Thinking of getting '06 Diesel Mega Cab, 4x4, 2500 and was loooking for some feedback on their performance so far.

MPG is a concern, does anyone have a real estimate?

Is it designed well and running up to expectations?

Are there any drawbacks you didn't notice prior to purchasing it?

I have an '04 now and really need the bigger cab. All responses will be appreciated.


Thanks
Tony

 

The Cummins' don't get good fuel economy until they get broken in, and I think that they're all a bit too new to be broken in yet.

A bit too early to judge fuel economy, I would think.

 

As of this morning I have 390 miles on my new Cummins Mega Cab. I researched every American made Diesel Crew cab (and non-diesel) truck on the market before I bought this truck. The Dodge is the jack of all trades, master of none.... except for it being quiet. I used to think that the Duramax was quieter than the Cummins, but I put mine next to a friends Max and was surprised to find the Cummins was quieter (no special equipment used on this test... just my ears). It also seems quieter under acceleration.

Other than that, the dodge is not the smoothest riding truck, but it is still supple. It doesn't have the nicest interior, but it doesn't rattle either (something my Chevy’s have all done). It doesn't have all the nicest options, but the ones it does have are great... and are not prone to breaking (educated guess). The leather seats are not the most comfortable, but they are close! The heated seats heat up the quickest. The dodge (Mega Cab) is the most expensive with comparable options, but you can get them for the same bottom line or better with their current finance options and a little dickering.

Overall, I have to say I like the Dodge the best. The room inside is by far the best, the Cummins comes with RELIABILITY (which was my deciding factor) and while it is not a Cadillac inside, it's pretty darn close! I love the thing. The truck grows on me more and more every day. Very happy with the purchase and as long as this truck stays together mechanically (unlike my last 4 Chevy's), I will be converted to a Dodge man.

As for gas mileage, during the drive home I was generally keeping my foot out of it for the most part. I drove the first 250 miles without really getting on the gas hard and found the trip readings to make it as high as 16.7... and that was driving up and over the mountains in Vermont in and out of the gas with crappy traffic. Since I got the truck home I have intentionally started getting into the gas harder and varying the RPMS all the time to help break in the engine. Computer gauge shows 15.2 still, so I consider that pretty good considering how I am driving it.

As of right now, I would buy it again in a heart beat. One thing to note though is that this is not a reving motor (coming from a former gasser driver). You will notice that this truck shifts through the first three gears as quickly as possible. The other desiels I Drove (F-350 and 2500 Max with Ally) were not as quick to do so and like to rev. It takes some getting used to, but you learn to like it. And while I haven't put the pedal down yet... I can tell you this thing can run!


BTW... if you don't do a lot of off roading (never my intention), get the Michelins. The BF goodies tend to have a little roar to them at highway speeds.

 

Welp,

As of this morning, I have 1150 on the odometer and have no real complaints about the truck whatsoever. Granted the gas mileage isn't the greatest, but I'm banking on what everyone is saying about it getting better once the truck is broken in. But I would say that I'm averaging close to 15.7 on the clock with both city and highway driving

I am coming from a long history of driving GM vehicles including the Duramax when I get the chance to drive my brother-in-laws. And while the interior of the Mega-Cab is pretty plain jane, I like it. I have found that early morning start ups are fairly quiet especially compared to my neighbors Ford.

And you are right, there is no beating the amount of room that is in this truck. The few passengers that I have had love the ability to recline the seats since they were both over 6' tall and I'm pretty sure my dogs are complaining about it either.

I think you're really going to enjoy owning one. Just my .02

 

I am on my second Mega-cab. The first one I bought was the six speed. Liked it till I got on the highway, rpm's over 2500. dealer doesn't tell you that they geared the tranny different than the nv5600. Also, it didn't always start on the first try sometimes taking as many as three atempts. Dealer couldn't tell me what was wrong with it. Apparently the automatics were not prone to this happening. Test drove an auto, rpm's were like my '01 six speed, so I traded up. Fuel Mileage is better so far and I am pleased with it's overall performance.

 

7500 Miles
17.2 MPG Displayed