2013 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi
I currently have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins and an auto trans, I am considering a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I just returned from a trip to Mexico, running empty 17.4 m...
Forum Discussion
RTrider wrote:
Why not keep the truck you already have for towing, and buy a small car for your non-towing transportation. You may be better off on total cost and ongoing costs as well.
This is what we did. My 2005 F350 Gasser handles our 10K TT with no issues. The truck has enough bells and whistles to make camping a luxury. However it does have a drinking problem. 7 to tops 8.5 mpg is it for towing. The truck itself could last me another 8 to 10 year of service since now we only use it for camper hauling or other hauling needs. Lives in the shed when not being used. With the price of fuel so up in the air, and now the talk of E15 fuel, (this engine does not like any Ethanol even E10,) I'm just waiting it out. I'm not going decide on anything new for a while in the truck, what I have fills my towing needs totally.
To deal with the fact that this truck is not a daily driver, we upgraded the daily driver to a 2011 Ford Fusion and now have daily driving more economical and not putting lot of wear miles on the truck. And the $$$ saved between a Fusion and a Super Duty with a high end interior package is a big deal.....
It sounds like you are in the same boat. You have a truck that fills your towing needs now. Upgrading the truck just for mileage or daily commuter makes one needing to stop and think. Think of it this way, the longer you keep your adequate towing truck, the higher payback value you get from owning it. If you are undersized in towing, or are sitting on a the need of an engine or transmission job, that may affect the decision. If the truck fills all your towing needs today, keep it.
If you do the math on gas verses diesel, it takes a long time to pay back the cost of the diesel upgrade. And in today's economy who knows where we will be able 5 years from now on fuel of any kind. A Gasser properly sized to the load can give you a pleasurable towing experience just as a the diesel high torque monster can. Changing for fuel economy is probably still not a good reason to upgrade in either direction.
Good luck.
John
