Dodge 1500 4.7 crewcab

[Cole]

i am looking at buying the dodge 1500 crewcab with the 4.7liter motor....they have a $2500 rebate which looks attractive!!
does anyone own this truck?
And the question of the day... how well does it tow??
i have a 26'rayson craft cat, i am not real sure how much it weighs!!
and how about comparing it with the F-150 they have a $3000 rebate!!

[SUPERCREWJOHN]

Cole:
i am looking at buying the dodge 1500 crewcab with the 4.7liter motor....they have a $2500 rebate which looks attractive!!
does anyone own this truck?
And the question of the day... how well does it tow??
i have a 26'rayson craft cat, i am not real sure how much it weighs!!
and how about comparing it with the F-150 they have a $3000 rebate!! Its not that I am biased or anything, but the F-150 with the 5.4 produces 360LBs of Torque at only 2200-2500 RPM and will out pull and out climb both the Dodge and the Chevy with the 5.3. I have 60,000 miles without any trouble on the F-150 4x4 Supercrew Lariat with 3.73 gears. I have pulled up to 7000Lbs with only minor difficulties. Also, the 5.4 has a transmission cooler.. You will spend possible a few dollars more on the Ford, but you will have fewer problems in the long run..
SCJ

[SoCalOffshore]

Take the Dodge with the Hemi only. I have a Durango with the 5.9 and its very week towing. The Chevy's with Vortech or DMAX are great but pricey, I have a new DMAX as well. The new F150 is coming out later this Fall, with a base 300 HP engine. So, if you get a F150 now, it will be outdated in a few months.
Good luck.

[Irishluck]

I have a friend that has a Dodge Ram with the 4.7 and lately he has been having problems. It's a 99 with 70,000 miles on it, like the old saying goes you get what you pay for.

[roostwear]

What kind of problems? The Hemi was offered starting in 2003, so it must be the 5.9 or 5.2 if it's a v8.

[SchellSchock]

I test drove the Dodge with the Hemi,(5.2) before deciding on the new Suburban. This thing flat gets. I would say if your gonna haul a boat with a Pickup this one is right in there as far as power, 345hp, 385ftlb. I was pretty high on gettin one but decided, (translation wife decided) we wanted something a little softer riding. It worked out great though as wife likes the comfort and I like the monster power of the 8.1 BigBlock. I would go with the Dodge though if you're looking for a pickup.

[SoCalOffshore]

If you can't get the Hemi. Then I wouldn't get the Dodge, that simple. Get a Chevy or Ford then.

[HalletDave]

I have a 2003 1500 Ram w/4.7. It tows OK on the flats but is a little disappointing on the hills.
I am working a deal to upgrade to the 5.7 Hemi. When I bought the truck in October 2002, Dodge said they did not offer the 5.7 in the 1500. Guess what, late Dec or early Jan they start showing up at the local dealer. Needless to say I was a little PISSED OFF. Anyway, go with the 5.7 Hemi.
HD

[Irishluck]

roostwear:
What kind of problems? The Hemi was offered starting in 2003, so it must be the 5.9 or 5.2 if it's a v8. The transmission has been slipping he has replaced the brakes twice, oil pump has given him problems and this is from an owner who babies everything. I am not being biased but get a Chevy or Ford.

[Tim_T]

I have the 02 w/ 4.7, I only pull an 18ft sleekcraft and its like its not even there. I towed it home from california last year and did the chiriaco summit at about 70-75 with the air blastin. I havent had any problems yet. But i think for the price if youre gonna get a dodge, get the hemi. I paid $23,400 last year for mine. Im sure you can get a hemi for that much this year. But take into consideration that the gas mileage sucks. It sucks on mine. So the hemi is gonna be that much worse. Its cool though because gas is only a $1.31 a gallon down here. Just my .02
Tim

[HalletDave]

Tim,
Actually I think the 5.7 Hemi gets a tad better fuel economy than the 4.7. 21 for the 5.7 & 19 for the 4.7. I can't remember where I read this info. I could be mistaken on the MPG #s. My 2003 4.7 1500 Quad cab gets 16.6 mpg pulling the 18.6ft Hallett up and down HWY 99 @ 65MPH. At 70MPH it drops to 14.3 mpg. It suffers when I get to the Grapevine or Tehachapi grade. I am in the process of working out a deal to upgrade to the 5.7 Hemi 1500 Quad cab. The 4.7 is nice but for towing I want the 5.7 Hemi. This is also my primary vehicle back and forth to work.
I hope this helps in someones' decision making process. .02
HD