Thanks so much for the replies. I'm going to explore financing options this weekend. I found an 04 3500 srw with a sticker price of about $39,000. I've always liked diesels, and 3 of them at my part time job, a 6.5 GMC td, and old 8v71 detroit, and a 6v92t detroit.

Doug

 

Hey Doug,
Nice to see another Virginia member. I'm in Prince George County, down below Petersburg. If you ever get a diesel rig,,,,,, you'll never want another gas engine truck! You might want to see what Starr Motors down in Suffolk has on their lot. I would highly recommend them. Good friendly folks and great service staff.
If you're ever going to be down around Disputanta, send me a PM or email.

Dennis

 

Hey Doug, welcome to the site.
I'm over here in Surry county not to far from Dennis. If you get a diesel rig and want to join Virginia Chapter 7 of DTR, let Dennis or I know and one of us will get you an app form. Doesn't cost a thing except a stamp to send the form back to me.
If you care to join Chapter 7, there is no charge but we are currently accepting donations to help pay for a new server for the site that Jack is working on. If you care to donate, send me a check made to Lary Ellis and I will make sure he gets it.
Again, welcome to the site and enjoy. Good luck if you get a new truck. These things are a real blast but I caution you about one thing, The BOMB bug will get you and it sometimes can be worse than the flu.
BTW, Ted at Williamsburg Dodge will help you spend your money too. Tell him Joel sent you.

Joel Williams
PO Box 182
Claremont, Virginia
23899

 

I think the question is more.........Why not a diesel!!!

I thought about the same thing your thinking right now. Do I want gas or diesel, is it cost effective, am I going to like it....blah blah blah. The answer is GO DIESEL! I am so glad I did and I will never go back to a gas truck. Go test drive a diesel and I'm pretty sure that will make up your mind. Just my $.02

 

OK. here is a real world comparison for you on the gas vs diesel.
Friend of mine has the same truck with a 5.9 gas, 5 spd.
He loaded his bobcat on the trailer, and I loaded mine on my trailer.
Same truck, same load.
Went to work on a job about 35 miles from home, some flat road, some rolling hills.
On the hills, I had to just about slam on the brakes a couple of times so as not to run into him.
Got to the job, worked all day .
He followed me home, different ball game.
On the hills I walked away from him with out too much difficulty.
Got home and he asked how much fuel I used.
I used about 1/8 tank
He used Between 1/4 to 1/3 of a tank.
So let's recap.
less fuel.
More power.
Big grin on face.
Need I say more?

If you tow a lot, the diesel will more than meet your expectations.

Rich

 

Plus you get to go to cool 'special' diesel pumps at the gas station

 

Everyone has hit on all the big reasons to own a Cummins Turbo Diesel, and they are all vallide and very good reasons. I never had a diesel before I got this one, I drove them in the Army. In both 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks and in the M-60A3 tanks. Those were air cooled flat 12 cylinder turbo charged dieasels, and they put out 750 HP. So I kind of knew what diesels were about. I finally got it, when I bought my own. It's kind of hard to explain what "IT" is. I suspect it is a huge mixture of pride, power,noise,looks,smoke,speed and grunt all rolled together. I have had many other trucks, but none of them gave me that feeling I get every time I start this thing up. That "rumble" always makes me grin, no matter what the day has been like. If I could package it and sell it to the rest of the world, I would be not only rich, but the world would be a much nice place to live.

 

5500 lbs 35 times a year is reason enough to go cummins.
I also tow 6200lbs a few times a year. I used to do it with a burb after I got the cummins the first time I towed there was a little wet pavement and with all the Torque the rear end broke loose with the load on What a feeling love that torque. But the CTD and then you can answer these questions the same as the rest of us. There is nothing like it for towing. I bought mine used but as in new condition so I I got what I wanted at a price that was O.K. with my pocket and the wifey. Good Luck

 

Thanks again for the replies. I'm sold, however, I'm going to have to set my sights on a used CTD later on down the road. I do get near Disputanta from time to time, going to Agri Supply. I used to locate underground utilities in Prince George some years back.

Thanks for the invite, Joel. I'll keep it in mind. What got this whole thing started, I bought a Kubota BX1800 with a front end loader. If you don't know its a little bigger than a garden tractor, 4x4 and diesel of course. This little tractor is just awesome in capabilities. and just does not compare even a 25 hp garden tractor.
This is what I pull on a 16 foot utility trailer a few times a year.

Anyways, thanks again,
Doug

 

I wanted a toy, plain and simple.
btw - a buddy got a diesel front end loader, also a way nice toy. I can borrow that though.

 

I gotta admit Ive spent more on repairs on the box my CTD came in than my gasser is worth, but I was figuring it on paper and still the diesel is less to operate. At 20+ mpg empty and 14 -16 loaded, small camper and trailer with quads or horses, you cant beat it. I couldent even imagine towing where we go into the mountains loaded in the gasser. It literally would not do it , Ive tried before. And the fuel cost at 6-7 mpg..... so much for vacations.
Give a diesel a whirl, yes it cost more, but you will be amazed at the performance and milage, youll never go back!!
Good Luck.

Apache.

 

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a used CTD as long as it has been maintained and don't act like a lemon for your first CTD. Remember, an engine and the rest is only as good as the maintenance that was performed on it. Just picked up a 94 3500 4x4 for my son in Arkansas with near 220000 miles on it and it will run away from mine.

I know about the Kubota's too. I have two brothers that have them and they love them. They are high dollar but like the CTD, they pay off in the long run.

By the way, I hate that Agri Supply place, every time I go in, my wallet gets lighter usually by about $200 or more when I walk out the door for some reason.

If you still want to join, send me an e-mail and I will send you a form.

Joel

 

So far the Kubota and the CTD will be the only diesels you have owned, 2stroke GM's and 6.5's were GM's way of converting diesel fuel into noise. Now you are going to enjoy real power and reliability from diesel fuel. PK

 

I just purchased my first Dodge and first diesel truck. An 04 2500 4x4 SLT, auto, loaded. After rebates, It cost within $100 of the price I paid for my 01 GMC 1500 5.3 Quad 4x4 SLE gasser. I put 60k trouble free miles on that truck, 45k of them towing a 30', 8k TT through every state in the continental U.S. I made more passes in that rig than "slick" ***** Clinton at an intern pajama party! And every time I looked on with envy as the diesel rigs cruised effortlessly by. So, I did the math; better, newer, stronger and a diesel, for what I payed for a gasser 3 years ago! Pinch me Earl, I thank Ima dreamun!!!!

 

Hey hey hey, don't knock them Detroit weed eaters. They were, ah, uhm, er, yeah that's it, they were.