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mrbadexample's avatar
mrbadexample
Explorer
Oct 27, 2017

Looking for a truck

Getting ready to retire in 2 years and plan on becoming full time rv'r. Looking to do it in a 5th wheel. Was thinking of getting a truck now, 1 ton, diesel, single axle to get the ball rolling. Truck I was looking at is a 2013 w/ 94k miles. I put about 30k a year on a vehicle so it would have about 150k before I ever attempt to tow. Am I being impulsive?
  • I’d say a bit maybe. Do your research. Depending on brand, 2013 was a transition year for Ram. Power stroke I’d want ‘15 or newer. Dmax, flip a coin but I’d rather have a used 2017 L5P in 2 years than a LML now.
    And personally if I was FT with no shop I wouldn’t want to start out with a high mile rig on the road. Of course if you don’t do your own repairs that’s a moot point but also an argument for not starting out with a high miler.
    As well, no crystal ball here, but truck prices are high right now. Gut says they don’t get much more ridiculous but there’s a chance economy will slow down and prices will get better.
  • Two years away and your looking at a truck that by your own admission will have around 150K on the clock? Why???
    Right now is a great time to buy a new truck and have it paid off before you retire. Or, at the very least buy one newer with much lower miles on it. Remember when you retire your income will drop like a rock, meaning its going to be much harder to pay for a truck then. So pay it off now and plan to keep it until you quit traveling.
    You can find deals. Ram trucks places like Dave Smith, and Dennis Dillon deal aggressively. Im sure there are dealers doing the same for both Ford and GM.