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Old 07-01-2006, 02:02 PM   #1
MNpat
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Is this truck powerful enough to haul with?

`04 5.9 Liter Dodge Ram Turbo Diesal 3500 with dullies; 378 gear ratio; 4 x 4. It is selling for 26.9K.

We have a Montana `03 3595rk. We need to upgrade to a more pwerful truck to haul it with, but don't want to give up the comfort & ease of driving our what our present rig offers.
 
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Old 07-01-2006, 02:18 PM   #2
Cat320
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Power is not the problem, any diesel will pull any Montana. The problem is the ability to carry the pin weight...and the hitch weight, cargo, passengers, full fuel, tools, dogs, etc and not exceed GVWR. Looks like you have your sites on a truck capable of handling all the weight you want to carry. Good luck.
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Old 07-01-2006, 02:49 PM   #3
Countryfolks
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You should be fine with that rig although you may be close to the max [~ 23k] on GVRW when fully loaded, One thing you may want to double check is the exact year designation. There are significant differences between the 04 and 04.5 motors. The newer [03 up] Dodges are MUCH quiter than the earlier models. Give it a test drive to see if it feels right to you.

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Old 07-01-2006, 02:50 PM   #4
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Should be no problem!
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Old 07-01-2006, 03:14 PM   #5
MNpat
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Thanks for your replies guys! Much appreciated! Now can I trouble you to give me your Pros & Cons between the Dodge, 5.9 litter turbo diesel & the Ford 7.3 litter disel?
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Old 07-01-2006, 04:03 PM   #6
Countryfolks
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I don't know much about the Ford diesel. They quit making it several years ago. It is an 8 cylinder and is rather hungry from what I've heard, It is also very powerful. The Dodge is a Cummins and is a 6 cylinder. It has fewer moving parts than the Ford. The Dodge you're looking at has ~4oo hp and 550 lbs of torque . Either one will do the job.

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Old 07-01-2006, 04:59 PM   #7
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We have an 02 Dodge 3500 Duelly and it tows our 3400 like a dream. I haven't ever had any problems with towing. I love the combination. They really work great together. It is really what you want to buy. For us it was the Dodge.
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Old 07-01-2006, 07:18 PM   #8
labouttejr
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I tow my 3400RL with a 2500 durmax. It does very well, weight wise and power.
Dodge is a good truck you should have no problems.
Fords are fuel hogs.
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Old 07-01-2006, 07:52 PM   #9
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I had a 2004 Dodge 2500 with the standard output and that had enough power to tow, but we weren't comfortable with the way ti rode with the pinweight, so we upgraded to the 2005 Dodge 3500 dually.

the only recommendation that I would make about the 2004 model year is to try to get the High Output version of the Cummings. The extra HP and torque will help on hills. Also, as Countryfolks mentioned, there was a mid-year change in the 2004 engines. the later 2004s have noticably more power.
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Old 07-02-2006, 01:26 AM   #10
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There is a sticker on the street side of the engine that tells what the HP & torque is, if it says 325hp is's a 04.5 model year and has the better automatic transmission(if its an automatic) There are plenty of forums for all the diesel trucks where you should be able to find your answers. My 2cents is that the Cummins is a truck engine, it has a 300,000 mile service life before rebuild. Other than oil and filters changes the first service item is at 150,000 miles to adjust the valves, that was enough for me since I plan to have it for a while.
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Old 07-02-2006, 03:54 AM   #11
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You asked about the Ford 7.3 L diesel. The one I drive has all the power I need to do the job. The 7.3 was a very reliable engine. It is not as quiet as the newer ones which is ok with me. I sort of like the growlly sound of the diesel engine. As far as mileage, I get 20 to 21 mpg on the road, 17-18 mpg mixed driving and 10-11 pulling Monty loaded. If I am bucking heavy winds, then I am reduced to about 9-9.5 mpg. By-the-way, the 7.3 is an 8 cylinder made by International.
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Old 07-02-2006, 04:15 AM   #12
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Thanks again all for the info My husband doesn't understand how a 6 cylinder engine can be reliable for towing.
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Old 07-02-2006, 04:22 AM   #13
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The Cummins 5.9 and the Navistar ( International ) 7.3 are both good solid engines and I have owned both a 95 and 00 7.3 and had good service with both of them and got the same mileage as Stiles does. My brother had a 98 Cummins and now an 05 Cummins, had good luck with both of them.
In 04 I bought a new Ford with the new 6.0 Navistar engine. This engine was a dissapointment to me from day one with poor fuel economy and left me stranded on the side of the road three times.
Ford took it back and allowed me to order my 05 V10 for only 3200 dollars. The best 3200 dollars I have spent in my 55 years on the planet for sure.
The 6.0s short life is almost over as a new 6.4 is coming out soon and I hope it is a winner for Ford.
The Cummins has been around for a long time and is a proven engine. The newer ones have more valves and different fueling but the block is the same.
Ford claims they went away from the 7.3 to meet emmission standards. What a pity as that engine built Ford's reputation as a reliable pickup.
The Cummins still has a great reputation and you can even get it in a Ford F650. I wish you could get it in an F350. Take care and good luck shopping for a truck.
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Old 07-02-2006, 04:50 AM   #14
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I forgot to say that ours is a 6 cylinder and you could never prove it by me because it has a lot of power. Enough to pull and pull, no problems going up hills either. The Cajon Pass in Cal. if proof of that. It trucked right up that hill and never looked back when we were moving to Montana. That truck never missed a beat....
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Old 07-02-2006, 07:00 AM   #15
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quote:Originally posted by MNpat

Thanks again all for the info My husband doesn't understand how a 6 cylinder engine can be reliable for towing.
Cummins has built OVER a MILLION of them for Dodge. Not to mention their big truck engines. You can expect a Cummins to pull as well as a V8.
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Old 07-02-2006, 07:45 AM   #16
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We tow the same rig as you, a 2003 3295RK, with a 2005 Ford F250 with the 6.0L powerstroke diesel and are very, very pleased with the performance. No complaints at all.

The Dodge you are looking at will do a fine job. The 3295RK has one of the heaviest pinweights and is the heaviest, or perhaps 2nd heaviest, Montana. You should have no problem.

As for comparison of the big three diesels, all three are very capable of handling any Montana made. The dually you are looking at will give you the payload/GVWR to handle the heavy pinweight of the 3295RK. If it has the 23,000 GCWR, that will be plenty. Our 3295RK is very heavily loaded and we are just under the 23,000 GCWR. Our F250 is very heavy, also, and probably weighs roughly the same, possibly more, than the Dodge you are looking at. I'm not sure what yours weighs.

Good luck. I think the Dodge will do just fine for you.
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Old 07-03-2006, 03:17 AM   #17
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Plenty of truck to pull your Mont. If this truck is all stock, I would recomend changeing the stock exhaust to a 5 inch system thats down pipe and all. Get a after market air intake system. You might also get Diesel Power Magazine. A very well put together magazine to help diesel owners undestand what's what in their diesel trucks.
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