Why no cab & chassis?

[WMonroe]

Why doesn't Dodge offer the cab & chassis on the 3rd gen trucks? I was told by someone that the frame isn't heavy duty enough to support a dump bed or similiar add ons. Is this true?

Will

 

[Forrest Nearing]

money...



Dodge only had to develop one frame, and they didn't have to warranty a truck put through severe duty.



I think the frame is fine for a dump bed or other stuff, but dodge won't warranty the truck



Forrest

 

[Beast2B]

Don't the C&C trucks usually have different axle-to-cab lengths and straight frame rails? Maybe that's a good omen towards DC making 4500 or 5500 chassis!

 

[GerryDrake]

Tow trucks

Interesting that you don't see Dodge tow trucks... Chibbies and Frauds, but not ours... . frame design ?... ...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

oh you see 'em... don't see as MANY of them, but you see them... I've seen a few down this way... saw one just the other day actually.



Forrest

 

[GerryDrake]

Tow trucks

Interesting. I have kept a pretty good eye and never seen one. . always wondered... . Thanks for the reply. I will keep my eye out...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

they're usually more of an owner/operator outfit vs. a place that has like 5-10 trucks... those places use 450-550's for whatever reason.



Forrest

 

[guava]

To get the lucrative tow contracts like government impounds, usually requires that tow companies meet a state requirement/inspection. Minimum standards seem to

be at least a 1 1/2 ton truck... so no dodge.

 

[ndurbin]

I've seen a handfull of Dodge tow trucks around as either wreckers or rollbacks. Even had to have it towed by one once, when the fuel lines gave out. I talked to the driver about it and he loved it over his old truck which if I remeber right was a chebby gasser. He was a nice guy just not sure I'd let him tow my truck again, long story there. The company he worked for also had a chebby rollback w/ a 6. 5 and a older forder wrecker, he said that they were terds compaired to the Dodge.



Nathan

 

[BCobain]

The New frame rails are hydromoulded??? with a very high tensile strenght. DC says no drilling or welding to the frame or it will crack. this is why there are no (I might be wrong now) air bag kits out for these trucks. I've had friends with issues of goose neck installing also. Most dumps require drilling into the frame.



Brian

 

[Tourqamata]

This is why DC will never be a threat to Ford or GM. To many people associate fleet vehicals with dependability and see large companies spending huge amounts of money on mass amounts of trucks, so they say to themselves " these trucks must be good, look at how many there are on the road". I've had my die hard Ford family members say this exact thing to me. I,ve also seen first hand Dodge diesel owners go away from them and into the Ford family because they needed a ton and a half and just could not get it with DC. Personaly I think it's BS, they need to get there heads out of their butts and get real serious with the "heavy duty" thing, or just forget it and let the contract with Cummins expire so that Ford or GM can get a real diesel for there real heavy duty trucks.

 

[jelag]

You can order as a cab and chassis... . at least it was on the order sheet when I placed my order for my 04 and 05... but the deduct was only 350. 00. I ordered complete trucks and pull the beds off... . and later usually find a body shop willing to pay 1000 for them... .



And there's lots of standard flat beds built for the 4th gen... .



Jim

 

[SGibson]

I have 6 c/c dodges (all older) and the three 1-tons all have contoured rails w/spacers to make them flat, and yes they have diff. w/b's than pick-ups, 2 159's & 1 135" for 12 & 8ft. beds the c-500,d-600,& c-900 all have straight frames or at least they were at one time,along time back.

 

[DPelletier]

You can order as a cab and chassis... . at least it was on the order sheet when I placed my order for my 04 and 05... but the deduct was only 350. 00. I ordered complete trucks and pull the beds off... . and later usually find a body shop willing to pay 1000 for them... .



And there's lots of standard flat beds built for the 4th gen... .



Jim

I don't think so. As far as I know there has been no C&C since '02. The cab and chassis had a longer wheelbase, higher GVWR and narrower axle to name a few of the differences. It wasn't simply a box delete.

The frame on the 3rd gen trucks is plenty strong enough, its all about limiting the # of choices in truck configuration to cut expenses. DC obviously didn't think they'd sell enough of them to offset the expense. Ever notice how many interior colors we have now!?

Most wrecker companies and others use Fords because the Ford is available with much higher GVWR's in thier F-450 and F-550's and because thier flat rear frame section is much easier to work with.



Dave

 

[WMonroe]

I know for a fact that a cab and chassis can't be ordered as I tried to order one for a customer about 1 1/2 weeks ago. A cargo box delete is the only option, and the local shop we use for ladder racks, snow plows, dump beds, etc. won't put a dump be on an 03 and up.

Will

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Interesting that you don't see Dodge tow trucks

There is a towing/wrecker company in Missoula (Fred's) and in Bozeman (Red trucks) that have/had(?) several CTDs in their fleet. Been a while since I've been around there, though.

 

[kah68]

this thread worries me, i've just ordered an 05 to put a flat deck and 5th on to tow our trailers with. it was a close call between the dodge and the chev. now i'm wondering if i should cancell the dodge and go with the chev

 

[DBoyd]

I see quite a few 03 and newer flatbed rigs pulling goosenecks down here. Hotshot rigs mostly. They are just regular 3500's with the beds removed. I remember the 02 and earlier C/C had two different frame lengths and also a solid front axle.

 

[supersonic]

Flatbeds and hauler bodies aren't a problem. They can't do dump bodies or service cranes or tow bodies any more because you can't modify the frame without voiding the warranty. I've installed a hillsboro alum flatbed on an 04 and didn't run into any probs. They supply main rails that the bed bolts to, that bolt onto your frame through factory holes.

 

[DPelletier]

this thread worries me, i've just ordered an 05 to put a flat deck and 5th on to tow our trailers with. it was a close call between the dodge and the chev. now i'm wondering if i should cancell the dodge and go with the chev

Stick with the Dodge, you made the right decision. I would love to put a utility box on mine, but I'm right at max. GVWR (12,000) with my camper, otherwise I'd do it in a heartbeat.

The only reason to buy anything other than a Dodge, IMO, is if you are going to be over the 3500's GVWR (12,400). If I was going to be much heavier than 12,000 lbs, I'd have to consider an F-450 V-10. No way I would buy a 6. 0 PSD.



Just remember that all this talk of DC not having a C&C and not offering a box delete has nothing to do with the strength of the frame.







Cheers,

Dave