I've learned a FEW things since my last question... but it comes down to this:While I like the Chevy 3500, I like the GMC 3500 even better...I let the last one in my area get away.I've test driven and doodled around so long that a lot of trucks were been bought before I could make my mind up. I'm looking at two more tomorrow.Both are (Dodge) RAM's.Both have close to the same miles on themBoth are within $1,00+ of each other[Dodge is my third choice simply because they're HUGE, and the General Motors vehicles ride smother across country. BUT.... RAMs have that Cummin engine which is cheaper to fix and last longer if maintained.]1. RAM 3500 Dually #One is a 2013 It's black, and has 179,986 miles Being sold for $26,985 from dealer "as is" [NOTE: Dealer is a respected volume dealer. Third largest volume dealer in the Southeast... but no warranty.] It requires DEF Fluid , but it has a gauge on the dashFuel economy is listed at 14 mpg max Black looks beautiful, but how's it going to look after I spend a few months in the desert each year and a few more in the snow? It was a commercial vehicle. One owner. Well maintained. It was a New Jersey truck but looks really clean underneath ... but there's some signs of a bubble (rust) beneath the 5th Wheel ... which I won't be using.2. RAM 3500 Dually is a 2010 It's white and has 176,302 miles Being sold for $24,988 Dealer says it replaced the transmission and is offering a One Year warranty on moving parts and labor. Dealer says they've gone in and fixed replaced everything that "needed" it. (Yes, I plan to have it inspected prior to buying.) I could get a Bush Guard ("Bull Bar") put on for $250... parts and labor The dealer sales tires wholesale and will pass those savings onto me if I buy from him Free oil changes for life... IF I get it there... which I don't plan to be around this area after a next year... but... No DEF Fluid needed The white color won't look chipped or as damaged after time spent in the Desert and snow. Chances are I will get much better fuel mileage (I'm told) with this one than the 2013.I'm going with a Dually ... like everyone suggested even though it's more truck than I need. BUT ... you can't beat that foot print on the road. The SRW 3500's and 2500's were great, but with all that power, I could feel the back less "nailed to the road" than the Dually. If I'm going to be traveling around for the next two years with a top heavy slide in truck camper, that's important.The RAM is cheaper to repair and last longer.What do you guys think?

Personally, I would go with the 2010. I am kind of tickled with your comment about the "... Dodge is my third choice simply because they're HUGE, ...". As for comfort, it is a personal thing. I think my '04 Ram is very comfortable, and easily compares to my son-in-laws 2500 '04 Chevy DSL. He drove my '04 DRW Ram for about 60 miles which included up hills. He said the power was exceptional compared to his Chevy. I am a pro Chevy/Ram person.Wayne

For the money...the '13 appears a better deal for the cash...similar miles, 3 years newer. I'd personally never another black truck.....but the white truck has a new transmission....which is NOT cheap...think 5-7k...and as you pointed out, no DEF to deal with.Now the '10 can get better mileage if your willing to delete/tune it...warranty is up so really not much to lose but gain power and mileage. See my sig for my power levels after tune....and i get 18-20 mpg on a flat interstate unloaded.I'd barter the older truck down..tell them the oil changes mean nothing...make sure the trans is a factory NEW amd not some slimeball local shop (95% don't know how to properly build a dodge 68rfe...seriously, this is not a joke, only two to three builders know it well enough over a factory fresh build that I would trust) and try for 22k or so. Depending on condition of course....But the '13 had some significant frame, suspension and brake upgrades to consider as well....bit you might be putting in a trans soon too......

if the 10 don't use DEF, I think you have to worry about the exhaust clogging up. I jumped from 2006 to 2015 which has DEF. The guys over here know the RAM trucks.http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/2013-general-discussion/

Don't know why people think DEF is a big issue. Throw a few gallons in now and then. I rather have DEF than EGR any day.For me, I would pick the '13

The KonTec (BluTec) pollution control system uses expensive cats. I have an '08 and would go with the '13. And yes, Arizona pin strips look like **** on that beautiful metallic black/green.

Flatbed_Fred

Explorer

Dec 05, 2015

RAM 2013 or RAM 2010?

I've learned a FEW things since my last question... but it comes down to this:

While I like the Chevy 3500, I like the GMC 3500 even better...I let the last one in my area get away.

I've test driven and doodled around so long that a lot of trucks were been bought before I could make my mind up. I'm looking at two more tomorrow.

Both are (Dodge) RAM's.
Both have close to the same miles on them
Both are within $1,00+ of each other

[Dodge is my third choice simply because they're HUGE, and the General Motors vehicles ride smother across country. BUT.... RAMs have that Cummin engine which is cheaper to fix and last longer if maintained.]

