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Standard vs. Auto, (Short Bed vs. Long), For Hitch Towing
- Thread starter Bater
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Give it time, I believe the 6. 7 will get better and more economical. It was the same situation when the 24 valve on the 5. 9 first came out. Now the 24 valve, 5. 9 is a great engine.
More opinion
Hi Andy,
I don't know if it's "wisdom", but here are some thoughts:
First, I suggest you not consider the "tally" of pros/cons in this one thread as definitive. There have been hundreds of posts scattered in many threads on many sites, which discuss this topic.
Second, I would devalue the opinions of limited-experience commenters ("I have always driven, and will always drive a stick!") when considering those alongside other opinions from people who have experience with both. By "both", I mean any standard manual vs. THIS 68RFE auto. It is a whole new thing.
Thirdly, I would consider the reasons for owning a $50,000 diesel, vs. other vehicles:
If one wants/needs transportation to school/work/a movie, or the store, any compact car will do. Size-up to suit your number of passengers, and you are done.
If you need a light pick-up for hauling the occasional 2X4, or sack of fertilizer, or toolbox and a sheet of plywood, ... a Toyota Tacoma is a good choice.
If, however, you have ideas about something with a powerful, durable, diesel engine, something that will carry/haul/tow just about anything you might now-or-in-the-future wish, ... then we are in this thread's ballpark.
After that comes the thinking you are doing about specifics.
Since a "bed" is in the picture, as one of the main distinctions between a car and a truck, ... why chose less of a bed than is available? The poster who decided for "short" because he ran off the edge of the road on a turn is one individual.
Obviously driving a long-bed is achievable, as thousands of other individuals manage to learn to do it. You are the one to make the judgement as to how capable you are of thinking-about and watching what you are doing until it becomes second nature. A bit of self-confidence might be helpful. To emphasize the "learning" point, ... consider that some people, myself included, even learn to drive larger trucks(fire engines), or DUALLY pick-ups, Heaven forbid, like mine.
Here is an interesting point about the dually. Parking the thing between-the-lines is easier backwards, than forwards (!). Use the easily adjusted electric tow mirrors to watch the ground, and you can back those fat rear "hips" right down a line within a half-inch (Be sure to check first to see what your rear-overhang might contact). Then you are in a position to see well as you pull out forward when ready to leave (and your truck will likely be parked straighter than if you had pulled-in headfirst). Fold your tow mirrors before you walk away, so you don't pi**-off the careless guy who is going to bump his head on them (Angry people with keys can make ugly scratches in your paint. )
"Swing wide" is the basic longbed/dually rule for turns, and is something most can learn.
Wanta, or maybe in the future wanta haul a camper, or long/large stuff? Get the LB,... with the gate down, you have 10 feet of floor.
Auto? I have driven stick-shifts for years. My Ram 3500 dually LB has the 68RFE. Paradise! Would not trade for all the on-the-floor "macho" in Mexico (or Redneckland). Backing a trailer uphill(riding the clutch to go slow enough to steer the da** trailer in tight quarters), sitting/creeping in traffic jams, ... not a problem. Gee how I don't miss the shift,shift,shift,shift,shift,... "Should I keep the clutch depressed, or select neutral to protect the throwout bearing?", "Oh wait ,the traffic has moved 15 feet, and the guy behind is on his horn ,... first gear again, now the clutch question again", again, again, etc. Gag! Really. There are other things one can be thinking about in those wasted hours. There is a difference between "having fun" because you can "control" something,... and not-having fun because you HAVE TO. BTW, watch that "roll-back" when you are stopped in traffic on a steep upgrade, the idiot behind has pulled up almost to your bumper, and you are about to get off the brake pedal and on to the accellerator with your manual trans! (Downtown Seattle? SanFran?)
Incidentally, the comes-with-the-auto "exhaust brake" is very, very, tasty icing on the cake.
So, bottom-line in my case: My girlfriend and I both(!) look for reasons to take "the big truck" when we go somewhere, Instead of our Honda or Tacoma
(She's back-up driver on the highway).
We LOVE this '07. 5, 6. 7L, Quad Cab, LB, Dual wheel, 4WD, super-smooth auto, comfort-touring/camper-carrying boat-towing monster!
