Dodge Ram 2500 vs 3500...and SRW vs DRW
OK, so I've done the obligatory searches here and elsewhere, and yet some questions still linger.
Many of the posts I've read prefer a 3500 over the 2500 for various reasons and DRW over SRW. Much of it has to do with what one wants to accomplish.
What I'm looking for is a tow vehicle for now, as well as the future. My current setup with the 2003 Tahoe LT and the Keystone Outback 25RSS is fine...most of the time. But this past weekend, at elevation, the Tahoe simply runs out of steam. Approaching the summit of Cameron Pass at 10300, the Tahoe was out of breath several times on some of the steeper stretches, slowing down to ~25mph. I also had the same experience heading up the South St. Vrain Canyon to Peaceful Valley area (near Allenspark). The combo does fine in the flats and has been an easy tow headed anywhere east.
So...I'm considering a used Dodge Ram. And at some point, I'm likely to upgrade the trailer. My thought is to find a Ram 3500 dually, preferably with a diesel engine and manual transmission, since I'm looking at early 2000s models to fit my budget. A 3500 would certainly handle my current trailer at 6000 pounds fully loaded and weighed at a scale. The 3500 is probably more truck than I need currently, but I don't want to have to buy another tow vehicle after this one. I have a daily driver, so the 3500 won't be put in to that role. My thinking is that, getting a 3500 dually would allow me to consider a small 5er at some point in the future, or a different bumper pull trailer with a better floor plan.
Two questions, one relative to price, the other relative to mileage. As to price, I've done some research and found that Ram 3500s seem to be a bit overpriced in this area relative to NADA and KBB. What sort of price would be fair to offer, say for a 3500 with typical options and a price of $20-25000? Both NADA and KBB show that offering $15-18000 would not be unreasonable, given the circumstances.
Next is mileage. For a diesel, how many miles are too many miles for a used truck? I know upkeep/maintenance are big factors, and that a well maintained truck should be able to handle a lot of miles. Some of the diesel 3500s I'm looking at have 150K to 225K miles. One has over 300K miles. And one has over 500K miles. That last one sort of put me off ;-) When looking at diesels, posts I've read here and elsewhere seem to indicate that 200K plus is not that big a deal, that they are just getting broken in.
What I'm looking for is some more current, real world experiences than I found in searches. All things considered, I think I'd be more satisfied with a 3500 DRW Ram vs a 2500 or 3500 SRW, for future needs. Yes, I'll probably spend a bit more up front, but I'll also get more truck for those future needs.
What say you, Ram owners? Is my thinking sound, or am I way off base?
ETA:
H E R E
and
H E R E
are just 2 examples of what I've been looking at.
Many of the posts I've read prefer a 3500 over the 2500 for various reasons and DRW over SRW. Much of it has to do with what one wants to accomplish.
What I'm looking for is a tow vehicle for now, as well as the future. My current setup with the 2003 Tahoe LT and the Keystone Outback 25RSS is fine...most of the time. But this past weekend, at elevation, the Tahoe simply runs out of steam. Approaching the summit of Cameron Pass at 10300, the Tahoe was out of breath several times on some of the steeper stretches, slowing down to ~25mph. I also had the same experience heading up the South St. Vrain Canyon to Peaceful Valley area (near Allenspark). The combo does fine in the flats and has been an easy tow headed anywhere east.
So...I'm considering a used Dodge Ram. And at some point, I'm likely to upgrade the trailer. My thought is to find a Ram 3500 dually, preferably with a diesel engine and manual transmission, since I'm looking at early 2000s models to fit my budget. A 3500 would certainly handle my current trailer at 6000 pounds fully loaded and weighed at a scale. The 3500 is probably more truck than I need currently, but I don't want to have to buy another tow vehicle after this one. I have a daily driver, so the 3500 won't be put in to that role. My thinking is that, getting a 3500 dually would allow me to consider a small 5er at some point in the future, or a different bumper pull trailer with a better floor plan.
Two questions, one relative to price, the other relative to mileage. As to price, I've done some research and found that Ram 3500s seem to be a bit overpriced in this area relative to NADA and KBB. What sort of price would be fair to offer, say for a 3500 with typical options and a price of $20-25000? Both NADA and KBB show that offering $15-18000 would not be unreasonable, given the circumstances.
Next is mileage. For a diesel, how many miles are too many miles for a used truck? I know upkeep/maintenance are big factors, and that a well maintained truck should be able to handle a lot of miles. Some of the diesel 3500s I'm looking at have 150K to 225K miles. One has over 300K miles. And one has over 500K miles. That last one sort of put me off ;-) When looking at diesels, posts I've read here and elsewhere seem to indicate that 200K plus is not that big a deal, that they are just getting broken in.
What I'm looking for is some more current, real world experiences than I found in searches. All things considered, I think I'd be more satisfied with a 3500 DRW Ram vs a 2500 or 3500 SRW, for future needs. Yes, I'll probably spend a bit more up front, but I'll also get more truck for those future needs.
What say you, Ram owners? Is my thinking sound, or am I way off base?
ETA:
H E R E
and
H E R E
are just 2 examples of what I've been looking at.
