Opinions on my dilema - newer trucks SRW vs DRW
I likely know the answer here...
Current truck has 350,000kms. Engine is pretty good but it has 200,000kms on the 2nd trans, oil pan leak, small electrical gremlins, rusting etc. Its getting tired. The wife has given me a green light for something newer.
I'm looking at 2012+ GM/Chevy and 2013+ Rams. My budget set but I can't drop $100k CAD on a new rig, so it'll likely be a 2012-2017 range. I'm leaning heavily to diesel on both rigs, my predominant travel is into the Rockies to the West.
My EC850 is kind of portly and weighing in around 4400lbs loaded up with kids supplies, water and gear. A couple trips a year, I tow a ~4000lbs ski boat. The camper is a shortbox model.
So here's my issue. Do I go for a SRW shortbox Ram? Reuse my heavy 19.5" tires? If I go GM, I'll need new 19.5" rim or I'll be just right to the tire max again. I will need winter tires as the truck too, it would be our highway travel vehicle. I do have a beater car for work commuting and errands. Up here, SRW trucks are SOOOO much more prevalent than DRW and a fair bit cheaper.
If I go DRW, I'll have to contend with the 1ft gap between the rear of the cab and front of the camper. I won't need to mess around with tires. I'd still need winter tires but the bonus would also be that I can use the camper with those same winter tires for ski trips.
How is the unladen ride of a DRW with aired down tires vs a SRW with aired down tires. Yes, I get its rough. I've had a 3500 for 10 years. Is the DRW much worse?
Opinions? the right solution is likely DRW. I've had campers for years, so I'm not new to driving with them or hauling heavy. Don't care about GVRW. I realize there is the megacab dually. I could go that way but up here, they command a mega-premium, so much more than a regular dually.
Current truck has 350,000kms. Engine is pretty good but it has 200,000kms on the 2nd trans, oil pan leak, small electrical gremlins, rusting etc. Its getting tired. The wife has given me a green light for something newer.
I'm looking at 2012+ GM/Chevy and 2013+ Rams. My budget set but I can't drop $100k CAD on a new rig, so it'll likely be a 2012-2017 range. I'm leaning heavily to diesel on both rigs, my predominant travel is into the Rockies to the West.
My EC850 is kind of portly and weighing in around 4400lbs loaded up with kids supplies, water and gear. A couple trips a year, I tow a ~4000lbs ski boat. The camper is a shortbox model.
So here's my issue. Do I go for a SRW shortbox Ram? Reuse my heavy 19.5" tires? If I go GM, I'll need new 19.5" rim or I'll be just right to the tire max again. I will need winter tires as the truck too, it would be our highway travel vehicle. I do have a beater car for work commuting and errands. Up here, SRW trucks are SOOOO much more prevalent than DRW and a fair bit cheaper.
If I go DRW, I'll have to contend with the 1ft gap between the rear of the cab and front of the camper. I won't need to mess around with tires. I'd still need winter tires but the bonus would also be that I can use the camper with those same winter tires for ski trips.
How is the unladen ride of a DRW with aired down tires vs a SRW with aired down tires. Yes, I get its rough. I've had a 3500 for 10 years. Is the DRW much worse?
Opinions? the right solution is likely DRW. I've had campers for years, so I'm not new to driving with them or hauling heavy. Don't care about GVRW. I realize there is the megacab dually. I could go that way but up here, they command a mega-premium, so much more than a regular dually.
