Now that the kids are gone and we don't have as many dogs, our travel trailer is a bit big and we are thinking about getting a camper instead. It's smaller and lighter and should be a lot easier to maneuver around, especially getting into our driveway on a small street.

Now, even though we are looking at a camper for "smaller" we'd like at least *some* room, so are looking at a camper with a slide-out. Additionally, the QC/SB makes a small camper even smaller. And, even though the campers are "lighter", they are also entirely payload, and my 2500 doesn't have the grunt to carry that much weight.

I'm looking at getting a long-bed maybe/not QC (QC, long-bed won't fit in my garage) 3500. It looks like Hemis are rare/non-existent for a 3500 which leaves diesel.

With the horridly long introduction out of the way, I've never owned a diesel. Other than "it's not gasoline", and "diesel has some issues with cold weather", I really don't know anything about diesel and diesel engines.

So... What should I know about diesel before I get too serious into looking at one?

Thanks!

 

yeah I don't think they made 3500's on gas, that's all i can really say other than to repost this in the cummins diesel section and you'll get a lot of info.

 

Good idea, and done!

 

no problem

 

There is gas on 3500 with a special order from Dodge Dealership... I would suggest you to get cummins turbo diesel due to their power, and the best towing power... You can expect to get a better miles per gallon from diesel than from gas. Diesel can last long up to 400k before engine is being rebuild however gas can only last up to between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Im thinking of getting myself a 2006 Dodge Ram Megacab 3500 single rear wheels with CTD.

 

lol hook me up too man, how much u think those go for?..i wouldnt get a gas 3500 either..there would be s*** for power on that

 

Gotta friend that has an 08 Cummins and the thing is insane. He always had a gasser but went for the Cummins for the power and he wanted to haul a nice boat around in Arkansas. There aren't many vehicles that he can't outrun in a straight line and even fewer that can tow more. He's had a lot of fun adding mods to it, way more options than with a gas engine.

 

i'd suggest staying with a 5.9L if you can. the newer 6.7s have had plenty of issues due to the emissions regulation on there. the 5.9 CTD is truly a magnificent engine.

The last couple years of that engine (05-06 i think) that engine and trans combo was excellent. The trans was still a little on the weaker side relative to chevy's allisons, but it was more than adequate for recreational use.

Going to a 3500, I think a CTD would be your best option regardless of if you can find a gasser or not. but, again, I would recommend staying away from a newer diesel. Semigod (another member) has pointed out that diesels that are not accustomed to todays diesel fuel lose a bit of power/economy when you put low sulfer diesel through them, but thats not so bad. throw a programmer on there, problem solved.

 

how much weight can a camper be? plus the cummins is a 6k option and deisel repairs are EXPENSIVE! not to mention the price of deisel and about a 14qt oil change. deisels arent that big of an issue in the cold you just gotta keep condensation fromm getting into the fuel and fuel lines and have to either keep a block heater plugged in for the cold weather and gotta warm it up in te morning or else it wont move.
i mean its up to you totally but i think if your just hauling a camper around a few times a year its not worth it.

 

A lot more than I expected. The slide adds a lot of weight as well.
One of the campers we are looking at is 3,700lbs dry!

If we don't get a slide, the weight is about 2,000lbs on up, but we want to maximize the limited room even a long bed can give.

Going to 3500 essentially requires getting a CTD, hence the questions.