New tow vehicle

[joestaz]

Morning All,
Thinking of looking for a new tow vehicle. Have a 2004 Chev 3500 dually with the duramax engine. Truck only has 80,000 miles and runs great. Added air bags to level out when towing and have 4" turbo back exhaust along with a programer.
Question is I'm thinking of a Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 with the cummings engine. Does anyone else have this and tow a Fuzion or other 5iver that when loaded weighs in at around 16,000 pounds. Like the look of the Ram, just wondering how it handles the load. Oh yes looking at a 2012.

Thanks

[SAD]

Mine is a 2007 with the 6.7 and 6 sp manual. Could NOT be happier. My last camper was heavier than the current. I set it up to tow jetskis tandem behind the camper. Total towed weight was around 18,000 lbs.

[SAD]

Oh. No mods of any kind. Just installed hitch and went.

[mhs4771]

If your a Chevy fan, the new 3500s are really great with some nice new features not to mention the new Box Frame. If you like Fords, everyone who has the new 6.7 Ford seems to love it. I'm not a big fan of Dodges, but most everyone seems to like them although there is some complaints about the mileage.

[Jim W]

I have an early 08, 6.7L Cummins that was built in Nov 07. My set-up is as follows 6.7L engine with the Smarty S67 ME23 software installed. I am on CaTCHER level 3 all parameters set to default except Torque Management this is on 2. Mated to a 6 SPD RFE automatic transmission with 3:73 gears 4X4, Michelins LTX M/MS2 LT265X70R17E. Gages are EGT, Boost, transmission temperature, air bags and Mag-Hytec differential covers with a deep dish transmission oil pan. I set the truck up this way to tow a 318SAB Cougar that has a GVW of 11,000 lbs. The Mega cab has a GVW of 7,800 without driver and passenger and fluids such as diesel.
I have scaled my TV and trailer on a Cat scale, the entire combination scales at 18,240 LBS. My maximum allow GCVW for the 2500HD Mega Cab is 20,000 LBS. So I am within the limits set for my truck.
When towing on flatlands I normally achieve 12 to 13 mpg's and in the mountains I usually get 10.5 to 11.5 mpg's
To me this is the perfect TV on the market today and Ram has only improved the product over the late 3 gen trucks with the introduction of the 4 gen trucks.
Jim W.
P.S. Sorry for the long response.

[LittleJoe]

My son has a 2011 Denali DRW 4x4 Dmaxas well as 99.03,04.5,05 Dodge DRW 4x4 cummins.

The 11 Dmax is a completely redesigned chassis and drivetrain. It will get better unloaded mileage than the 6.7 dodge and about same loaded. The emission system on the dodge is designed such that if worked hard all the time , no issues. If used as daily driver and short runs is asking for problems.

The exhaust brake works better on the dodge and IMO is the better looking and appointed truck, BUT until Cummins swithes to Diesel exhaust fluid and reduces the percentage of EGR(rumored for 2013)I would buy the GM.

The Ford requires cab removal for any major engine service and is not a consideration in my books for that reason alone.

[Alpinecummin]

I have a 2007 3500, 6.7 with six speed automatic, hytech transmission pan, differential covers, and EDGE CTS Insight. The truck is stock with 105,000 miles, no problems so far! The truck does great pulling my Alpine 3640RL. I get about 10-13 mpg on flat land and 9-11 mpg going through the mountains in Kentucky and Tennessee. I normally run at 65 mph on the interstates, and when going through the mountains I just downshift to 5th gear just before going up a hill and the truck holds the same speed. I love the exhaust brake! When I exit the interstate my wife often asks if I'm going to slow down and I tell her as-soon-as I let up on the accelerator the truck will slow its self down. By the time I get to the stop sign the truck is down to about 10-20 mph. The six speed automatic that Dodge has now is the one of the best transmissions on the market.

[Herap]

We're pulling a Montana and the truck acts like it's a tow dolly! With the factory installed exhaust brake and trailer brake systems, pulling 'and' stopping is no issue. With a heavier trailer (e.g. 16,000+), would have purchased a dually as only change from what we have. IMHO you can't go wrong with the 'tried & true' GM product.

Ray

[joestaz]

Well I made the change. Bought the 3500 Dodge Ram Dually long bed. Hope it services me as well as the Chevy did. I hoping I don't have to put air bags to level it out like the Chevy, but the '04 didn't have the tow capacity of this Ram. Driving home on the interstate only got 16-17 mpg on the dic for an average. But found out the tires had only 50psi in them so hope with correct air pressure it will be better. I'm also looking to put a bed cover on when not towing. Just not sure which one. Had a roll n lock on my other TV. This is also a 4x4. Sits a lot higher than the Chevy 4x2.
Need to have a spray liner installed then the rails for the 5er. Not sure if my slotted tail gate will fit yet, it's been raining and haven't had the time to remove the tailgate from the Ram.
Here's hoping.

[SAD]

Congrats. I seriously doubt you'll need airbags. Neither of my two 5ers made me need them.