Drove a unique 4500 today....... - Dodge Diesel

Joezilla · 08-29-2009, 01:41 AM

I am currently in Des Moines until the end of September. I found a Laramie 4500 at a local Dodge dealer and set up an appointment to test drive it today.

It is a maroon 2008 Laramie 4500 4x2. I was under the impression from the dealer website and emails with the salesperson that it is a C&C. Upon arriving, we soon discovered that indeed it is a C&C but that the dealer has added a $9000 Warner pickup bed. It is a snazzy looking truck but totally not what I am looking for. I am looking for a 4500 C&C that I can add a hauler bed to. With this pickup bed added to the C&C, the tops of the sides are sticking 61 inches in the air. My fifth wheel trailer would have to be taller than that upon hooking up. That would create an intolerable situation with the trailer being towed nose up quite a bit.

The MSRP was $51,000 and add to that the $9000 for the pickup bed. They were giving $15,000 off, but that still means $45,000 for nearly a three year old truck.

I emailed the sales person back and thanked her for allowing me to drive it and that I loved the truck and would they consider selling it to me without the pickup bed on it so that I could install a hauler bed of my choosing? I'd bet they won't.

I also stated that I thought this was the reason that the truck had not sold. It was too fancy for a business to purchase as a work truck. It was the wrong bed and set up wrong for a person to purchase as a fifth wheel hauler.

We shall see what she says.

Anyways, it rode great. It was not near as harsh as some have said on other sites. Being a 4x2, it did not have the mud tires so that may have had something to do with it. There was no wandering on the freeway. We loved the truck. I doubt we will be doing business with this dealer though.

Joe

madhat · 08-29-2009, 07:07 AM

Man, that's sharp. I agree with this bed being too high.

STate · 08-29-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joezilla

That would create an intolerable situation with the trailer being towed nose up quite a bit.

I agree 100%. I cant stand seeing trucks towing w/ their load not level...whatever it is. And I cant help but think that the axle flip on t.t. and 5ers is not exactly safe. Would it not create even more chance for a rollover or flip in a turn...not to mention dangerous in high winds???

My wife is originally from the central coast of Cali.(right down the street from Pismo dunes) Everytime we visit I see guys that have MASSIVE lifte trucks and Jacked Up t.t and 5ers. I just think it looks very unsafe.

Other than that, beautiful truck.

boaterman · 08-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Joezilla Red 450!!!
(That would create an intolerable situation with the trailer being towed nose up quite a bit.)

Sounds like an possible opportunity -- You still might need a low profile hitch. Reese has a low profile hi-load hitch that looks really good.

Joezilla · 08-30-2009, 02:21 PM

Boaterman,

The low profile hitch would not work with this bed, the sides are too high. However, on a hauler bed, a lo profile hitch would be the bomb.

Joe

Machinos · 09-01-2009, 07:45 PM

Even with a $9,000 bed I think that's way too expensive. Plus, as you say, it's useless as a work truck.

sabercat · 09-01-2009, 09:47 PM

so is the bed, deeper then a stock bed, looks like my 3500. Or is the springs that make it hi?

Totallyrad · 09-01-2009, 09:56 PM

Here's a link to the Warner site if anyone's interested. I've never seen a pick-up bed on the 4500 but I like it.

http://www.warnerbodies.com/Pickup_Conversion.html

Joezilla · 09-02-2009, 03:51 PM

I heard back from the salesperson today and they do not want to remove the bed and sell the truck to me as a C&C only. They do not get it that the sides are too high to be used as a 5th wheel hauler. The sides as they sit are 58 inches from the ground. With my 5th wheel trailer leveled, the overhang is 57 inches from the ground. So you can see that this pickup bed has to go in order to be used as a 5th wheel hauler. Even if I raise the front of the fifth wheel to hookup, there would be no clearance room between the fiver and the pickup sides.

They just called and her boss wants to bring the truck over to see for himself. So tomorrow at 1:30 they will be here and see for themselves what I have been saying.

Joezilla

Colo_River_Ram · 09-02-2009, 04:01 PM

Joe,

Contact the guys at:

http://www.usautosales.com/

They will give a good price to barter with at the other dealers..

They will even arrange airfare if you do in fact buy the truck from them..

Do you need a truck prior to departing Iowa or can you shop in route to your new destination?

Here is an option for the bed to go on the C&C they are located in Kansas..

http://turnoverball.com/custom.asp

Hope this helps

Joezilla · 09-02-2009, 04:15 PM

I've checked the inventory at Dave Smith and they do not have a Laramie 4 door 4500 in stock. I'll just wait until we get back to Texas and check the stock of the local DFW dealers. Either that or I will then order a 2010 so that I can get the exact truck I want.

I do not really need a new truck now, but would like one soon.

Joe

Joezilla · 09-04-2009, 12:08 AM

Well, the salesperson called about 1:00 to tell me they would not make their 1:30 appointment with me to bring the truck to the campground. They said they were going to fix the small imperfections in the bed first. I thought that since they were going to "fix" the bed, that really means they are not going to sell the truck to me. I doubt I will hear from them again.

