Diesel Truck / Pick up Questions

[cuzzinolaf]

Two questions since this is my first diesel and first pick up. It is a Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad cab with the 5.9 if it matters.

1. It has a plug but many people say you don't need to plug them in UNLESS it is really cold. I heard a number of below 20 (-20) and wanted to see what others do.

2. When driving in snow what is something easy to use for weight in the bed and is it a must? I don't want to load up the back with sand bags and take them all out if I need to use the bed. I would assume it will be OK with the weight of a trailer tongue when towing.

Thoughts?

 

[nytro_rtx]

I always plug my truck in when it gets down to about 30* out, you don't need to until it gets much colder out but why start a diesel when it's that cold if ya don't have to. I have let mine(7.3 PSD) sit for whole weekends when it's been extremely cold and it always started(made some crazy noises) and was fine. I just feel that if there's a plug in close why not use it. Just my 2 cents
I can't help with wieght in the bed as I've never put any in, I just use 4wd.
nytro

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I'll start plugging it in. Do you leave it plugged in all night? Is it something I could do in the morning?

I always thought I would need weight in the back for the rear wheels... even if it was in 4wd. <shrug>

I'm coming from an AWD SUV so sorry for the dumb questions.

 

[miked]

I just picked up an 09 2500 Dodge with a Cummins...I was told at the dealer that until 20 or below, don't even sweat plugging it in...and even down to zero, it will start without a problem just by cycling the warmer a couple times.

That said, I will still be plugging it in when I have the opportunity. I had a 99 7.3 PSD, and that thing would NOT start unless it was plugged in when it was under 10 degrees. Last year in Ishpeming, it was 4 degrees in the morning when I went to fire up after it had been sitting a couple days. Just about killed two Optima batteries...finally I had to break out my jump pack to get it to go. I had it plugged in, but the outlet wasn't working! Find an outlet and plug that baby in and don't sweat it.

As for weight in the bed, I used to use bags of water softener salt (about 300 lbs worth) and then just use them up in my softner when the weather got warm again! Nowadays, I carry a spare sled in the bed all winter...plenty of weight! Just cover it so it doesn't get too dirty on the road and good to go!

 

[attack_06]

i have 05 dodge ur good to about o anything below plug it in i can say from exper that at 15 below or lower its a nogo unless its plug in also it really helps to buy the fuel treatment anti gel this lowers the cetane count in ur fuel and allows ur cylinders to fire faster at colder temps

 

[indy_500]

my dad puts salt bags int he back of his pickup

 

[snow_monkey]

Plug it in!!!

 

[Paul]

I have always been told to plug it in at 30 or lower, it may start on its own lower than 30 but is very hard on the engine. Mine has started at 0 multiple times when a plug wasn't available but sounds horrible for the first 20 seconds it is running.

Paul

 

[snoseekr2]

Two questions since this is my first diesel and first pick up. It is a Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad cab with the 5.9 if it matters.

1. It has a plug but many people say you don't need to plug them in UNLESS it is really cold. I heard a number of below 20 (-20) and wanted to see what others do.

2. When driving in snow what is something easy to use for weight in the bed and is it a must? I don't want to load up the back with sand bags and take them all out if I need to use the bed. I would assume it will be OK with the weight of a trailer tongue when towing.

Thoughts?

Cuzz. first off congrats on the truck, it will last along time. (did ya trade the miada for it? LOL) first, yes at 20 deg. or lower plug it in, when starting in the am. let it run for about 10 min or so before taking off, other wise they rattle like heck, and it gives the cycliders time to heat up. Secondly as others have said, get a good fuel additive, ( usually everyother tank full) as far as weight goes, my dad uses suitcase weight off the farm tractor, but not to practical for you, Couple of sand bags, and in the snow, your gonna want to use 4x4 cause these trucks are really nose heavy!!!!!!!!

 

[techsledder]

I plug my F250 in with weather below 20 degrees F as well. Weight, especially since you have an open bed (right?) just get some sand bags tubes (50 lbs ea.) from Fleet Farm or the like. Build a quick frame out of 2X4s that fits between your wheel wells in an "H" pattern to hold the bags from sliding fwd and aft of your bed.

 

[nytro_rtx]

I'll start plugging it in. Do you leave it plugged in all night? Is it something I could do in the morning?

I always thought I would need weight in the back for the rear wheels... even if it was in 4wd. <shrug>

I'm coming from an AWD SUV so sorry for the dumb questions.

