Looking at newer trailer puller. Needs some info???

I am looking at up dating to a newer trailer puller. I am looking at a Crew cab Dodge 3500 dually. I want a manual transmission, That is not an issue. Here is where I need some information.

I own 1st and 2nd generation Cummins diesels in other pickups. I found a 2006 that has the 3rd gen 5.9 engine. How will that compare horse power wise to my older Cummins??? Also how much emission crap would be on it???

Then question two. For just a little more money I have found several 2008 trucks with the 6.7 engine in it. I like the exhaust brake feature. I dislike the EGR but would more than likely delete that. Have any of you deleted the EGR on a 6.7??? Any problems/issue after that?? Did it change much about the motor like MPH or Horsepower??

When did Dodge/Cummins start using Exhaust fluid??? Can you delete EGR and EF too???

I am really not sure about doing this but I want crew cab and dual rear wheels. The grand kids are getting stirred up about old tractors. I am wanting a better ride if we start showing again.

Just bought a new trailer this last winter so I am good there. I just want something better than what I currently have for some trips.

Plus the wife and I are thinking about traveling out West later this summer. Good friend has a large RV trailer I can use for the trip. He says it pulls better with a dually. Says the wind will walk a single wheel truck around some.

Just starting to look and need to educate myself some on what is out there.

Cant help on the truck deal....But if you come west (western Colorado), Come see me !!!!

The 06 should have no emissions on it. Power wise it will be in the 300hp range if not been chipped. Torque is 500 plus. Last of the good motors. The early 6.7 had there share of problems with poor fuel mpg and the emissions failures.
I would also recommend a 4x4 only because with the manual transmission they have a couple of different gears ratio in reverse. Everyone I used had a reverse that would go about 20mph which absolutely sucks for what you are looking to do. With the 4wd lock it in low range they are pretty nice then for backing.

Here are my experiences. I had two 2nd gen (one 97, one 98) 3500 ext cab, 4x4, dual wheel dodge trucks, both diesel, one standard one auto. I got rid of them for the heaviest spec 2012 3500 I could get. Cab was great, fuel economy was not as bad as I expected (it seemed for the amount of work done you burned the same fuel, it was just a lot faster, instead of clearing the top of a hill and being glad you made it you've got to watch for the cops). Great truck, however in the 15 years they improved their truck so much it was too much truck for my need, could never get it to squat with a load or get my trailer to ride right with it. I traded it on a 2013 2500 with manual transmission and love it. I've hauled 15000lbs and it doesn't bat an eye. Light years ahead of the 12 valve in many ways, but when it's dead and gone I'm sure the '97 12v that my girlfriend has will still be rattling along.

The '06 will be a good step up power wise and is still pre-emissions. They seem to be pretty sought after. I personally would stay away from 07.5 to 2010 as they were the first years for emissions and there were problems. I didn't have any emissions problems with the 2012, which didn't have fluid. All 13's have fluid and so far so good - getter better fuel mileage with it. Deleting, while possible, gets more difficult with the newer trucks. Exhaust brake is wonderful, especially with a manual.

I traded it on a 2013 2500 with manual transmission and love it.

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Where in the hell did you find a 2013 with a 6-speed? Those have to be as rare as hen's teeth, especially in these parts.

Bridgewater. Regular cab, 8" box, 4x4. Manual windows and
locks. I love it. It feels like a truck should. Sam

"Plus the wife and I are thinking about traveling out West later this summer"

JD, Aproximately every other year the first wife and I take our RV out west to the National Parks GREATEST SCENERY AND EXPERIENCES WE HAVE EVER HAD Get your Senior Pass (free park entry and 1/2 camping) AND GO FOR IT

MUST SEES: Glacier Natl Park (Going to the Sun Road),,,,,,,Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons,,,,,,,,,Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef WOWWWWWWWWW

Campground Reservations are almost a necessity in the major National Parks mind you, we find it best to avoid peak summer seasons HOWEVER at elevation many roads (like at Crater Lake) are still snow bound until possibly July 4 SO DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Sorry no help on the truck other then I prefer a Cummins in line 6 cylinder Diesel over the Ford V8 but it looks like that's your choice also.

John T

The 06 will have about 350 horse, anyway mine does. I have had it up to 23 MPG, but 16 is the closer average. If it has pulled much, tear the rearend apart and put new bearings in. At about 160,000 miles, the carrier bearings lock up, and ruin the housing. About 2500 bucks worth. Don't ask.
The 08 isn't a bad one, once you do the EGR delete. From what I am told, you can get about the same mileage as the 06 then. I think Dodge was the last to go to Urea, and they did that in 2012, I believe.
Hope that helps.

JD, sounds like your pretty much stuck on the Dodge Trucks which is OK. I am a GMC man myself. The 6.6 DuraMax with the allision is a Awesome Truck. I mile one out pretty quick and trade about every 3 to 4 years.Lot of highway miles. I understand about the cummins they been dieseling forever. But i do love My GMC. It would be nice to have a Cummins with the allison transmission, now that would be the perfect engine Transmission combo unit. So In my personal opinion I would pick the GMC with 6.6 DuraMax and allison transmission.

