zehnmm

Well, after quite a few hours of research and driving 2 Fords, 2 Chevys, and 4 Dodges, we settled on Dodge! We got: new 2006 3500 Laramie, Quad Cab, 4x4, SRW, SB. Our plan is to get a 5th wheel that weighs no more than 11,000 lbs., loaded.

So far, it is great! Only 400 mi. so far; overhead says we are getting 17-18 mpg. Took the beast to CAT scales and with about 50 lbs. in cab, 1/2 tank of gas it weighs 6,980.

Our thinking was: a) have had Ford truck before and liked it; b) actually preferred 350 SRW King Ranch Ford; c) preferred diesel; d) but 6.0 engine and its significant problems, in our judgment, eliminated it from list; e) liked Chevy with the Allison; f) but preferred Dodge more. Our Laramie cost less than a similarly tricked out Chevy.

I enjoy this forum very much --- and it helped us make our decision.

Merry Christmas!

TonyB

Merry christmas and Welcome to the site!

I too was waiting with anticipation of Ford working out the 6.0 issues. When it was evident they didn't care & started denying valid warranty claims to help theur bottom line, I started looking into the Dodge. I too, liked the Chevy w/ allison, but hated the interior & some of what I read about the d-max overheating issues that continued pushed me away from Chevy.

Beware of the OH MPG computer....it lies! The last tank I filled, mine read 16.7mpg. Hand calculation was 14.3 for mixed 50/50 city/fwy and towing 3k for 120 miles. My best, pure fwy was 16.3, but I have not checked that in ~5k miles.

Enjoy the truck! So long as you do not beleive the fallacy that your truck is perfect, you'll have no worries! Some people beleive that you should NEVER have to take your vehicle in for warrantly work. Yes, despite all the automation these days, there are still humans assembling the vehilces. They will make mistakes! NOTHING is perfect! So much for the rant!

HTH

Tony

COUNTRYBOY

Well, I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I've enjoyed mine....

bullocklabs

Good choice, you just can't go wrong with Cummins!

Cowboy 6

We had similar decision making experiences (except for the Allison as I am allergic to automatics of any kind).
I was also unimpressed with the 6.0 but even more with Ford's outright promotion and sponsorship of the homosexual agenda.
I am very happy with my first (after 20 years of Ford ownership) Dodge. I feel it is a better looking truck also.
I do like the 2005 front end a bit more though. Sometimes the 06 headlights can be a bit much. What were they thinking?????

Congrats on your new truck!

MrSlug

So my 06 2500 4x4 SLT purchase went something like this....

Had a Nissan Nismo 4x4 6spd. Pick up my Malibu wakesetter 21XTI. Found the tow limit of the Nissan (6300 pounds) to be a bit ficticous (think they were drinking a little sake when they came up with that number). Burnt the clutch 1 too many times pulling the boat out of the water in 4x4 low.

So new truck time.... Sold the Nissan to a kid for 20K (bought it new for 21600) Guess that 6sdp Nismo model is hard to find....

Went to ford to look at the 06 Lariat 250. Nice interior. Nice exterior. Started to do my research. OMG. Does Ford even care? Hey lets all spend 6+K on a motor/trans that may, or may not work. So the Ford was out.

Then went to Chevy (I have a Tahoe that is my Minivan). Looked at some of the 06 Duramaxs. Found very little inventory and dealer was pushing my on an 07 (when they got there) at closer to MSRP price. Ewwww. No thanks.

So that left Dodge (Nissan and Toyo, no had da diesel). I would have liked to have a Larm, but they only one I could find that was not a Mega had Nav and DVD. Could not stomach the price. So I found a nice Silver Quad 4x4 that stickered for 43K that I could get for 31K. Did some research on the 06 year CTD motor. SOLD! Figured with the money I saved I could easily add a nice leather kit and any other options I wanted.

Been very happy with my Dodge so far.