Dodge Screwed Me!!!

[davido]

Also, I drive it like a baby, between Diesel costs and only being allowed to get tires every 40K miles, I have to conserve. I drive the truck harder when pulling a trailer (colman). I have not broke the tires loose or raced anyone for over a year.

I bet your buddy didn't show it the same love. Sucks that you're in a $20k predicament with a $40k truck. This is exacly why I have been reluctant to mess with mine. Still bone stock....



...but it'll still stomp Schubring's poop bucket.

[agjohn02]

I bet your buddy didn't show it the same love. Sucks that you're in a $20k predicament with a $40k truck. This is exacly why I have been reluctant to mess with mine. Still bone stock....



...but it'll still stomp Schubring's poop bucket.

until it runs out of fuel

[davido]

Hey, that hasn't happened in at least 6 months.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

until it runs out of fuel

Don't go knockin' the truck for operator error.

[davido]

Although mostly true, I'd say it needs to share at least some of the blame. The small tank doesn't help, but the real kicker is that it will run smooth out before the light comes on. It's left me stranded when I wasn't paying attention to it. I've gotten use to carrying extra diesel when on big trips with the trailer. That's really the only thing that has sucked on that truck. Everything else has pretty much performed as it should.

[Graystroke]

the next time you run out tow it home and replace the sending unit...the tsnk would be empty and easy to handle. would that fix the problem?

[redcagepatrol]

I...but it'll still stomp Schubring's poop bucket.

they made some pretty big improvements in Diesels since 1999... My truck only made 235 hp from the factory so it had to by fixed up a little to make it down the road with a full trailer...

I might buy a new one before the next major trip in the summer... or fix my AC

[agjohn02]

Although mostly true, I'd say it needs to share at least some of the blame. The small tank doesn't help, but the real kicker is that it will run smooth out before the light comes on. It's left me stranded when I wasn't paying attention to it. I've gotten use to carrying extra diesel when on big trips with the trailer. That's really the only thing that has sucked on that truck. Everything else has pretty much performed as it should.

you try to wait until the light comes on to get fuel when pulling a trailer? no wonder! the light means you have 20 miles until empty. with a trailer, make that ten probably. try refueling when it drops below a half tank and before a quarter when you're loaded like i do and you wont have a problem.

[davido]

you try to wait until the light comes on to get fuel when pulling a trailer?

No, this was empty. But sometimes I'm on the phone, in a hurry, or otherwise not paying attention until it's too late. I typically don't have to fill up that often.

try refueling when it drops below a half tank and before a quarter when you're loaded like i do and you wont have a problem.

Really? Thanks for that insight, I never thought of that before. I'll write that one down.



Grayson, that's what a warranty is for. It's been there twice for it. Still an issue though. The last time with a trailer, it ran out showing just under 1/4 tank on a climb in CO. I think it was likely a pickup issue as much as anything.

Most of the bad rap came from the 1st trip to CO when I had the heaviest load and the smallest tank. Everyone always wanted to push to the next place, including me. We all got a lesson on how fast the 2nd half of the tank disappears. My digital range display is typically right on. I just had to learn to work with it.

When leaving Alma, I told Troy what I had, which was right at the distance to the end location for the night. He thought there would likely be a place in between or that I'd make it. There was not a single place open with diesel. I ran out 2 miles outside of town. Pretty much exactly where it had predicted 2+ hours before.

It's also been an issue finding places with diesel while travelling off major highways or late at night. I started carrying two fuel cans after the first trip. Hasn't been a real issue since. I've gotten good at using the hand primer.

[Graystroke]

so when it runs out and you refill it does it take 24 gal (I think that is what a short bed tank is) i.e is the tank really empty? If it's still under warranty I would take it in and tell them to replace it all. Replace the gauge, sending unit and the pick-up in the tank. If it is running out of fuel w/ a 1/4 tank (actually 6 gal remaining) have they checked the pick-up and made sure there is not a crack in the line and it isn't sucking air. I'm sure you already went through all that... that would really annoy me b/c I'm always running mine down to the light and I have a 37 gal tank...I should fill it more often, it would be less painful psychologically...

Which reminds me:
I'm w/ Mr. Brune and his presonal Gihad! I hate the damn auto cut offs at $75. I went inside one station and asked the lady at the register to show me a vehicle out at the pumps that could fill their tanks on $75 (they were all trucks and big SUV's). It was a waste of time. I showed her! I'm never going back! ayayayayayaya! Death to the infadels! Praise Allah!

[eight]

My dodge only had 215hp and pulled 14K just fine, just had to put it in drive and let it spin. Got 14mph doing it too. Of course it hasn't pulled anything of substantial weight in the past 5 years.

Back in the really old days before we got turbos, there was no need to worry about loosing speed on hills or taking off slow. That's just what was expected. Still got where we were going. The old 7.3 sure pulled the D3 on the triple axle better than the carbed 351 did.

And now I have a ford with a 120hp or such programmer that will blow a mean cloud of smoke if I'm not careful. Maybe tomorrow I explore the tuning options. Need to tell it to wait until there's enough air to add fuel.

[agjohn02]

Really? Thanks for that insight, I never thought of that before. I'll write that one down.

pretty snooty for a guy thats run out of gas on the highway, what, a half dozen times? maybe you really should write it down.

[redcagepatrol]

so I'm thinking about getting a new Dodge (need more room for the kiddo - and sometime future kiddo #2)

What year Dodge should I get? 06+ I guess? What if I want an automatic? Should I get the new engine / auto? I guess I should start my own thread...

My other option in a Duramax, I haven't heard too many people complain about them (unlike the Fords)

[Graystroke]

Buy a Dmax...I think the demand is a lot less (you see fewer fleet/work Dmax's and they seem to have fewer miles on them)...most people just commute in them/are the weekend warrior type. They run pretty good and ride good. Apparently you can get them cheap b/c of the price of diesel. My friend took his '06 in to trade in on a half-ton and they offered him $15k! I told him I give him $16k .His is a loaded LT (even has a sunroof) and only 30k miles on it. He kept it obviously. I imagine this is true on all diesels...

[DRAGOONRANCH]

x 2 on the DMax, I love mine and it pulls like a freight train and the Allison pulls like a dream (and this coming from a die-hard stick guy ). I have been hearing a bunch of folks here talk about getting into a used diesel just due to the low prices and availability. They have been saying the mileage is low on most of them also.