Oh well, it just means that it is their loss. No one is EVER going to buy that truck. Unfortunately, it also means that I will have to continue to drive a Ford truck too.

Joezilla

Colo_River_Ram · 09-04-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joezilla

Well, the salesperson called about 1:00 to tell me they would not make their 1:30 appointment with me to bring the truck to the campground. They said they were going to fix the small imperfections in the bed first. I thought that since they were going to "fix" the bed, that really means they are not going to sell the truck to me. I doubt I will hear from them again.

Oh well, it just means that it is their loss. No one is EVER going to buy that truck. Unfortunately, it also means that I will have to continue to drive a Ford truck too.

Joezilla

Hang in there Joe,

There's a new truck in your future..

Have you done a search via the Dodge site to find one?

Joezilla · 09-04-2009, 11:55 AM

Colo_River_Ram,

It almost seems that I'm spending all my time doing internet searching for a truck on the Dodge site. My problem is that I'm finding that the Dodge site for each dealer's inventory is not always up to date. Case in point..... Boaterman sent me a link to a dealer's website in North Carolina that lists probably 15 4500's and 10 or so 5500's. NONE of them show up on the Dodge inventory site for that dealer. I'm wondering how many 4500's I'm not seeing that are really there?

Joezilla

boostjunkie1 · 09-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Hey Bud.... I have the truck that you are looking for. Please call 1-336-248-5191 ...... Tell them that Jeremy Brown sent you

..... Inferno Red, Laramie, Quad Cab, with a sweet hauler bed already installed.... Let me know if you have any problems contacting them. They close at 6:30 PM today....

08-29-2009, 01:41 AM	#1
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Drove a unique 4500 today....... I am currently in Des Moines until the end of September. I found a Laramie 4500 at a local Dodge dealer and set up an appointment to test drive it today. It is a maroon 2008 Laramie 4500 4x2. I was under the impression from the dealer website and emails with the salesperson that it is a C&C. Upon arriving, we soon discovered that indeed it is a C&C but that the dealer has added a $9000 Warner pickup bed. It is a snazzy looking truck but totally not what I am looking for. I am looking for a 4500 C&C that I can add a hauler bed to. With this pickup bed added to the C&C, the tops of the sides are sticking 61 inches in the air. My fifth wheel trailer would have to be taller than that upon hooking up. That would create an intolerable situation with the trailer being towed nose up quite a bit. The MSRP was $51,000 and add to that the $9000 for the pickup bed. They were giving $15,000 off, but that still means $45,000 for nearly a three year old truck. I emailed the sales person back and thanked her for allowing me to drive it and that I loved the truck and would they consider selling it to me without the pickup bed on it so that I could install a hauler bed of my choosing? I'd bet they won't. I also stated that I thought this was the reason that the truck had not sold. It was too fancy for a business to purchase as a work truck. It was the wrong bed and set up wrong for a person to purchase as a fifth wheel hauler. We shall see what she says. Anyways, it rode great. It was not near as harsh as some have said on other sites. Being a 4x2, it did not have the mud tires so that may have had something to do with it. There was no wandering on the freeway. We loved the truck. I doubt we will be doing business with this dealer though. Joe Attached Thumbnails

08-29-2009, 07:07 AM	#2
madhat The Admin that's here for you! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 9,929 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Man, that's sharp. I agree with this bed being too high. __________________ Mark 04.5 3500 SRW 4X4 Smarty REVO PoD, MP8, HTT 64/71/16ss, Flux 2.5, ARP studs, ATS stage 4 with aftermarket output, Snow stage 3 water/meth, AD 150, Arson II CP3 mod. 37" BFG KM2 MT's on stock rims and ride height. 636/1266 fuel 868/1778 on a little spray David Dunbar's dyno, 7 Nov 12.46 @109 Coastal Plains, Oct 08 Many thanks to Lary Ellis and the DTR store, ATS, Don M, and Bob W... madhat@dieseltruckresource.com

08-30-2009, 09:12 AM	#4
boaterman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 77 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Originally Posted by Joezilla Red 450!!! (That would create an intolerable situation with the trailer being towed nose up quite a bit.) Sounds like an possible opportunity -- You still might need a low profile hitch. Reese has a low profile hi-load hitch that looks really good. __________________ 2008 5500 Dodge Ram Quad drw, 4.88 gears, Aisin 6 speed with double overdrive in 5th and 6th. 18,750 pounds GVWR with a truck weight of 10,550. 2008 Carriage Cameo 35FD3 with a MorRide pin box HitchCrafter, 32 K Double Pivot Holland/Brinkley Air Ride hitch +The Super Wife! EscapeesRV Club

09-01-2009, 07:45 PM	#6
Machinos Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 301 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Even with a $9,000 bed I think that's way too expensive. Plus, as you say, it's useless as a work truck. __________________ 1990 Ram "350" C&C, extended frame

09-01-2009, 09:47 PM	#7
sabercat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mid-Mich Posts: 115 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	so is the bed, deeper then a stock bed, looks like my 3500. Or is the springs that make it hi? __________________ 2008 CTD Dually, Auto, 5'er puller 1994 CTD Manuel, 7.5 Western, with wings 1997 F-250, PSD, D-60 Added, 810 Blizzard 1993 F-150 302. auto, 7.5 Boss, w/wings( semi-retired)

