Hunter11

I am at the point where I am considering selling my 05 and buying a new truck before we retire. I can't find much of any information about what kind of deals Dodge is offering right now. I did see something yesterday about getting another $1k off if you are a member of a credit union which we are. I am looking at getting an 09 3500 DRW 4X4 SLT and several of the local dealers have some on their lots that seem to fit the bill but I don't want to go into a deal blind on what is being offered right now. Any help would be appreciated.

Also this truck will be used to tow our 12k pound 5th wheel about 50% of the time. I will be getting an automatic and just wondered what the differences would be between the 3.73 and 4.10 with the auto. Thanks again.

46mech

Well, I would think with Chrysler having to shut the doors on a bunch of dealerships, you'd be able to haggle a real good deal. As far as the 3.73 vs. 4.10 ..... the 4.10 is better for pulling your 12k 5er, but you'll get better mpg's with the 3.73 when not pulling anything. I've read where guys are saying that 3.73 is a good compromise though.

96_12V

Honestly, if there's nothing wrong with your '05, I would tend to stick with it instead. You have a "pre emission" 5.9L there, it's going to be better on fuel and quite a bit lower manintance in the end, plus, if it's paid for, that's just a bonus! Shoot, I would love to have an '05...

yellowhemi

Ditto on what he said. Keep your 5.9

LeonT

I see you have an '05 auto. I think the auto tranny on the '09 is much better. Other than that, I think you are buying the possibility of a lot of problems with the 6.7. I had an '08 and after one year I had a belly full of the "check engine" lights and I sold it. I kept my '05. It gets 19+ mpg, never an engine problem, and pulls like a freight train.

I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. Tough decision. As to your original question, they are giving huge discounts here in Arizona. There is also a dealer in Ada, Oklahoma (Chaprell Dodge) that I bought my '05 from. They gave me a smoking deal on the truck plus a 6-year/85K extended warranty for $1,200. They were good to deal with. I was in and out of there in 20 minutes.

Good luck with your decision.

Hunter11

Thanks for your replies. I am really torn between selling mine and buying a new one or keeping what I have. I felt like the DRW would be better pulling the 5th wheel since we will be traveling a lot more once we retire. I guess I have some more thinking to do about this.

scottsjeeprolet

Find a nice 07 5.9 DRW.
Still newish and has the tried and trouble free 5.9, except the occasional injector issue.

96_12V

Or do this - remeber the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and not having to work out more payments is ALWAYS for the better.

Hunter11

I figured most of the trucks that don't have a lot of issues are the ones that get used a lot. This one would get worked on a regular basis. Like I said, I am going to put some thought into it the next couple of days. It is not like I am forced to do anything at this point just looking at options.

DarkDesertCTD

I wanted the 5.9 because of all the talk on the forums but in November of last year I went to look at my local dealer and found an 06 3500 Mega Cab
4x4 5.9 with only 35,000 miles for a good price but they wanted 3K down. I got just over 10K off sticker on a brand new 08 2500 QCSB 4x4 with the 6.7 and 6 Speed Auto making the new one only about a thousand dollars more than the used one with NO money down. The warranty, the no money down, and of course the 10K off did it for me. I'm happy to say that I will hit 7K tomorrow on the way to work and have had not one problem at all with the truck. I love it

gandrews

We currently have the 6.7 with the 68RFE auto and the 4.10 gears which is just about right when towing our 5th wheel (12.5k lbs). I really like the integrated exhaust brake also. The 68RFE has two overdrives and in 6th is doing 55 mph at 1500 rpms. I prefer the 68RFE to the NV5600(6 speed manual) we had before - but would take a 6 speed manual over a 4 speed auto if that were the choice.

During the last two summers we have towed our 5th wheel to several national parks and stayed for a week or two before moving to the next park. As a typical tourist we unhitch the 5th wheel and drive to see the sites. The slow / easy driving while in the parks seems to trigger cels. A trip to a dealer who cleaned the sensors has solved the problem (2xs), but problems with the emissions equipment was not something expected when we bought this truck in May of 2007.

Good luck,

George

mybyke01

I have an 08 and it has never been the shop just about 7000mi on it and it's a mix if towing mostly around town and now in the mountains and I can say it tows allot better than the 5.9 about the same mileage pulling but normal driving is kind of ruff. I brought 18000 from Williamsburg Va to Ellijay Ga and an average of 16mpg I was impressed but on the other hand I also get about 16 empty because of regens and the emmisions and I have the 4.10 gears and 6speed auto. I always use diesel kleen every tank full and ZERO problems.

I love the truck just alittle scared because of all of the bad things I hear. Looks like the more you work this truck the better it likes it and the better servise you will get.

SundayMoney

In my neck of the woods,4.10 geared trucks are as rare as hen's teeth.

You'd have to order one. You'll never be able to get an ordered truck for the same price as one already sitting on the lot.

IMO the 3.73s are enough until you're north of about 15,000lbs.

FATCAT

Sorry to say this, but why would you ever consider buying a truck from a company that is out of business?
People (like me) with newer trucks and warranties are shortly going to be SOL.
If I were you I wound't even consider a Dodge or GM. Ford would be your only option now if you want something new.

rfeiller

the warrantees are just as good on the new gm's or chrysler as on the ford once out of bankruptcy. and the gov has promised to back them.

ford's diesel engine is unproven. i'll take my chances with the cummins