Truck Shopping........
 

Looks like its about that time. We are starting to get tired of putting money into a 13 year old truck that keeps breaking stuff, has rust and needs the AC system repaired. The current scenario is that I get rid of the Challenger RT and the current truck. It will get replaced with a new truck that will be a daily driver with the occasional tow of the boat, a Baja 36 Outlaw which is about 13K pounds on trailer. No, I haven't had it properly weighed but should.

That being said, I have been a fan of Ram trucks and really like some of the features. The 2500 has coil springs all around with the optional air ride leveling system. The Cummins diesel is a beast. However, due to numerous problems with the current Ram, and they do not have the best reliability record, the wife is very apprehensive about getting another. I kinda agree.. The other angle we are looking at is getting a gas vs diesel motor. I know, the diesel tows sooooo much better and I am a big pusher of diesels for towing, but, at 8k up front for diesel over gas, that is a big price difference out the door. We are looking new. Once again, the Ram with 6.4 and 4.10 gears can tow over 15k pounds. The Chevrolet 6.0 with 4.10 is rated at 14.5k pounds, at the rear hitch. Unfortunately, to get the allison tranny I would need to get the diesel, once again, 8k upgrade.

That being said, does anybody here have experience between the 6.0 and 6.4 motors? Truck configuration we are looking at is Crew Cab with 8' bed 4x4. Any thoughts or comments will be helpful.

Jason, if you can pull the trigger quickly, there are a handful of leftover 2016 SuperDuty trucks out there with the 6.7 PSD. They are a significant cost savings over the 2017 and other new trucks.

http://www.billtalley.com/new/Ford/2...archDepth=3:29
The above truck is at least $10K-$12K cheaper than the 2017 version. If you don't care about the interior upgrades and boost in HP/Tq, that's a good deal. That dealer even has a new 2015 (XLT) on their website.

The hard part is finding a long bed SRW truck nowadays. They are turning into unicorns.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Ford-F-...m=311725048236




I have some time recently in a couple of Ram 2500s gassers, both a stripped rental model and a Hemi Power Wagon Surprises me that I'm saying this, but I do like them.

I LOVE the RAM 2500 4 corner coils with the 6.4 Hemi, sounds like the PERFECT truck for you. Don't think you need those 4.10 gears though she will easily tow your Baja with 3.73.

I have a 2014 2500 6.4 with 3.73 and love it. 16.5 mpg at 75mph. It pulls great.

This is the1st RAM we have owned, and I really like it. I haven't towed the 388 yet with it, but it tows our 25 Talon, and the 30 Spectre like its not even back there. I know you said you really didn't want a Cummins, but this one is close to you... Have fun truck shopping, and at this time of the year, you can really get some killer deals, end of year sales quotas have to be met.....

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...elCode1=RM2500

Chevy is giving 20% off 2016 models, You can buy a loaded Duramax for just over 50k.

Do some time on the net, there are still some great deals on 2016's, in all brands. Also, reconsider a diesel, the power starts at low rpm's, right where you need it to get a heavy trailer going. I run four diesel Ford's and a 454 Chevy, it is not how much power, but where it is. Diesels are more costly to maintain, but my 2016 Ford F-350 dually routinely gets 14 mpg hauling my 42 Tiger. In my experience, the 8k price difference is mostly recovered at trade in or resale down the road. I don't see me buying any gas one ton's in the future. Just my opinion.

I just went through a similar scenario. My 02 ford 7.3 diesel is getting rough, 160k, plow truck/tow rig/ work truck/ dd. My wife's half ton rams lease was coming due in a few months. We decided to look at getting here a 1 or 2 year old 2500 ram crew cab with the 6.4. Ended up buying her a new 2016 cummins crew cab. Can't beat the current rebates, sticker price was 52k.all said an done we got it for 44k!
And it pulls like a mofo! Makes my 7.3 super duty seem like a joke.

The full exhaust brake is a nice feature too. The rear springs in my ford are needing to be replaced so I used her truck to tow or 38 fountain too and from winterizing, and again to haul a dump trailer loaded with 24+" diameter fire wood, and the cummins did both effortlessly.

I'm sort of in the same boat as you, and there seems to be some leftover 2016 Ram Diesel 2500 / 3500's in Texas. I don't mind travel if the deal is right...

