Howdy!

I tried to post this earlier did'nt work so I'm trying again.

I need a bigger truck!

Is there any chance that Dodge will soon produce a MDT like the GM 4500/5500 or Ford F450/F550. If not they are missing the mark.

I now have a 1996 12v 2500. recently purchased a new 5er a Carriage-Lite 36XTRM5. This 5er shows it will gross out at 16800.

I would like to stay with CTD but even with the new "600" I'll be at or over the limit even if I keep the wait down.

I've looked at the new GM 4500/5500 an like them alot but not sure about the D-Max.

Also the truck would have to be a automatic the wife refuses to drive a standard. So the Allison would be nice in the GM.

I've Also read that the new 5500 can be ordered with a 2200 Allison instead of the 1000. Any comments on stepping up to the larger Allison transmission for this weight.

I would like to stay with the Cummins. I'm just not going to go to the F650 Ford to get it. The wife is not going to drive that. Just don't want to buy a new 3500 "600" an it not be able to do the job.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

 

The wait will soon be over. The 4500 is already available in Mexico and from what I understand it will be available here shortly. The 5500 may be a longer wait. I'd rather have the stronger Eaton Fuller auto-shift tranny than the Allison wannabee. How's the 600 gonna be over limit? I'm grossing 16000# now on a non-HO engine.

 

If you need something today and have to have a CTD, look for a new or used F-650 or FL-60.

They both have a Cummins option. Finding a used one with an automatic will be the real trick. Compared to the Dodge HO engine, these engines have pretty low HP, around 210HP, but they have more torque. Personally, I would get the 300HP Cat if I was to get an F-650 or FL-60 for towing.

Brian Elfert

 

if I was going to get into that much weight and higher I would look real hard at the freightliners and international MDT's you can order them pretty much the way you want them, but they can get a tad pricey by the time you get a bed put on. There is a good selection of used MDT's out there as well. But then there is the class 7/8 crowd that can tow anything they want and have a sleeper as well. a lot of those folks have gone up from MDT's

 

You can find a used FL70-80 with a sleeper cheaper than you can build a unit from scratch.

 

I'd also say go the FL route. Have you looked at those GM 5500 things??? Butt ugly. Your not gonna use a 5500 for a daily driver so might as well step up to a real truck and get a Freightliner or International with a bigger Allison or as stated an Eaton.

 

Most used MDTs with automatics aren't bargains at all. They will almost always cost more than a new F-450.

A class 8 won't have a true automatic. Also, a class 8 is very hard to register as an RV. No RV registration and you need a CDL to drive one.

When I upgrade from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel, I'm certainly going to look at a true MDT or class 8.

Brian Elfert