[A/S] Still thinking about this Dodge diesel truck

[Jerry Flanders <jeflanders@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I mentioned a couple weeks ago I was impressed with the Dodge diesel with 
manual tranny, and you guys were pretty helpful in ideas about how well the 
manual works with backing/parking/etc a trailer. Thanks.

I am still thinking about getting this truck (I have test-driven it twice 
and the price keeps getting better the longer I wait!), and have another 
question I need your help with.

The truck is a new 3500 single_rear_wheel quadcab longbed 4x4. Longbed and 
quadcab is good, but I wonder about the 4x4. The price is so attractive 
that the 4x4 is essentially free to me, but still I wonder about ride 
qualities, turning radius, road stability (because of the higher center of 
gravity), and convenience. It is probably 6 inches higher off the ground 
than my present truck.

Last time I drove it, I tried a slow tight radius turn, and it seemed OK, 
but I don't know if perhaps a 4x2 turns even tighter.  Dodge doesn't 
publish turning radius figures any more. After having an extended cab long 
wheelbase Ford years ago I learned to be wary of trucks that don't turn 
tightly.

I would not normally get a truck with 4x4 (never needed it, don't expect to 
in future), but as I said, the truck I am drooling over already has it, and 
the 4x4 option is essentially free. Any comments on 
ride/turning/stability/convenience/whatever?

Thanks

Jerry 4404