First, i apologize for opening this debate again. But,I am really at a loss as to what to do. I currently own a 2016 Chevy 2500 crew cab standard box with the 6.0 gasser. It has 4.10 gears and is a 4x4. IT is SRW I pull a 2016 Jayco fifth Wheel 325BHQS. Its fully loaded weight is 13.8K. It is 39 feet long. My dealership is willing to make me a decent deal on a 2017 Ram 3500 dually deisel crew cab long bed 4x4 with the aisin transmission. I am trying to figure out if I really need it (I know need is a tough word) or will really appreciate the dually and deisel for this fifth wheel. So, I tow only about 10 times a year. Typical trips are in the northeast and are approximately 300-400 miles. Other than these trips, the truck is my daily driver and mostly does a small round trip commute of 15 miles per day. So, what do you think? Is the ram really overkill or am I going to love it that much more that it is worth the hassle of using it as a daily driver. All assistance is really appreciated. Thanks!!!Dave dssamuels@juno.com

No stated problems or concerns but want to upgrade. Why? Are you overloaded?

Unless you are unhappy with the present vehicle when towing, I'd keep it. Why trade in a 2016 gasser for a diesel daily driver. Yeah, you would love the diesel when towing, but if just 4k miles per year, you really aren't even breaking it in.

If your current truck pulls your TT to your expectations and you don't foresee towing in the mountains or buying a bigger RV then I would stick with your current truck. Will a Ram DRW diesel(or any current diesel) pull it better? Of course it will, but it is all about what meets your expectations and not what meets anyone else's. Just ask yourself which one would give you the biggest regret for not getting/keeping later on down the line and go with that one.

X3 on not needing a diesel in the East.

You might appreciate a diesel for that trailer but a SRW truck is plenty and would work better as a daily driver. Since you already have the Chevy, if you're satisfied with it I would just keep it until the time comes that you want to take some longer trips or come out west to the mountains. At that point upgrade to a diesel.

gas versus diesel 13.8 max weight fifth wheel | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
My 2012 F-250 long bed is my daily driver. I went with Supercab over Supercrew to save 1.5 feet (rough guess on memory).

I love my truck including the long bed but I have a kayak that is well served by a long bed so multiple uses.

I have flexibility in parking at work so I don't have a real problem but do have to be picky and pass up many open spots. Every day I'm glad I don't have the extra length of the Supercrew. Definitely could not live with DRW as a daily driver. My goal in retirement is to not have TV as daily driver. Not practical for now.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2017
I pull a 15000 lb 5ver with an f350 srw diesel short box. I would definitely not trade it for a gasser, for a dually or for a long box. I bought what I wanted. I like the idea of buying new vehicles when you can afford to pay cash for your purchase.
dssamuels
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Thank you to everyone for your advice. It is truly helpful.
troubledwaters
Nomad
Aug 11, 2017
Guess my first post went over some peoples' head. I'll try and make it more clear next time.
ReneeG
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
troubledwaters wrote:
1jeep wrote:
troubledwaters wrote:
If you get the diesel don't forget to get a real good coat, hat and gloves for winter.

maybe true with older ones, but my new truck has heated seats, heated steering wheel and a supplemental heater that all come on when I use the remote start. Its nice and toasty in there after 10 minutes.
Yes, that's the other route you can take. You can either get a good hat and coat or spend another extra grand on an assortment of supplemental heating appliances.

. . . and they are wonderful. Our TV is an "Idaho Cadillac". Love it. Best luxurious ride we've had.
ReneeG
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
alexleblanc wrote:
Ivylog wrote:
X3 on not needing a diesel in the East.

While we don't have the Rockies out east, the northeast is still nothing but rolling hills and some decent size inclines here and there. A Diesel flattens out those continuous hills and makes for a much better experience.

If you haven't towed in the northeast and Atlantic Canada you may not know what I'm talking about but it's surely not flat, it's nothing but up and down.

To add to this, to the OP, for now you say you stay in the east but once you get a "taste" of "camping" in that fifth wheel, your horizons will broaden and you'll want to head West. Then you'll want that diesel.
1jeep
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2017
Whatever...I tried the old way and will stick to the new heating appliances!
troubledwaters
Nomad
Aug 11, 2017
1jeep wrote:
troubledwaters wrote:
If you get the diesel don't forget to get a real good coat, hat and gloves for winter.

maybe true with older ones, but my new truck has heated seats, heated steering wheel and a supplemental heater that all come on when I use the remote start. Its nice and toasty in there after 10 minutes.
Yes, that's the other route you can take. You can either get a good hat and coat or spend another extra grand on an assortment of supplemental heating appliances.
1jeep
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2017
troubledwaters wrote:
If you get the diesel don't forget to get a real good coat, hat and gloves for winter.

maybe true with older ones, but my new truck has heated seats, heated steering wheel and a supplemental heater that all come on when I use the remote start. Its nice and toasty in there after 10 minutes.
alexleblanc
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
Ivylog wrote:
X3 on not needing a diesel in the East.

While we don't have the Rockies out east, the northeast is still nothing but rolling hills and some decent size inclines here and there. A Diesel flattens out those continuous hills and makes for a much better experience.

If you haven't towed in the northeast and Atlantic Canada you may not know what I'm talking about but it's surely not flat, it's nothing but up and down.