Hello,I currently have a 2003 Ram 3/4T CTD. I have supersprings and 3750# tires. It handles the load decently but now with kid #2 around, I find we're hauling more stuff (stroller, pack-n-play, bikes, sand toys, etc) I'd eventually like to get a boat down the road.Thing is, my Bigfoot is a SB model. Also, my truck is in tip top shape. I replaced everything on the front end and have been meticulous in its maintenance. Very low hours and only 260,000KMS. With the 2nd kid, we had to get a SUV which now does all of our regular, non-camping driving and the truck only gets used about 10,000Km per year, exclusively with the camper in the warmer months.I've stumbled upon a 2006 DRW Ram with a 6 speed and Hemi ($10,000 CAD, or $37 US). Will I hate life with the older 5.7 Hemi and a camper? plus potentially a boat in a few years? Mileage is a modest 140,000Kms. I also realize there will be a 16-18" gap between the cab but that can be used for chainsaw, genny, several kids toys. I completely expect to be going slower, shifting more compared to the cummins but with kids, our time lines vary greatly anyways!I've tossed up a Megacab DRW but they're just out of my price range right now. If I stay with the Dodge/Ram, I can transfer my camper tie downs & superhitch.Let me know your thoughts.

I don't think you will hate life with just the camper but once you add a boat, you might. You would also likely not be as aware if you didn't already own a diesel. But you might be spoiled.If I owned that truck and was going to use it the way you intend, I'd probably put 4:10's in it for increased torque.

I tend to agree. The hemi will do fine with just a truck camper. Unless your talking about a monster boat it will likely also work. It will not be a diesel but it will get you to where you want to go.

Gas engines are fine until you get up in altitude, that is where a TD rules.

My experience started with a Ram Power Wagon with the 5.7, did fine with my camper and flat towing my TJ on the flats and rolling hills, but I hated driving it on the mountain passes towing the TJ. The only reason I got the diesel was so I could tow my TJ behind the camper and not worry about what kind of hill was coming. The 5.7 did fine except the one combination of camper/TJ/mountain pass.

If you had the diesel, you will likely be wanting more. The 5.9 far surpasses what a small block gasser can do. And is that $37,000 for a 2006 with a gas motor? You can do way better down here buying a diesel I think.

DRW and engine opinions | Good Sam Community

gbw
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
Super_Dave wrote:
pcoplin wrote:
If you had the diesel, you will likely be wanting more. The 5.9 far surpasses what a small block gasser can do.

And is that $37,000 for a 2006 with a gas motor? You can do way better down here buying a diesel I think.

Think it is either a typo or he got the exchange rate wrong.

Neither, just making a joke of our "strong" Canadian dollar. $10k CAD = $37 US.

I've got some thinking to do based on some answers here. Much appreciated.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
pcoplin wrote:
If you had the diesel, you will likely be wanting more. The 5.9 far surpasses what a small block gasser can do.

And is that $37,000 for a 2006 with a gas motor? You can do way better down here buying a diesel I think.

Think it is either a typo or he got the exchange rate wrong.
pcoplin
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
If you had the diesel, you will likely be wanting more. The 5.9 far surpasses what a small block gasser can do.

And is that $37,000 for a 2006 with a gas motor? You can do way better down here buying a diesel I think.
GpnAZ
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
My experience started with a Ram Power Wagon with the 5.7, did fine with my camper and flat towing my TJ on the flats and rolling hills, but I hated driving it on the mountain passes towing the TJ. The only reason I got the diesel was so I could tow my TJ behind the camper and not worry about what kind of hill was coming. The 5.7 did fine except the one combination of camper/TJ/mountain pass.
Glacier_D
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
Gas engines are fine until you get up in altitude, that is where a TD rules.
brholt
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
I tend to agree. The hemi will do fine with just a truck camper. Unless your talking about a monster boat it will likely also work. It will not be a diesel but it will get you to where you want to go.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
I don't think you will hate life with just the camper but once you add a boat, you might. You would also likely not be as aware if you didn't already own a diesel. But you might be spoiled.

If I owned that truck and was going to use it the way you intend, I'd probably put 4:10's in it for increased torque.

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