Yea plugged in all night, I have a remote start on it so I always start it for 10 mins. or so before I take off to.
I have never put wieght in the back of my 4wd trucks but it sure wouldn't hurt too.
There's no dumb questions as far as I'm concerned!!
nytro

 

[Troutlaketerror]

I have a 99 2500 dodge at 0 it will start but it does sound rather interesting for bout a min or two.. if there is an out let plug her in its good for it and much easyer on the engine. Now my dads is an 07 3500 single wheel he never plugs his in and it doesnt make a single weird sound and has no trouble firing up. Not sure why im going to school right now for diesel and i asked a teacher his thoughts he said plug it in when under 10 above i guess its an opinion thing but i say plug her in.

As for the weight the sled idea works well sometiomes hard to see around the trailer might be enough but at the same time not sure how big urs is and if it is inclosed or not sand bags or salf for your water filter work well also.

Congrats on the truck i love mine runs A1 with 139.000 on her take care of it and they will go on for a long time.

 

[slimcake]

Cummins is a great cold weather starting engine. I would still always like to see things pluged in though. If its a block heater, an hour goes a long way. Tank heater plug it in all night.

 

[mtb1115]

I have a 99 F250 7.3 PSD, I agree with everyone about plugging it in, you need about 4hrs to heat the block up so a timer will save you some power but the ammount is small, You should check the power cord on the truck from time to time for damage to reduce the chance of electrical fires etc... I have also found some of the plugs on hotel light poles are on timers and go off when the lights do (buy the low temp extension cords with the lighted ends) and consider using synthetic motor oil, as they tend to work better in the extremes (I use Amsoil, going on 7 years W/O problems). Good luck and enjoy your machines.

 

[Marty P]

Personally, I put mine on a timer set for three hours prior to my intended use, I try to think of the money I save from not keeping her warm all night etc.

 

[fgsacts]

2001 7.3 Powerstroke, always had to plug in below say 20 or it would not start. Made horrible noises and shook like crazy if it did. 2007 Duramax, never plugged it in and always started. 2009 6.4 Powerstroke, never plugged in last year and always started. I would assume starting a warm engine is easier on it mechanically then starting a cold engine. I should probably start. Finding power up north can be a challenge at some lodging. Others have it readily available in the parking lots. I know a guy that when at home has his truck on a timer. It goes on a couple of hours before he typically leaves in the morning. I have never put weight in the back of my 4x4 truck for traction purposes. Just put it in 4x4 when needed.

 

[srt20]

First off, every gave good advice. Im not giving advice, Im just telling you what I do.

I have a 2005 Dodge cummins that has never been plugged in. It has started at -30*F. Sure it spins a little slower, but always starts. I have the 3 cylinder high idle activated on mine, what that is, is when its really cold out shortly after it starts, it will cut off 3 cylinders. You should hear it! It sounds like the rods are coming outta the block. It sounds nasty, but its doing exactly what its supposed to. Running on 3 works the engine harder to heat it up faster.

Also my truck has never had anti-gel in it. The fuel in WI at major stations is winterized starting in october. Anti-gel isnt really needed anymore. BUT I did say at MAJOR stations, only use high volume stations for diesel. That way your getting good quality fresh diesel. I skip the mom and pops stations.

Pretty much the same for my last truck, 2000 Cummins, except I did have to plug it in once when it sat for 4 days at -20 -30* . It was a little more stubborn of a truck.

Plugging it in and adding anti-gel will not hurt. You shouldnt need to plug in all night though. Get a timer and set it for 4 hrs before you leave.

Just my experinces...

 

[trebsdub]

Like srt20 I have never plugged my 2005 dodge cummins 5.9 in and have never had a problem starting it up at the cottage up north or at home and its parked outside all the time its a great engine and you will like it. I also have never had any weight in the bed and during the winter i run around with a 10 foot Blizzard plow on it. Enjoy your new truck.

 

[tourguide]

Diesel engines always benefit from bock heaters in cold weather 35 degrees and below we plug them in, you dont have to leave it plugged in all night, use a timer so it lights up about 2 hours before you leave in the a.m. Your batteries and starter will last longer, and always unplug the heater before starting the engine, otherwise the water pump could cavitate and the block heater can burn up. That engine will last a long time with good care.

 

[rmk4ever]

Cuzz, tons of info on cummins forum. I've never used "anti-gel" Always 2 stroke oil, if yours is the 2nd generation (24 valve) with a vp-44 injection pump, you absoultely do not want any anti gel, for these are made up with naptha, toulene, & other solvents... great for stripping paint, not so good for your vp-44, & there about $1200.00 apiece before labor.
If your on the third gen 02-09 your pretty much golden. If your on a 94-98 you got a sweet 12 valve, a couple of turns of the screw, some grinding on the fuel plate & your making some serious power. Welcome to the CUMMINS! 280,000 on mine & still pullin everyday! Oh yeah plug it in & run synthetic your batts. will love you for it & never use starting fluid!