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m.hony · 06-10-2014, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Is 26,000 the point where you need a CDL?

You never need a CDL unless you are operating a commercial motor vehicle. RV's don't count- not a commercial motor vehicle. No special training or Driver's license is ever required to operate any privately owned, not-for-hire RV, even those motorhomes as big as a Greyhound bus.

m.hony · 06-10-2014, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Is 26,000 the point where you need a CDL?

There are different "classes" of CDL's. 26,000# is the point at which you go from class D to class B or A.
Class B is up to 80,000#, no air brakes- which is silly because vehicles over 26,000# generally have air brakes.
Class A is up to 80,000#, air brakes, haz-mat, the whole 9 yards- think 18 wheelers or big dump trucks-
Class D is for a commercial motor vehicle with a GVW between 10,001-26,000#-
None of these is required for any RV, only commercial motor vehicles.

J. Morgan · 06-10-2014, 10:18 PM

True facts on an RV and a CDL.

About some other earlier points, at one time Ford did own a controlling interest in Cummins, but that was a long time ago.

On the 5.3 rpm thing, my 5.3 runs at about 2,600 rpm at 70 mph in direct drive. I have 3.73 gears.

I can pull any hill between Arkansas and Tucson easily at 70 mph. This just is.

m.hony · 06-10-2014, 10:26 PM

I have never had any issues towing with my Tundra. I can't foresee ever wanting or needing a diesel.
Paid for and bad mileage is a better deal than buying a $60,000 truck to get 1-2 more mpg.
How much gas can I buy for $60,000?
Not to mention higher tag/registration, higher fuel cost, and higher oil change cost.
I'll stay with paid for, lower fuel cost, and lower tag/registration.
On the other hand, if I had no truck at all and was starting from square 1, I might consider a Duramax/Allison.
That comment about them going for 250,000 miles isn't true. We have one at work with 340,000 miles and it still looks like new.

21Airstream · 06-10-2014, 10:32 PM

I should have mentioned that our '12 Ram has the six speed auto and tow package. I put it in Tow/Haul Mode before towing and it didn't spend much time hunting for the right gear. The other thing is our trailer was (of course) unloaded while we towed it home and things are bound to change a little when we leave on vacation (fully loaded).

SteveH · 06-11-2014, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

On the other hand, if I had no truck at all and was starting from square 1, I might consider a Duramax/Allison.
That comment about them going for 250,000 miles isn't true. We have one at work with 340,000 miles and it still looks like new.

I didn't say they would go 250,000 miles, or that they wouldn't go more than 250,000, I said they were designed to go 250,000 miles, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't go more. Just like you will hear of Cummins engines going 500,000 and more, even though they are designed to go 350,000.

jump · 06-11-2014, 06:45 AM

We got our 2006 2wd Megacab as a leftover in 07 ... We love it! The Cummins with 110k on the clock is doing well ... And it also does good in the mountains. I'll probably add an exhaust brake sometime in the next year ... I'm looking at pacbrake for that.

My son has an 06 reg cab long bed with over 250k and the Cummins is doing well.

You can probably over research this for years ... You can hold a grudge for even longer, apparently. You might have to take some ribbing from your brothers in law if you buy a Dodge and if you say ANYthing about Chevy or Ford, you're just being mean spirited and obnoxious.

I love my Dodge/Cummins. It's a daily driver with as much room as a small apartment ... We can get all 4 dogs in (on?) the fold flat back seat and they are all happy in their own space.

It all come down to personal preferences. Do what fits for you.

J. Morgan · 06-11-2014, 07:17 AM

Hey, i recommended the Dodge for those who are set on a Diesel in spite of my grudge, which really isn't a grudge as much as it is about keeping my word.

At the time I said yea, you can screw me on this repair, it is within your power to do so, but if you do, I wont ever buy a new Chrysler again,,, ever.

They did,,,, and I haven't.

jump · 06-11-2014, 07:47 AM

I don't think it is even the same company it was in 1995 ... I'd say you were only hurting yourself. But then it's really none of my business anyway.

SteveH · 06-11-2014, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jump

I don't think it is even the same company it was in 1995 ... I'd say you were only hurting yourself. But then it's really none of my business anyway.

I think you are right. I had an '04 Dodge 1500, and while it was a good truck for what I used it for (non towing), they have really improved them since then.

mgriffrus · 06-11-2014, 09:39 AM

Another "Hear, Hear!" for the Dodge Megacab! We got our 2008 4x4 CTD Megacab used in 2011 with 64,000 miles for $29,900 and have never looked back. It may be overkill, but I swear there are minivans with less room inside. My teenagers (and Boxer dog) love the reclining back seats, and it has the capacity for anything I throw in the back and the airstream on the bumper. We've had three longer trips varied from one week to two and up to 2400 miles and all I've had to do is set the cruise and check the mirrors.

