Starting to Look - Need Opinions
First off, wanted to say hello...first time poster although I've browsed this site for probably a couple years and have gained a lot of information. I apologize in advance if this gets long, but he...
Forum Discussion
I understand your quandry.....mine was similar, sort of.
I had an 06 dodge mega cab and really liked it, except for the lemgth of the truck....a bit hard to park. So, I traded for a GMC extended cab and then realized what a mistake that was....missed the mega cab greatly!
We bought a new camper weighing 8000 pounds, and decided to buy a bigger truck....took three months to decide.
Looked at diesels but decided that towing 5-6 times a year with one long haul (800-1000 miles) really did not warrent the cost and maintenance of a diesel, especially as it would be used as a daily driver.
Decided on a crew cab short bed gas and proceeded to drive every 3/4 ton I could find. My wife and I finally decided on a 2013 Ram 2500 2wd Hemi CC. Rides better than any other 3/4 ton, especially with the low-tire-pressure feature the softens the unloaded ride. The Hemi is a strong and proven engine. Surprisingly, I get over 19 mpg straight hiway, and I have yet to have the tranny downshift on the hiway on any hills....the GMC constantly downshifted.....thats unloaded.
The crew cab is roomy, the seats are very comfortable, and it is easy to drive and park....actually rides like a half ton truck. I opted for 2wd as my last 4 trucks were 4wd and the only time I ever used it was on the initial test drive to see how it worked. The 2wd kept the truck lower, saved a bit of fuel and less stuff to mess with....I am retired so I just dont drive in the snow, and I have 1000 pounds of tongue weight with the camper for traction...ha
The short bed gives me plenty of room to haul the dirty nasty stuff that I dont want to put inside the camper, but keeps the truck easy to drive and park.
Our first tow will be next week....two hours away. The GMC was a 3/4 ton with the 6.0 gas engine and got a consistent 7.0 mpg and pulled the camper adequately....I am expecting similar results from the Ram, though many folks say I will do much better...we'll have to see.
We have had four grand kids in the truck, and it was fine, but the youngest was only five, so there was plenty of room....not sure how it would be with six adults, but probably ok for limited distances.
Best of luck on what ever you buy.....let us know
I had an 06 dodge mega cab and really liked it, except for the lemgth of the truck....a bit hard to park. So, I traded for a GMC extended cab and then realized what a mistake that was....missed the mega cab greatly!
We bought a new camper weighing 8000 pounds, and decided to buy a bigger truck....took three months to decide.
Looked at diesels but decided that towing 5-6 times a year with one long haul (800-1000 miles) really did not warrent the cost and maintenance of a diesel, especially as it would be used as a daily driver.
Decided on a crew cab short bed gas and proceeded to drive every 3/4 ton I could find. My wife and I finally decided on a 2013 Ram 2500 2wd Hemi CC. Rides better than any other 3/4 ton, especially with the low-tire-pressure feature the softens the unloaded ride. The Hemi is a strong and proven engine. Surprisingly, I get over 19 mpg straight hiway, and I have yet to have the tranny downshift on the hiway on any hills....the GMC constantly downshifted.....thats unloaded.
The crew cab is roomy, the seats are very comfortable, and it is easy to drive and park....actually rides like a half ton truck. I opted for 2wd as my last 4 trucks were 4wd and the only time I ever used it was on the initial test drive to see how it worked. The 2wd kept the truck lower, saved a bit of fuel and less stuff to mess with....I am retired so I just dont drive in the snow, and I have 1000 pounds of tongue weight with the camper for traction...ha
The short bed gives me plenty of room to haul the dirty nasty stuff that I dont want to put inside the camper, but keeps the truck easy to drive and park.
Our first tow will be next week....two hours away. The GMC was a 3/4 ton with the 6.0 gas engine and got a consistent 7.0 mpg and pulled the camper adequately....I am expecting similar results from the Ram, though many folks say I will do much better...we'll have to see.
We have had four grand kids in the truck, and it was fine, but the youngest was only five, so there was plenty of room....not sure how it would be with six adults, but probably ok for limited distances.
Best of luck on what ever you buy.....let us know
