RE: Dodge 1500
3/4 ton would be my recommendation for the fifth wheel trailer you are talking about.
The 2010 Dodge 2500 and 3500 trucks will get the same body as the 2009 Dodge 1500 if you can wait that long.
RE: What is up with oversize rims???
I believe Dodge claimed a few years back that 17s were necessary due to larger brake rotors on the newer trucks. Why the 20s? Looks I guess. They do nothing for me personally.
RE: Six vs. 4 and 5-speed gassers- Any experiences to share.
You should be able to figure it out, without actually towing, if you do a good test drive. It will also help to know which is the highest gear the mfgr approves for towing - if you can believe a mfgr! A vehicle that doesn't feel so good unloaded might actually be fine for towing if you hold it down to the right gear. Before the CTD/manuals, I bought a 96 Ram 360/4spd auto and ordered it with 3.92 gears cuz Mopar claimed it was fine to tow in od and I figured 3.92 would be even better than 3.54. Well, the trans ran way hot in od so I used direct for towing and it did GREAT and got good mpg. That's when I swore off junk od autos for towing til better days. Craig
Wow, I find it interesting that your 96 Ram was recommended for OD towing. I have owned 3 Rams over the last 10 years and all said lock out OD for trailer towing in the owners manual. The oldest Ram is my current 95, also had a 99 and an 03.
RE: Six vs. 4 and 5-speed gassers- Any experiences to share.
You can not take for granted that the over paid driveline engineers know what they're doing. The 5spd auto in the Hemi powered Ram, while reliable, is not what the customer expects a 5spd auto to be. It has three wide ratio under drive to drive ratios and then two close ratio overdrives with no way to lock out both O/D ratios in the '04-'05 for towing. It works but gives the "all or nothing" approach to towing in hill country. It's two 2nd gear ratios, one for upshifts and one for downshifts, make the all or nothing spread worse. A lighter version of the 68RFE would be great as they're built in the same case but, between Chrysler management and driveline engineering, the 5-45RFE is what we get. Other than being an engineering blunder, it has been 100% reliable for the 96k miles I've used it for towing and city route work. I've resolved to setting cruise control at 65mph and letting it shift all it wants while towing.
The 6spd manual is standard equipment with the Hemi powered 2500HD and 3500HD but it's almost impossible to find one.
Just a quick note, that 6spd manual on the Hemi 2500/3500 was dropped for the 09 model year. Another "blunder" by Chrysler if you ask me!
RE: Time to upgrade to a 2008/9 Tundra
You have made up your mind.
Obviously you just enjoy stirring the pot with your comments against domestic vehicles. Very petty, and quite sad really.:R
Go buy a Tundra and enjoy it. I am sure it will do fine, just as any 1/2 ton from Ford/Dodge/GM would as well.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
A good choice Sur, my profession is construction and we can have a lack of sympathy for cushy jobs at times.
Ah yes. My BIL is in construction as well as a union carpenter. In this area that's a feast or famine line of work. Filthy rich in the summer and dirt poor in the winter. If you watch your money, you can just about afford to make it until the next spring. I would think it's better in Florida though. Lot's more good weather to work in.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
A few years back I did field service work for industrial control equipment. I've been in 5 auto plants, and my own observation was that many of the stereotypes aren't too far off base.
I've been to a few that were worse for the union make work rules. The absolute worst was a pharmaceutical plant in the Midwest.
I've been in places where they work their fannies off and the workers top out in the low teens per hour.
I cannot dispute your word as I have only been in one factory. So I can only speak to what I witnessed various times while I was in that plant. Those folks worked hard. That plant is down to 1 shift now and the plant right beside it is closed.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
No disrespect intended and I’m not of sure your age, but have a hard time believing your dad experienced what I would consider ‘grueling work’ under the UAW.
The hard work went to all the ‘outside help’ we never needed in the first place if folks would just work. The definition of ‘grueling’ varies depending on who you talk to I guess.
My opinion is the labor unions have been a major part of the problem by creating the under worked and overpaid mentality. The… ‘you owe me thinking’
We lost the fight years ago and are now figuring it out in a big way.
Sorry, I’m not buying it’s ‘hard work’ for a UAW worker.
My age is mid 30s. I don't really care what you "have a hard time believing" I have been there and have seen it for myself. Your speculation is irrelevant and quite frankly, laughable.
My father has a work ethic like I have never seen. He worked for many years in a factory without air conditioning with temperatures inside the building higher than outside during the summer. Only is his last few years did they have an air conditioned factory. For you to even question such is an insult and will not go unchallenged. You are speaking of something you obviously know nothing of.
Like I have said before, sure there are some slackers, and there are those who work the system to their advantage. It is these types of jobs and individuals that need to be addressed by the UAW. But for you, or anyone else to blanket the entire UAW workforce as "overpaid" or as a "you owe me" type of person is simply unfair and untrue. I get sick and tired of hearing such nonsense. I knew you types would respond to this thread, but I simply will not hear any of this type of ignorant nonsense. I will get this sucker locked before I let any of your comments go unchallenged.
We have a small age but large work experience gap here. Like I said, no disrespect intended.
