[josh/mr2]

Ok guys I trust your opinions so here is my situation. My family and I are getting ready to buy a fifth wheel to live in for the next roughly 1-2 years. We are looking at 40' toy haulers ie Fuzion 402 or one of there other models with a average dry weight of 13,500lbs. Now I am not rolling in the dough I'm active duty navy with some mild debt so the solution of going and buying a massive 4500 truck is out the question or a semi.

So looking at the tow ratings in the dodge pamplet it looks like getting a 08 3500 LB 4x4 with the 4.10 gears will put me at being able to tow 16,800 lbs. I am unsure on which truck to buy a dually, or LB 3500 single, or even a 2500 LB and add the rear air ride. When I spoke to the salesman at the dodge dealer he thinks that the 2500 with bags will be fine but he also doesn't suggest the 4.10 gears he suggest the 3.73 gears and a manual tranny for either the 2500 or the 3500. I looked at a 2500 4x4 LB big horn with 3.73 and the 6 speed truck today they have it priced at $32,495.

I'm stuck here I know that the 2500 can get the job done but I've be told that since the truck is not rated for that much weight there could be legality issues down the road. What do you guys have to say about this?

 

[josh/mr2]

By they way also considered trying to get a mega cab depending on price.

 

[josh/mr2]

Any other info?

 

[josh/mr2]

Made a typing error, I fixed it.

 

[josh/mr2]

Well thanks guys a lot of good input here. The only issue I've noticed with going with a 5.9 is the pricing compared to the new trucks. I've got two 5.9 mega cab dually's forsale in my arear both are asking 35k one has a few aftermarket items on it and has the manual. He needs to sell it asap but I'm still sitting on my suburban that needs to go for me to get my tow truck. The dealer here in town yesterday did not have any dually's so I didn't see what price was on those new a while back they were marked the same as the SRW. I appreciate you guy's help.

 

[josh/mr2]

Ok I went over to the dodge dealership down the road and this is what I found. It is a Bighorn edition SLT 4x4 DRW it's a automatic with 4:10's. Basically it is cloth with power driver seat, auto tinting mirror with bluetooth, auto sliding rear window, satelite radio. I think that pretty much covers the options.

Now I drove this truck using that 6 speed auto locking gear thing down a steep hill with the jack brake and I never had to touch the brakes at all. That truck was awsome. I was pretty much sold on the manual I drove the other day till I drove that. As far as price goes after all rebates I'm looking at 38,000.00 If I do go with it I will try to work them down but what is your feedbacks on that particular truck. Oh the difference in price between SRW and DRW is only like 1,400 bucks.

Josh

 

[josh/mr2]

Well the difference in price between a truck here in the Seatle area and SE Texas would have to be 3,000 dollars plus difference in price for me to even consider purchasing a truck that far from here. What is the DPF delete kit? I've seen people discussing that but I don't quite understand what it is, and how will that affect warranty? Do you have any expierece with driving and towing with a 08 6.7 manual/auto? There has been a lot of changes with the Auto speed tranny since the auto with the 5.9.

What about 2wd or 4wd? I know I will never take this truck off roading so what type of advantages and disadvantages would there be with or without it.

 

[josh/mr2]

I don't forsee me going offroad with a truck of that price and once I leave WA here in Dec I won't be in the snow or anything like I am here. I'm going to be in San Diego for 6-8 months then more than likely South Mississippi or Southern Virginia. The one thing I noticed difference wise in 2wd and 4 is the tow capacity for 2wd with 4:10 16,250 and 4x4 is 16,800 unsure on why that is.

 

[josh/mr2]

I see there is a lot of chat about recalls on the 6.7 in regards to codes etc. If I purchase my truck new now will all of that be taking care of already?

 

[josh/mr2]

Well after searching throughout the country and getting quotes my search came up disappointing. In sacramento the salesman down there pissed me off and didn't have what I need nor searched for what I wanted. He only quoted me on what he had which wouldn't work. I've yet to recieve a call back from the dealer in Jackson, MS. Now the one in Vegas called back with the exact truck I want priced out the door 43,700. That price is for a 08 3500 big horn 4x4 with the 4:10 gears auto with u connect option. Only difference between that one and the one here in WA is the color but both are priced roughly the same.

 

[josh/mr2]

Ok I won't get 2wd. You guys are great I just was trying to get a good deal on the new truck since they have a ton of rebates etc on them right now. Well I did some searching and found this truck on craigslist so how about this one.

***2006 Dodge 3500 Mega cab***

 

[josh/mr2]

That is a great looking set up with the cyclone. I'm going to look at the mega cab dually on Fri when the guy comes over on the Island for the weekend. It sounds like a pretty nice truck it has a south bend clutch which I'm unsure on how much of a upgrade that makes to the truck. It also has the power nerf bars the ones that retract which are really nice. One question that comes to mind is how will this truck tow verses the new ones with the jake brake and the automatic tranny. I know all of ya'll were recommending this set up so lets here it. Another concern is that truck is not rated to tow what I'll be towing with it so what issues could I forsee with doing that? Can I fit any kind of tool box wih the hitch in the bed? Thanks guys ya'll are great.

Josh

 

[josh/mr2]

Well we're talking roughly 13,200lbs empty so I don't know what it would be full I figured between 16-17,000 lbs. Lucky has a trailer just like what we're looking at. We're also looking at the Enduramax 40 by Gulfstream it's a really nice trailer and they've got a pretty good price on it.

 

[josh/mr2]

Well I appreciate those real numbers. What brand exhaust brake are you running (BD is?) Also what type of clutch are you going to upgrade to the South Bend like in the mega cab?

 

[josh/mr2]

I just want something under the rail to carry basic tools etc with the truck, since I won't have my garage.

 

[josh/mr2]

I am looking very forward to it.

 

[josh/mr2]

What about towing this trailer with a 08 Mega Cab 3500 SRW? According to the towing capacity it shows 16,500lbs so it's right there where I would be with the dually. Just curious cause I don't know how I'm going to get out my suburban in time to buy the mega cab dually that I'm going look at tomorrow.

 

[josh/mr2]

Well I just got done looking at that 06 megacab dually and let me tell you that is a very awesome truck. I didn't get to drive it today it was still hooked up to there car trailer plus until I can get out of my burban I can't get it so I didn't want to have him go through the trouble. However man I wish I can jump on that deal now. It has the 41k miles on it cause they tow there show cars all over the country so that's why it has a few miles on it.

Now another question I have for you guys is during the month of Dec how is it driving through Utah Wyoming, Colorado etc. Basically from WA to La. My wife is concerned about us having to tow our trailer from here to LA in Dec with ice/snow and stuff. I know we can drive through Cali and go around but it is roughly 300 miles longer that way.

 

[josh/mr2]

This guy is willing to deal on that mega cab I would like to get it if we can figure a way out of my suburban and into it. That south bend clutch in it is a dual disc or whatever and he said it can be difficult getting used to while towing. Is this the best clutch for what I would need? He also mentioned if I wanted we could put a different one in If I didn't want it, it makes the clutch pedal pretty stiff. What is your opionion on that he said there was a few other clutches that good be better choices for towing. He also has different injectors in it, don't remember what kind.

 

[josh/mr2]

Well I'm from Houma but my mom stays in Ruston and while I'm going through training in Cali my wife and kids are going to live in the rv on my moms property in Ruston.