You'll probably be fine with the setup you've described. I've not pulled anything that heavy yet, but did something similar for similar reasons. My truck is "occasional" use, kinda weekend warrior with the fishing or camping and hauling stuff. Given that, I didn't go with a CTD because I'd never make up the cost differential and my oil burner buddies told me the same thing (diesels don't like to sit unused for a long long time). I would suggest the taller gears rather than the 3.73's if you can find 'em.

 

Thanks for the feedback I think the hemi is going to be the way to go for me are there any especially good years for this truck?

 

their all good to my knowledge... since you dont plan on using it a ton get an 03.. i like mine... plus the older the cheaper.... if you plan on modifying it the 04's have more chips available other than that no diff..

 

I've heard that some of the '03's had more issues initialy, likely due to being early production with the Hemi, but mind you I have no data or first hand knowledge of that (so tdmopar's probably right). The rest is more personal preference and cost. I personaly prefer the '03 - '05 headlights a little more, but have heard that the '06's put out better light (the only complaint I have about my '05 is the headlights aren't that great in terms of light output...yes I've tried many different bulbs, just not that well designed I guess)....

If you end up pricing a 4X4 you may want to consider things like electric vs. manual 4wd drive engagement. A few of my pals have the electric and say it works fine, but I've always prefered the manual version (less stuff to break when you really need it)...Other than that, just the normal stuff...i.e. was it maintained well ? The service interval on things like axles is only 15K miles so you'll want to make sure whoever owned it before took care of the truck. Personaly I avoid rentals like the plague...Most people (I'm guilty of this myself) drive rentals like they stole 'em...so they may look nice but usually have had the hell beat outta them...

 

Well, i have an 06, and let me tell you sir, my headlights suck ***

That and no lights on my cruise control, and charging me for F*ing inner wheel liners are my only complaints about this truck.

 

We Have A 2001 Dodge2500 Extra Cab With a V-10 4X2 with 373 rear gears and we hook our 35 Foot fifth wheel to it it weights 13000 empty and loaded about 15000,

This truck also sits most of the time and we most of the time drive a couple times am year.

The truck sucks it wont pull very well We are going to put some 456 gears in with any luck this will make a good towing truck not a over rated gas hog.

Oh yea I compairing it to my Old 1997 Ford 7.3 Power Stroke with 410 gears.

Dont get me wrong The Dodge is a great truck just not for towing heavy loads.

It's a great truck but for pulling heavy loads not the best plus it gets 4 MPG pulling we pulled out Fifth wheel from NC to CA it cost alot of cash never again 3000 miles divide by 4 lets see 750 gallons of gas at $3.00 a gallon it cost us $2250.00 to move our fifth wheel sure glad this was a one way trip.

Oh yea we get about 10 MGP empty.

I don't know about the Hemi how it will do with a heavy load behide it for the long haul but beware, I going to trade my 2006 Dodge Q-Cab 1500iV-6 n for a new Dodge 2500 Q-Cab Hemi in a couple years my self but not for heavy towing, The sad thing the Hemi seems like they are getting about or better MPG as my under powered V-6 getting.


Don't laugh It was a good Idea at the time thinking the V-6 would of gotten better MPG never agin V-6 in a full size truck.

 

I know you don't really want to go with a cummins due to their attitude with sitting still for a while... but I'd get one... even a 2002/2003 5.9L. You'll get better economy when you do tow that trailer, and a HEMI would be strained but if you want to go with gas, get a V10; decent horsepower and torque for the longhaul.

 

I am fairly new to Dodge trucks but I have spent a considerable time towing and recently added a 08 Power Wagon to my list of trucks. It is a 2500 Quad Cab 4X4 with a Hemi, auto 5 spd with 4.56 gears. I pull 7000lbs and feel it does the job nicely. I have owned diesels and found it was overkill for my towing, but if I were pulling 10,000 plus, I would go with a diesel. But considering you are not towing all of the time, a Hemi may work for you....BUT, you need to look carefully at the tow ratings. If you have a 10,000 lb trailer and 1000 lbs in the bed and I am sure some more goodies, you are looking at 11,000 to 12,000 lbs being towed and a payload need of about 2500 lbs. If you go with a Ram 2500, 2 wheel drive, Quad Cab long bed (you are gonna want a long wheel base for stability), add auto trans with 4.10 gears, depending on the year model, your max towing would be approx 11,200 lbs and a payload capacity of approx 3090 lbs, so you would be within the rated limits. If the hitch weight is 1500 lbs, you will have to upgrade to a class 5 hitch, class 4 is usually standard and typically maxes out at 1000 lbs. This combo may work for you, it just won't be very fast up hills with that kind of weight.

good luck

 

I am almost positve there are no V-10 3rd gens, and I have never seen a hemi in a 1 ton truck, I know they exist but they are rare. A hemi 2500 would be your best bet for what you are doing.