06 Dodge diesel, any pointers?

[jayhaitch]

I'm pondering getting a used diesel, as we are purchasing a travel trailer next summer. I have an 01 Ford Expedition 5.4, towing capacity 6900 lbs. Yet, the 28-29 ft tag alongs we've looked at have a GTWR of ~7000 lbs. My Expedition screams pulling 6000 lbs of loaded tandem axle utility trailer, so I can't imagine what towing at it's limit for days on end would be like. I've read several posts here bemoaning the poor towing of the 5.4, and I know, the Expedition is only a half ton chassis. I've put a Superchips reprogrammer, K&N filtercharger with Amsoil nanofibre air filter, and Magnaflow cat back on it. Sounds great. More power. About .5 mpg better. But it still needs to rev to tow a heavy load, and makes horrible mileage doing so. I got 9mpg towing the utility at 70mph into a headwind. So.....

A local dealer has an 06 Dodge 2500 4x4 6 speed Cummins quad cab short box they just got in. It's a Missouri truck, 40,000 miles. Lots of American used vehicles come to Canada, not quite sure why. I test drove it today. I like it! What I noticed was:

Pros: engine bay clean as new. Love the feel of the 6 speed. The torque!!!! The quiet. The ride was even really nice for 3/4 ton. Chassis has no rust. No 5th wheel hitch holes in the box. 5.9 non EGR diesel.

Cons: scratched up box. Worn rear tires. A rust spot in the box. Interior a bit stained. Mid level interior ( My Expedition is an Eddie Bauer, I guess I'm spoiled ) Price: $39,800 Can. Which is now $41800 US at our current exchange. The dealer said they hadn't detailed it yet as it just came in yest. He is replacing the 2 rear tires.

I know pricing is always variable due to local market conditions. For you cogniscenti, are there any specific pitfalls to this model/year I should look out for? I know the 4 speed auto is the weak link in this model, which is why I test drove this one. I think I may even have the Mrs. on board! Any pointers would be much appreciated.

 

[RollTideRam]

I believe the auto's were upgraded in 03 to the 48re. They should stand up to stock power levels for over 100k easy. I have the previous 47re with about 50hp over stock and have had no problems on my 01. Check out turbodieselregister.com to find more specific info on that model. JC

 

[RedRocker]

I'd do what RollTidRam said and go to TDR, I love my Dodge, there is no better engine than a Cummins in a small truck.

 

[Dmace]

Personally, I would love to have a Cummins diesel truck but I just can't justify the cost.

If you are just towing a 7k lb trailer once in a while then you would be just fine with a 1/2 ton HEMI. My 03 Ram 1500 4x4 QC HEMI has hauled everything under the sun under 9k lbs and never had a problem. The heaviest was a 7300lb mini-excavator on a 5-ton 1200lb trailer. Towing capacity is 8900lbs and the truck feels like it could easily handle more.

You would probably get 3-4 mpg more with the diesel but with the cost of diesel at $3.39 here vs. mid-grade at $3.09, it levels out. You should be able to get a used 1/2 ton HEMI for half the price of that diesel truck. If you want a 5-speed, you will have to stick with the 3/4 ton trucks 1/2 tons are auto only.

 

[Double Orange]

A local dealer has an 06 Dodge 2500 4x4 6 speed Cummins quad cab short box 40,000 miles. scratched up box. Worn rear tires. A rust spot in the box. Interior a bit stained. Mid level interior is $41800 US at our current exchange.

That truck didn't cost that much new!!
I paid $45k New 06' diesel, 1 ton dually, quad cab, Lariat, auto,sunroof, tow pkg, leather, heated seats, LOADED!!
Plus 0% for 60 mo.

 

[AlanB]

I am looking as well, and that was my thought, if I was spending that kind of money, I would have new, full warranty, great financing, end of 07 closeout deal.

 

[dgl24087]

A local dealer has an 06 Dodge 2500 4x4 6 speed Cummins quad cab short box 40,000 miles. scratched up box. Worn rear tires. A rust spot in the box. Interior a bit stained. Mid level interior is $41800 US at our current exchange.

That truck didn't cost that much new!!
I paid $45k New 06' diesel, 1 ton dually, quad cab, Lariat, auto,sunroof, tow pkg, leather, heated seats, LOADED!!
Plus 0% for 60 mo.

Remember, he's in Canada, and with the current exchange, a new truck would be close $60k, based on what I've seen.

 

[jayhaitch]

Pricing is a strange thing. The Canadian dollar is now stronger than the US dollar, for the first time since the mid 1970's. As of today, it takes $1.09 US dollars to buy one Canadian dollar. We're flooding across the border on shopping trips, as most consumer goods are cheaper in the US, and the selection is enormously greater even if the price is the same.

There is a class action lawsuit just filed against car manufacturer's, the point of contention being the identical vehicle is priced far higher in Canada than the US. Some, like Honda, even forbid US dealers from selling to Canadians, with vicious penalties if they do.

I just checked on the dodge.ca website. A Dodge Ram 2500 diesel optioned as the used on I'm considering, lists at Can$54,295, including a $1000 destination charge rebate. The finance rates are 1.99% for 24 or 36 months, 3.99% for 48 months, and 6.99% for 60 months. Not bad, but no zero percent like we received on my wife's 05 Pacifica. Plus, we have 13% sales taxes here in Manitoba, 6% federal and 7% provincial tax, on almost everything. And we've never had mortgage interest deductibility. The dealer is asking 26% below current list, which is an average depreciation for desirable trucks here. I believe prices will decline based on our strong dollar, eventually......

But I'm still left with this particular truck. If I buy it, I'll put in a spray-in box liner, tonneau cover, brake controller, and maybe a stronger hitch. Unless with this vehicle we decide on a 5th wheel RV. Can anyone tell me what the BIG HORN option package is? I don't see it on the current website.

Is Missouri a hotbed of used trucks or something? Is 40,000 miles a reasonable distance to wear our rear tires, but fronts are OK?

 

[Z-Michigan]

We have a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab/shortbed with the diesel. We use it for towing a 3-horse gooseneck trailer (5000 empty, max 10k loaded, typically 6500-8000 loaded). We have the auto transmission (48RE) and about 32,500 miles on it now. We do have the Big Horn value package, which was a very common package that just included a couple common options (mostly interior stuff, like trip computer and 40/20/40 front seat) in a value package. It's good, but nothing special.

The rear tires on our truck have roughly 70-80% tread left so I don't know what the person with that truck was doing to wear out rears at 40k miles. These are truck tires and we run 60psi front, 70psi rear per owner's manual recommendations for towing use. We are completely happy with the truck and would probably buy the same thing over again, although the GM 3/4 ton diesels are great too. I'm not aware of any special gotcha type items; obviously look for all the usual maintenance. The oil filter is somewhat difficult to reach if you like DIY oil changes, but it's not a huge problem. I am not aware of the auto transmission being any issue, and FWIW you get a lot more torque with the auto (605 ft-lbs) than with the 6-speed manual (520 ft-lbs???) if I remember correctly.

We tow the horse trailer a fair bit and have even had it in mountains. When empty you can hardly tell it's there. Loaded at 6500lbs it is only slightly noticeable, and at 9k you know it's there but it's still a safe and easy towing setup. If I were going to tow more than 10k regularly I would get a 1-ton or larger.

 

[gino45]

If you're in Manitoba, how far is it to Idaho? There is a dealer there who is well known for great deals on new Dodge trucks. It's kind of hard to believe, but many people here buy their trucks in Idaho. I don't know if I'm allowed to post names, but think: what's the most common last name in North America? I'd contact them and see what they are offering.