less GVWR) yet if you talk about this in a SRW the world is going to end.



The looks will have to grow on me, just like the third gen did.



Headed to globe AZ in a few hrs, first race this yr

 

[MABurns]

Then I'm gonna jump out on a limb and say you don't really need a CTD. I rig up for the worse case, the most I can put on my trailer (backhoe, tractor, dozer, bobcat,etc) and still get untracked and stopped, all else is a secondary concern, even if that is only 5% of the time. Just an opinion. I guess that's why we have progressed past Henry's paint color options of black or black- to each his own

Your contradicting yourself. I too went with the worse case. I tried towing my 12,000 pound fifth wheel with a gas engine truck. I was screaming down the highway getting a whopping 6 MPG, empty going down hill with a tail wind I was gettin 13.



I'll keep my CTD for the 5000 miles a year that I tow. I really don' t need a truck at all, I guess I'll just get another horse or two.....