Maintenance is more expensive, but with the money I saved buying used I figure it's no biggie. I did skimp on an emissions service once and it resulted in an engine code and a crooked dealer 250 miles from home trying to charge me $2100 for a "faulty" exhaust filter. Brought it to my dealer who couldn't find any issues, put it back together, did the service I skimped on and I've driven it another year with no issues.

Make no mistakes, this truck is designed to work. I swear it's like a Clydesdale, it ain't happy unless it's loaded and won't be optimal as a grocery-getter or a daily driver.

In fact, I feel like a weekend trip somewhere is coming up...

t8r · 06-11-2014, 10:51 AM

I tow with a 2011 3500 single wheel and 373 rear end....Excellent would not change and i also tow livestock trailers.

Larry C · 06-11-2014, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

The only problem with the older 5.9 Cummins is that they are SOOOO LOUD!! Oh yeah, the Dodge trannies couldn't hold up be they auto or hand shaker, both had problems under load.

Pappy, Pappy,
The older Dodge/Cummins are supposed to be noisy. That noise is music to us old guys who like to hear diesels.....Even the smell of diesel fuel to me at least is like fine perfume, or at least after shave lotion...

Larry C

tjdonahoe · 06-11-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogway

Is a Dodge with a cummins a good tow vehicle? If so, is there a location on the airforum where I can learn what people are pulling with them? Appreciate any information.

Thank you,
Craig

Mine is an 07 4 wheel drive, short box,6 speed auto , 7.73 gears , exhaust brake , pulled an 04 30' classic for 33000 miles, we now have a new 31 ' with 2000 miles, no problems ....I really like it.

BAB · 06-11-2014, 04:48 PM

I have a brand new (2014) Ram Laramie 2500 4x4 with the 6.7L Cummins. I bought it SPECIFICALLY to tow my trailer. I ordered it in August 2013, and it was delivered 1 November. I have just about 7,000 miles on it, virtually all towing. I just returned yesterday from around 2,200 miles, including the Smoky Mountains. Not mentioned, but important. Fully loaded, I averaged 14.1 MPG with this set-up. One of my Alumapalooza friends got around 9.0 with his Ford 150 and a 30' International. BTW, the '14 2500's have coil springs on the rear -- new for this year, and they provide an awesome ride. I love my new truck and highly recommend it.

Tater · 06-12-2014, 10:30 AM

I have a friend with a 12 2500 Ram and he is very pleased with it although he should have gotten the 8 ' bed since he pulls a 5 er. I bought a Duramax only because I'm a Chevy guy. You won't go wrong with a Cummins.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Airstream Forums mobile app

MYater · 06-12-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogway

Is a Dodge with a cummins a good tow vehicle?
Craig

I'd say the answer is yes. A couple stipulations though, the pre '98 models had some automatic trany issues, and the12 valve was/is louder.

Overall though it pulls great. I've pulled all my trailers all over the the west, from So. Cal through to the north to Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. Never had a problem.

Since I do all my own maintenance, I know know what has been done correctly too. The only things that I have had pop up on me is the fuel filter, I wasn't towing at the time, and last week (literally the second of June this year) the water pump failed. It was a fifteen minute fix, but I had to wait for the engine to cool down.

Overall, great TV!

jump · 06-13-2014, 08:26 AM

OK, MYater, I'd like to know your technique for changing a water pump on the Cummins in 15 minutes … are you a NASCAR pit guy?

I helped my son change the water pump on his 5.9 and it took contortions that my body has not been in since a certain episode in college. I'm no longer a young man and I will gladly pay someone to do this for me if the need arises.

MYater · 06-13-2014, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jump

OK, MYater, I'd like to know your technique for changing a water pump on the Cummins in 15 minutes … are you a NASCAR pit guy?

Since on the 5.9 there are only two bolts that hold the pump in place, you only have to free the sepentine belt with a half inch ratchet handle attached to the end of the tensioner pully, and the use a #10 hex socket to remove the bolts with a 3/8" ratchet handle with a 2" extension. Pull it up between the fan shroud and the fan on the passenger side. Reverse for install. But remember to use anti seize on the threads on the bolts going back together..

Mine failed at 157K miles. One of my CO workers failed at 155k about a month and a half ago. He he was more upset that he ended up having it towed home the next day and it took him about15 minutes as well.

Took five gallons of coolant to properly fill it back up though.

newroswell · 06-13-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

These autos with more than 4 speeds are not performance enhancers, they are used to try to make MPG requirements.

Having a lower first gear is absolutely a performance enhancement. Having better gear spacing for just the right gear in the mountains is a performance enhancement. Having a higher top gear for better MPG is just a bonus. Any 4 speed is going to have a hard time competing with a modern 6 speed even if they did have the same engine.