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Noob tow rig questions

sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I notice that trucks are WAY cheaper in CA (probably all the tree-huggers back there who want a hybrid). Do I want to stay away from CA trucks because of the extra emissions crap they have on them, or am I ok with a CA diesel or big block?
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Yeah, it's gotta have something major wrong with it. The trucks out there are WAY cheaper though. I think I'll fly out there and drive one back. My only concern is all the extra emissions crap they put on them out there.
 
Corban_White

Corban_White

Well-Known Member
Location
Payson, AZ
skippy said:
....Everybody is buyign diesels now just cuz its the cool thing i have talked to so many people with sweet diesels and they have absolutely nothing to tow....
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Yep, in the 90's it was this:

RiceRiceBaby3.jpg



Now the "cool kids" have moved on to this:

diesel-exhaust.gallery.jpg



Hurry everyone!!! Jump on the bandwagon before it leaves you behind!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
It sucks because the trend for big trucks (whether they tow or not) has driven up the prices. So for those of us who just want to tow, rather than be cool, it's making it tougher to find what we need.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I got an offer to trade my tacoma for this 2003 dodge 2500:

0809101651.jpg


If it were a cummins, I'd be all over it. But it's a 2500 hemi, auto, 35" tires, 150k.

I thought the only thing dodges had going for them was that the cummins. So since this doesn't have the cummins, I'm thinking it would not suit me needs. Are these hemis any good at all? if I were to go with a gasser, would I be better off with a Chev/Ford rather than this Dodge?
 
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sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I can't afford it 'till I sell my truck, so this one will likely slip through my fingers. It's a 8.1L suburban for a good price. That's all I'm going to say, I don't want another member to buy it.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
sixstringsteve said:
... I thought the only thing dodges had going for them was that the cummins. So since this doesn't have the cummins, I'm thinking it would not suit me needs. Are these hemis any good at all? if I were to go with a gasser, would I be better off with a Chev/Ford rather than this Dodge?
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Haven't owned one, but a co-worker did... the Hemi makes great power, with the side effect of poor mileage. I would imagine that truck, on 35's, with the Hemi is lucky to get 12-13 MPG.
 
L

LT.

Well-Known Member
Location
Los Alamos, New Mexico
I own a 2008 Hemi, QC, short bed, 4x4, and I would think it may be okay provided that it was still on stock rubber. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for it to tow, say, 5000 lbs or there abouts. I would not want to tow much more than that. Good power, okay fuel mileage, but not that great of mileage. The truck is a rocket if it is empty. I have hit 125 mph in mine on a good straight away. Scary at that speed but, doable.

LT.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I talked to a guy who ran a towing service, and he said he picks up more dodges with manuals than he does with autos. He says the carrier bearings go out. Anyone here heard that, or is this guy full of it?
 
L

LT.

Well-Known Member
Location
Los Alamos, New Mexico
sixstringsteve said:
I'm linking this one, cummins and a manual, but it's got high miles. Should I be leary of such high miles, or is that nothing for these trucks? I know the engines go forever, but what about the rest of the truck?

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=733005&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=3048589

I'm really starting to think about a 6-speed cummins if I just take it easy on the way to work.
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This truck has all the right equipment. South Bend clutch, gauges, bed liner, and air bags. Not bad but, it does have a lot of miles. The truck is going on 12 years old and has 235,000 miles. An average of almost 20,000 a year. I would bet there are quite a few highway miles on it which are easy miles.

sixstringsteve said:
I talked to a guy who ran a towing service, and he said he picks up more dodges with manuals than he does with autos. He says the carrier bearings go out. Anyone here heard that, or is this guy full of it?
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All the joints go out on the Dodges. Heck, joints are going to go out on every truck. I have blown a carrier bearing on my 06 once but, was able to get it home. The joint gave way after I shock loaded it towing a back hoe on my flatbed trailer. I was towing about 20,000 lbs. But, I also know of a carrier bearing that is still going strong after 108,000 miles.

sixstringsteve said:
too many miles?

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=3107331
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Again, it does have a lot of miles but, I would think that to get that many miles most of them would be highway miles. Either truck will do you well.

LT.
 
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