im looking at getting a new truck prob a diesel but looking at some hemis... how do they do towing and hauling? i tow a trailer a few times a month in the spring summer and fall. any years to avoid? and it would have to be on a 2500 frame for the work load. any of you guys plow with them?

 

if you have a possibility take 2500 with cummins, IMO

 

im going to test drive one tomorrow. but a 2nd gen cant afford a 3rd gen cummins.

 

If you can find a cummins that you can afford, get it max, you will not be sorry. But if you do get a 3rd gen 2500 with a hemi, it will do everything you want it to do, but a cummins is better IMO.

A buddy of mine has an 04 2500 with a hemi, he plows all of the time with and and it does great. This summer he pulled a 10,000 trailer to virginia beach and had no problem, but did wish for the extra power of the cummins on a few hills.

 

Do not get me wrong...I like the HEMI. If given the choice though, I wish that the 488 c.i. (8.0L) V10 was still an option on the 2005 Heavy Duty.

 

Older cummins and newer Hemi 2500's are great trucks. But the older automatic transmissions behind the cummins just got torn up like crazy, make sure to get a stick shift

 

It's an odd duck, but you can find a V10 all the way through the middle of 2003.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item3364682642
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item41563db02c

 

So I hear the one I'm looking at has 92,000 miles and its an 01 auto tranny lol if I didn't plow I would get a stick instead... if the tranny makes it to 130k ill be pretty happy gonna take out some extra money in the loan for tranny work.

 

My towing needs are minimal - utility trailer and garden tractor, so a CTD could not be justified. I love my Hemi - great sound, impressive power.

 

Yep, was one thing when I was tourney bass fishing and putting over 30k on my truck. Then I had a diesel. But I haven't done that in over 10 years and couldn't justify spending a whole lot more for a new diesel when I bought my truck. I will tow about 7000# of tractor, rough cut or box blade and a dual axle trailer, but it's only about 30 miles and only about 4 times a year.

In hindsight, I wish I'd have bought a 2500 Hemi just for the solid front axle, but my truck has served my needs...