Need Dodge info

[ajlcal]

When I bought my tow vehicle, I bought what I could afford not what I wanted. I bought a gas Ford F250 5.4L 3.73 axle ratio. It works fine on my lite 5th wheel that comes in at 6,800lbs dry weight and I live and camp in Florida where hill are not a problem. Next year DW and I are planning to wander out on further trips so I know that the Ford won't get it done. I find that the most experienced RVer I've met all drive Dodges. So here's a few questions for you Dodge owners. First, can you tell me what I need to know about the Dodge diesel engine when I buy? Second, what axle ratio should I be looking at? Third, how does the different axle ratios affect fuel consumption? Also, keep in mind that I'm hauling a lite 5th wheel now but that might change in the future to something heavier. Last, what MPG can I expect when hauling and when not hauling?

[RustyJC]

You don't say if you're considering buying new or used, so I'll address my comments based on the assumption that you'll be ordering a new truck.

If you're planning for a heavy 5th wheel, go with the 3500 dually - you'll need the additional GVWR to handle the pin weight of a heavier 5th wheel, and the Max Tow option is available only on the 3500 dually.

If you order the Max Tow option (a knowledgeable dealer will know how to do it), you'll get the 350 BHP/800 lb-ft torque Cummins turbodiesel, a 4.10 axle ratio and a 68RFE 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission (4th gear is direct, 5th and 6th gear are both overdrives). With the 68RFE, 60 MPH in 6th gear is only 1612 RPM, so highway cruising (towing or running unloaded) is quiet and comfortable. The exhaust brake function and tow/haul mode are integral in the ECM/PCM programming.

Not much to say about the engine - just keep it fueled up, keep the oil and filter changed and the fuel filter changed when scheduled and drive it. The harder you work a Cummins, the happier it will be. Ours will be 1 year old on 9/11 (we ordered it on 8/5 and took delivery on 9/11/10), and it's never been to the dealers for anything other than routine service. The 6.7L Cummins was introduced in the middle of the 2007 model year, and the emissions programming bugs were worked out in 2007 and 2008 model year runs.

Mileage? About 16-17 MPG on the highway running unloaded at 70 MPH; about 9.5-10 MPG towing our 16,000 GVWR 5th wheel at 65 MPH.

Rusty

[ajlcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC You don't say if you're considering buying new or used,

Yes, I'd be looking at a new truck. Also when I decide to go with a bigger and heavier 5th, I don't think it would be as big and heavy as yours. We never plan to go full time, just occasional long range trips. Would a 2500 single rear wheel do the job for a 5th in the 11,000lb range?

[RustyJC]

If you're determined to go with a single rear wheel truck, there's almost no difference in cost between the 2500 and 3500 SRW. Why not go with the 3500 SRW and get the additional GVWR? You will need it as a SRW truck pulling a 5th wheel will reach its GVWR rating long before it reaches its GCWR or its fictitious "manufacturer's trailer tow rating".

If you take 20% to 25% of a candidate 5th wheel's GVWR as its potential pin weight for sizing purposes, you'll be surprised how soon you reach a SRW truck's GVWR limit - it does NOT take a full-time rig, I promise you.

Rusty

[ajlcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC there's almost no difference in cost between the 2500 and 3500 SRW. Why not go with the 3500 SRW and get the additional GVWR? Rusty

I like the idea that the cost is basically the same, but what about fuel consumption? Will I notice a difference when towing and not towing between the 2500 and 3500 SRW? Also, common sense tells me that a dually is much heavier and should therefore have less MPG. Is that true?

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajlcal Also, common sense tells me that a dually is much heavier and should therefore have less MPG. Is that true?

Will this truck be a daily driver when not towing? I have an '06 Dodge Cummins and it would be a horrible daily driver. As a TV it is the best. It is used for Hotshot auto transporting an it is unstoppable. No aftermarket add ons, just straight Dodge issue.
J

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajlcal I like the idea that the cost is basically the same, but what about fuel consumption? Will I notice a difference when towing and not towing between the 2500 and 3500 SRW? Also, common sense tells me that a dually is much heavier and should therefore have less MPG. Is that true?

I'm confused by your statement. A 3500 SRW is not a dually - it's a single rear wheel truck that's visually indistinguishable from a 2500. A dually is a 3500 DRW.

My honest recommendation regarding a previous post is to remember the old truism - Horses for courses. If you want a commuter vehicle, get a nice Corolla or Focus or Prius or something. Don't compromise on a 5th wheel tow vehicle just to try to force it into a service it was never intended to perform.

JM2CW....

Rusty

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC I My honest recommendation regarding a previous post is to remember the old truism - Horses for courses. If you want a commuter vehicle, get a nice Corolla or Focus or Prius or something. Don't compromise on a 5th wheel tow vehicle just to try to force it into a service it was never intended to perform. JM2CW.... Rusty

No way, my commuter is my Tahoe, 300C, or my full size conversion van. No puny cars for me. The dually is horrible because of the ride quality unloaded. I leave the peanut car to be a toad. If I had a DP the Tahoe would be my toad.
J

[ajlcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC I'm confused by your statement. A 3500 SRW is not a dually - it's a single rear wheel truck that's visually indistinguishable from a 2500. A dually is a 3500 DRW.

I guess I wasn't clear. I know the difference between SRW and DRW. I guess what I'm asking is this: a 2500 SRW must be lighter than a 3500 SRW and a 3500 dually must be heavier than both. The fuel consumption must be different on all three due to weight differences - Right? Or are we talking minimal differences? I won't be using the truck for daily use when I'm at home. But, like all of us who set up camp and then go out sight seeing, the truck become the only source of transportation without towing. So, I don't want to get more truck than I need.

[RustyJC]

There's little weight difference between a 2500 and 3500 SRW. The only visual difference is the badging. With similar powertrain options, you'd never find a repeatable fuel mileage difference between the two. The dually is probably 100-150 lbs or so heavier - it might give up 0.5 MPG to the SRW trucks.

We've towed 5th wheels with duallies since 1996, and my wife uses the truck for a runaround vehicle once we get to our destination (heck, she even does much of the driving when towing). The rule of thumb regarding where a dually will fit is - if the mirrors will fit, so will the rear fenders.

I can only offer my suggestions, but if your experience is like most of ours, buy your tow vehicle for your next RV, and your next RV will inevitably be larger than you now think.

Rusty

[ajlcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC you'd never find a repeatable fuel mileage difference between the two.

I'm going to ask a question and I think I already know the answer. Have you ever considered installing a performance chip to improve fuel consumption?

[RustyJC]

I've used performance boxes, bigger injectors, etc. in the past. With the new emission-controlled trucks, however, and their higher horsepower and torque ratings, my intention with this truck is to keep it box stock and maintain warranty coverage as well as emissions compliance.

Rusty