donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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RAINEYTXX wrote:Wow a lot of good answers. Anyone with recent experience with the 03 and towing 20k fifth wheel. What kind of longevity can I expect?
If the new fivers GVWR is really 20K then you need way more truck than a 1 ton dually. As I remember my 07 3500HD dually has a GCWR of 23,500 pounds.
Donn
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RAINEYTXX
Texxxas
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Joined: 01/04/2009
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Wow-have done some research on the 08 Cummins and has some really bad reviews with the 6.7! I may stay awway from that and stay with the 5.9 '03 I have now....SOunds like the 08's were trouble!
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ib516
Up here!
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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They certainly had some "check engine" light issues when they first came out in 2007, (as did the other two brands) due to the new emissions equipment.
From what I read, they have those issues worked out now with some new hard parts (redesigned turbos for example), and some new computer programming.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS TT
2007 Dodge 3500, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel, 3.73, 48RE auto
Hypertech Max Energy Tuned 
PICTURES
Previous Trucks:
2002 Dodge 2500, 4x4, Cummins Turbo Diesel, 3.55, 47RE auto
2001 Dodge 2500, 4x4, 360 gasser, 4.10, 46RE auto
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Madhatter1
Madeira Beach FL
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Joined: 04/14/2008
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I have an 08 CTD auto with no problems. Best thing I can say about the new auto is that on a long steep grade is that you can select your gear (3rd on a long 7%grade) and be able to back off on the throttle, let the torque converter lock up, and cruise up the hills with little effort and no tranny problems. Pull 14K many miles and have done this in steep WV mountains. just saying.
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bendmore
Michigan
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Joined: 08/30/2007
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The problem I see written about with the manuals is the weak clutch. Most people who work them hard replace the clutch with a quality aftermarket item pretty early in the life cycle.
I would agree with you on that one, the clutch in my Dodge had to be replaced at 520,000 miles. The replacement clutch has over 400,000 miles, so I am getting worried about it....
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Good Sam RV Club
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RAINEYTXX wrote:Thanks-I hate to spend that kind of money but thinking long term it will probably be a vehicle I keep for a long time. The current 03 seems to work really hard and at highway speeds with o/d off, it spins over a little faster than I am comfortable with.
Instead of trading consider 4.10 gear and use OD or 3.55 to keep OD off.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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C Schomer
Buckeye, Az.
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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Yeh, I love my 4.10s and from what I've read, they are awesome with the 48re auto. Craig
03Dodge QC HO CTD Dually NV5600 4.10 Rear/WD A2K turbo Diablo Predator Quad BF 4" exh PRXB Pacbrake Rancho 9000s FS Airbags Onboard air/in-cab controls HUGE custom intake Custom hauler bed. 98 Sunnybrook 30RLFS 5er.WHOEVER INVENTED WORK DIDN'T HAVE AN RV!
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RAINEYTXX
Texxxas
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C Schomer wrote:Yeh, I love my 4.10s and from what I've read, they are awesome with the 48re auto. Craig
Do i have the 48re? I was thinking about the 4.10s. Any idea on cost?
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C Schomer
Buckeye, Az.
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I kinda remember when the 03s/48re were first built, people complained about the high OD of the 48re with the 3.73s but the people with the 48re/4.10 said they were perfect for heavy towing. I think they have the 48re if the build date is mid 03+ or if it's an HO (305hp). The engine tag on the left front will give the hp. 3000rpm@60mph sounds like 4.10 to me. Mine is faster than 60mph at 3k. The 03s show the ratio on a tag inside the glovebox door. You can probably get them changed for under $1k if you really have 3.73. Craig
* This post was
edited 10/07/09 09:55pm by C Schomer *
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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my '03 in sig rune 2500 RPM at 60 mph in direct drive and drops to 1875 in OD. The 4.10 axle runs at 2750 approx RPM at 60 mph and approx 1950 in OD. The big .69 drop in OD was a power killer for the 47RE and 48RE trannies vs a .73 for the NV5600.
The 68RE in the new 6.7 engines have a .83 OD which doesn't let the RPMs drop so much. Great towing OD ratio.
A 4.56 axle figures 3000 RPM at 60 mph all with a 30" tire.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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