Yeah, for towing and milage I really love my Cummins, too.

Next time, though, I might also look at a dually (current truck is SRW 3500), or maybe even one of the 4500 or 5500 cab/chassis deals coming out for 07 (once they have been out for a while).

 

The 07's are supposed to be monsters in the HP and Torque numbers, but in general, I would wait and see on the fuel issue. Right now, all the current diesel pumps are getting stickers that say that the fuel can't be used in 07's. Given that it is already difficult to find diesel in many parts of the country, this is ominous. I can't believe the stations are going to just up and swap out their tanks and dispersers just for a new fuel type. It will be interesting for a while for sure.

As for the dually, I just want the look. I don't pull a 5th wheel, and if you are not carrying the weight over the axle, you are actually better off with the SRW model. When you get in a wet condition, you actually lose traction with the dually if you are pulling a tag trailer. That is because the weight is carried over 4 wheels, so the # per squar inch of pressure is less. And that equals less traction. It could end you up swapping ends with your trailer. NOT GOOD.

Still, I want one for the looks. I have worked hard all my life, I deserve it right? The kids are grown, I am spending that inheritance. It just might make me go out and get one of those monster 5th wheel toy haulers I have been going GA-GA over.

 

I'm with you, Dragginbutt, in that I'm taking a "wait and see" on the 07's, with their particulate filter and cooled EGR. Lower compression coupled with higher boost actually does have potential to make monster power without loosing fuel economy, but I suspect there will be some bugs... As I understand it, the refineries in my area have already switched to ULSD exclusively, so I suspect by the time the 07's hit the lot, finding fuel won't be an issue.

Though I'd like to have the bed free for extra quads or whatever, I really prefer the way 5th wheels handle (area I live in is known for high winds). 1900 pound pin weight dry, plus a couple hundred for the hitch, a few people in the truck and some gear in the back... and you can overload a SRW one ton in a hurry.

Flip side, I suppose, is that I live in a town where the side streets were laid out for model T's. Even with parking allowed only on one side, there often isn't room for two full sized vehicles to pass by each other...

I also drool at some of the monster 5th wheel toy haulers, though, so I suppose next truck will be a dually, unless I hit the lottery and then one of the Freightliner M2 sport-haulers would be in my future... Hmmm, I wonder if you could special order one on their all wheel drive rough service chassis?

 

You don't need a dually..... I own a 2500 Cummins and put the firestone airbags on the rear axle. What a difference. I got the compressor and installed it as well. I love it and would recommend them to anyone that tows.

 

Yeah, but all you have to do is run into a law officer who looks at your door sticker and determines you are overweight, and you are not in a good position.

 

20k lbs GCVWR, read it and weep....

 

Your GVWR is probably about 9200 on a 2500.

The pin weight of my 5th wheel, plus the hitch and two people in the truck would put you over the truck's vehicle weight rating, and likely exceed the rear axle's weight rating.

In my neck of the woods, enforcement on RV's is rare, but it does happen. The fines are stiff, and they could also take your rig out of service.

 

Yeah it works that way in my neck of the woods too. I have to think that if you put that much weight on the 3/4 ton's rear end, you are going to have it screaming uncle pretty quick. When you get into the upper ranges, anything over 8000 on a regular basis, then I'd be looking at going the dual wheel route. Now a SRW 1 ton nas a larger, more durable rear end than the 3/4 ton, but it still can balk if you go much over 13000 GVWR. Remember these are MAX ratings. They are not intended for people to max out or exceed for long periods of time, or on a regular basis. Considering the price difference between a 2500 and a 3500, it is cheap insurance to go with the dual wheel combination for a grand or two in cost. Diesel is definately the way to go though. Don't get me wrong, I really miss the Hemi.. but it pales in comparison when you look at BRUTE pulling power the Cummins has. It will never win any speed challenges in stock form, but load em down, and we will see who has the upper hand then.
There are several websites that cater to the diesel crowd, and with modifications (ie plug and play chip reprogrammers), you can get some serious HP and torque numbers out of these. AND if you have glod lined pockets, you could put on a twin turbo setup, a mild cam, a bunch of electronics and now you are talking 800 HP, and over a 1000 Ft lbs of torque. Unfortunately, that will kill your 100,000 mile warranty... but the stuff is out there for the few, the brave etc..

 

Actually, all the current diesel dodges use the same 11.5" AAM rear axle for 2500, 3500, and 3500 dually, except the width is different for the dually version. The only thing that seems to be different between my 3500 SRW and a 2500 is a set of overload springs, and a higher GVWR.

In my book, anyway, a 2500 can do fine with a fairly large 5th wheel if you add air bags, and I don't consider it dangerous unless you exceed the weight rating of the tires, but you will likely be over your GVWR- and eligible for a big ticket in some jurisdictions.

A dually will also be much more stable, especially in high wind, and once you get into the 38' to 40' heavy four seasons units, a dually is the only way to go.

 

Did my legal research before. THere is a difference between Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio and Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Ratio... Glad you are not a cop. Good call with the rear end, they are the same, you just have to pay attention when you buy your tires and ensure you get an E load rating.