jhodge

I have been sneaking around this forum and I am impressed with the knowledge base and experince that everyone has. Here is my question. I have a 31' travel trailer with a 13' slide I belive it to be at about 7,500 - 8,000# with a max of 9,8000#. I am looking at buying a 2001 dodge 4X4 SWB Sport with the 24v cummins and an auto with 4.10 rear. The truck has only 17,800 miles on it and has no hitch of any type (read never pulled a thing), the last owner traded it for a quieter diesel and only bought it for the MPG. The truck is in as good of shape as if it never left the lot. I can pick it up for $23,000, is this a good price? I pulled this camper with a 360CI gas engine with 4.10 rear and it did very well untill step grades were pulled at interstate speeds. I know that I should get better MPG, is there any pitfalls for the intended use of this truck. I will use it as a daily driver and a puller for vacation and local camping trip. Should I worry about the automatic tranny or should I think of upgrades or just throw the hitch and the brake controller on and drive? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

64dakota

You should have no problems towing your trailer with this truck. I had a 36 foot HR with a slide that weighed 13,000 lb<br>and towed it all over the southwest with a 96 3/4 ton. , my truck had 3.54 gears and carryed a full bed of stuff, Honda generator,water etc. On a 6% grade I would slow to 45 MPH,<br>but my fuel milage was 13 mpg.<br>Trans did great till turned up the fuel and added a exhaust brake, both of which did the trans in. :'( .<br>So enjoy,

jhodge

Thanks guys for the input. I think that I am going to stay away from the auto, as I have been looking all of this site it seems that they are a major week point and a big expense to replace. I will be ordering a 03 with an HO and 6 speed, I will let you know when I get it. Thanks again

jhodge

Ok I would just like to say that I typed that last message very quickly...I am not that illiterate. Man, it looked like my 5 year old son typed that, sorry.

Shovelhead

Watt chu mene?<br>I can reed it prfekly. <br>

Big dawg

Jhodge,<br> Sounds like a good deal to me. The truck will pull it good. Not sure about the SWB though. The ride might suffer a little. With the 4:10's running empty your fuel milage will not be as good as with the 3:54. Maybe over the course of time and your driving habbits, your tranny might suffer a bit, but nothing to worry about at this point in the game. There are several folks who have pulled the same WT as your talking about and had no trouble with the tranny, but if you do, there are several aftermarket companies who can upgrade your tranny. I'd say go for it... ;D<br>Big dawg

Shovelhead

The 4:10s should be easier on the Auto trans pulling the weight than the 3:54s, but at a sacrifice to MPG.
The long wheelbase will give a smoother ride.
How much of your driving is pulling the trailer?
The auto trannys are good until the BOMBing starts.
Left stock, many are getting 100,000+ miles on the stock auto.

Luke S

I have the 4.10's in my new 03 and the milage is really not that bad. Empty I'm getting 18-19 running empty at 75 mph. Towing mpg varies with the load but it has been anywhere from 12 -14.5. Running empty if I can keep it under 60mph it will get over 20, no crap

jhodge

[quote author=Shovelhead link=board=11;threadid=8041;start=0#77886 date=1039455006]<br>The 4:10s should be easier on the Auto trans pulling the weight than the 3:54s, but at a sacrifice to MPG.<br>The long wheelbase will give a smoother ride.<br>How much of your driving is pulling the trailer?<br>The auto trannys are good until the BOMBing starts.<br>Left stock, many are getting 100,000+ miles on the stock auto.<br>[/quote]<br><br>I would be pulling the trailer probably 5000 to 8000 miles a year. The main reason that I am looking into the CTD is that my last truck a 2001 quad cab off road 4X4 with a 360 and an auto with 4.10 rear was stolen. I basically want to buy &quot;my last truck&quot;. I could never wear out a CTD but I would rather shift those gears and spend a little extra in the front to insure that the truck is not nickle and dimeing me to death. Worst case would be the whole family loaded with camper full and tranny drops out in chatanooga. A 03 with a HO and 6 speed is probably 10 times the truck that I need but I found that I can get a new one that is 4X4 with quad cab and cd player, folding power trailer mirrors and towing kit (slt,yadda, yadda, yadda) for $7,000 diff up front (the used truck price is 26,300 not 23,000 sorry for the mistype), by time I add the tranny guage and the cooler plus the hitch. My wife likes the idea of 4 full doors and I like the idea that I could never hurt the engine or tranny provided good care is taken (fluid changes etc). The new truck has several other options on it as well that the used one does not. I can tell you guys where to get the best deal on a new one if your interested (or we could compare notes). I don't know if we should talk about these things, let me know.

TPilaske

Welcome aboard! ;D Congrats on your order! How long until you get it?<br><br>Tony

jhodge

[quote author=TPilaske link=board=11;threadid=8041;start=0#79040 date=1039630593]<br>Welcome aboard! ;D Congrats on your order! How long until you get it?<br><br>Tony<br>[/quote]<br><br>should pick it up in 3-6 weeks. I am from Indiana but I found that a drive to NC would shave off alot of cost. Looking forward to joining the CTD clan!

DuaneWKKC

Hmm, im certianly no expert here but it doesnt seem to me that it costs alot more to upgrade the auto than it does the clutch on a six speed. someone help here cause now I am out of my area of knowledge, thanks.<br><br>Duane W.

Big dawg

<br><br> What part of Indiana are your from??? I'll be there in March 03 for good...<br>Big dawg

jhodge

Big Dawg,
I am in southern Indiana in a little town called Huntingburg, it is about 40 miles east of evansville. Are you from around these parts?