This poster does have a clue to what is needed to keep a business in the black. It takes the kind of work most aren’t willing to do. Workers (and in some cases management) don’t understand that train of thought.
Laughable? Most likely by today’s standards.
Perhaps my "laughable" comment was unjustified. For that I apologize. But I know not what your work experience is, likewise you know nothing(well very little, I did share some of it in this thread) of mine, so whatever gap exists there is a mystery. I have seen and done enough to know what hard work is. That's why I am now back in school taking night classes pursuing a different career with better benefits, better working conditions, and a real possibility for retirement.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
Sorry folks, we are still having to delete posts in this thread for inappropriate comments and personal flaming. We didn't want to ban politics, but we had to, we didn't want to ban other topics but we have had to because people just can't discuss some topics like adults. We are close to reaching that point with this topic as well. :(
Completely understandable Moderater. Do what you must. I just had to blow off some steam, and quite honestly feel much better now!
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
...there are undeniably a number of messes to be cleaned up in our country now, the auto industry but one of many. While these are most difficult times indeed, now is the time for Americans to start pulling together....lest we pull apart, my friends.
Agreed. And I guess that is really the point of my thread. Instead of bashing the UAW, we need to allow them the opportunity to turn this thing around with management. I sincerely hope they will pull together to set this thing right. Past sins have indeed been committed, by both sides. We need to compromise and cooperate if the American car industry is to survive.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
:( For the first few posts it appeared this may be a good conversation devoid of the usual personal attacks, sly comments, etc. Unfortunately that type of posting was short lived, and not due to just one respondent. We just don't need this kind of nasty bickering.
Sure, we are in a time where tempers are short, patience is hard to find, and many are justly on edge. However, that is no excuse for a lack of civility in conversations; quite the opposite is true. For progress to be made, civility is a must. If you are one that just has to throw barbs back and forth do it in pm's, NOT here!
Sorry Moderator. I am quite upset about this and it has been brewing from other threads that have already been closed. I will try to remain civil, but will not let any baseless claims go unchallenged.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
.... I get sick and tired of hearing such nonsense. I knew you types would respond to this thread, but I simply will not hear any of this type of ignorant nonsense. I will get this sucker locked before I let any of your comments go unchallenged.
If you expected this response, you're just trolling.
Now, I have no knowledge one way or another, but I just read on another forum about a retired Army officer who had been through three wars and was wounded. His cousin is a retired UAW. The officer's working conditions and retirement were and are worse than the UAW employee. Somehow, that doesn't seem right.
I also believe that the "Big 3" senior management are overpaid and are not willing to make any sacrifices. I hear that makes the union workers say "If they won't, why should we?" I understand that, but if everyone says "Not me", everyone will end up out in the cold.
Call it trolling if you like, I call it setting the record straight.
I have tried to remain quiet and let some of the blanket UAW bashers spew their nonsense, but I guess I finally had enough. I know this thread is doomed, but I am going to speak my piece about it while I can.
UAW does need to change. Management needs to change as well. If they don't work together, the American auto industry will be lost.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
....surveyor, I'm sure there are many who, like your dad, have worked long, hard, diligently, and honestly at their jobs. Certainly to be commended and respected as you obviously do. Unfortunately, many unions, their tactics, and in many cases an undeniable percentage of some memberships have caused problems for the entire membership, their respective professions, and the companies and industries wherein they toiled. That does not deny culpability in many managements or leadership positions either. But the UAW has caused many of its own problems in the past and cannot be absolved of much of the responsibility for their reputation today.......
Can and do agree with this.
Unions are not perfect, and I would say that yes during the 90s and perhaps early 2000s they likely went too far with some demands. They have though started back in the right direction and with cooperation from management can hopefully turn this thing around.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
I would hate to see anyone loose their retirement benefits, there're many folks who worked both union & non union jobs that required the same strenuous work that your father did. Many, did not get the benefit package auto workers received, (coal miners, gas well digger's,concrete worker's etc..) and suffer many health related illnesses and can not qualify for any real long term medical assistance.
I think most folks see the faces of the big three (selfish) executives and not those of the worker's, I don't think that the work ethic's of UAW people are so much under attack. We're seeing some tuff times here in this great country and folks have been placed under a great deal of stress.
I think that folks who RV are so fortunate to have an alternative to get out for a weekend or longer and relieve some of that stress.:)
Honest post.
I can agree with this as well. I worked for a local municipality for 11 years myself doing things dangerous to one's health as well. As a young man it didn't bother me too much to be in sewer filled ditches over my head or out slaving over a 200' stretch of concrete sidewalk in the sweltering heat of July, but as I got older and saw the older guys with their various ailments and no hope of decent retirement, I decided I should get out before I ended up like them.
But you are right, many workers out there aren't as fortunate as the auto workers who at least had the hope of retirement after 30 years of labor.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
No disrespect intended and I’m not of sure your age, but have a hard time believing your dad experienced what I would consider ‘grueling work’ under the UAW.
The hard work went to all the ‘outside help’ we never needed in the first place if folks would just work. The definition of ‘grueling’ varies depending on who you talk to I guess.
