Brand new 2500 owner

[JasonBrown]

I just took delivery last Friday of a new 2005 quad cab 2500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel. I have to admit I really didn't realize just how incredible these engines were until I started reading these forums. I have had my head buried in the computer all week getting educated. I have to say I enjoy the debate here, it appears there are a lot of guys on here that really know these trucks and it is great to have that resource.

The reason I bought the diesel was mileage. I had an '03 1500 Hemi and was very happy with it, but it just didn't have enough suspention to pull what I needed to pull. (I was also tired of borrowing dad's powerstroke). I was actually shopping for a 2500 gasser, but the price difference was minimal and I was blown away when I took the CTD test drive. The only other diesel p/u I have any experience with is my dad's late 90's powerstroke and it is a slug at best. I was just amazed at my new truck's throttle response, power, and how quiet it is. I think it would blow away my Hemi 1500 I had, and the ride is smoother (those 20" wheels were not forgiving)! With all of the dealing the dealer was doing I actually paid less for the CTD with an slt package than I did the Laramie package 1500 in 2003!

I plan on keeping this truck for many years and will probably see a few hundred thousand miles. Any tips or tricks will be appreciated. I will be pulling a load of about 8k once or twice a week and about 11k 2 or 3 times a month during the summer and just commuting the rest of the time.

I don't know that I will start with mods until after the warranty period, but man have you guys got the wheels turning!!!