Are You Buying All These Half-ton Claims?

spoon059 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Did you buy new and what did you pay? If you don't mind sharing, anyway.

Right now in my area I could get a Ram 6.4 for around $32k and a Ram CTD for around $37k. These are basic Tradesman models, but the essentials are there - 4wd, cloth seats, AC, keyless, power windows/doors, etc. Add maybe $1000 to make it a 3500.

I doubt I could get a Tundra for much less, and I doubt a Tundra is any easier on gas than the 6.4.

I bought new in 2010 and paid $30.5 after rebates. At that time Ram didn't offer the 6.4, only the 5.7 Hemi. The 5.7 offered about 3 more HP and about the same torque. The Ram 2500 offered me about 2100 or 2200 lbs payload and a heavier chassis to move. It was about $37 or $38K for worse gas mileage (heavier truck all the time). higher fuel costs for 89 octane and only 600 or 700 lbs more capacity.

I realize that 700 lbs of capacity is a LOT... but I didn't need it at the time and don't anticipate needing it for my expected life of the Tundra. For $7000 extra dollars for capacity I never anticipated needing to use, it wasn't worth it. For a heavier chassis sitting on my asphalt driveway, causing greater wear and tear, it wasn't worth it. For a rougher ride all the time when I only expect to tow around 3000 miles a year, it wasn't worth it. For the higher fuel costs AND lower expected fuel economy, it wasn't worth it.

I've towed 2000 mile trips 3 times down to Florida with this rig now. It has been stable and solid as a rock. I don't sway, I don't get the push/pull from passing tractor trailers. I've towed up in the east coast mountains with ZERO problems. Plenty of power going up the hill, plenty of control coming down the hill.

I know that in the lifetime of this truck I will never go in the Rockies. I know what my next trailer will be. I know how I camp and I know what we bring with us. I know what my weights will be, I know what my limits are.

I have ZERO regrets about the $7000 that I saved initially, plus fuel costs and better mileage in my Tundra.

I'm sure a new Cummins 3500 dually would tow BETTER... but not dollar for dollar better.

This thread is asking about the ability of a half ton to tow the higher weights as advertised. I believe that they are perfectly safe and able to tow those weights, when properly equipped and within the ratings. The question wasn't asked if the half tons tow AS WELL as 1 tons.

I think you could have done better than $37-38k on a gas powered three quarter or one ton Ram back in 2010 but maybe I'm wrong. My point was just that the initial cost difference is usually pretty overblown.

Current Example: http://www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-Caldwell-77abc2a90a0a00656dad302fac61d2b4.htm

I doubt you would pay any less for a Tundra/F150/etc with at a similar trim level.