My wife just totaled our 2003 Tahoe and I have been forced to purchase a new vehicle soon. I have been looking at the
4dr Quad Cab Rwd Sb with the Cummins engine and 4 speed auto. I will be pulling a 27 ft. travel trailer which weighs about 7000 lbs.. My first question is should I consider the 6 speed manual transmission? I have to backup the trailer next to the house and don't usually get it in the first time and I am concerned about riding the clutch while in reverse. My next question is the new engine going to be reliable with the new increase in power and will the transmissions (auto or manual) be able to take it? My final question is will the anti-spin differential help in the snow.

Thanks for your time

Doug
Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

I hope your wife is OK.

I can only give you my opinion........

I bought my truck new in Aug 1999. It turned 123K this week. See my sig for truck details.

* I pull a 26' TT that weighs in at 7K+, beside all the other things I feel I need to tote along when I travel.

* If backing any trailer where it's suppose to go on the first try was against the law..........they'd never let me drive again. I have backed up and re-backed numerous times in rain, snow and dry, and my clutch has never been a problem. I smoked it one time backing a trailer up-hill in the snow at about 90K miles. To me, shifting is "automatic" and I never think about it.

* From what I have read, there are not that many actual mechanical changes to the new engine. Mine was one of the early 24V and I never had a doubt that Cummins knew what they were doing.

* I've bought some 30 new vehicles, of which half or more were trucks. All Fords and Chevys. This is my first Dodge and my first Cummins. I might consider letting this one go for a new one, but at this point, as much as I love new trucks, I just can't find a good reason to get rid of it.

My $.02 .................

CR

 

The best advice I can give is to call Bill K at Dtt and ask for his input. He is honest.
My thoughts areif you go auto you will want to up-grade to a valve body and a torque converter. If you stay close to stock power-up a little id ok- it will last a long time.
Remember, the two weaknesses of this trans are loose converter and low line pressure.
Bill will custom make a vb for you and your truck.
I was in the same boat, was afraid of the auto and wanted to try the 6 speed but the wife insisted on the auto. It now has 40,000 miles and she has driven it less than 10 miles without me. but the auto has been upgraded so I don't worry.
The upgrades are less than a new clutch.

 

Doug, with regards to the anti-spin differential. It shouldn't be an option but rather standard equipment. That's how necessary I feel it is.

PS Hope your bride is OK..

 

If you buy a 4wd and put it in 4 low you should be able to back up without riding the clutch. It is a easy modification to add a switch for disabling the the front axle in 4wd if you only need 2wd.

 

Anti-spin will help and hurt. Forward traction is increased but the rear wants to kick out all the time.

 

not on the new trucks there is no disconnect

 

Douglas: Welcome to the site!

I second what crobtex said. Mine is also a 99, but mine's a 3500 4x2 with the training wheels, of course. My truck has only about half the miles as crobtex, and I pull a fiver that totals around 11K pounds when loaded. I have Bill Kondolay's (DTT) Torque converter and valve body, and I love the way the tranny works. Nice, firm shifts. I, also, am "backing impared" and frequently have to reposition the trailer on campsites. The new auto transmission is supposed to be beefier, and if you don't do any bombing you may not need to do any mods to the transmission. The jury is still out on that one. As I'm not real fond of doing my own shifting, and I wouldn't let my wife drive a stick, I'm content with the auto.

I'm president of the Michigan chapter of the DTR, and we are a young and growing chapter. Be sure and watch for upcoming events in the "National and Regional Chapters/Special Events" forum section. We'd love to have you join us and get to know some of the people in our state who rather like their CTD's. Ownership of a Cummins-powered truck is not mandatory, but whoever doesn't show up in one has to pick up the check. Just kidding! If you would like more information please e-mail or PM me anytime.

By the way, I grew up in Grand Rapids. Graduated from Wyoming Park High School. Go Vikings!!!

DeWain

 

WHAt !!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you mean that someone actually lets their WIFE drive their CTD.

I guess that's Ok...........I just never considered it.

CR]

 

Mine acts very nice and predictable and nerver kicks out ....anyoneelse?????????????
And more to the pt a standard is best for towing........thats m.o.

 

That's why my wife's got her own.