hey there!!!!!!!!! new to the site but have been researching dodge ctd for awhile, so please be pateint this will be long....

i am in the process of looking for a dodge ctd and i not sure which one but i do have an idea so let me know what ya all think, my friends have given their 2cnets worth but none of them own a dodge ctd just psd....

looking for a daily driver but will be buying land in TN, cummberland/ spring city area, can't aford a house but can swing a 5ver. i have been told that if you are going to have a camper and go alot get a 5ver and not a TT. i will be getting a 25-27ft trailer a few yrs old. i have read where poeple have been pullin their trailers w/ 3/4 tons and have been close to cgvwr or over and have had and had not have problems with wieght, control and accident issues.

first question----does pin wieght count as pay load capicity in the bed?

right now i have been looking a 1 tons on a LB and SRW. from what i have read, you want more truck for the trailer for and not the other way around. i will be getting 4x4 due to where the land is located, in the mountains. i know a drw will be more stable but it is a lot a truck!!!!!

2nd-- will the auto be ok or should i go with the man. i do plan to BomB a bit down the road. but where i live in FL much stop and go traffic.


3rd--which rear end? 3.55, 3.75, 4.10? looking for a good balance of perfomance and towing. looking to stay around the 265 size tire, not to big but not too small.....


thank in advance for your in put, i'll post pics down the road. iam looking to make a life choice... since trucks and stuff are getting $$$$$, i'm not getting rich in the Fire Dept. but i do want a truck that is going to last!!!!!!!

thanks again....

 

Dually isnt much harder to drive then a srw, Just park farther away in parking lots and get used to walking more. If moneys a squeze get a 2nd gen, probably a 98 if you want easy power later on and it has the upgraded interior I believe. Also Ive heard of people having 5,000lb pin weight and no problems so a 30ft fiver shouldnt be a problem.

 

Fivers are like boats - -every time you trade they get longer. Longer means heavier. The limiting factor on the 3/4 ton is pin weight. Yes, pin weight counts as bed weight - - it goes against your GVWR. If you fill your tank, put two people and a few tools in the truck, put on a hitch and weigh it, you will be surprised. Take that figure and subtract it from the GVWR and you have how much pin weight you could handle and still be within limits. You will find it will not be a bunch on the 2500. You will be much better getting a SRW 3500 - - or a dually even better.

As for the fiver, make sure you get a 4 seasons coach. It can get pretty cold in Tennessee. And, if you are going to live in it for a while, 25' will get real short real quick. Get at least a 30 to 32'er. If you are buying used, you will find you can buy a 30' for about the same as a 25'. Might as well have that extra 5' - - makes a big difference inside and more basement storage.

Bob

 

I agree with FiverBob. I have owned 3TT's 21' 25' and now a 29' Jayco Quest TSL. My father in law ownes a 30' 5ver Dutchmen it weighs 8000lbs. When we go camping he loads up with two scooters a 12' boat and firewood. He is pulling it with a 2001 CTD 6spd with no problems.

 

thks for the info ......... will let everbody know what i get.

 

I don't think any one addressed the auto/manual. If your in the mountains go for the 6 speed. I had a 2003 ctd with manual had to upgrade to the 05 dually ctd 6 speed. Add a jake brake and you have it made. I pull a 40' toy hauler and i am probly over weight. 03 short box would do it but couldn't hold it back in the mountains. Hit a deer 3 weeks ago and the only reason I am sitting here typing is because of the bigger pulling base. Over 2500 in damage on the truck and well over 5000 to the trailer. Don't think I would have walked away in the short box.