Which Choice? For the Ram folks out there

Hey all,

Looking for some advice on replacing my 2003 Tahoe with a new to me truck. Never owned a pickup before, have owned multiple SUVs in the past. I have a daily driver, sole purpose of this truck will be to tow my trailer, I'll also probably keep the Tahoe.

Looking at a pair of Dodge Ram 3500s, older models. Both are duallies, 4x4, excellent condition and priced at $12K.

The trailer I'll be towing for a while is my 2007 Outback 25RSS, scale weight loaded is just under 6K pounds. I may consider getting a different trailer at some point in the future, not a 5th wheel-bumper pull, of similar or slightly larger size (probably no more than 9K pounds fully loaded) but perhaps with 4 season capabilities, for a longer camping season.

Here's the truck specs:

99 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT - 5.9L L6 OHV 24V TURBO DIESEL, 5-speed manual transmission, 320K miles on it, per (clean) Carfax, 5 previous owners (in CO/WY/SD - wide open country, could explain the miles on it).

VS

98 Dodge Ram 3500 Sport Quad Cab - 8.0L V10 OHV 20V, automatic transmission (sorry, don't know what), 105K miles on it, per (clean) Carfax, 3 previous owners, but between the first 2, they owned it less than a year, last owner had for for nearly 17 years.

I am only looking at Dodge Ram 3500s for now. I tow (and will tow) a lot in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, and the Tahoe is woefully under powered for my current trailer, never mind something else, so I've been somewhat limited to the areas I usually go, places I know the 'hoe will get me.

So...diesel or gasser? Mixed feelings about both, given that they are in equally good shape. Leaning more toward the low mileage gasser. Any significant reason for me to look more seriously at the diesel?

If not these 2 vehicles, in general, would a similar gasser be able to pull 9K pounds trailers in the high mountains with relative ease, or should I look to the diesels? Yes, I've read and read and read ad nauseam prior posts on the gas vs diesel wars, looking for fresh opinions on these specific trucks.

One more question - appears that, beyond these 2 trucks, the 2001-2004.5 mode Rams with manual transmissions are highly desireable from what I've read, either as a diesel or gasser. Any opinions on these years for Rams?

Tow Vehicles

DinTulsa
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
I owned an 02 and 06 ram 2500 prior to my current truck. The 06 was light years ahead of the 02 in every way imaginable. I'm fairly certain you can find and 03-07.5 with a 5.9 for 25k or less. That would be a far better truck in every way. I don't know your budget, but for what you are towing you can get by with a 2500.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
It is absolutely silly how well those Dodge/Cummins hold their value. While I wouldn't pay those prices, it is obvious that many do.

If you don't mind a manual transmission, I'd look for a 2003-2006 Ram. But their auto counterparts wouldn't be bad either - there is nothing wrong with a 48RE transmission.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2017
DinTulsa wrote:
Those prices are absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't pay over 12k for the showroom condition with 94k Miles. Don't be afraid to search nation wide, you can find a lot better deals.

YOU may not pay over 12K but MANY will !!!
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
That is a step price for a 2001 even mint! I sold my 2004 that was mint back in 2014 with 150K for $18,500 and was told by the guy that bought it he would have paid $21,000 for it. Like your guy I had all records and if I didn't do the work the service was done at the dealership.

Would think you should be able to get him down some, unless he really doesn't want to sell the truck.

Don
joelm
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
big fan of 2nd gen Dodge. I have a 2001 4x4 2500 with 6 speed. 220k on it. I've replaced the dash, lift pump, injector pump, steering box. About $4000 in repairs over the 150,000 miles I've owned it. Leaving Friday to go on a 2500 mile trip pulling 5th wheel. My neighbor just paid over 60k for a truck that doesn't pull any better than mine. His payment is over $1200/Mon. I can do a lot of repairs for that.
In my opinion the TST Powermax is the mod to go with. I have a ton of power, average 20+ mpg, 13 with 8500lb 5th wheel
DinTulsa
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
Those prices are absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't pay over 12k for the showroom condition with 94k Miles. Don't be afraid to search nation wide, you can find a lot better deals.
Redwoodcamper
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
Those prices are way too high. Stick to a Cummins. The mileage of the engine isn't the issue. I've owned dodges/Rams with over a million miles combined and while they never left me stranded it wasn't always pretty. The older dodges just fall apart around the engine. You will hate the steering, interiors are poor. I got a 2011 ram 3500 Laramie diesel with 279k miles for 19k. Clean title. Dealer maintained. You should look for a newer 6.7 if you can because the trucks are just nicer places to be in. If you can't find one then stick to a Cummins. Don't stray into 6.0 land or gasoline trucks.
skidooman93
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
rexlion wrote:
Hi Thom, you've come a long way since the egg. ;) . I agree with Turtle, that hi mileage one will eat you alive with upkeep. The V10 should serve, but the gas bill will discourage travel. Nothing better than a turbo in the mountains, especially for a guy who is unhappy with his gassy 'hoe! :)

I agree with everything said here. Except Im very happy with my gasser, but I live in the corn fields.

And the only decent diesels prior to 2011 is a ford 7.3 or a cummins
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 18, 2017
And you said you're planning on this being your last tow rig.
You plan on doing this for another 20 years, or are your days shorter?

Starting with an over 15 year old truck, regardless of how "nice" it is will likely cost you a bunch in repairs and upkeep over the next 10 years compared to new(ish).
Depends what your plan is though.
Weekend trips to the mountains and have all week to tinker and repair an old truck AND know what you're doing, or do you want relatively problem free, hook n go, see you in 2 months kind of truck?

Anyone, including myself, who touts older vehicles, either spends plenty of time working on them, pays someone else to work on them or has a unicorn of a vehicle.....
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 18, 2017
Yeah, that's still out to lunch on price, but someone might pay close to that.
You really should drive a few trucks. I love the old Cummins in the body style that put Dodge back on the map (2nd gen), but more so than other mfgs, the difference between Dodge generations for ride/comfort/amenities/noise is huge.
1st gens, may as well have been stopped in the 70s as that's how they ride/act and the fact they were made into the 90s is why Dodge s ucked for so long.
2nd gens were such an improvement over those, they seemed to be the best ever, but in reality just caught up with the others. (2nd gen quality is very good through, save for the very important things burningman said)
3rd gen, big improvement over 2nd, but more quirky than the other 2 brands and sill didn't get the auto trans right until about 09.
4th gen.....well that's out of your budget.

If I wanted a no frills hard pulling lumber wagon, I'd be looking for exactly what you posted, 01-02 6 speed, modded Cummins truck.
I could not pay 25 grand for a 17 year old truck though. For that much plus a small $15k car loan you could get a brand new Or slightly used Ram Cummins Tradesman and be miles ahead on everything.

Forum Discussion

Which Choice? For the Ram folks out there

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Tire choice

Old folks in TC?

Generator choices

choice

Check Your Roof Caulking Folks!!