1. RAM 3500 Dually #One is a 2013

It's black, and has 179,986 miles
Being sold for $26,985 from dealer "as is" [NOTE: Dealer is a respected volume dealer. Third largest volume dealer in the Southeast... but no warranty.]
It requires DEF Fluid , but it has a gauge on the dash
Fuel economy is listed at 14 mpg max
Black looks beautiful, but how's it going to look after I spend a few months in the desert each year and a few more in the snow?
It was a commercial vehicle. One owner. Well maintained.
It was a New Jersey truck but looks really clean underneath ... but there's some signs of a bubble (rust) beneath the 5th Wheel ... which I won't be using.

2. RAM 3500 Dually is a 2010

It's white and has 176,302 miles
Being sold for $24,988
Dealer says it replaced the transmission and is offering a One Year warranty on moving parts and labor.
Dealer says they've gone in and fixed replaced everything that "needed" it. (Yes, I plan to have it inspected prior to buying.)
I could get a Bush Guard ("Bull Bar") put on for $250... parts and labor
The dealer sales tires wholesale and will pass those savings onto me if I buy from him
Free oil changes for life... IF I get it there... which I don't plan to be around this area after a next year... but...
No DEF Fluid needed
The white color won't look chipped or as damaged after time spent in the Desert and snow.
Chances are I will get much better fuel mileage (I'm told) with this one than the 2013.

I'm going with a Dually ... like everyone suggested even though it's more truck than I need. BUT ... you can't beat that foot print on the road. The SRW 3500's and 2500's were great, but with all that power, I could feel the back less "nailed to the road" than the Dually. If I'm going to be traveling around for the next two years with a top heavy slide in truck camper, that's important.

The RAM is cheaper to repair and last longer.

What do you guys think?

Truck Campers

Reddog1
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2015
Personally, I would go with the 2010. I am kind of tickled with your comment about the "... Dodge is my third choice simply because they're HUGE, ...". As for comfort, it is a personal thing. I think my '04 Ram is very comfortable, and easily compares to my son-in-laws 2500 '04 Chevy DSL. He drove my '04 DRW Ram for about 60 miles which included up hills. He said the power was exceptional compared to his Chevy. I am a pro Chevy/Ram person.

Wayne
Vinsil
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
For the money...the '13 appears a better deal for the cash...similar miles, 3 years newer. I'd personally never another black truck.....but the white truck has a new transmission....which is NOT cheap...think 5-7k...and as you pointed out, no DEF to deal with.

Now the '10 can get better mileage if your willing to delete/tune it...warranty is up so really not much to lose but gain power and mileage. See my sig for my power levels after tune....and i get 18-20 mpg on a flat interstate unloaded.

I'd barter the older truck down..tell them the oil changes mean nothing...make sure the trans is a factory NEW amd not some slimeball local shop (95% don't know how to properly build a dodge 68rfe...seriously, this is not a joke, only two to three builders know it well enough over a factory fresh build that I would trust) and try for 22k or so. Depending on condition of course....

But the '13 had some significant frame, suspension and brake upgrades to consider as well....bit you might be putting in a trans soon too......
towpro
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
if the 10 don't use DEF, I think you have to worry about the exhaust clogging up. I jumped from 2006 to 2015 which has DEF.

The guys over here know the RAM trucks.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/2013-general-discussion/
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
Don't know why people think DEF is a big issue. Throw a few gallons in now and then. I rather have DEF than EGR any day.

For me, I would pick the '13
Downwindtracke1
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
The KonTec (BluTec) pollution control system uses expensive cats. I have an '08 and would go with the '13. And yes, Arizona pin strips look like **** on that beautiful metallic black/green.
romore
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2015
Hmmm, 2g's difference,three years newer and no warranty on the 13. I would have that one thoroughly inspected by a reliable independent shop, it sounds like the dealer is anxious to unload it.
Richandtd
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
I have a 07 wuth a 5.9 cummins will get camper in about 10 days my current mpg 23 on highway. I vote for the 07 that you have not found yet. with a 5.9 cause it's the year they switched over to the 6.7.
Downwindtracke1
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
When Cummins went to 6.7, they had issues with the 'puter. By '10 their warranty levels were ahead of the '07 5.9. Cummins recommended rebuild for the 5.9 was 300,000 miles, for the 6.7 350,000 miles. Factory recommended rebuilds for the GM were 200,000 and the Ford 250,000 as a comparison. Since none of us work these engines, we should be able to double or triple that.
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
I'd keep looking. The '13 has rust already showing. The '10 had a transmission issue which I think is suspect in other potential issues.

I don't know how many miles you plan to drive, but if you don't like the creature comforts, I'd go even older in the Dodge/RAM models and potentially a 5500.
Vinsil
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
The 6.7 and 68rfe is a MUCH better combo, only way I'd go back to a 5.9 is a fully mechanical 12 valve. Nothing wrong with CR 5.9's....but for those who think the 6.7 is issue prone...doesn't have "current" personal experience with them. I've owned a 12 valve, 24 valve and a CR.....the 6.7 is a beast compared none of my other trucks were stock.

Nothing against DEF either...and will have a truck with it someday I'm sure...but if you can avoid/delete it, one less thing to buy and maintain. Although I do agree, EGR's suck...which is why mine fell off.