Forum Discussion

Fixed_Sight_Tra's avatar
Nov 27, 2016

New tow vehicle!!

For the last several years I've used my '03 Tahoe to tow our 7K# Toyhauler almost exclusively through the Colorado Rockies. It did it but wasn't happy about it. It was reliable and comfortable for our family of four plus 2 labs. I was typically a little tired after driving for several hours pulling the trailer because you really had to drive it. No putting it in D and turing on the cruise. Power management was important on the hills but it finally developed some issues probably due to the towing.

So I read on this forum about the prices at Dennis Dillon in ID. I went online and found a 2016 closeout Ram 2500 SLT with a 6.4 Hemi. It was a great price so after a few phone calls plus some money for a down payment and some upgrades (better tires, steps and a shell now that we are a family of four plus 3 labs) I dropped the kids at school on Wed morning, drove 900 miles to DD Ram with the Tahoe, did the paperwork, and got home by Thurs night. Mileage at 85 was about 14 with mid grade fuel, 13 with 85 octane. So about the same as the Tahoe.

They were only going to give me $200 for the firestone tires that came stock so I had them throw them in the back and put them on CL. The next day I sold them for $600 cash.
I spend a good amount of time in snow and off road so I opted for the Goodyear Duratrack. Not to mention is helps with the "fleet truck" look of the white truck.

I haven't towed with it yet but I'm sure it will be a breeze. I would like a bigger fuel tank so I decide where to stop while traveling with the camper instead of the fuel gauge but all in all it should serve us well.

I also got a bumper to bumper 7yr/100K warranty plus unlimited mileage on the power train. The thing has 20 computers.
  • Congrats on the new truck.

    Fixed Sight Training wrote:
    They were only going to give me $200 for the firestone tires that came stock


    Dave Smith did a similar thing to my neighbor when he bought a new Dually Ram in August.

    He drove the truck some and the tires were horribly out of balance (or so everyone thought).
    He took the truck back to Dave Smith, had the tires balanced, problem was the same.
    He took the truck to a local tire shop in Spokane, WA, problem still wasn't solved. Dave Smith said he had to go through Nexen Tire to get the problem solved, even though the tires were defective from the day of delivery.

    He finally gave up fighting with Dave Smith, even though the truck only had 300 miles at this point, most of which was going back and forth from Dave Smith, after they only offered a pittance of reimbursement to replace the tires and buy his back.

    He went to Costco and bought Micehlin tires, and I put his Nexens on Craigslist since he was moving out of his house at that point.
    I sold them for $600.
  • Congrats on the truck. I bought mine at DD too and got a great deal. Only had to drive 30 miles though. :B
  • Big congrats! Those are beautiful, capable trucks and the big Hemi singing up a hill sound fantastic.
  • Congrats on the new truck. You're gonna love it!!! But I hope you didn't leave your kids at school till Thursday night!!!! J/K :B
  • Congrats on your new truck.

    You'll find towing with these HD trucks is sooooo much easier and nicer all the way around. Problem is you'll need a bigger trailer soon :-)