Thinking of buy a new Dodge.

[1leg]

I'm new here, thinking of buying a new dodge CTD. I'm also new to Dodge and Diesels. This is what i'm thinking of getting, either a 3500 DRW crew cab, or a 2500 crewcab, longbed 4x4. both would be Automatic. I will need to make up my mind soon, i should be placing my order sometime in the next 2weeks.



I will be doing some heavy towing anywhere from 7000lbs to 13000lbs. (trailer weight) not during the week but just about every weekend.



Are there any option you know of, that i need to, like heavy duty oil coolers, fans,or special wiring for trailering?

I looked a the dodge truck web page and it doesn't explain real well what you get in a package. (or it's just me not understanding it)



Are all CTD now 600's or can you still order a 555?

 

[Cryppie]

Welcome to DieselMania! It is an incurable disease that will leave your wallet empty from BOMB's and a smile on your face as you pass other rigs. First off, unless you are dead set on an auto, a 6 speed is the ticket for towing a load like yours. There are ways to beef up an auto, which I won't get into but you can search for them, but they will add to your overall cost. All 04's built after January are 325/600's, the 305/555 doesn't meet 04 emissions. If you get the towing package, you will get the trans cooler and a class 4 hitch, which is about all that DC will do for ya. You didn't mention a tag-along or fifth wheel, but either way, the dually will be more stable, but ride a little harsher when empty. If you're going fifth wheel, air bags for the rear suspension are a nice setup. Check out the towing and hauling forum for other tips on "pulling the load". One last . 02 cents or so, I just made an order through Butch at Dishman Dodge in Spokane, got exactly what I wanted, at a very fair price. Check out BigBob's deal, if you're going to be around Eastern WA, I think it's worth looking into. Good luck and let everyone know how your purchase turns out!

 

[GFritsch]

Echo 6 speed for mileage and durability. Get SRW unless you need stability of dually. Getting ours for heavy/tall camper. You can also get a 3500 SRW if you want the load capacity.



Any which way your getting the best truck on the market.



As you will be ordering a 2005 at this point--I think 2004 models are not ordedrable anymore-- let us know about the ordering process.



Good luck-

Greg

 

[DPelletier]

Welcome,

All the Cummins' come with the heavy duty cooling, batteries, etc.

I would suggest the trailer package as it comes with the hitch and 7 prong trailer plug.

Also get the trailer mirrors. All trucks built after Jan. '04 are 600's. I just bought another 555 off a lot, but it was obviously old stock.

Two other thoughts;

- get a 3500 SRW instead of a 2500, only a couple of bucks and you get 900 lbs more gvwr

- the load flat floor is nice, only $100 bucks or so now, but over $1,000. 00 later.



Dave

 

[1leg]

Guys thanks for the advice.



Well I would love to get a 6sp but I'm missing my left leg so it makes it alittle hard to drive(LOL)



I'm really leaning towards the DRW w/2wd at this time.



Has anyone tried removing the Cat on a 600 to see if it improves the performance at all?



I'm not planning on BooMing this thing much, some good Gauges, air intake and mandrel bent exhaust is all.



How good is Dodge about warrenty work? One of the big reasons i going with dodge is because i have heard alot about the other two makers don't have enough tech to work on there diesel trucks, so truck sit around for week waiting for repaires.



Last question. HOW do you change your user name?

 

[klenger]

Bummer about the leg. That would make a stick difficult to use. I have never had any problems getting any of my repairs covered under warranty, but doing things like removing the cat is not wise if you are concerned about the warranty. I plan to keep my drive train totally stock till at least 100k.

 

[gonzo2]

Warranty and service work seem to be a dealer issue, not necessarily a Dodge issue. Unfortunately (just like the others) there is little correlation between dealers that are good to buy from and dealers that are good to get under your hood.

You may want to consider 4:10 gearing with your auto.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by GDickinson

I will be doing some heavy towing anywhere from 7000lbs to 13000lbs. (trailer weight) not during the week but just about every weekend.