Thanks for the input guys. I personally dont have a problem with getting another oil burner, but if I can get a significantly cheaper gasser it might be worth it for the hadfull of times I actually tow the boat. Can always rent a dually for any long trips... My personal dream truck is a Ram 3500 Mega Cab dually with the diesel. But completely impractical for a daily driver. lol Im gonna go and look at a few trucks and go from there. I think test drives will be needed to try to narrow it down.

Yes, the exhaust brake works really well, great point....

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2013 2500 mega cab cummins 4x4.

I love her but she has been in more times than I care to tell you all deisel based issues.

70,000 miles

Thank the Government and the E.P.A. I think they are trying to kill the fossil fuel industry. Gas and Deisel so diluted with crap that any engine will not perform as it could. Please Trump hear our cries!

I love the Rams, but all I have had have been the 5.7 Hemi 1500. Just bought another Laramie last week. Have had 4 in in the last 5 years and have not had a problem, but I trade with less than 15k miles.

Ram diesel done. Had at least 5 ford duallys and one gas guzzler v10 excursion. I bought a brand new Ram 3500 dually w the cummins and it has never missed a beat. I could not see being a test mule for another ford diesel engine w poor fuel economy to boot! Gas maybe cheap now but in the big picture 8k is worth it to upgrade to a much stronger truck .

Is it all emission related? Is it worth it to delete all that garbage? Love the newer Rams myself. I currently have a 2006 Ram Cummins with only 85k on it, no rust. Keep toying with the idea of upgrading to a newer one, like a 2012.

To the OP- Just another thought, I've always been a fan of buying something 3-5 yrs old, with low mileage, as opposed to buying brand new. New vehicles depreciate too much. Just my 2 cents.

+----------------------I've looked at used and anything with a diesel tends to have higher mileage. Even just a couple of years old. By the time you factor in the difference in interest rates, there really is no savings. At least when looking at local trucks around Pa/Ohio area.

I went and looked at a couple of trucks today. The first was a Chevy 2500 8' bed LTZ crew cab with the 6.0. It was pretty much loaded with everything and was an extremely nice truck. Drove really nice too. But, you could definitely tell the lack of torque compared to a diesel. That pretty much rules out the gasser. Especially when expecting about 11 miles per gallon. Next we looked at a 16 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie with the Cummins. Torque for sure as I would expect. The back seat is like being in a limo with the ability to recline the rear seats. The price with discounts is listed at 56 and change with a msrp of 68. -

90% def system related. It currently has an engine light on for the particulate filter failure. Goes in next week for a replacement on a tsb. It left me on the side of the road 4 times before it was 6 months old because of a fuel heater problem. It started on fire when the alternator took a **** labor day.....that's under recall also as of 2 weeks ago.

Again I love this truck. I would have to pry it out of my wife's cold dead hands as it is her daily driver. I have always been in the auto service business. I know that under all the emissions and fuel mileage **** is still very durable products.

I love this truck and would by another one in a heartbeat. A weekend doesn't go by that I don't have over 10,000 pounds strapped to the rear of this pig. Now if ram cuts ties with cummins I will never buy another diesel truck.

The mega cab is a must. It is limo sized.

Ram boxes all the way also. Love them.

Install a bakflip bed cover and it becomes a bad ass grocery getter also.

Don't have any issues with my Ford diesel's, the 2012 and 2016 are awesome, the 2008 and 2009 are merely great. I feel if you leave them stock, and don't "tune" them, less problems. Not going to bad mouth the Ram's or GM products, I have a good dealer so I stick with the Ford's. Never underestimate the value of a dealer that is willing to mediate issues with the manufacturer, or push on your behalf. Can not stress this enough. Also, I buy at a dealership as part of a local contractor's block. The dealership sells about 20-30 new units a year to all of us, less likely to get taken when all your Buds will hear about it.

What dealer are you using sprsptr? Ive been kicking around buying a new Ford but may hold out for an '18. I service BMWs for a living, but don't have any connection with Ford sales or service in any way ha!

