upgrade to mega?

[Superdawg]

Hey all,

I have a 2004. 5 quad cab 4x4 auto and I tow a 28' Jayco fifth wheel. Now I'm up to 3 kids, an 80 lb aussie and last but not least, my wife. Sometime in the not too distant future I may get the opportunity to upgrade to a lightly used 2006 megacab.

Pros w/ mega:

factory approval for exhaust brake

more room!



Cons w/ mega:

some problems w/ ac ducts?

2006 paint issues-some

a little longer maybe not so much rough trail riding



My 2004. 5 has been fantastic for 50k miles w/ no problems. I'm leery about getting rid of a good vehicle. Money issues, a more complicated engine, less fuel mileage keep me from considering a 6. 7.



Any other items to consider?

thanks, Tom

 

[kschitoskey]

Mega Cab

I'm into my 4th month with my slightly used 06 mega cab and I'm extremely satisfied. I consider it the ideal compromise - unbelievable room, and still a 5. 9. If you find a low mileage 06, it will also still be under warranty (although the real benefit of a warranty varies greatly depending on your dealer). Not all colors have paint issues i. e. rail dust; I've seen problems with the red and white, but I'm sure others exist. A discriminating look before you make an offer can minimize this risk, but I think the rail dust in my 06 had been buffed out before I bought it... one bad rainstorm and back it came. Towing a 5er with a shorter bed (didn't see if you have a 6 or 8' bed) is a little different, although I haven't done it. My AC works fine, no defrost door problems either.



In short, I like everything about the 06, except the payment. Good luck.

 

[CDonaldson]

I bought my Mega Cab new so I cannot speak about buying used. I tow a small 21' 5th wheel, a 8'x32'(39-1/2' overall) GN with LQ, GN flatbed and a couple different bumper pulls ALL with no problems. Yes having a shortbed is a little different, but in actuality the in-bed hitch squats over just forward of the axle like any other 8' bed does. I did not consider going to the sliding hitches, instead I just went to getting the offsets/extensions that would give me the difference needed for tighter 90* type turns if/when I needed a tight turn and had cab clearance concerns. In actuality, that is really a small concern most of the time, not really an issue if you give yourself some space considerations as you drive.



I have had NO problems with the defroster door or the AC. I have no paint problems. The extra interior space is one of the biggest plusses, it holds all you can throw at it, and probably more.



I also cannot really find any complaints about the fuel mileage considering what is being asked of the truck in performance/use. I did go up in tire size to get the rpm's down a little at highway speeds, here in NM we have posted speeds of 75mph and poking along at 65 empty is more of a road hazzard to other drivers. When towing I usually keep my speed between 55-65 depending on road conditions and I see fuel mileage running between 13-15mpg's depending on what I am towing. While the electronics are a little more complicated, they can be figured out when something beeps at you. I have only had a couple codes and ultimately they were trivia that needed flashed/updated, not everything is perfect out of the box but this truck has been as close to perfect in my book, and I am a real particular person.



I am also an extremely satisfied owner. I cannot say enough good things and really have no bad things to say. My experience thus far is a 10.



CD

 

[KBalzuweit]

I had an 06 quad and when I just had my 2 kids in the back it stunk, can't imagine 3. I would not own a quad again after the mega, just did a little road trip for Thanksgiving and our bags all fit behind the seats and best of all no knees or feet in the back of your seat while driving. I would upgrade!

 

[MMerlino]

I would strongly recommend the Mega Cab to you. I previously had a 2000 quad cab that I truly enjoyed. However, the mighty Cummins TD was compromised by a weak automatic transmission. When I told the wife it would cost 6K to replace the tanns with an upgraded KD she said lets invest that money into a new Mega Cab so we can comfortably take the grandkids. I haven't ever looked back. I am thoroughly pleased with the truck. As you can see by my signature I elected to get the G56 six speed manual. I didn't want to get stuck with a weak transmission again - although it is my understanding that the new 48 auto is much stronger. I would recommend getting a slider trailer hitch to prevent any 5er truck cab kissing. This will ruin your whole trip as well as costing you what the hitch would. The best (in my opinion) is the passive Pullrite super glide. This hitch moves back automatically when accomplishing extreme turns. It does however have a very weak construction on the horizontal sliding gear pin to locking handle. This could possibly cause the hitch to open up while traveling if it should fail. It is also the same defect on all Pullrite 5th wheel hitched (auto glide or fixed). This can be easily “beefed-up” to correct this concern. Please see the Super Glide Hitch Concern thread on the TDR website, it will explain it all (https://www.turbodieselregister.com...1465-super-glide-5th-wheel-hitch-concern.html)



As everyone else has previously stated I think if you check out the truck you have described you will be happy. Also the 06 doesn't have the Dual-particulate air scrubber that the 07s have. I have been reading a lot of horror stories about this mess.



Good Luck

 

[RankRam]

You sound like a very good candidate for the Mega Cab, a growing family will be much happier with the extra room!



I'm 6'6" and my eleven year old son is already 5'9", yep the Mega is working out just fine!



Almost two years ago I traded our great running 05 Quad Cab in for the Mega, I have no regrets... ..... this is by far the best running CTD I have ever owned!Oo.

 

[Superdawg]

Thank you for all the replies and good information. I have the short bed, 3. 73 and I already have a superglide 18k installed. It will transfer over to a mega. That makes me feel better for when the time comes. The color of the one I am looking at (not for sale yet, but soon) is Khaki. It is probably a Laramie.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[rcornel]

Mega over Quad is a no brainer for people hauling

The Mega is the only way to go! I looked at the other two brands and owned a F### but the change to Dodge is the best decision I've made in a long time. I get my golf clubs in side out of the weather and carry 5 people ( bucket front seats) with a Laramie option it looks great and handles like a long bed truck. I used my regular B&B hitch and put an extension on the 36' RV I pull, have had no problems with corners or short turns. Really a none issue.

The fuel milage is not as good as the 5. 9 but I've been told it will improve with milage and any way it is almost as good as the other 2000 brand F so not a reason to not go Mega. You will be happy I think.

 

[CMusgrove]

I use mine primarily as a grandkid hauler and occassional pulling. The DVD in the back seat will keep'm quite for hours. With three you will need to buy another headset. Just turned 26K and very happy with mileage. On the freeway at 67-68 (1,850 RPM) about 22. 5 hand-calculated. None of the problems you mentioned.

 

[MMerlino]

TBees



Glad you are considering the Mega Cab purchase. Also that you are already prepared with the Super Glide hitch for your short bed. Please be certain to check the thread on the Safety concern of the Super glide hitch. Also reply back to me on the Super Glide thread on what you find with your hitch. I could very well mean the difference of a peaceful trip or disaster. Below is the shortcut to the Pullrite hitch thread: