Need some Help...questions

[aknussmann]

I have a 01 diesel 2500, 2wd, QC auto.



I keep getting suck in my horse pasture when pulling the 1000 gal fertilizer around.

I do have a tractor that works fine except it chews up my pasture if the land if somewhat wet. The truck works better in those cases.



Will a 6 spd manual take care of this or a 4wd?



I tow frequently, like 2-3 times a week, pulling a GN Horse Trailer and also a flatbed. Plus the truck earns it keep by doing lots of farm work. I usually put on 40-50K a year on a truck.



Any help would be greatly appreciated. I run a small horse stable and need whatever works best.



If I need to upgrade should I get the new model (which I think looks ugly) or try to get an 02 before you can't find them anymore.



Thanks, Amy

 

[RustyJC]

Amy,



First, welcome to the TDR! Glad to have you aboard.



Although I've always towed with 2WD duallys, my previous V-10 truck was not nearly so "front heavy" as my current Cummins. This truck wants to bury the front wheels whenever I pull off the pavement. The only real cure is 4WD! (My towing is on pavement and in RV parks, so 2WD works OK for me. )



Okie-Go (another TDR member) has a 2WD 2500 that he tries to use on the farm. I think he gets stuck every time he hooks a trailer onto it - even with mud grip tires and a positive locking rear differential.



As far as purchasing an '02 or an '03, your choice! I ordered my '02 because I wanted the last year of a proven model rather than the first year of an unproven model (JMHO). You may see it differently than I do - hey, it's your money!



Rusty

 

[aknussmann]

Thanks

That's what I figured I needed.



But do I need to get a 5spd or a 6spd? Will that make a big difference or not.



Thanks for the quick Reply.

 

[RustyJC]

Amy,



You can get an automatic, 5-speed manual or 6-speed manual with 4WD. You don't have to go with a manual unless you want to.



If you decide the manual is for you, you'll find people on this forum who swear by either the 5-speed or 6-speed. If you want the Cummins high output engine (HO) in a 2002 truck, you'll get the 6-speed - no other choice! With the standard output Cummins, you can get either an automatic or 5-speed manual.



Generally speaking, low (1st) and high (5th/6th) gears are basically the same on both transmissions. All the 6-speed did was tighten up the gear spacing between 1st and 6th - the engine RPM's don't drop so far at each shift with the 6-speed. This means you shift more in town, but it also makes the 6-speed much better suited for those of us who tow very heavy trailers. Again, make your selection based on how you'll be using the truck.



Rusty

 

[Tom G]

Hi Amy - Welcome Aboard

Welcome from an old farm boy at heart although haven't been one for about 40 years



You didn't mention if your truck has a limited slip differential or not and a limited slip differential would help. I use my might Ram for pulling my boat out of the water and would have failed several times if it was not for the limited slip. So if you were planning on keeping your current truck a limited slip differential might be in order.



Since I no longer farm but still go play in the dirt (with my Jeep that is) we frequently 'air down' our tires for extra traction in soft sand and mud. Try about 15-20 psi less to start. Rremoving some air from your tires will help your traction by putting more rubber on the road so to speak. p. s. don't forget to air up the tires before going to town as the tires will heat up quickly at higher speeds.



I prefer the automatic for my truck after having both and auto and stick. I can ROCK the auto back and forth very easily. I can also EASE into the load to prevent spinning the wheels, of course you can also do this with a stick also.



Think about using the sloshing of the liquid in the tank to your advantage. That can be like a 2000 lb push to get you going.



Try moving the tank further forward on the trailer to increase your hitch weight. This could give you more traction on the rear and take some of the weight off the front axle.



If you have the $'s by all means a new 2003 4X4 should do the trick. I am waiting for the new common rail fuel injection system, and more powerful engine in the 2003. Also it might will look better

 

[Deezul1]

When I bought mine the guy that sold it to me said it was a great truck but dont take it in the soft stuff or it will straight down in front. Try letting air out of the front tires to about 35lbs as it will widen the footprint of the tire and let it stay on top better and this makes it easier for the rear wheels to move the truck without digging in so much.

 

[aknussmann]

Good Info

Thanks everyone with the welcomes.



Sounds like I can go with another auto. That's good news, this is my first auto truck and I must admit I don't miss shifting constantly, plus hauling my horse trailer is nicer.



Does anyone know what kind of price they will have on the new 2003 trucks? If they are priced like the Dmax I definitely don't want one. Way too much for a truck that I beat up.



Yes I do have a limited slip diff. on my current 2wd truck. I get stuck on the ridges, or rather going up them with the tank and only on certain areas at that.



Will 4x4 kill my gas mileage when towing? My GN is adjustable, so how many more inches does the 4x4 sit higher than my 2wd long bed?



Thanks again every1 for answering my questions. I really appreciate the help.



I will have more as I talk to the dealer on what I need.