I went to my local candy store today to look at some trucks. I've been having some health issues, bad knees and back, that have made increasingly difficult getting in and out of my truck. I made the statement several months ago that I thought this new 2500 was as tall as my old Power Wagon was and since I put the 35" tires on, it seems taller. It has become an issue.
So you may wonder why I don't use my side steps and enjoy the truck.....? Well, I'm 6'8" tall and with the combo of my height and an arthritic back, they are unuseable for me. I cannot bend my back enough to get inside the truck from the side step. I have been looking for a way to it easier to get in and out.
This got me to wondering how much, if any, was the floor height of a dually different from a SRW truck?
I went to the candy store and drove a new 3500, DRW Longhorn. It of course had all the bells and whistles including a console and sunroof. Each of these 2 items, by themselves, are a deal breaker to me......remember, I'm 6'8" tall. But I did manage to take a short test drive. The truck had the non HO engine, 68RFE, and 4.10 gears, which is the combo I'm interested in. As expected it drove well, had plenty of power, and was very quiet.
So, FWIW, here are my thoughts in no apparent order:
1. The adjustable pedals improve legroo and add a small amount of clearance. between my right knee and the rotary shifter bump on the dash. I know the diesel does not have the rotary shifter, but the bump is there. That bump is an irritant to me in my truck.
2. The console sucks for someone with long legs. You already know this if you are my size. and have tried one...
3. I really like the 12" screen, but probably would not buy one due to cost....but I really like it!
4. The climate control worked great, once I figured out how to turn it on. This learning process really should take place on the lot rather than negotiating 4 lanes of city traffic!
5. I sat in a Laramie with a bench seat and no sunroof. This combo is much more like my truck, but with power seat and adjustable pedals. I have more room in this truck than mine and it will probably be what I look for over the next few months.
6. As I stated earlier, the diesel seems to have very smooth power and would pull our 19,000# trailer well. But for a DD, I still prefer a gas engine. I've been driving them for years and that's what I like. That being said, this Cummins would be 'da bomb for towing heavy.
To sum up, I'll probably continue to drive my present gasser until spring, but the start looking for a replacement.
So you may wonder why I don't use my side steps and enjoy the truck.....? Well, I'm 6'8" tall and with the combo of my height and an arthritic back, they are unuseable for me. I cannot bend my back enough to get inside the truck from the side step. I have been looking for a way to it easier to get in and out.
This got me to wondering how much, if any, was the floor height of a dually different from a SRW truck?
I went to the candy store and drove a new 3500, DRW Longhorn. It of course had all the bells and whistles including a console and sunroof. Each of these 2 items, by themselves, are a deal breaker to me......remember, I'm 6'8" tall. But I did manage to take a short test drive. The truck had the non HO engine, 68RFE, and 4.10 gears, which is the combo I'm interested in. As expected it drove well, had plenty of power, and was very quiet.
So, FWIW, here are my thoughts in no apparent order:
1. The adjustable pedals improve legroo and add a small amount of clearance. between my right knee and the rotary shifter bump on the dash. I know the diesel does not have the rotary shifter, but the bump is there. That bump is an irritant to me in my truck.
2. The console sucks for someone with long legs. You already know this if you are my size. and have tried one...
3. I really like the 12" screen, but probably would not buy one due to cost....but I really like it!
4. The climate control worked great, once I figured out how to turn it on. This learning process really should take place on the lot rather than negotiating 4 lanes of city traffic!
5. I sat in a Laramie with a bench seat and no sunroof. This combo is much more like my truck, but with power seat and adjustable pedals. I have more room in this truck than mine and it will probably be what I look for over the next few months.
6. As I stated earlier, the diesel seems to have very smooth power and would pull our 19,000# trailer well. But for a DD, I still prefer a gas engine. I've been driving them for years and that's what I like. That being said, this Cummins would be 'da bomb for towing heavy.
To sum up, I'll probably continue to drive my present gasser until spring, but the start looking for a replacement.
