Hi All,
I hope you guys can point me in the right direction to find a good used Dodge (or ?) 3500 diesel that we will be needing to pull a 5th Wheel camper. We are going 'fulltiming' with this RV and need a good diesel puller that will last a long time.

Gross loaded weight of the 32' trailer will be around 11,000 lbs and hitch-pin weight of about 2,000 lbs.

Currently we have a 1999 Dodge 2500 QuadCab 24-valve Cummins, 4X4, 3:54 rear end ratio(a few problems there!), auto transmission (also replaced once!), long box. I have had a lot of repairs to the brakes, tranny, rear end, over-heating, etc. due to overloading it's towing capabilities. It has now 255,000 miles on it, and although it seems to run fine now after all the repairs, I am leary of towing the new 5th Wheel with it anymore. (I haven't towing any great weight with it for the last 50,000 miles.)

The new ones are not only very expensive, but they have all the new emission control baggage, so I am looking at getting a good used one.

2500 or 3500. I would like to move up to a 3500 diesel, dually (DWR), manual 6-spd, 4X4. long box with a better rear end ratio..say 3:73 (or ?)...and installing an engine brake. I am thinking this is a wise move to make for pulling and braking the 5th Wheel? My concerns are power, fewer tranny and rear-end problems, overheating, mpg, safety, etc.

My questions:

What years should I be looking for from 2000-2006? I have heard that SOME years are better than others.

I would appreciate any help or advice you can give. Thanks.

 

You are on the right track. A 2500 would pull it, but a 3500 dually would be a better choice.

3.55 and 4.10 were standard choices on the 2nd gen trucks. Will have to swap gears for 3.73. Unless the engine was BOMBed pretty good, I'd stay away from 3.55 gears. On the flat you'd be OK, but hills and wind would be a problem with 3.55.

I wouldn't be afraid of a '03+ with the HPCR, but prefer the 12/24v engines. Sound is part of it for me. The new engines just don'r sound "right" to me. To quiet. The 12/24 engines are easier to troubleshoot without a needing laptop.

 

When you are looking at the trucks, the motor rated HP is on a sticker on the valve cover on the drivers side - so you can tell which motors are which.
I dont think you'll really notice any towing differences between the model years you are looking at. The '04's did carry a longer bumper to bumper warranty, so that may be a plus for that year.

 

Thanks, bmoeller and JTheissen. I will be selling the old '99 and buying a good-used Dodge 3500 diesel 4X4 to haul our 5th Wheel. I will have a qualified mechanic check it out before I buy.

Do you have any suggestions as to which years are best from 2000 to 2006?

I guess from 2003 to 2006 is more exact, right? And I will be looking out for that longer bumper to bumper warranty on the '04's.

Thanks, I am wanting to do this right this time around.

 

I guess from 2003 to 2006 is more exact, right? And I will be looking out for that longer bumper to bumper warranty on the '04's.
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I drive 2004.5 That is the one with the 600 engine. I have a dually 2wd auto that tows a 37 ft Cedar Creek without any problems.

I would look for a 2004.5 + for the 600 engine or at least a HO in the earlier models.

Have fun as a full timer.

Cheers Frankb

 

I was in a similar situation, I had a 2001 with the same drive train as you. I now have a dually w/ 3:73s on order (supposed to be here Monday!). I went with the 06 and don't have any experience with the other 3rd gens.

I have towed my 5ver with my brother-in-laws 06 w/ 3:73s and there is NO comparison between that on my old 01 (that I dearly loved). Far more power, much quieter, and far more stable in wind (versus the old SRW).

I truly believe the dually is the right decision if you are going to be doing a lot of towing. Not necessarily for the weight you are handling (a 2500 is adequate for that), but for the additional stability.

If you drive mountains the ebrake is very nice to have. I had one on the 01 and ordered it for the new one. If you don't drive in the mountains, it probably isn't necessary.

 

Thanks for that very useful info. Makes my job much easier, for sure. I am now searching the Internet and newspapers for a 2004.4 to 2006 used Dodge 3500 diesel, quad cab, 2X4, DWR, long box, tow package, jake brake, etc. Can you suggest what sites are best to look in for the most coverage?

 

I forgot to mention. If you end up with an Auto transmission, only the '06+ supports the exhaust brake.

Also, you may have a hard time finding a 2WD as most dealers only sell the 4x4 vehicles.

I had to special order mine. As I do not go off road, I felt the extra expense, maintenace cost and increased insurance - at least in this country- out weighed the benefits of the 4x4.

The most pickups are usually found in the South West. I would look around sites in Texas and Arizona. Of course they might also be well "worked".

Try this site

http://www.internetautoguide.com/use...500/index.html


Cheers
Frank