I am really considering the 3% under invoice that Tomeygun is offering on ordered CTD trucks up in St. Louis. That is if the offer is still going on when I’m ready in 12-18 months. Obviously it would be much easier to buy locally but if I can’t find a dealer that will get within $1000-$1200 I think it would be worth it.

The drive is a little over 600 miles from where I live and I’m fine with that. It would be like a mini vacation for the family since we have never gone that way. What I would like to do is drive the wife’s explorer up there and tow it back on a U-Haul trailer. Will this be okay or am I asking for trouble not breaking in the drive train first? I figure somewhere around 6000lbs would be the total trailer weight.

Any opinions out there from anyone that has done a long distance vehicle purchase like this? Was it worth the money saved?

Thank,
James

 

>> I am really considering the 3% under invoice that Tomeygun is offering on ordered CTD trucks up in St. Louis.

I just picked up a 2005 2500, CTD, SLT, QC, swb, 4x4, 6-speed, 3.73 in Denver for $4K under invoice. Rebates good right now but you have to take what they want to give you.

 

I bought mine and the next day I towed a 6x15 trailer (about 3K lbs or so) about 700 miles. I have not had any problems with the truck.

To me the biggest thing in breaking an engine in is heat cycles. Run the engine up to temp and then let it cool down cmpletely. Do this a few times and you will have everything seated.

 

I think if you check with your dodge dealer they will tell you that it will help the break in. When I bought my truck I asked them how long I should wait to tow, because I was taking my boat out that afternoon. They told me to go for it, and I never had any problems. I think it would help, not hurt...

 

The manual says don't tow for the first 500 miles. And then drive at a max of 50 mph when towing for 500 more miles. To me the manual is pretty clear cut. I would follow the manual. Not mechanics/dealer advice. One dealer told me you couldn't get a 3500 in SRW! Of course some dealers are much better than others.

The manual even states that the engine really does require a breakin period. But if I were a betting man I would say the drivetrain does!

 

I agree with the above. Cummins suggests not babying the engine, making sure the fluids are topped up, and working it for break in. I would also especially avoid cold start/short runs, and lugging the engine.

I'm sure the no heavy towing/under 50 mph is for the rear end.

 

Please check out some drivetrain websites,there is some mis-information going on here. Gettin' the gear sets in our diffs coatings worn offf without de-tempering the works is a crap shoot that any informed person would not risk. The procedure for doing this is not a big deal,just understanding what is happening is the goal.............................................. ............................................

 

I would just get a oneway airline ticket, fly in the early AM, have the dealer pick you up at the airport, and you could be home the same day. St. Louis is not a great vacation spot.

 

I bought my truck in August of 03 had 135 miles and the same day hooked up a 30' TT and went for a long weekend trip to Mark Twain Lake. This is my first diesel and I didnt read the manual until I returned home and noticed everything said about first 500 miles and 50 mph speed limit. I will say I have had zero problems with this truck and it is one of the BETTER dodges I have had--------the last one I smoked the rearend towing same TT and truck only had 17000 miles on it but it was 1/2 ton and a gasser.
Just my 02

JIM

 

If you smoke the rear end early on this one you'll know why...

Those gears must be broken in the way the manual states...period. Otherwise your asking for trouble.

 

30' TT with a 1/2 ton gasser? Kinda askin for it weren't ya?

 

Originally posted by Geico266
I would just get a oneway airline ticket, fly in the early AM, have the dealer pick you up at the airport, and you could be home the same day. St. Louis is not a great vacation spot.


I like Geico's idea the best! And you would have just enough time to stop by Bob Chandler's 4x4 shop which is "The Home of BigFoot"!!!!

Seriously though. I wouldn't deviate from what the manual says. They just don't write that stuff for the heck of it.

 

I had a similar issue when I bought my '03 2500 HO 48RE. I just happened to be at lunch with a buddies friends house, when this friend found out I had a brand new Ram in front of his house. He was out of the house like a flash and under my truck before I could say a word. He was telling me all about the drive train and the suspension, etc. Clearly this was a guy in love with his job and the product - wishin' he owned one. I had literally picked up my truck two days before and had less than 200 miles on it. I was was concerned about towin' my travel trailer out East before I reached the magical 500 miles. He asked me how much my trailer wieghed - about 4500 lb. at the time. He laughed and said that wasn't a load to be worried about and said you would have to be much closer to maximum trailer weight to be an issue. He said the engine wasn't the issue, the drive train bearings were the issue. They have to be seated in. He said the best way to achieve this prior to towing was to do some hard hole shots from a dead stop and not to worry about it. He said I should be just fine. I had around 350 miles on my truck when we took off on a 600+ mile trip on I80 through Penn. towing our trailer.

My truck has 22K on it now. It uses no oil, and gets 20 mpg at 65 mph - hand calculated. I wasn't looking for a hobby when I bought this truck, but here I am.

I don't know that I would tow from 'scratch', but your 6K load doesn't sound like an issue.l

 

I considered the one way fly in option, and still might do it, but we're wanting to make this more of a family thing. With the wife and 2 kids, 4 tickets wouldn't be cost effective. Besides we make weekend trips to San Antonio which are over 300 miles without even blinking an eye, I guess we're used to the driving.

Thanks for the input about the owners manual. Without actually having one I really didn't know what to think, now I know. I doubt there would be any issues but I don't want to deviate from anything it says if at all possible. At least it will be ready to do some towing when I get it home !

I'm thinking a oneway rental maybe, something with good mileage. I think that would work if any of the companies will do that....

 

How many guys use some sort of fuel stabilizer? Manual says we shouldnt have to use any of it but seems like a lot of guys do.

Jim