Towing Comparison '09 4500 to '02 3500

[Wiredawg]

Howdy all,



Thought you might be interested in towing comparison for my '09 4500 to my '02 3500 on the round trip from San Antonio TX to Pahrump NV, about 1,400 miles. Same 17K lb Travel Supreme 5er.

'09/'02

avg mpg: 7. 1/8. 3

typical speed: 70 mph

GCVW: 28,300/26,200



Averall feel is 4500 much more solid, better stability w/ longer wheel base, way stronger brakes, and way better speed control w/ integrated exhaust brake.



Coming into Pahrump, topped long hill at 40mph in 4500 and about 35mph in 3500.



The 4500 C&C is an awsome tow vehicle with commercial grade components. I highly recommend it.



Happy Trails,



Wiredawg

 

[AH64ID]

1. 2 mpg is a small price to pay for all those benefits you listed! I presume your fully deleted with the Smarty? Even 7. 1 mpg is decent for 28K lbs!

 

[Wiredawg]

Nope, all emissions in place. No problems w/ DPF in over 5K miles towing. And about half of the 16K miles on it is short trips. No DPF issues. I did let a plug in Coleman refrig completely kill the batteries while at May Madness. Threw a couple codes in conjunction w/ that, but they seem to have cleared.

It's one BA truck! Not counting the 4th gens, best truck Dodge/Cummins built up to 2009. I've owned 1993, 2000, 2002, and 2003 and feel qualified to make that comment.



Take care, Wiredawg

 

[AH64ID]

Great mileage for emissions equipment intact!

 

[RVTRKN]

Thats real close to what mine gets, pulling 22K GCVW. I love the truck but I can only compare it to my 04. 5 2500. The 305 HP C&C version was spot on when I dynoe'd it at May Madness in 2008. It pulls extremely well, and with no rear end squat when 5ver is loaded. I miss my 04. 5, but I know its in good hands, and it had better power at 325 HP and no DPF to choke it, but the C&C heavy Duty version 3500 is very stout and so far no issues with the DPF.

 

[Wiredawg]

Y'all might want check article in latest TDR mag where an individual spent big bucks removing DPF/EGR, got only . 5 mpg improvement, and had problems setting codes. My thought is I'll take the hit at the dealer for applying mild perf upgrade (60hp setting 3 Smarty), and adjusting the governed speed to 95 mph. I'll never do 95 in this truck, but ocassionally, it's nice to move out in the passing lane to keep from being a rolling roadblock at topped out at 76 mph. I'm keeping all emission control equipment in place.



Wiredawg

 

[AH64ID]

A . 5 mpg improvement is smaller than most see, but would be 7% less fuel at your 7. 1 mpg. . and would pay for itself. Codes with DPF deletes are rare these days, code with DPF intact are rarer as well!

With everything intact and as heavy as you tow I doubt you ever have a DPF issue, biggest thing I don't like is how nasty the EGR makes the intake. . but I think you can turn that off and leave the DPF installed with a Smarty, and that's a good thing to do!