08-30-2009, 02:21 PM	#5
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Boaterman, The low profile hitch would not work with this bed, the sides are too high. However, on a hauler bed, a lo profile hitch would be the bomb. Joe

09-01-2009, 09:56 PM	#8
Totallyrad Administrator / Free Time Specialist Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 5,550 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Here's a link to the Warner site if anyone's interested. I've never seen a pick-up bed on the 4500 but I like it. http://www.warnerbodies.com/Pickup_Conversion.html __________________ Rick trad@dieseltruckresource.com________________________________________ 04.5 3500 Dually, Regular cab, 6 Spd/3.73's, Just black with a little chrome, TAG, Centramatics, B&W Turnover Ball, Brakesmart, Line-X, Weatherguard Box, UWA 100 Gal. transfer tank, Dodge heavy duty mud flaps Best mileage to date, 19.98 over 646 miles Can we bring back the rotary phone so we don't have to press one to proceed in English? _________________________________________________

09-02-2009, 03:51 PM	#9
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I heard back from the salesperson today and they do not want to remove the bed and sell the truck to me as a C&C only. They do not get it that the sides are too high to be used as a 5th wheel hauler. The sides as they sit are 58 inches from the ground. With my 5th wheel trailer leveled, the overhang is 57 inches from the ground. So you can see that this pickup bed has to go in order to be used as a 5th wheel hauler. Even if I raise the front of the fifth wheel to hookup, there would be no clearance room between the fiver and the pickup sides. They just called and her boss wants to bring the truck over to see for himself. So tomorrow at 1:30 they will be here and see for themselves what I have been saying. Joezilla

09-02-2009, 04:01 PM	#10
Colo_River_Ram Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Gas Patch Posts: 1,234 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Joe, Contact the guys at: http://www.usautosales.com/ They will give a good price to barter with at the other dealers.. They will even arrange airfare if you do in fact buy the truck from them.. Do you need a truck prior to departing Iowa or can you shop in route to your new destination? Here is an option for the bed to go on the C&C they are located in Kansas.. http://turnoverball.com/custom.asp Hope this helps __________________ 08-Sterling Bullet 5500 4x4 6.7 Cummins,188.5,Quad Cab,White,Custom Built Flat-Bed,6sp Aisan,4.88's ,P-3,PTO/Snow Plow Prep. 05-3500 4X4.5.9, Jake Brake, Imp. Blue.Big Horn, Long Box Quad Cab, G56 SRW.3.73 LS.Custom Built Bed Rack/Weatherguard Tool Chest.Line-X OTRBL B&W T.O.B.,P-3 W/Valley "V30137" In Bed Harness. 01-Cat/EP 4x4 Forklift, 4.2L Perkins 32' 16.5K GN 42' 24K GN-el/hyd disc brakes There Is No Distinctly American Criminal Class - Except Congress. Mark Twain

09-02-2009, 04:15 PM	#11
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I've checked the inventory at Dave Smith and they do not have a Laramie 4 door 4500 in stock. I'll just wait until we get back to Texas and check the stock of the local DFW dealers. Either that or I will then order a 2010 so that I can get the exact truck I want. I do not really need a new truck now, but would like one soon. Joe

09-04-2009, 12:08 AM	#12
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Well, the salesperson called about 1:00 to tell me they would not make their 1:30 appointment with me to bring the truck to the campground. They said they were going to fix the small imperfections in the bed first. I thought that since they were going to "fix" the bed, that really means they are not going to sell the truck to me. I doubt I will hear from them again. Oh well, it just means that it is their loss. No one is EVER going to buy that truck. Unfortunately, it also means that I will have to continue to drive a Ford truck too. Joezilla

09-04-2009, 11:55 AM	#14
Joezilla Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Colo_River_Ram, It almost seems that I'm spending all my time doing internet searching for a truck on the Dodge site. My problem is that I'm finding that the Dodge site for each dealer's inventory is not always up to date. Case in point..... Boaterman sent me a link to a dealer's website in North Carolina that lists probably 15 4500's and 10 or so 5500's. NONE of them show up on the Dodge inventory site for that dealer. I'm wondering how many 4500's I'm not seeing that are really there? Joezilla

09-04-2009, 04:30 PM	#15
boostjunkie1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Between SC,TN,VA!!! Posts: 871 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Hey Bud.... I have the truck that you are looking for. Please call 1-336-248-5191 ...... Tell them that Jeremy Brown sent you ..... Inferno Red, Laramie, Quad Cab, with a sweet hauler bed already installed.... Let me know if you have any problems contacting them. They close at 6:30 PM today.... __________________ NOW: 2008 Dodge Ram HEMI...1500 BIG HORN White 4X4. Loaded! ARE Z-Series Topper, 2" HBS Leveling Kit, 17" Mickey Thompson Classic II's, Bushwacker Pocket Flares.... 2006 G56 Traded 2006 48re Broke/Traded 2003 S.O. SOLD... 2001 H.O. SOLD... :(

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode