just wondering what would the best make and model and year dodge would be best for my needs. i'm starting to traval full time rodeoing so i'll be travaling a lot and in all kinds of terrain and weather. i need a truck that gets awesome mpg and won't have trouble hauling my slide in truck camper which only weighs 2000 lbs give or take. don't really need 4x4 and stick would be fine but if it didn't make a big difference in mpg then then wouldn't mind having. don't want anything smaller than extended cab and need long bed. i drive a ford diesel now and it's just not set up for my needs its got a 4:10 gear 4x4 shortbed dually. so any help would be great and would make my life a little easier on the road not dumping a bunch of money into my rig thanks for your time and god bless

 

First, welcome.

It sounds like you have figured out you want a single rear wheel 2wd long bed truck with a long cab.

In Dodge if you go 03 or newer you get the quieter common rail injection, and the quad cab that has 4 normal doors. The auto's overdrive is higher than that of the NV5600 6 speed, and the milage difference between autos and sticks doesn't seem to be much.

03 and up have AAM brand axles. You will want the 3.73 rear if milage is your goal, and all you are going to haul/tow is a 2000ish pound camper. Getting a single rear wheel one ton might not be a bad choice, since gear, tools and stuff always have a way of bumping up the load...

In early 03 the 47RE came with the SO Cummins that met CA emissions. A few months into the 03 year the stronger 48RE auto was introduced, and you could then get an auto with the High Output.

2004.5 was the mid year introduction of the 50 state legal 600, which comes with a cat. The 600 seems to get slightly lower milage than the HO.

If a new rig is in your budget, there are some really good deals right now. Newer trucks have a G65 manual which has a lower overdrive than the NV5600, but shifts easier. 06 trucks with the 48RE auto now have overdrive lockout and tow/haul mode, and can have a Jacob exhaust brake w/o voiding the warranty.

If something older than an 03 is what you are looking for, they are also good trucks. They get slightly better milage than the 3rd gens (03 and up). My friend has a 1st gen with the 12 valve engine and it gets really good milage. It seems with each change they make more power and less smog, but get a little worse milage.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

I would get the 3500 duallie, you can NEVER have too much truck. The 6 speed manual should last better than an auto. There are some great buys on 06's. Go out to Henson's site in Madisonville, TX. to get some idea fo the deals. They are a reknown Dodge/price leader. If the price is right, might be worth a trip, or give your local guy a goal.
I think they still have the camper option(heavier springs for campers & rear sway bar), towing package & limited slip, get then all. The 4 wheel drive adds 400 lbs, not good for mileage.
With the tow package you have the option to pull a trailer of whatever kind you want. Obviously 5ers and gooseneck require additional hardware,
Good luck with your search!

 

THE '03/'04 305/555 HO engine with the 6 speed manual 3.73 gears are puttin' down some great mpgs. Its the new quiet HPCR engine and has the 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule as all '03 and up Cummins has. I tow a 11200 lb 5er and averages 12+ mpgs.
JIM