3000+ miles, great performance, zero problems aside from a blown 2A. ignition-switch fuse, and leaking (water thru grab-handles) old-type clearance lamps(replaced with new type, leak fixed. ) We have kept in-town driving to a minimum.
Good luck with you choice!
Hi Andy,
I don't know if it's "wisdom", but here are some thoughts:
First, I suggest you not consider the "tally" of pros/cons in this one thread as definitive. There have been hundreds of posts scattered in many threads on many sites, which discuss this topic.
Second, I would devalue the opinions of limited-experience commenters ("I have always driven, and will always drive a stick!") when considering those alongside other opinions from people who have experience with both. By "both", I mean any standard manual vs. THIS 68RFE auto. It is a whole new thing.
Thirdly, I would consider the reasons for owning a $50,000 diesel, vs. other vehicles:
If one wants/needs transportation to school/work/a movie, or the store, any compact car will do. Size-up to suit your number of passengers, and you are done.
If you need a light pick-up for hauling the occasional 2X4, or sack of fertilizer, or toolbox and a sheet of plywood, ... a Toyota Tacoma is a good choice.
If, however, you have ideas about something with a powerful, durable, diesel engine, something that will carry/haul/tow just about anything you might now-or-in-the-future wish, ... then we are in this thread's ballpark.
After that comes the thinking you are doing about specifics.
Since a "bed" is in the picture, as one of the main distinctions between a car and a truck, ... why chose less of a bed than is available? The poster who decided for "short" because he ran off the edge of the road on a turn is one individual.
Obviously driving a long-bed is achievable, as thousands of other individuals manage to learn to do it. You are the one to make the judgement as to how capable you are of thinking-about and watching what you are doing until it becomes second nature. A bit of self-confidence might be helpful. To emphasize the "learning" point, ... consider that some people, myself included, even learn to drive larger trucks(fire engines), or DUALLY pick-ups, Heaven forbid, like mine.
Here is an interesting point about the dually. Parking the thing between-the-lines is easier backwards, than forwards (!). Use the easily adjusted electric tow mirrors to watch the ground, and you can back those fat rear "hips" right down a line within a half-inch (Be sure to check first to see what your rear-overhang might contact). Then you are in a position to see well as you pull out forward when ready to leave (and your truck will likely be parked straighter than if you had pulled-in headfirst). Fold your tow mirrors before you walk away, so you don't pi**-off the careless guy who is going to bump his head on them (Angry people with keys can make ugly scratches in your paint. )
"Swing wide" is the basic longbed/dually rule for turns, and is something most can learn.
Wanta, or maybe in the future wanta haul a camper, or long/large stuff? Get the LB,... with the gate down, you have 10 feet of floor.
Auto? I have driven stick-shifts for years. My Ram 3500 dually LB has the 68RFE. Paradise! Would not trade for all the on-the-floor "macho" in Mexico (or Redneckland). Backing a trailer uphill(riding the clutch to go slow enough to steer the da** trailer in tight quarters), sitting/creeping in traffic jams, ... not a problem. Gee how I don't miss the shift,shift,shift,shift,shift,... "Should I keep the clutch depressed, or select neutral to protect the throwout bearing?", "Oh wait ,the traffic has moved 15 feet, and the guy behind is on his horn ,... first gear again, now the clutch question again", again, again, etc. Gag! Really. There are other things one can be thinking about in those wasted hours. There is a difference between "having fun" because you can "control" something,... and not-having fun because you HAVE TO. BTW, watch that "roll-back" when you are stopped in traffic on a steep upgrade, the idiot behind has pulled up almost to your bumper, and you are about to get off the brake pedal and on to the accellerator with your manual trans! (Downtown Seattle? SanFran?)
Incidentally, the comes-with-the-auto "exhaust brake" is very, very, tasty icing on the cake.
So, bottom-line in my case: My girlfriend and I both(!) look for reasons to take "the big truck" when we go somewhere, Instead of our Honda or Tacoma
(She's back-up driver on the highway).
We LOVE this '07. 5, 6. 7L, Quad Cab, LB, Dual wheel, 4WD, super-smooth auto, comfort-touring/camper-carrying boat-towing monster!
