Trailer Life 03 HO 6sp test

[C Schomer]

Somebody FINALLY tested an 03 1T HO 6sp RWD w/4. 10 gears. It's in the Jan 03 TL. The author wasn't too enthusiastic and they didn't exactly give it accolades but they liked it - I think a lot. In the last paragraph they say "The new Ram 3500 with the HO Cummins is a terrific step up". They say brakes and handling is much improved and give a few details. They liked the ride very much! Impressed with the quietness. Nothing on mpg. They pulled a 14,500lb 5th wh in So. Cal. . They seemed very impressed with the 6sp. and governed idle speed - idling take offs, like they never heard of it before. They hit a 6% hill in direct (doesn't say what speed) and pulled down to 46mph/2000rpm (floored) then downshifted to 4th and picked up to 51mph/3150rpm on the steepest part but they didn't push it as hard as it would go once they were at 3150. Quote "but we were at the high side of the Cummins operating range so didn't want to push it excessively". In rolling hills (approx. 2%) they ran 65mph in 6th with throttle to spare. Doesn't sound too shabby! Dodge told TL there will be a Cal. HO but no timeline on it. Craig

 

[kevincook]

Do you have a link to the web site story?



KC

 

[C Schomer]

I found their address in the magazine - www.trailerlife.com but I haven't treid to find the story. It's titled First Tow - Power Up!, pg. 19, Jan03. Craig

 

[kevincook]

I did not see the article you have down but:



It did state the new Ford had a 2000 lbs less of towing than the new CTD



Second the 5. 7 Hemi will be available in the 1/2 ton soon.



And Ford has shelved the diesel for its 1/2 ton.



KC

 

[Dean Upson]

I got the issue in the mail yesterday. It was a pretty typical Trailer Life article in that I have never really seen them trash anyone. I thought the article was complimentary to the truck but not very technical. Personally, I wouldn't rush out to buy the magazine at the newsstand just to read the piece on the Dodge.



Dean

 

[jmtandem]

Trailer Life magazine

For a few years I subscribed to TL magazine. I let the subscritpion lapse as I was not impressed with the quality of their articles, the very shallow treatment of most road tests, in some cases the lack of equal comparasion among items tested, and their reluctance to say anything negative about a product from a sponsor, advertiser, or a manufacturer who loaned the magazine a vehicle or RV to test.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by kevincook

Second the 5. 7 Hemi will be available in the 1/2 ton soon.

KC

I Drove one in Scottsdale Last Week... ... . Sweet

 

[mberry]

I found it if anyone's interested.



http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=151993

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by C Schomer

They seemed very impressed with the 6sp. and governed idle speed - idling take offs, like they never heard of it before.

What exactly is governed idle and idle take offs? Is that being able to not give the truck any throttle when releasing the clutch? And, being able to idle along in 2nd or 3rd gear without depressing the throttle? All things which I like!

 

[Dean Upson]

The low end governor works, start off in low gear and just let the clutch out, no accelerator at all then just step on it. Works great on a hill just like the article said.



Dean