I have had good results with Bonnell Ford in Winchester MA. I deal with Brooks Bonnell, one of the owners. He cuts to the chase, shows a " Legitimate" factory invoice, and they have a good service department. I did purchase my 2016 at Salem Ford in Salem NH, they had an in stock unit that met my needs and they gave me over 11k off on it. I can not vouch for the service department, as I have not used it. I would have no problem getting a '16 again, not that high on the aluminum body just yet!

Went and looked at another Mega Cab. This one was a Big Horn edition so no leather. But, thats not a deal breaker. The fact its listed 4k below the other one is nice. It is also white, which the wife approves of.

All three make nice trucks. All three also make trucks that can have a variety of problems. A lot of times it comes down to which style you like or if one has features you want vs another. With GM finally upping their hp and torque numbers they are now in the same general range as Ford and Dodge.

For us, its all about the space. We were looking for either a 8 foot bed or the biggest cab we could find. It is very hard finding an 8 foot bed on a diesel that is not priced too high. So that takes us to the Mega Cab. We ruled out looking at the new fords as there is too much unknown with how the bodies will hold up with the new aluminum panels. Not worried about them rusting but where they are attached to the steel under body. If not done right, you can get corrosion when ferrous and non ferrous metals meet. Dodge is having that issue on the hood for the Charger scat pack. Its aluminum skin with a steel bracket for the latch. that area is corroding.

The problem with the MegaCab on the Ram is that a K-car has more space for hauling.


"asg" here on OSO fixed that issue with a long bed conversion on his last one.

Roll, I bought my truck last year from Ron Lewis dodge in waynesburg which should be somewhat close to u. They gave me the best deal out of every dealer I spoke to . I spoke to dealers all over the us . I got them to deliver the truck halfway to me and put in a spray in bed liner (there dime) . They also gave me $1k more for my trade than any other dealer. They got me every rebate possible , which worked out to over 12k off sticker. My truck is a 2500 Laramie crew cab with 8 ft. Bed . Diesel. Absolutely love the truck.. I traded in a 2009 2500.

I too would go with a long bed every time if you are hauling anything over 35' on the highway at speed. It is more stress to park, but the stability is great! I dropped a 26' Nova back in the day on the highway when I was dragging it with a Blazer, so my prospective is a little skewed. There is nothing scarier than having a trailer walk you around at 60 mph with your wife and kids screamin"! Actually, it is a lot like when we are out in the Tiger in big stuff! LOL :crazy:

I actually bought my Challenger from Ron Lewis a couple of years ago. Looked at a 16 Laramie trim Mega Cab there that they have sale price of 56 and change. It was definately loaded but is black and the wife is not crazy about black. So the last one we looked at was a Big Horn edition which is white in color. Little less frills than a Laramie but still a nice truck.

As for length and storage, the Mega Cab does only come with the 6.5 bed but, overall its about 9 inches shorter than a crew cab with the 8' bed. So its still a pretty long truck. Storage is plentiful as there is room behind the back seats, or keep it clear and lean them back for a nap. I do believe you could fit a K car in the back of the cab with the seats down...

I have a 2014 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. It doesn't have the crazy torque of an oiler but it's no slouch either. I have seat time in both versions (gas & diesel) of my truck and couldn't stand the lazy gas pedal feel of the diesel. I have a few buddies with Mega Cab 2500's and one of them nick-named it the Recall-Ram because it's always going in for something emissions related or there is a flash to update something. My 6.4 RAM has been virtually perfect.

My 35 Lightning fully loaded puts me right at the max tow capacity of 12k with the 3.73 gear set. I don't think the 4.10 ratio would make a noticeable difference unless you were going to put some heavy 35's or 37's on it. (My aftermarket tires/wheels weigh the same as stock.) I go to LOTO once or twice a year which is about 600 miles one way. My truck does a great job through the hills in 100° heat. I average 9-11 mpg which is about the same that another buddy gets in his RAM Mega/Cummins towing a 38 Lightning (approx same weight.) I'll tell you there are times when I think another 400 foot pounds of torque would be nice but overall I just cannot justify the initial expense of a 6.7 Cummins, DEF, extra maintenance costs, etc for that extra torque.

Diesel guys will bag on a gasser HD truck but late model fuelies get the job done. That said, if your daily towing is 10,000 pounds or more then a diesel truck is probably going to be a better choice. If not, as others have said, the 6.4 Hemi equipped HD trucks are pretty awesome.