3000+ miles, great performance, zero problems aside from a blown 2A. ignition-switch fuse, and leaking (water thru grab-handles) old-type clearance lamps(replaced with new type, leak fixed. ) We have kept in-town driving to a minimum.
Good luck with you choice!
Last edited:
Good questions and discussion on this thread, my 0. 02 at 49 being 50.
If you drive any traffic situations, get the auto. The 6 speed auto is a great trans - I have towed up to 13K with my 2500 and the auto, would not go back to manual at this point. [However my issue is my left hip, clutching for long periods sends me to the Aleve bottle... . , however I used to drive nothing but manuals. ] The exhaust brake, and control of the trans with the paddle switch is amazing. I can slow down to 30 mph from 60 mph coming down a 6% grade with no service brakes applied. In my 02 Ford on the same stretch I would be in 3rd gear, and using trailer brakes and service brakes.
You are correct to select IMHO the 3500 SRW if your trailering is typically sub 10K. However, I haul large round bales on a 25' G/N - I can easily get to 16K+ loaded, and to me, when you cross over the 12. 5 to 13K boundary, dually is the only way to go for stability. Currently I just keep the loads at no more than 13K.
Long bed, short bed -- I have had both. Current truck is a short bed, however I use mine for daily driver, versus keeping a beater, as my commute is short, and the overhead of another vehicle doesn't work $$ wise. So the SB with Quad Cab is very handy in tight locations that I sometimes go to. However I can still pull my 20 GN Aluminum cattle trailer and my 25' GN flatbed with confidence. You don't have the same clearance as a long bed, but if the gooseneck is a 30 degree slant neck, not a problem. The upside is I have put this truck / trailer combo in tight places that I don't think a long bed combo could fit - think of a tractor trailer type turning situation. I use and recommend the B&W turnover ball G/N hitch - it is the only one I use.
My 6. 7 has been great for 10k+ Miles, 2 P245a codes early on, then the G30 recall in late Oct - since then - nary a code / light. Mileage is getting better too - latest hand calc for me is 16. 8 open road running, and 14. 5 commute, mixed driving - this is in the ballpark with my wife's 05 Ford 250 6. 0 and only about 1 to 1. 5 mpg less than my 02 Ford 350 7. 3L with 103K miles.
If you are going to use it on the farm, get the skid plates, and see if the dealer will work with you for better tires, the michelens are great hiway tires, but an inch of mud will stop em. Also, be cautious about the length of grass / hay in a field you pull into, or don't do a lot of idleing as a regen could, in the right conditions cause a fire. I towed hay last year with mine, but ensured I shut it down while loading, versus idleling as with my older diesels.
Good luck with your decision - either way you'll be happy, oh and a power seat is a great option too as you approach 50... . :-laf
Luke
If you drive any traffic situations, get the auto. The 6 speed auto is a great trans - I have towed up to 13K with my 2500 and the auto, would not go back to manual at this point. [However my issue is my left hip, clutching for long periods sends me to the Aleve bottle... . , however I used to drive nothing but manuals. ] The exhaust brake, and control of the trans with the paddle switch is amazing. I can slow down to 30 mph from 60 mph coming down a 6% grade with no service brakes applied. In my 02 Ford on the same stretch I would be in 3rd gear, and using trailer brakes and service brakes.
You are correct to select IMHO the 3500 SRW if your trailering is typically sub 10K. However, I haul large round bales on a 25' G/N - I can easily get to 16K+ loaded, and to me, when you cross over the 12. 5 to 13K boundary, dually is the only way to go for stability. Currently I just keep the loads at no more than 13K.
Long bed, short bed -- I have had both. Current truck is a short bed, however I use mine for daily driver, versus keeping a beater, as my commute is short, and the overhead of another vehicle doesn't work $$ wise. So the SB with Quad Cab is very handy in tight locations that I sometimes go to. However I can still pull my 20 GN Aluminum cattle trailer and my 25' GN flatbed with confidence. You don't have the same clearance as a long bed, but if the gooseneck is a 30 degree slant neck, not a problem. The upside is I have put this truck / trailer combo in tight places that I don't think a long bed combo could fit - think of a tractor trailer type turning situation. I use and recommend the B&W turnover ball G/N hitch - it is the only one I use.