Also: BlackCanyon of the Gunnison;Colorado National Monument;Grand Mesa;Ouray (little Switzerland);Silverton/Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.......The list is 'endless'.

Indeed, Ive also been to most of those, just didn't list everything, youre right the list is endless......

John T

I have a 2008 Dodge 3500 diesel I bought new. I always liked the way it ran until the particulate filter started to plug while pulling wagons last fall. I installed a new H&S tuner and a pipe to delete the particulate filter. The tuner automatically deletes the EGR and regeneration features so nothing is needed there. The tuner has "stock", "tow", "street" and "performance" settings. I run in "tow" which gives about 40 h.p. more than stock. In daily driving I picked up an easy 4 miles per gallon and often do better than that. Getting over 20 m.p.g. is pretty easy to do. Pulling a trailer (26,000 gvw or more) I can get 13-15 now and have a lot better performance from the truck as well. Two weeks ago I had two tractors on the trailer and total weight was around 29,000 or so. Going up hills I could actually accelerate. The tuner made a truck out of this one. The tuner isn't cheap but it was cheaper than replacing the particulate filter. Getting better mileage and power will make it pay for itself in short order. I also bought the transmission update for the tuner which allows you to modify your pressures and shift points. I am very happy with the tuner. It made a good truck that much better. Mike

JD, I forgot to mention that on the 6.7 trucks you actually give up horsepower to get the manual transmission. I found that out when I bought mine new. I wanted a manual until I learned this. Mine has the 6-speed automatic and I like it very much. It, along with the engine brake feature are very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to get another automatic like this one. It's been trouble free. Mike

I have a 2014 six speed manual and I LOVE it. It is consistently getting 19mpg empty. And the def isn't that big a deal....trucks a horse the way it is.

07 GMC with LBZ Duramax 360 stock HP 6 sp allison will run circles around any dodge or ford. :wink:

Ditchwitch: Thanks for your comments. My brother has a Duramax. He has had several issues with it but the biggest issue I have with it is very poor mileage. He and I have pulled side by side with the same loads and he rarely gets better than 10-12 MPG when pulling a trailer. Some loads 6-8 MPG. I usually get 12-13 and really loaded 10-12. Plus I just don't like the newer GM body styles.

I have a 2011 Ram 3500 MegaCab with the 6.7 Cummins and a 6-speed manual transmission. Really like how well it tows my 30" gooseneck flatbed. The only gripe I have with it is the fuel mileage.

The 2006 will have more power without a doubt, but it is not a true crew cab.

DEF started in 2013. I wouldn't be afraid of it. AGCO and CNH have been using it for a few years with no issues. Deere is now using it too. If you have a particulate filter, you are going to burn extra diesel, so six of one, half dozen of the other.

I am going to go look at a '14 3500 Laramie on Saturday. I have been shopping for the past few weeks.

About transmissions. I have an '01 with 247,000+ miles. It is an auto quad cab 2500 2wd. Never have had a transmission issue. It has run great. Now, it sucks with the 3.55 pulling a 28' gooseneck with a load up a hill, but it can do it.

The problem with the new G56 and the dual mass flywheel. The flywheel starts to let loose around 100k. They have been replacing the DMF with a single mass and have a kit.

The autos have had tremendous results with the 68rfe and the Aisin. The Aisin is a $3000 option though on the 3500. There was demand from the cab and chassis envy to get this in the 3500. Biggest difference is the Aisin has PTO option, you probably don't need.

Axle ratios, most invoices I have seen upgrade you from 3.42 to a 3.73 and 4.10 is optional. I'm going with the 3.73.

I've done a bit of research on the forums, so if you have questions, email is open.

JD,

Those Cummins trucks are nice but one thing to think about with any brand is that I have heard that the DOT and weigh station folks have been cracking down on pickups that have had emissions equipment removed.

Nice! I figured it'd be a "work truck" Should last a long time...

Fingers crossed. Now all I've got to do is try and keep the rust
at bay.

I Haul cars up and down the east coast and my tractor and stuff when around the house. On every Diesel truck i have owned i put the Banks Power induction system on it. Its just the induction elbo and air cleaner box and a K&N filter. I know that sounds like a commerical for them but it actually works. More HorsePower and more torque. On my truck it was like a 43% increse in air Flow thats means alot for a diesel. Dodge has been making some good looking trucks but i just cant bring myself to buying one LOL.But i do pass alot of them going down the highway. Ive heard the transmissions are not holding up well just like the Ford Trannys. The allison Transmission in the GMC is a beast. So far i havent had any troubles at all (knock on wood) with any of my GMC. But you should just look into the Banks system for your truck i think you will be really impressed. you will get better fuel milage also.

(quoted from post at 16:58:13 07/09/14) 07 GMC with LBZ Duramax 360 stock HP 6 sp allison will run circles around any dodge or ford. :wink:

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Give it a rest - not all of us just fell off the turnip truck :twisted: