I am going to look at trucks on Friday, my concern is the automatic, is it going to hold up pulling a 5th wheel toy hauler. I would like the convenience of the auto, but I don't want tranny problems down the road either.

I can't wait to get rid of my 454 gas hog!

 

You'll find that most folks find the 48re to be a very strong transmission. The '06 model is particularly good now that OD can be locked out. I love mine, works like a champ.

 

Under stock power you rarely if ever hear about one failing. Although not as sophisticated as the Allison in the Chevy or Torqueshift in the Fords......it is every bit as reliable under stock power.

Where you will hear about them failing is when somebody "bombs" their truck and is pushing 500+ hp through the stock tranny. You need to do some tranny upgrades if you want to bomb the engine heavily. Otherwise the 48RE trannies are great and reliable.

 

Thanks for the replies, that is good to hear. When I park my 5er it has to be in the exact spot so there is a lot of forward and backward. I don't think that would be fun with a manual.

 

'Cept you can leave the door open with the manual tranny!

 

That's true. I had a friend buy my old travel trailer and when he was backing up to it he opened his door and wow, that is annoying!

 

if i may make a suggestion, take advantage of the warrantied jake exhaust brake with the 48re in the 06. be great to have especially towing your 5'er. work it into your payments and might be a well worth investment in the long run... just food for thought

good luck

 

HorseHauler,

Can you turn on/off the jake brake? How is the noise? How about cost? Driving mostly in the mountains, I am interested in the engine brake system.

 

Most Jakes are about 1400-1800 installed and I cannot wait to get mine. In the flat lands you really don't need it, but once you start to get into the hills, it will be a huge brake saver, plus the extra security it gives you with a big load. Scotty

Oh yeah, you can turn it on and off very easily, just a push/pull **** and the noise is not bad at all in the cab, just sounds like alot of hissing outside the rig.

 

Get the exhaust brake. I love mine. Warm up is super cool as is pulling the trailer around here. I have a shifter mounted switch for mine but it's a PAC Brake.

Where abouts in MT you from. I'm in the Gallatin Valley. If you're close don't forget about Yellowstone Country Motors in Livingston. That's where I bought mine. Super deals over there.

 

Staarma,
I am from Great Falls. Thanks for the info. I'll work it into the deal (if they will deal). I am going to Lithia here in town, last time I went in they wouldn't deal on my trade in, offered me about 1/2 the book value. I will keep Yellowstone in mind if they won't deal.

 

I have a cousin in Ft. Benton. He owns the body shop there. He bought his 04.5 from Lithia in GF. They wouldn't deal with him either so he sold his trade outright and then bought his truck there. I bought mine a week later in Livingston and we compared pricing. He's still PO'd at me. I had to show him the darn paperwork before he would believe me.

I've got a copy of today's Mini-Nickel and their add is on the back. They have a 2006 QC 2500 speed 4X4 loaded SLT for $31,999 out the door. They also have 10 Bighorn duallies in stock with the auto I think and they had them listed at $34,900 last week. I got my truck for $31,794 when I bought it in August of 04. They actually sell the trucks for what they advertise them for. It's amazing, you don't have to be in the farm program or any of that crap. If you call them ask for a guy called John. He is the one who I dealt with. Several of us around here have bought trucks over there. Good luck.

 

I'm not understanding the door thing. Please explain.

 

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Auto's have (or will have because of a recall) a "feature" that will set of your horn alarm if you are in gear with the engine running, seat belt unbuckled, door open and the park brake off. Basically the condition that warrants backing a trailer with the door open.

 

You're in Montana, try Dave Smith Motors. My wife and I just bought our new '06 3500 SRW there. They aren't the biggest dodge truck dealer in the world for nothing. They gave us $1000 under invoice minus rebates. We elected to take 0% instead of the rebates, but that was our choice.