I'd strongly recommend the 3500 DRW if you'll be towing this heavy. You'll need the GVWR of the DRW - 4. 10 gears will increase the GCWR as well.



I've towed heavy 5th wheels with 2WD 3500 duallies since 1996 and never had a situation where I needed 4WD. If you're not going off-road and don't have to worry about ice and/or snow, the 2WD will work fine. We pull a 13,500 lb 36' triple slide 5th wheel RV with our current 2nd generation truck (see signature) and hit the road at 10,380 lbs GVW (10,500 lbs GVWR) and 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR).



Rusty

 

[daytripper63]

I never liked training wheels (DRW) until I got them and the stabilitity is awesome!!!

I dont believe I will ever go back to SRW

 

[DPelletier]

GDickinson,

As Gonzo2 has said, warranty service seems to vary greatly from dealer to dealer. You may want to ask some members for dealer experiences in your area. The best thing is that our engines, at least, don't require much in the way of warranty repair!

Every time a change is made to these engines, it becomes less important to modify them, in my opinion. I intend to leave my 555 stock for the present time and I run at 17,800 GCVW. I see you are planning on gauges and that is a good thing, even when stock. I will monitor the EGT's when towing, and If I feel the need, I may look at an AFE intake and Banks 4" exhaust just to keep EGT's low.

Rusty has a good point. There is a big difference between a 7,000 lb bumper pull trailer and a 13,000 lb fifth wheel. Potentially a spread of 750 lbs to over 3,000 lbs added to the rear axle. FWIW a 2500's true legal payload is about 1,800 - 2500 lbs (less whatever passengers and cr*p you carry in the truck); a 3500 SRW's payload is about 2,700 - 3,400 lbs and the 3500 DRW's is 4,000 - 5,000 lbs. The lighter the truck, the more payload in a given configuration. The 6 spd is 200 lbs heavier than an auto, 4x4 is heavier than 2wd, etc. This is generic info, you really need to weigh the truck, but the point is, make sure you buy a truck to meet your present AND future needs. A screw-up costs lots of $'s!



Hope this helps,

Dave



ps. my truck (3500 DRW QC 4x4 6spd ) weighs in at 8338lbs with me, a full tank of diesel and my accessories such as mudflaps, running boards, bed mats, camper tie downs, etc.

 

[Jengle]

I can't speak for the DRW crowd, since I am SRW, but if you go SRW, go for the 3500. You gain some poundage capacity, and it's only a couple hundred dollars difference. You will NOT tell a difference in ride between the 2500 and 3500. I test drove both on the same day, same road and couldn't tell any difference in ride quality. Good luck with your selection, you will love these new trucks.

 

[Summit]

test drive

take it for a gooood test drive first, @65-75 if you can to check for any unusual vibes. odds are against it but it sure sucks to buy a truck and realize on the way home that there is a vibration. if not, enjoy the new ride,, get the dually, 4. 10

 

[SOLER]

My '01 2500 had the camper package, which I thnk gave it an extra leaf spring. I liken it to the SRW 3500. My DRW 3500 rides smoother than my 2500 did. When I put the 5er on the old one, it compressed the springs MAYBE 1 inch. 2-3 inches on my new one. I will probable put air bags on the rear of the new one.



Towing with my 2500 was never a problem, but I always had that little question mark in my mind about it. I felt some sway, and I sort of wondered all the time just how much stress I was putting on the tires. I was never over their capacity, but it still made me wonder.



The 3500 DRW is GREAT. No sway, lots more peace of mind, and I'm not doomed if I have a blow-out on the rear. I got the 3. 73 gears, because I don't tow all the time. I had the 3. 55 gears in my old truck. I liked them, but it just made more work when towing. I had to usually slow down and shift to 5th when going up hills. I would slow to 55 or so to keep the rpms where I wanted them. The 3. 73 gears are the best all around gears, IMHO. But, 4. 10 are the better towing gears. Some will swear by them as being the best all-around. To each his own, I guess.



So, to sum up. IMHO, get the dually, and the 4. 10s, and enjoy your new truck!!



SOLER