Why can't you remove the bed on a 3500?

[hammersley]

I was told by a guy that works for a bed manufacture that DC won't allow the new rigs to not have a pickup bed on it - meaning no cab and chassis! Does anybody know anything about this????

 

[ndennis]

Hammersley: That only applies to the 3500 Dually. The bed on the SRW 3500 and the 2500 can be removed with Dodge's approval. I know because I just had my bed removed and a Harbor Utility body installed.

N Dennis

 

[DPelletier]

I'd do it anyway.



Dave

 

[klenger]

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard about a HD truck. Can't remove the bed on a DRW? Hello ...

 

[rashwor]

It is being done daily anyway.

 

[carhart32]

My dealer told me it was no problem as long as there is no welding or drilling of the frame I have a western hauler type bed on mine

 

[robobx]

and DC wonders why it's losing marketshare in some areas...

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Oh, no! Now what am I going to do? (much hand wringing)



I asked my dealer about it before I bought the truck. He said they were still installing Layton flatbeds and round bale decks.



Just obey the TSB about welding, drilling, and/or bolting.



PS: Anybody want to by a dually box?

 

[rrausch]

It'd make a neat trailer! What color is it?

 

[hammersley]

The problem is that from a liability standpoint any manufacture that disreguards this factory warning is heading into uncharted waters all alone!

 

[ndennis]

I have a feeling that if a dually bed is removed for an installation of an alternative bed or utility box, then DC will probably try to void the warranty on the vehicle due to the "unauthorized structural modification" and that the vehicle is not part of their "pickup box removal program". Only Ram 2500's and Ram 3500 SRW's are officially stated as being part of the "pickup box removal program".

N Dennis

 

[rrausch]

We can all thank the Lawyers of the last 40 years for all these liability problems.

 

[Blakers]

I was told that they would rather sell those weird Freightliner duallies for their cab and chassis market, so they are not recommending the 3500 Ram be sold that way.



Personally I would have no problem with pulling the bed and welding on the frame. We weld on pressure vessels and structures all the time that are much more critical than anything on a truck frame.

 

[klenger]

What's the difference between a DRW and SRW frame?

 

[MMotschman]

DRW= dual rear wheels



SRW= single rear wheels

 

[SKargo]

Originally posted by MMotschman

DRW= dual rear wheels



SRW= single rear wheels

I think he wanted to know the differences in the frame.

 

[Scrappy]

srw /drw diffs

the wheels and tires are the only differences!

 

[DPelletier]

- 1) There is no difference..... ergo they just didn't do the necessary crash testing on a DRW without a box or their is some other political reason.



- 2) They could MAYBE void the warranty on the frame itself, but who cares? Haven't heard of too many warranty frame replacements lately. They definitely couldn't refuse to warranty the rest of the truck, and I very much doubt they'd even try.



I think it is too stupid for words that they didn't certify the DRW for "pick-up box delete", but I wouldn't hesitate to replace my bed if I so desired. And for the record, I am NOT my own warranty station. I figure I paid alot of money for the truck, and at least part of that money was for DC to fix it under the terms of the warranty. I'm not throwing that money away.



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"And for the record, I am NOT my own warranty station. I figure I paid alot of money for the truck, and at least part of that money was for DC to fix it under the terms of the warranty. I'm not throwing that money away. "



There's no problem in expecting appropriate warranty service on a maker's vehicles - as long as the buyer fully understands that the "warranty game" is played by the MAKER'S rules, not the buyer's!



As long as the buyer follows maintenance and operational guidelines as specified by the maker, no problem. The problems arise when the buyer gets the vehicle home, and then decides to arbitrarily change the rules to suit his personal desires or needs - then expects the maker or dealer to honor those arbitrary and unauthorized owner changes.



You wouldn't enter a basketball game, and then insist that YOU be allowed to score by simply bouncing the ball off the backboard - yet guys buy trucks, install stuff or make mods they know full well will endanger or void their warranty - then cry foul when warranty is refused. If guys can't or won't play by the rules, they need to look for a different game...



*I* knowingly broke the warranty rules on my truck when I decided to make it perform the way *I* wanted it to - and fully acceped the fact that MY choice did in fact make me my own warranty station for pretty much all the engine and drivetrain...

 

[DPelletier]

Gary,

I thought I'd attract your attention with that statement!



I've read enough of your posts to have a pretty good understanding of your position on the whole warranty thing and to clarify, I don't think we're that far apart on our opinions. If I modify the engine by adding a box or changing injectors or putting unapproved oil in my NV-5600 or whatever, I wouldn't even ask DC to honor the warranty. I guess I have two points;



- 1) not everything you do to your truck voids your warranty. I feel quite comfortable that my mudflaps, running boards, bed mat, license plate holder, gauges, etc. etc. have not "changed the warranty rules". If a dealer ever attempts to void my drivetrain warranty because I put a flat deck on my truck, they'll be talking to my overpaid, but highly qualified Lawyer!



- 2) I figure that some undefined amount of the purchase price of any vehicle is charged due to the aggregate costs that DC incurs for warranty repairs. Ergo, the truck isn't worth what you pay for it, the truck is worth X and the warranty is worth Y and you pay X+Y = Z. I want my Y's worth!



Nothing against you guys that buy a new truck and start modifying right away and therefore knowingly and willingly void your warranties. More power to ya, I just can't get myself to throw the warranty value away. Maybe after 75,000 or 100,000 miles when I've recouped most of my "Y" dollars! I would also agree that it isn't fair to pull the wool over DC's eyes by covering up major power-enhancing mods and looking for warranty. Such activities add to the "Y" cost that all of us pay, whether we use the warranty or not.

I'm sure you would still look for reimbursement under the terms of your warranty on any systems that you have NOT modifed, and ultimately, that's my position on the issue.



My 2 cents.

Dave