New 2012???

[Slow Six]

We have sold our sticks and stones and are about to be full timers. I am thinking about a new 2012 dually Longhorn with everything and the Max Tow package. My 03 is doing a good job of hauling our Mobile Suites but more is always better. I like the 03 but it has cost a lot of $$$$ to keep going and I think there is more coming. From reading on here it seems most of the guys are okay with the new trucks. There is NO WAY in hell I would even consider a new Ford. One look under the hood and this old guy is running away. I can't really diss the Duramax as my abusive (to their trucks) neighbors are having good luck with their trucks but I just do not like V8 diesels and I don't care for other Chevy things. Is 2012 a good model to buy or should one be waiting to see what is coming? I would really like to stay away from DEF as it is a nuisance and has real cold weather problems as it freezes. Another question I have is it worth going to an RV body? It seems like the box height has grown on the later trucks and my side rail to trailer clearance is already close on my 03 plus my trailer is a bit high on the front so raising the hitch height is not a good option.

 

[stick]

Congrats on going full time, we are on our eighth year. I have no trouble getting the truck under our rig, and hooked up we sit level.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

If you're truck will be used as a full time RVing the perfect truck for your needs would be a new Ram 3500 or 4500 cab and chassis with a tow bed similar to this one:

SK Truck Beds

You didn't mention the size or weight of your trailer but if it is a larger and heavier model the 4500 would be ideal for your needs.

I believe the DEF tanks have heaters which eliminates the freezing issue. Owners of new trucks have reported actual DEF usage is minor.

 

[stick]

Harvey:

The CM Beds are nice, but i wouldn't be without the enclosed bed.



Stick

 

[Jim W]

Good luck on becoming a full timer. I cannot add very much more than what I have read on line and in diesel publications. I would vote against waiting longer than a 2012 truck. I am always leery of changes in new content when manufactures change models for the first year. I believe there will be some major changes in diesel trucks staring in 2014; Cummins has stated they may introduce their changes in 2013. This information is available in the TDR publication issue 74.

My only recommendation is check out the Dodge Body Builders PDF, for dimensions on the bed height and towing weights. I have attached a link for you to check out.



http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/year.pdf



Jim W.

 

[RustyJC]

Even though our 2011 is just the 350/650 Cummins, it handles our Mobile Suites just fine. I did have to raise the hitch (a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch) by 1 bolt hole to get adequate clearance for the "spoiler lip" on the tailgate of the 4th gen dually (we were coming from a 2002 Ram 3500 dually). Note, however, that we ordered both the 2002 and 2011 as 2WD trucks, so all bets are off if you're going 4x4.



Rusty

 

[RonD]

We have sold our sticks and stones and are about to be full timers. I am thinking about a new 2012 dually Longhorn with everything and the Max Tow package. My 03 is doing a good job of hauling our Mobile Suites but more is always better. I like the 03 but it has cost a lot of $$$$ to keep going and I think there is more coming. From reading on here it seems most of the guys are okay with the new trucks. There is NO WAY in hell I would even consider a new Ford. One look under the hood and this old guy is running away. I can't really diss the Duramax as my abusive (to their trucks) neighbors are having good luck with their trucks but I just do not like V8 diesels and I don't care for other Chevy things. Is 2012 a good model to buy or should one be waiting to see what is coming? I would really like to stay away from DEF as it is a nuisance and has real cold weather problems as it freezes. Another question I have is it worth going to an RV body? It seems like the box height has grown on the later trucks and my side rail to trailer clearance is already close on my 03 plus my trailer is a bit high on the front so raising the hitch height is not a good option.

There very nice, that is all I have to say, if you drive one you will buy it, light years ahead of what you now have.

 

[CRath]

I hit the 10,000 mile mark since picking my 11 DRW 4x4 Longhorn up and I absolutely love it as an RV puller. I have a 37 ft Montana Toyhauler and it is light years ahead of my 01 DRW 4x4 in every way imagineable. I have the 650ftlb motor and am very pleased with the power and all the features that make this a comfortable and competant truck. So far my only complaints are... mileage (who doesn't wish for better), heated seats are not as good as my 01(in North Dakota this is a very nice feature), brake controller is convienient but not as good as my maxbrake, passenger floor area is a little cramped (trans hump is pretty large). To me this is the ultimate luxury towing rig.

 

[Slow Six]

We have a 2012 Longhorn coming. They are bringing it in from another dealer. It has everything I wanted plus, even the right color. It could be here this week. I have running boards coming as well as a 25K fifth wheel hitch. The good people at Plug it Right have a fitting coming for the Max Brake I am taking from the 03. Has any one done a Max Brake on these trucks with the intergated controller?

 

[HBarlow]

Several have. Domehead wrote an explanation of the procedure a year ago and it was published in TDR magazine. The only way others have found to disable the worthless OEM integrated controller is to have the dealership remove the code letters that tell the truck computers it was installed.