My opinion is the labor unions have been a major part of the problem by creating the under worked and overpaid mentality. The… ‘you owe me thinking’
We lost the fight years ago and are now figuring it out in a big way.
Sorry, I’m not buying it’s ‘hard work’ for a UAW worker.
My age is mid 30s. I don't really care what you "have a hard time believing" I have been there and have seen it for myself. Your speculation is irrelevant and quite frankly, laughable.
My father has a work ethic like I have never seen. He worked for many years in a factory without air conditioning with temperatures inside the building higher than outside during the summer. Only is his last few years did they have an air conditioned factory. For you to even question such is an insult and will not go unchallenged. You are speaking of something you obviously know nothing of.
Like I have said before, sure there are some slackers, and there are those who work the system to their advantage. It is these types of jobs and individuals that need to be addressed by the UAW. But for you, or anyone else to blanket the entire UAW workforce as "overpaid" or as a "you owe me" type of person is simply unfair and untrue. I get sick and tired of hearing such nonsense. I knew you types would respond to this thread, but I simply will not hear any of this type of ignorant nonsense. I will get this sucker locked before I let any of your comments go unchallenged.
RE: Life of a real UAW Autoworker
With all due respect (and note that I too have a long family history with GM) the point that's being missed is, times have changed. It's pretty rare for an auto union worker to have back-breaking work these days. Most "labor" is handled by machines and robots (perhaps with a few notable exceptions.) In the past decade or so, foreign competition has surpassed us -- in labor and operation costs and in quality (even Ford admitted that.) In spite of a few token concessions, the UAW still hasn't adapted to the fact that the auto industry no longer consists of JUST "the big three." They are no longer in a position to make demands, clearly.
Apart from obvious exceptions - skilled trades, engineers, etc., the vast majority of UAW workers, I'm sorry, are overpaid. Your average joe sweating away on a roof in 105 degree heat doesn't make $50-70/hr. (with benefits), why should an auto worker. I've personally known (within the past decade) people who make in excess of $80k/yr. for just pushing a broom around the factory. Are you kidding me? A guy sweeping the floor or cutting the lawn wouldn't make more than $10-15/hr. anywhere else (including and especially competitors such as Toyota), why should a union worker be any different?
Sorry, the UAW once had a very important role, but again, times have changed and it's now outlived its usefulness. Labor laws and job market competition have rendered it time to go. I know many disagree and have a hard time accepting that, but that's the real reason Detroit is on the brink of bankruptcy.
I do genuinely feel for the retirees (and again, I have family that are part of this fiasco) - I hope all are able to pull out of this mess with a decent quality of life. I also hope the powers that be wake up and realize what needs to happen, before it's too late.
With all due respect to you, I have been in the factory I spoke of within the last 4 years, and there are still a great many of those very laborious jobs being performed by hard working men and women. The broom pusher you speak of is an anomaly and is NOT the majority of the work force. The UAW has already made more than "token" concessions, but I agree it will take more concessions in order to right the ship. Poor management though is the key to this entire mess. The workers can only assemble what they are told to assemble. Management should have seen these things coming before it reached this point. Of course the problem is, many of them really did know, but didn't care because they already had their multi millions safely tucked away.
Sure the UAW will have to make some changes, but in order for this to work management will have to make some changes as well.
RE: 2008 Dodge 3/4 ton hemi gas mileage
I dumped my fourth Cummins Ram for a 2500HD Hemi Ram. It gives 14~mpg light city and 17+ highway with cruise set on 70mph. Towing our 5th wheel 65-68~mph gives 8.5~mpg. I have no regrets with any of them.:B
17 mpg highway sounds plenty good to me! Best my old 360 EVER got on the highway was 14 mpg. Towing, I get numbers very similar to the Hemi. Empty however, the Hemi is a fuel sipper compared to the old 5.9L v8 360.
That's cuz the new Hemi is designed to run on 4 cyl when not pulling a load.
Not in the 2500 or 3500. Hannibal's truck doesn't have that MDS stuff.
RE: Serpentine Belt
So... I do serp belts on the schedule now. I do NOT find them especially easy to route and install - so I have them done (I do other work myself, just not this)
I have replaced a few serpentine belts over the years, and you are right. Many of them are very difficult to get to! The belt on my old Ram is a piece of cake, but my wife's Neon is a nightmare! I usually go ahead and skin my knuckles and do it myself though, (cussing the entire time :S)
Speaking of which, her belt is the factory original and shows no sign of wear at 63,000. I think the manual states replacement at 100,000, but I will have to check to be sure. My Ram belt has been replaced within the last couple years, not due to excess miles, just age.
RE: 2008 Dodge 3/4 ton hemi gas mileage
I dumped my fourth Cummins Ram for a 2500HD Hemi Ram. It gives 14~mpg light city and 17+ highway with cruise set on 70mph. Towing our 5th wheel 65-68~mph gives 8.5~mpg. I have no regrets with any of them.:B
17 mpg highway sounds plenty good to me! Best my old 360 EVER got on the highway was 14 mpg. Towing, I get numbers very similar to the Hemi. Empty however, the Hemi is a fuel sipper compared to the old 5.9L v8 360.
