hello!! I've got a couple of questions for you Dodge fans... My 00 Ford F-250 is going bad... DANG!!! So I'm looking at an '06 Dodge 3/4 ton automatic 4x4 shortbed, gas... has anybody been using this truck to pull a trailer? I pull a 26' 4 horse 6' s/w gooseneck Trail Magic, steel.... any opinions??? I think my biggest concern at this point is the automatic... Isn't a stick better to pull???
Posted 2007-03-04 4:31 PM (#56697 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Your biggest concern should be the measurement at the top of the tailgate. With an 00' Ford you may be Ok(they took some out of them in 03') but I still bet the Dodge is taller.
I loved my Dodge, great power. To bad is was not trailer friendly.
Posted 2007-03-04 4:52 PM (#56699 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
I've looked at these trucks - Personally I'd look at the diesel - The Hemi is a good engine - but at the upper end of the 1/2 ton range it's not at the top of the heap in regards to power... in a 3/4 ton I think it really starts to lag behind the competition. I've seen a lot of 2007 Ram 2500's listed on Ebay from a few dealers - take a look, it will give you some idea of what the different models sell for. Dodge seems to have some real good rebates going, since I've seen diesel 2500 quad cabs regularly listed for 32K and up.
Good Luck - I really like the Ram - They're a real head turner.
Posted 2007-03-04 10:33 PM (#56714 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: columbia tn
i have a 05 3500 crew cab lbed. i pull a alum cimmeron 27' long 10'lq. 3horse.. my truck is auto and it pulls real good i mostly pull on interstate short trips 200 mls one way.. the truck does set up high but my trailer has a adjustable tongue on it.. the only other thing you have to watch for is not going to low so you have plenty of clearance on your truck.. i had a 02 2500 dodge but this trailer is pretty heavy loaded up for 3 or 4 days camping and so we traded up to a 3500.. hope this helps some... i love my dodge but i would not have one that was not diesel... happy trails
Posted 2007-03-05 12:30 PM (#56726 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
I had a 1500 Quad cab with the Hemi. I would suggest you get the diesel very strongly. Fuel economy is better with the Cummins empty and pulling. There was no comparison. I now have a 3500 dually with a cummins.
Posted 2007-03-05 5:03 PM (#56734 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Location: KY
I have an 06 Dodge 2500 regular cab LONG BED 4x4 diesel automatic; no issues with trailer gooseneck. Have always pulled with an automatic and have not had a problem. I have a 6 spd in my Miata so I do get my exercise. With the diesel, I am averaging about 19 mpg, that is mixed pulling, no pulling, running errands, running interstate. I am very happy with this truck.
Posted 2007-03-09 6:11 PM (#56932 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
I have an '06 3/4 w/ the Hemi. Haven't pulled with it yet but as for bed height- my 3/4 is only 1" taller than an 06 Chevy 3500 4x4 that I park next to at the barn almost every day. Even the driver of the Chevy says my truck looks better. ;-) I wish two things about my truck: I wish they would have had a diesel in stock when I was shopping. I also wish my wallet would have let me get it if they did have one in stock! With the power of the Hemi I have a hard time believing it will not pull just fine- granted I am not pulling such a big trailer, but I'm also used to a lot less truck and more than 100 less horsepower.
I test drove the F250 and 2500 Chevy. The difference in power was amazing. The Hemi puts out 45 more horespower and 15lb more torque than the Chevy with smaller displacement. The Ford with only a 5.4 liter V8 puts out almost the same numbers as the Chevy, even 5 more ft. lbs of Torque. From the drivers seat it felt the weakest though.
I didn't even tempt my wallet by driving any of the diesel rigs. Driven the previously mentioned 3500 a couple times... nice but more than I need, and for the price it put me way out of budget ($5K higher sticker price, not to mention the Diesels do not have as many rebates).
Posted 2007-03-09 10:34 PM (#56937 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 479 Location: central sierra nevada foothills
What is going wrong with the "00 Ford? If I'm correct if it's a diesel it should be the 7.3l still. Auto or manual? That's bizarre if it's what I said them things last forever. I have a '97 and from beside just wear and tear on the original parts here lately and having to replace them my "Big Green Bertha" is a work horse. I've got the 4.11 rear end in her and gotta take off in second gear she is so low geared. She is a work horse. That's too bad, but I know them Cummins are good motors too!
Posted 2007-03-10 5:40 AM (#56942 - in reply to #56932) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
It sounds like you must have test driven a 1/2 ton Chevy - you mention less output and smaller engine size. In a Chevy 2500 and 3500 the 6.0 liter is the base engine - and it's output is higher than the 5.7 Hemi.
I have to agree with the person that thought your Dodge truck is better looking - looks are pretty subjective, but I think the Dodge is the best looking truck out there, and has been for several years.
Posted 2007-03-22 7:41 PM (#57531 - in reply to #56942) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
Originally written by SHMANN on 2007-03-10 5:40 AM
It sounds like you must have test driven a 1/2 ton Chevy - you mention less output and smaller engine size. In a Chevy 2500 and 3500 the 6.0 liter is the base engine - and it's output is higher than the 5.7 Hemi.
I have to agree with the person that thought your Dodge truck is better looking - looks are pretty subjective, but I think the Dodge is the best looking truck out there, and has been for several years.
I mentioned power output and engine size- the Chevy has 300 HP & 360 lb of torque for 6.0 liters of motor. The Dodge has 345 HP & 375 lb of torque for 5.7 liters. The Ford @ only 5.4 liters has the same 300 HP and 365 lb of torque!!! The Chevy also feels the slowest of the three. The Dodge wins hands down, more HP and a 6 spd auto tranny. The F-250 also feels faster.
I was only looking at and driving the 3/4 ton models.
Posted 2007-03-23 8:31 AM (#57559 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
I just checke the numbers again, I was comparing the '06 numbers (the ones I test drove). The '06 6.0 liter is listed as 300 hp, the 5.3 V-8 at 295. I did look and the HP #'s went up to what you quoted for '07. I did not look at '07 trucks as the '06 had about $5K more in rebates. 2006 Chevy 6.0 specs: Gas Mileage: NA / NA Engine: 8 Cylinder, OHV, 6.0 Liter Horsepower: 300 @4400 Torque: 360 @4000 ft-lbs Trans: Automatic Drive: Part-Time 4-Wheel Drive Fuel Capacity: 26.00 gallons Fuel Type: Unleaded
Posted 2007-03-23 2:08 PM (#57587 - in reply to #57559) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
LOL - OK, that makes sense now - I looked and saw what you were referring to. Thanks for clearing it up, and yes, it looks like for the 06 models the Hemi ruled the roost.
Posted 2007-03-23 2:30 PM (#57591 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
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Posts: 195 Location: Atlanta, GA
I've got a 06 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge diesel auto trans. and pull a trailer with it almost every week.. I pull a 3-H with 6 1/2' LQ and 2 horses with every thing but the kitchen sink and if I could find a way to fit it in I would haul it too.. I do not have any trouble at all. We haul up into the mountains all the time and have no trouble pulling hills. It should be plenty of truck for you.
Posted 2007-03-23 3:09 PM (#57598 - in reply to #56696) Subject: RE: 06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
Well, next weekend is the first trip with the new truck... I can't WAIT!! I think I got the perfect truck for me & the trailer!! Thanks for all of the input from you experienced truck buyers!!
06 Dodge 3/4 ton, automatic???
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