Initially I was looking at the 6.4 gasser because it will get used more without a trailer than with. I'm figuring the 36 Outlaw on trailer is about 13k pounds. The 4.10 gears would definitely give me the tow rating needed. But, I would have to order the truck new to get them. The next concern is the gas mileage. I know the newer diesels do not get the same mileage as the older ones like mine, but, they still get better mileage than gas. It can get soooo frustrating trying to think of all the angles. lol

I've just configured fully loaded Ram Laramie Long Horn 2500 (coil spring suspension), Ford F350 Platinum SRW, and GMC Denali 3500 SRW...
...on each of their websites.

All 2017s
All Crew Cabs
All Long Beds
All Diesels
All Automatics
All heavily optioned; with the cheapest wheel/tire packages (because I plan to lift and upgrade)

GMC: $71,340 MSRP
............................................. (Factory reduction of $4,937 not applied---> takes it to $66,403)
Ford: $78,795 MSRP
............................................. ($500 published incentive not applied---> takes it to $78,295)
Ram: $67,685 MSRP
............................................. (Limited would have probably raised the price $3000 or so; but I hate a black interior which is all they come with.)

It seems as though the Ram trucks are pretty good deals on paper. If you can negotiate off the sticker like GM is empowering buyers to do, that's going to take it down closer to $60K if you are good and pending on the truck you choose.

If I was buying tomorrow based purely on what I see above, it would be the Denali 3500.

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My sales friends will hate me for saying this but truecar.com is your best bet for knowing what a dealer will sell it for. I did it when I bought mine. Found the truck in Indiana. Walked into my local dealer that I have delt with in the past and asked if they would get it and sell to me at the his price. ....ten minutes later the deal was done. It took them a day to get it but all went perfect.

Truecar you build your truck and like lending tree dealers will fight for your business....those that are truecar dealers.

For cryin' out loud - Somebody Buy something ! Then we can all tell you what a mistake you made.:479:

Sydwayz has some pretty good info on pricing.

I have an 07 Classic LBZ Chevy LB CC SRW 4x4 3500
Pulls and STOPS my Cig just fine. Love the truck. Never regretted getting the SRW. The new ones are Very Nice too. Yes, parking can be a challenge sometimes but I just take up 4 spots ;)

Hey Quinlan, How about draggin' that Portifino around, that would be something to brag about! Agreed, for local work SRW Is what I use too, but I am most comfortable with the dually for big miles. ( S. Carolina to NH for the first tow.) I have noticed a significant difference between towing the 38' and the 42', with the driveguard trailer under the Tiger she runs almost 50' long and loaded up with fuel etc. she is about 16K lbs. rolling down the highway. My long bed quad cab F-350 rides like a Caddy and runs 70 - 75 with great stability and 14 + mpg. About 30 years ago, I dropped a brand new 26' Nova on the highway when towing with a Blazer, never want to repeat that performance.

GMC 2500hd, crew cab 6.0 gas 6spd is the way to go. Toes anything and honestly your not looking to do 100mph lol pulls my gooseneck and my boat all day long in PA and NY state mountains.

I'm going SRW with my next truck. I sold my 37 AT, so I don't have that 13,000 lbs. to drag around anymore. And I don't anticipate having anything that weighs more than that in the future. I do feel as though you can properly equip the newer 2011-ish and up SRW 1-tons to tow the average 38-foot something. ALL of the trucks need wider contact patches, but the brakes, frames, and tow packages have come a long way in the last 5-6 years or so.

If I was going to have a truck PURELY for towing (as I do now), I would absolutely have a 1-ton dually or bigger. But I'll likely sell my Ford dually and my 2500HD Che-bro-let.

Never say never Sydwayz, How about a Portifino?:evilb:

If it comes with a Donzi ZRC tossed in for free; I'm down!

The fact that my trucks are daily drivers kinda negates the dually option. If I was building a pickup as a dream towing truck, I would have a Ram 3500 Mega Cab Dually with the diesel. But, as already stated, the single rear wheel trucks tow just fine. In fact, the tow rating only goes up on duallies if they are towing a 5th wheel. In my situation, we have towed my Baja to florida and back with my 03 single rear wheel ram and it never gave us any problems. Being a triple axle trailer made a big difference I'm sure.