Newbie here, I wanna CTD :)

[BBoling]

First post, just joined. Never even owned or towed with a diesel, but after tons or research and talking to folks (for years) I'm ready. I need a CTD b/c we have a heavy new '07 camper. While I really like my 1997 gasser and it gets the job done, I want the reliability, comfort, and longevity of a new or used 3rd gen CTD. Can't wait to run my 4000 lb camper up a 6% grade with ease. In OD! :-laf



I'm like Dixie Dawg and thinkin' real hard about a new '06 or '07 CTD. Don't want the 6. 7, period. So it's either new truck or buy a used 3rd gen. Seems like the rebates on the 06s are so good that the 07s are quite a bit tougher to get into. Plus, don't like those new taillights and that new 07 badging!



Looked at the Duramax in a GMC, and man are those trucks just plain ugly. I have heard lotsa good things about that D/Allison drivetrain, but they can have the rest of that truck.



Anyway, just wanted to give the TDR a shout. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go... .

 

[CHolman]

Welcome to TDR. Your making a smart move going with the Cummins... Any of these trucks are good. I would say a 06 or 07 with a 5. 9 will be a good truck for years to come. Personally I like my 04 305/555 with my mods and NV5600 with my SBC. I have a 118,000 miles on mine and they haven't been easy miles, but I take great care in maintainning it.

 

[JohnCooper]

... I need a CTD b/c we have a heavy new '07 camper... Can't wait to run my 4000 lb camper up a 6% grade with ease...

I thought you said you got a heavy trailer?



You might have trouble remembering that there is trailer back there going up a grade if it is only 4,000 lbs!



My 5th wheel is about 8,000lbs, I can tell it's back there but a 6% grade is no problem. Went out to the desert a couple weeks ago. It was the first time a friend of mine had gone with us. He fried the transmission in his expedition (he was pulling an 8ft enclosed box trailer with some bikes in it) trying to out run me up the Cajon pass, he was impressed! I had no problem holding the speed limit even on the steepest parts.



I'm sure you will really enjoy towing with a diesel after towing with a gasser.



Welcome!

 

[BBoling]

I am getting the SRW, period. Should I get the 2500 or 3500? which has better resale or does it matter? Any other considerations if any?

 

[bonito]

Welcome,

I have a '05 CTD 4x4 with a 6 speed manual and haul different things and abuse it off road. You are in good hands with the Dodge Cummins!!



Good luck.

 

[tandersen]

With a 4k camper you will be overloaded with a single rear wheel. I've had both with my 5k camper. The dually wins hands down for stability. I also really like the 4. 10 axle ratio. Just my $. 02.

 

[JohnCooper]

I assumed you were talking about a 4000lb trailer, if it is an in-bed camper, then definately go with the 3500 and you should really re-think the SRW idea. If had it to do over, I would have gotten a 3500 SRW instead of the 2500, they just didn't have a very good selection of trucks here in SoCal when I bought mine.

 

[BSwope]

Id go with the 3500 if u want a SRW! When i bought mine there was no difference in price between the two and u get the extra helpers with the 3500! Mines ride great and even my bubby with a D-Max says mine rides way better than his! Also Welcome to TDR and happy huntin for a truck!

 

[JCrockett]

Get the 3500 SRW



I love mine!

 

[BBoling]

JCooper, no problem, yup I was talkin' about a slide-in camper. It's an '07 Eagle Cap, about 3400 lb wet, but ready to camp we're looking at around 4K lb, prolly more. We really watch our weight. I've had campers and been back and forth with all the weight considerations. I just don't wanna dually -- I have to drive this thing every day. I'll even put Ricksons on if I have to. So I think I'm with you guys, 3500, if there are any '06s left!

Those of you with the 6 spd, is it your daily driver and if so how do you like it? Recommended? I've head even tho it's a six speed the RPMs at cruise speed can get up there..... too high. Like 2400 at 75. True? Would love your thoughts.

Those of you with the auto, what axle ratio is best? Ya'll know how I'll use this truck... . camper hauler and daily driver. Might tow a light boat later on.....

Thanks for the input... .

 

[one8upcb]

Now that im Stationed here in virginia i wish i had an auto to use as the daily driver. But i just dont see myself parting with the sixer. I'll suck it up and move in 3 years. @70 i run about 2100 rpms.

 

[duckcarvr]

I was looking at a Artic Fox slide in camper about the same weight, 3600 lb, and they more than recomended a dually. it was a 11. 5 ' extendacab, wide body { 102" } with slide. they said due its size and weight it required a one ton dually. two tons on a one ton truck! the stability with a dually is much better. it is not any harder to drive but parking sometimes you have to walk farther... ... ..... besides it looks so cool!! robert

 

[WStephens]

The G56 6 speed transmission that is now used does not have as much over drive in 6th as the automatic and with the 3. 73 gear ratio it is about the same as the automatic with the 4. 10 gear ratio.

 

[JohnCooper]

... Those of you with the auto, what axle ratio is best? Ya'll know how I'll use this truck... . camper hauler and daily driver. Might tow a light boat later on.....

Thanks for the input... .

I have and auto and the 3. 73 gears. I don't see any need to go with 4. 10, it's already spinning the engine enough at 70mph as it is, and as I mentioned above, it pulls my trailer just fine!

 

[BBoling]

I noticed some of you have the Thunder Road package... . others the Big Horn package. What's the difference and which is better?

 

[BBoling]

Duckcarvr, just saw your post. Yeah, we looked at ALL the campers out there and those Arctic Foxes are nice. Too heavy for us, unfortunately. Would of liked to go with one but didn't want to go dually. The ECs are a bit lighter.

Happy camping

 

[SMacLeod]

welcome to TDR well worth the money spent! have fun

 

[BILLUA]

Go dually and and auto and don't look back. . The difference with a slide in is night and day. . On these third gens the camper actually sits a little higher above the axle than the second gens... You will notice a big difference in the dually stability when blowing by semis ...



I stressed and stressed about getting a dually as mine is a daily driver too! First of all, this is NOT a ford! You can do a U turn on a 4 lane road (2 lanes each direction) Also these do fit into all but compact parking spaces...



You know what? I most likely will never own another truck that is not a dually!



Cheers, Bill

 

[Van Blom]

Go dually and and auto and don't look back. . The difference with a slide in is night and day. . On these third gens the camper actually sits a little higher above the axle than the second gens... You will notice a big difference in the dually stability when blowing by semis ...



I stressed and stressed about getting a dually as mine is a daily driver too! First of all, this is NOT a ford! You can do a U turn on a 4 lane road (2 lanes each direction) Also these do fit into all but compact parking spaces...



You know what? I most likely will never own another truck that is not a dually!



Cheers, Bill

The only drawback with a dually is they don't do well in sand. I drive to Baja every year, and I need to drive on the beach to get my tin boat in the water

 

[BBoling]

The only drawback with a dually is they don't do well in sand. I drive to Baja every year, and I need to drive on the beach to get my tin boat in the water

Yeah, while I know a dually is what we need, I just can't do a dually everyday. I'll go 3500 SRW and call it quits. The trouble might be finding a 2006 Big Horn SLT 4WD LB SRW Auto :{

Going to the ******* tomorrow, but hopefully I'll be the one a-stealin'!