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Dodge Ram Mega Cab (Page 4)
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ProwlerOnline, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Discussion Forum
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Dodge Ram Mega Cab (Page 4)
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| This topic is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Tires, Rims Discusssion |
| Author | Topic: Dodge Ram Mega Cab |
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ProwlinNM Prowler Junkie Posts: 175 |
posted 10-30-2005 08:36 PM
I am thinking about buying a new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 Cummins Diesel. Does anyone own one? What do you guys think about them? And most important, what kind of gas mileage are you getting? Thanks for the help...  |
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Fat Pat Prowler Junkie Posts: 1242 |
posted 10-31-2005 05:01 AM
Buy a V10....although the Cummins is a good engine, you will NEVER "catch up" on the extra cost (5 grand) of the Cummins over the big V10. Diesel fuel is higher than gas and the upkeep on the Cummins is triple that of a gasoline engine. You would have to run awful fast to sell me a diesel pick up! |
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Kraut Prowler Junkie Posts: 1300 |
posted 10-31-2005 07:02 AM
I don't know about the upkeep on a Cummins diesel, but I do know that the Ford (Navistar) diesel is unbreakable. Typically, diesels go forever without any serious work. Routine maintenance, on the other hand, is considerably more costly than gas engines. They hold 15 quarts of oil, have two heavy duty batteries, and expensive fuel filters, so normal operating costs are a bit higher. Then there is the issue of fuel. Diesel fuel costs about $1.00 per gallon more than regular gas right now. I just sold my F-350 Dually to get out from under the cost of driving it. |
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ALLEY CAT Prowler Junkie Posts: 36093 |
posted 10-31-2005 07:18 AM
P-NM - I agree with Fat Pat [first and last time],,,,,,go the gas motor route and save the backside cash outlay for a nice vacation. |
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01Prowler Prowler Junkie Posts: 5068 |
posted 10-31-2005 08:54 AM
Go for it. The only way to buy a truck like that is with the diesel engine. Yes diesel fuel may be higher right now, but will it stay that way? Once you tow something heavy with that gas motor, you'll wish you had a diesel. You'll get your money back when it comes time to sell or trade it in. As far as reliability goes, with my cummins diesel I've had over 100k trouble free miles changing oil every 7500 miles, and 90% of those 100k miles has been towing nearly 18,000 lbs. Do that with the gasoline engine, and you'd be on at least your fourth or fifth engine/ transmission. JMHO from real world experience. As far as your fuel mileage question goes. 9-13 mpg fully loaded 17-19 empty. This message has been edited by 01Prowler on 10-31-2005 at 08:55 AM |
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WildCat Prowler Junkie Posts: 6862 |
posted 10-31-2005 10:39 AM
quote:
The only problem with the engine has been the ball on the fuel pump and that was repaired on a TSB. Oil changes every 7,500 miles (12 quarts of oil and a $10 filter) Fuel filters every so often and the valves adjusted and timing set at about 60,000 miles. 10 miles to the gallon pulling my 24' trailer at any speed I want, 20 miles to gallon truck only 75 mph Now what do you plan on doing with the truck? do you need that much truck and is cost a factor. Before buying a truck you have to think about what you will do with it, drive it as a car and haul a few 2x4's on a rare occasion, or tow a large trailer with it most of the time it is driven. For the occasional trip to home depot and normal driving the rest of the time a gas motor is a better way to go in my opinion. To do many miles on the road or towing a large trailer the diesel is the best. But if a large trailer is going to be towed a few times a year and it used as a means of transportation the rest of the time I would opt for the gas. The diesel does have better resale value but at the premium the diesel cost, the higher fuel cost, the smell of diesel fuel on your hands (or keeping gloves in the truck) when fueling, (and on your shoes from were it gets spilled at the pump), and finding fuel when not on the interstate, I'm not so sure that it is the best choice for most people. The local station I get gas at most of the time is down to $2.18 last night but diesel was still $3.70 A Hemi truck will run with mine. Rich Ware was following me pulling his trailer at 85+ mph and when we filled up he got 8.8 and I got 10.5 If I were to get a new truck now it would be a gas motor. Figure out how you are going to use it and if the diesel is what fits your needs get it, YOU WILL LOVE IT. |
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01Prowler Prowler Junkie Posts: 5068 |
posted 10-31-2005 11:29 AM
If he's buying the truck to haul a couple 2x4's around he sure doesn't need to be buying a 1 ton truck, a half ton will be plenty for that. |
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MDProwler Prowler Junkie Posts: 5250 |
posted 10-31-2005 12:25 PM
First of all, you will need a big driveway to park it and forget tight turns.  But I have an '02 with a 360(5.9) and pull a 20 foot trailer with the Prowler and 500 lb of junk with no serious problems. Mountains are a little tough but for the most part it does the job. I only tow two or three times a year. Oh, and I can't stand the smell of diesel! But the truck is COOL!! |
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PROWLER-KEITH Prowler Junkie Posts: 1243 |
posted 10-31-2005 12:32 PM
I have a 1500 hemi 3.55 gears did an exhaust change magna flow and changed air filter direct into the throttle body. I have a 281/2' 5/th wheel it tows like a hot dam fuel mileage is more than acceptable myself I'm looking at an 06 quad cab also but no diesel here buy a lot of gas here for that option price PK |
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ProwlinNM Prowler Junkie Posts: 175 |
posted 10-31-2005 05:06 PM
Thanks for all the responses. I am a contractor and use my truck a lot actually. I currently drive a 2001 Ford F350 crew cab diesel, with which I tow quite a bit. I like the Ford and like having a diesel, even with the higher maintance. But the gas is what is killing me. I'm getting around 12-13 mpg empty and I had heard that the Cummins should get around 18+ mpg empty. So that is why I started looking. Then when I saw the Mega Cab, I really liked it. So I turn to you wonderful people for any feedback. |
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01Prowler Prowler Junkie Posts: 5068 |
posted 10-31-2005 05:40 PM
The cummins will get close to 18 empty. I've had both the powerstroke and the cummins, and I like the cummins better. |
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Kraut Prowler Junkie Posts: 1300 |
posted 10-31-2005 07:58 PM
ProwlinNM, I just sold my F-350 dually crewcab long bed diesel, mainly because of the fuel cost issue, and I didn't have any reason to justify having a truck that big. I just plain loved the thing. Over the years I learned to drive it very gently, which greatly enhanced my fuel economy. I was getting 16-17 MPG around town and only slightly better on the road. I never hauled anything with it. Sold it for $16.5K, and hated to see it go. Just bought the wife a slightly used '05 PT Cruiser Touring Edition (13K miles) for $11.5K, and a Kendon Motorcycle Trailer to handle my hauling needs. |
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Chromer Prowler Junkie Posts: 2723 |
posted 10-31-2005 08:13 PM
quote: Something else to consider? Diesel fuel WILL BE GOING UP (not sure exactly how much?) When the new EPA Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel standard goes into full affect June 1, 2006. The fuel will be going from 400 PPM of sulfur to less than 10 PPM of Sulfur per gallon. The bad news is the cost of Diesel fuel will certainly be going UP. The good news is your hands and the exhaust MAY not stink as much?? |
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Randy Cobb Prowler Junkie Posts: 4070 |
posted 11-01-2005 01:56 PM
Chomer is dead on with his info. On the wholesale side I'm hearing the extra cost for the Ultra disel mandate is 10 to 15 cents per gallon. |
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