Hi everyone, I am new to this site and now that I have looked around a little I still have a question or two or three and maybe some commits.

Hopefully this is the correct area for this one, I apologize if it is not.

First I just want to say hi and thanks for all the information you all put in to your Post's. I have been reading as many post's as I can since I have registered (yesterday). I have not found another web site better and partly because of you people I finally have made up my mind on which one of the big 3 diesels I want.

Yes it will be a Dodge.

This is real big deal for me because I have been a Ford man all my life. Yes I really like the new 08 Super Dutys but listening to you and my friends as well as huge amounts of research, I think the Dodge is the way to go. Infact, this new truck will be a huge upgrade for me because I currently own a 04 F150 Super Crew 4x4 XLT, so I will be new to owning an diesel truck although I have driven many.

Well enough info you do not care to know. I guess I’m just long winded. Here is my question (s).

I want this to be my last truck I buy; therefore I do not want to settle for something off the lot, which may not have all the options I want. I have seen quite a few threads with commits from some of you that you are waiting or already received your truck, which you have ordered from Dodge.

Can you please tell me what the procedure is for ordering a truck and maybe any bit of info you have gained from going through this yourself? Pros and Cons? Did you trade a vehicle in on the truck you ordered? Does the trade in work the same way as a buying one off the lot? Does ordering make the cost go up? This will be new to me and I am a firm believer in dong the research so I already know what to expect. Any info and or commits would be great. I plan on getting a 07-08 3500 SRW Laramie 4x4 with the 6.7 and an Automatic if that matters.

Also what size beds do you all recommend for a fifth wheel? I know this is the wrong area for this question but I thought I would try to throw it in here anyway.

Thanks

Dave A

 

A long box is preffered for a fifth wheel, but I run a pullrite superglide hitch and it just plain works awesome... I cant recommend it enough, in fact it works so good that when I buy a new truck this year it is going to be a shortbox.

I wouldnt trade in if at all possible,, the dealer will allways win in this situation.. they will try to give you wholesale on your trade in ,,,then charge you retail on the one your buying,, possibly costing you thousands of dollars.

I think that this time I am going to special order my new truck,, just so I can get exactly what i want,, unless they just happen to have one on the lot that matches my needs.. it is painless, just the waiting sucks

hope this answers most of your questions

Kevin

 

Thanks Kevin, didn't expect a reply this late. I thought I was the only one who does not sleep.

I feel better about the bed options now. For some reason I thought maybe a short bed would not work with a fifth wheel.

I hate to say it but I will probably have to trade my existing truck in, but we'll see. I already know I can't win in that regard when it comes to the dealers.

Thanks

Dave A

 

Welcome to DTR!

LOL! You never can tell who has insomnia around here!

I started at Dodge.com and priced the exact truck that I wanted.

I then went to the find my truck and found my truck within 10 miles of me!

I checked edmunds.com and did the same thing. Better pricing

From what I understand there are several dealers who frequent this site and as you my already know DTR is off the hook as far as political pull!

Let us know what your result is.

Rick

 

Well I am long winded sometimes as well so here goes!!

I would get a long bed it makes it so much easier pulling a 5th wheel plus you can always use the extra room. Or if this is your last truck you can get you a mega cab and do a long bed conversion from an aftermarket company and have the ultimate truck!

Sell your truck outright via ebay, local classifieds or even consignment dealers will beat you up on trade no matter how nice your truck is. When it comes to ordering your truck it all depends on the dealership. Sometimes it can go up a little because they want to sell lot inventory first. Some dealers may want to charge you sticker price and not budge on the price where as a lot truck they will. Like I said it just depends on the dealership so do your homework and shop around!

Hope some of this helps you out!! Welcome to DTR!!!

 

That sure would be one long truck,, (mega cab long box) I sure wouldnt want to park that baby. While I agree that a long box is nice in some aspects, a short box is so much nicer to drive, especially in cities etc. And with that superglide hitch it just dosent matter anymore anyways. I can turn my truck however I like and it wont touch the cab no matter what

kevin

ps I agree, sell your truck privately, even if you lose a thousand dollars you will gain several

 

I ordered my truck out od Idaho, ( I am in Las Vegas ). I called the dealership and was quoted 500 over invoice plus whatever factory incentives are available when it hits the ground in Idaho. I tried the "build a truck on the web site and see if one is near me" route and was out of luck. So, I called Idaho and they had the best price for me. I ordered it on Jan. 26th and it is on a rail car as of yesterday being shipped up to Idaho. It was a pretty painless process and they have a pretty good accessory department up there too, so I am having a few things added on. I hope this helps!

Mike

 

FIND A 'BUSINESS LINK' DEALER TO BUY FROM... THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING AND ARE VERY HELPFUL

JUST MY .02

I bought mine from a 5 star dealer...they are IDIOTS...

FOUND A 'BUSINESS LINK' dealer in Manchester,NH
the people there are out-freakin-standing

just tell them you are going to use the truck for work...anything...delivering rags???anything...

BUSINESS LINK is free to join and you get TOP NOTCH SERVICE... Flip

 

How do you find one of these business link dealers?

Kevin

ps would it be the same in canada?

 

The way I find it is just go to dodge website and search business link. You can search by your town and most business link places that I have found is a fleet dealer.

 

here is another thought. My problem with trading vs selling is that the one vehicle is all I have to drive. With buying one off the lots you can sell privately, get the funds cleared and then go with a buddy to buy one off the lot with a heck of a lot lower loan term and payment. If you order one then you have a huge loan on the new one and might have to wait a while before you sell the old one to pay down the loan. I done it that way before and it made for a lot of sleepless toss and turn nights wondering if I was ever going to sell the old truck. Even though it was paid for I had to keep full coverage on a vehicle that was just sitting, so that it was covered for test drives. My insurance was through the roof! and my payment was outrageously high! Thank the lord that somebody bought it about 3 days before the insurance payment was due. In about 2 years I'll be back on the market in search of one. It will likely be bought off a lot. There is usually a decent selection for what I look for around here. If I cant find any I will be checking that guy in Idaho and have it railed to me and will probably still cost less than they cost here

 

I also cannot speak highly enough of business link. I have a rinky dink little side business and it made me eligible for business link. buying a NEW vehicle in the business link program gets you a free loaner. ANY vehicle (even other manufacturers) get you NEXT OPEN BAY service.

This nest open bay DRIVES SERVICE MANAGERS NUTZ! I showed up WITHOUT AN APPT. with my 2500 V10 with a bad tranny and he told me a week. One call to the business link rep and it was back in two days only because it took a day to get the parts.

 

Thanks every one for all the information, now I have alot to think about.

I agree with you all on selling my current vehical privately, it will just take some wild lagistics because It is my only vehical, it should be fun.

I think I will look in to the business link idea, I find the idea a little interresting. I do not have my own business but maybe I can make it happen some how.

Thanks again

Dave A

 

All you have to do is go down to the county clerk or your tax office and get an assumed name certificate and bam you have a business!! Depending on what state it can cost as little as $10 dollars!!

 

What is a "assumed name certificate"? Is that just a business license?