Thanks for the comments. The tranny comment is particularly the kind I was looking for.

FYI this is a private party--mid-late 70s gentleman selling his horse trailer too. Mileage around 25,000, already has the gooseneck hitch and brake controller, quad, but I need to do more research on the other options on the truck and what it's designed to tow. I'm pulling a 3 horse LQ gn-- usually only 2 horses but the LQ is pretty heavy even though its small---they went overboard on the wood paneling. 

i almost bought a 2004 dodge back in january, ended up with the gmc in my sig.  the dodge was a 6 speed cummins, dont know if i would trust the auto yet, but people say dodge has beefed up the auto to stand up to the cummins.........ford and gm finally got smart.  if its a 6 speed and a carfax and dealer check come back clean i wouldnt think twice about jumping on it.

i wouldnt worry about the $5,000 below kbb.  my gmc was a little more than $5,000 below, has to do with supply and demand.......plenty of people bailing out of the diesels.  yes 20mpg is good for a truck, but it is surprising how many people have a diesel that dont even need a truck.  $3.00 a gallon has made alot of them rethink their rides, and those of us that dont need the latest and greatest are benifiting.

Tell me more about tranny issues in the Dodges. Does 2005 make a difference? I drive a manual in my CRV, but REALLY don't want to drive a manual with my truck and trailer---I've only been hauling a horse trailer for 5-6 years and really am still a "newbie".

For all--rather than saying $5,000 below KBB, he's asking $25,000 

I drive a 2004 3500 Cummins  SRW Quad Automatic Dodge and haven't had any issues with the tranny.We pull a 4h with 8' shortwal LQ that is pretty heavy and it handles it just fine.I think Dodges tranny problems were in the late 90s' but I could be wrong.

Mike

  I have had 3 CTD with autos. The first 2 had the 47RE....no problems and the 2nd one had a performance enhancing box (65hp) on it (worked great). My current "06" has the 48RE, bascially the same as the "05". The "06" has 2 towing modes....tow/haul and OD lockout. The tow/haul works a lot like the allison in that it will shift down when you are braking and stay in that gear till you give it fuel, also the "06" auto is the first year the auto is approved for an exhaust brake without affecting the warrenty. About the only time I hear of a problem with the tranny is when people plug in a 100HP + box and drive it like they stole it (kid factor) then things go bad on any mfg. transmission. The weakest link factor. I also believe "05" was the last year of the 7yr 75,000 drivetrain warrenty. The "05" also has the "tow/haul" but it doesn't work exactly the same as the "06" and it has no OD lockout. Go to this site and for some more detailed info on the truck transmission http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/  The "05" is refered to as a 3rd generation.

"FYI this is a private party--mid-late 70s gentleman selling his horse trailer too. Mileage around 25,000, already has the gooseneck hitch and brake controller." Sounds like it isn't owened by a kid!" 

Good luck! 

Just pulled the trigger on my '06 Ram 3500 with the Cummins.  LOVE IT!  I just got the hitch in today and will be making my first tow with the big trailer this weekend.  I can't wait!

I got the six speed manual.  Another CORRECT decision.  You can't truly enjoy the Cummins without a manual transmission, IMHO.

Speaking of which... you can get a nicely equipped, quad cab SLT... NEW... for around $32k if you shop.

Mike

Shari,                       &nb
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I have been using to the tow/haul mode. It works great for me. It changes the shift pattern and firms up the shifts. Sometimes you have to let up on the fuel a tad to let it shift to the next highest gear. I really like the down shift when braking. So far I like it more than the OD lockout.