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rowekmr's avatar
rowekmr
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017

Looking at a 2014 Ram 3500 Need Opinions

A buddy of mines bought a 2014 Ram 3500 Tradesman dually new back then to haul a 3 car trailer and DD in between. Now he's getting out of the business and having a "fire" sell. I normally won't consider something that was used commercially but I know he maintained it decently and didn't beat on it. Truck has about 168K and has auto tran what should I be concerned about or look for? I don't know much about the Cummins but are there any weak point in this drive train?

Thanks
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  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2017
    4x4ord wrote:
    That truck might have a lot of good miles in yet but it is about miled out as far as depreciation goes. If you put 15k per year on it, it will be about worthless as far as resale in 7 years. If you could buy it for 21k, use it for 7 years and sell it for $3500 with 300k miles on it your annual depreciation word be $2500. I purchased my 2011 KR new in 2011 for 55k and sold it with 100k miles for $40,000 in 2016 ( unique situation)....$3000 per year depreciation. I think anytime you can figure on under $3000 per year for depreciation you're doing well.
  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2017
    That truck might have a lot of good miles in yet but it is about miled out as far as depreciation goes. If you put 15k per year on it, it will be about worthless as far as resale in 7 years. If you could buy it for 21k, use it for 7 years and sell it for $3500 with 300k miles on it your annual depreciation word be $2500. I purchased my 2011 KR new in 2011 for 55k and sold it with 100k miles for $40,000 in 2016....$3000 per year depreciation. I think anytime you can figure on under $3000 per year for depreciation you're doing well.
  • NJRVer's avatar
    NJRVer
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ kbb.com and plug in the various options for a guesstimate on worth or go on trucktrader.com and see what others are selling for.
  • rowekmr's avatar
    rowekmr
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    Which years is the engine a direct swap? I am asking just in case the are issues that warrant getting another low mile drivetrain swapped in. If I got it the truck is as is so I like to be prepared for the worst. Found out he had a driver use it the last year or so and I know how drivers can treat the owners equipment. Said it needed a radiator and fan so I know some things aren't right with it now.
    What's the rough value for a good running 2014 3500 LB DRW 4x4 Tradesman with 168K miles so I can compare.
  • Camper_G's avatar
    Camper_G
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    Regardless of trans, if it's been serviced regularly and the fluid looks good, and the price is right, go for it.

    It would have to be a good deal if it was me. I love my 17 ram 2500 so far. Not perfect, but a good truck
  • rowekmr's avatar
    rowekmr
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    He did buy new and is the original owner. It has the auto trans how do you tell the difference between them? I think I asked him before about which trans I don't recall he knew the difference.
    transferred wrote:
    Need to know what trans it has if we're to answer you more accurately

    Aisin auto? 68RFE auto? or G56 6-speed manual?

    Did he buy it new? If so, and you get a good price, I'd jump on it if it has the Aisin or the manual. I wouldn't trust 168k on a hotshot without one of those two transmissions.

    2013+ Ram 3500s w/ the new frame are great trucks btw.
  • transferred's avatar
    transferred
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    Need to know what trans it has if we're to answer you more accurately

    Aisin auto? 68RFE auto? or G56 6-speed manual?

    Did he buy it new? If so, and you get a good price, I'd jump on it if it has the Aisin or the manual. I wouldn't trust 168k on a hotshot without one of those two transmissions.

    2013+ Ram 3500s w/ the new frame are great trucks btw.

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