Community Forums

erics oiler · 12-08-2005, 12:36 PM

It is almost time for a new truck. I have a 96 Ford Crew Cab F-350 PSD. I love my truck. It has served me well. But my 5th wheel is a little too big for it. I am wondering if anyone is towing fivers with then new Mega Cab Dodge. I like the cab space as I travel with the wife 2 kids and 2 dogs. But I am worried about the short bed. I have a 70 gal aux fuel tank in my truck now that will move to the new truck. Will there be any room left for the hitch after the fuel tank? If the Dodge had a longbed on the Mega Cab then it would win hands down but i don't know about the short bed. Short bed guys and Mega Cab owners help me out here please.

erics oiler · 12-08-2005, 12:36 PM

It is almost time for a new truck. I have a 96 Ford Crew Cab F-350 PSD. I love my truck. It has served me well. But my 5th wheel is a little too big for it. I am wondering if anyone is towing fivers with then new Mega Cab Dodge. I like the cab space as I travel with the wife 2 kids and 2 dogs. But I am worried about the short bed. I have a 70 gal aux fuel tank in my truck now that will move to the new truck. Will there be any room left for the hitch after the fuel tank? If the Dodge had a longbed on the Mega Cab then it would win hands down but i don't know about the short bed. Short bed guys and Mega Cab owners help me out here please.

Jeff_in_The_Dalles · 12-08-2005, 04:32 PM

If you can wait, rumors are of a cab and chassis 4500 and 5500 series Ram for 07, along with more power and an improved transmission...

RustyJC · 12-09-2005, 04:11 AM

The long bed Megacab will require a new frame. There are rumors from insiders that this configuration is in field testing right now and may be coming out for the 2007 model year. If I were you, I'd wait - hey, it may have the 6.7L Cummins and 6-speed Aisan transmission that's rumored as well!

Rusty

erics oiler · 12-09-2005, 05:58 AM

I can wait. A long bed Mega Cab would be Great. I hear tons of rumors out there. Not sure if any of them are true or not. I even hear that Dodge is going to get rid of the Cummins and sub in a Mercades. I don't think I would like that. Not that there is anything wrong with Mercades. They make great products it is just the parts and service costs that I am worried about. I can go anywhere in the contry and find a Cummins or International service center not sure about Mercades. Never know which rumors are going to pan out and which ones will be wrong. I guess I should wait and see what happens in a year. I don't want to be saying next year that I wish I had waited.

Ray,IN · 12-10-2005, 03:02 AM

I'm curious, Is your present F350 overweight now, or your GCWR exceeded? Your Challenger shouldn't weigh over 15K loaded.

SuperGewl · 12-10-2005, 09:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ray,IN:
I'm curious, Is your present F350 overweight now, or your GCWR exceeded? Your Challenger shouldn't weigh over 15K loaded. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

He's probably just underpowered and wants a better ride.

Dodge just decided to release the 06 Mege Cab Dually. Payload will be better but yo will need a slider hitch and the GVWR will be about 400lbs less than the 3500 Mega Cab.

Addicted Camper · 12-11-2005, 11:47 AM

We chose a shortbed truck because we use ours around town and for towing - and it had to fit in the garage. I have a slider hitch, but haven't used the sliding feature yet... but from what I've seen how often you need it depends on if you have an extended pin box & the shape of your FW front end.

Just my opinion, if I were you I would consider a newer F350 longbed with a bench seat - that's six spots. You've probably thought of that already, but I'm thinking that with a fuel tank, if the hitch fits there's not much room for anything else. Just depends on what is more important...

erics oiler · 12-12-2005, 07:42 AM

I am a little overweight with my current setup. The F-350 in 1996 did not have anywhere near the weight ratings of todays trucks. According to Ford my truck in the 4X4 crew cab diesel form is rated to tow 10K. My trailer dry weighs a hair under 9K. It is a heavy monster. So I know that fully loaded and full of fuel I am a little over but well under the ratings for the 2005 Ford and Chevy. I am not sure about the Dodges ratings. I have even thought about a 450 of 550 and no matter what I get it will have to be a full size crew cab at a minimum. Thanks for all of the replys. It sounds like I will have to stay with Ford because of the bed. Not that that is a bad thing because I am a Ford guy I just really liked that Mega Cab.

Jeff_in_The_Dalles · 12-13-2005, 02:08 AM

Yeah, it seems everything is a compromise.

I really wanted a full size crew cab and I like Fords, but liked the engine on the Dodge better, and for me living with the slightly shorter quad cab was the better compromise.

Lately I've been dreaming at trailers that would likely weigh in the 17,000's, so I am really hoping the rumors of a 5500 series mega cab and chassis pan out... but the truck wouldn't likley fit in my driveway, let alone in the garage...

Anyhow, good luck with whatever you choose.

diandtom · 12-16-2005, 10:33 AM

I would like to have a Cummings engine,Allison transmission and a Ford body but can't get it. You can get it on large trucks but not on the 3/4 ton and one ton truck most of us use. I think that would make a very nice truck. I have a sb and hardly have need for the slider. I would get what I got again but with 4wd and towing mirrors.
Tom

53 Merc · 12-18-2005, 04:48 AM

Ericsoiler, you probably have not measured the aux fuel tank, but I seriously doubt you can get the hitch and tank in the short bed (anything) I have a 40 gal aux fuel tank in my SB F250, and with a slider hitch, it is just about full. If the aux tank is a long rectangle like mine, and is twice as deep?, you will have a tough time.
Good luck

erics oiler · 12-19-2005, 08:57 AM

My tank is about the size of a bed tool box that sits between the bed rails. It goes from the floor to the top of the bed rails. It is pretty big but I could never live without it. It has paid for itself many times over by allowing me to fill at cheap prices and get through states with high prices. My dad traveled with me once to CA. When we got home he bought one. He calculated that I had saved almost $300 by not having to buy fuel in CA when he did.

Steve & Linda · 12-22-2005, 06:54 AM

Just a quick note. I read on another board that the Dodge Mega cab had a lower capacity that the F350. you may want to check that out before you but the truck.