My 6. 7 has been great for 10k+ Miles, 2 P245a codes early on, then the G30 recall in late Oct - since then - nary a code / light. Mileage is getting better too - latest hand calc for me is 16. 8 open road running, and 14. 5 commute, mixed driving - this is in the ballpark with my wife's 05 Ford 250 6. 0 and only about 1 to 1. 5 mpg less than my 02 Ford 350 7. 3L with 103K miles.
If you are going to use it on the farm, get the skid plates, and see if the dealer will work with you for better tires, the michelens are great hiway tires, but an inch of mud will stop em. Also, be cautious about the length of grass / hay in a field you pull into, or don't do a lot of idleing as a regen could, in the right conditions cause a fire. I towed hay last year with mine, but ensured I shut it down while loading, versus idleling as with my older diesels.
Good luck with your decision - either way you'll be happy, oh and a power seat is a great option too as you approach 50... . :-laf
Luke
Ordered: long bed auto...
Luke, Wolfy, and all of you that took your time to post to this thread,
Well, I did it and ordered a long bed automatic 3500 SRW this afternoon. Splurged for the Laramie package, skid plates, Nav group, etc. Changed the tires too for the on/off road versions. To those of you who posted re your devotion to standard transmissions. Me too, but it just seemed that this was an automatic one should buy. Only clutching I will be doing going forward will be on my farm tractor. (Maybe if the Dodge was available with shuttle shift!)
Test drove the long and short beds. I thought the ride was better in the long bed and it appeared quieter even though the short bed was a Laramie which supposedly has premium soundproofing. I didn't find the quad cab long bed a problem to get used to. Actually in a way it seemed smaller than my '91 regular cab.
I purchased through a Costco referred Dodge dealer. At first I thought that was kind of hokey but the big dealer near me couldn't match the pricing. Interestingly the Costco dealer is the same physical Dodge dealership where I purchased the '91. (The big dealer is where we bought my wife's Liberty CRD. )
8 to 12 weeks from now I will find out if I made the right decision!
Andy
Luke, Wolfy, and all of you that took your time to post to this thread,
Well, I did it and ordered a long bed automatic 3500 SRW this afternoon. Splurged for the Laramie package, skid plates, Nav group, etc. Changed the tires too for the on/off road versions. To those of you who posted re your devotion to standard transmissions. Me too, but it just seemed that this was an automatic one should buy. Only clutching I will be doing going forward will be on my farm tractor. (Maybe if the Dodge was available with shuttle shift!)
Test drove the long and short beds. I thought the ride was better in the long bed and it appeared quieter even though the short bed was a Laramie which supposedly has premium soundproofing. I didn't find the quad cab long bed a problem to get used to. Actually in a way it seemed smaller than my '91 regular cab.
I purchased through a Costco referred Dodge dealer. At first I thought that was kind of hokey but the big dealer near me couldn't match the pricing. Interestingly the Costco dealer is the same physical Dodge dealership where I purchased the '91. (The big dealer is where we bought my wife's Liberty CRD. )
8 to 12 weeks from now I will find out if I made the right decision!
Andy
I have driven an '02 3500 drw with 48re auto for the last six years. I just ordered an '08 3500 drw with 6 spd auto! I thought about a stick on and off, but now with the 6 spd auto, I think it's a no brainer. And the exhaust brake will be amazing! Long bed = great ride and room for cargo.
torqmonster
TDR MEMBER
I would suggest the long bed for sure. If you use the box at all it can fill up fast, especially if you put in a tool box or fuel crossbox. Or if you haul a 4 wheeler or anything like that. I had a regular cab long box 5 spd, and wanted a quadcab and debated on the long or short box, got a long box and glad. You get used to parkin in the back of small lots, oh well, I can use the extra walk:-laf This one is an auto too, it's a preference thing, cause sometimes I sure miss controlling the gear change, but somedays I'm lazy and like the auto. But I think overall someday I will prolly convert it to a 5sp. Just my thoughts on your question. Keep on truckin
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
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Renew
Subscribe
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Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
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The Perfect Collection Vol. II
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What Makes Us Tick?
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