Ram Truck Purchase Decision - Need Someone to Kick Some Sense

[Richard K]

If I didn't have 15K lb. fith wheel to tow or got a smaller trailer I'd trade my 4X4 powerstroke diesel for a 1/2 ton gas truck in a heartbeat. The only time I get better milage than a gas rig would is when I'm hauling the fith wheel. When I bought the truck and trailer (2007) diesel was averaging 50 cents per gallon cheaper than gas, now it's .50 higher. The extra milage doesn't offset the increased cost but I need the the pulling power in the mountains.

[sturn18]

I drive an 05 Ram 3500 with the cummins and I do like it quite a bit. It is the first diesel that I have had, always had compact pickups before. Having the big truck has given me opportunities to haul big trailers and lots of weight that I would have had to pass on before. You will likely find that once you have the bigger truck you will wonder how you lived without it before.

That said, they do cost a lot more to maintain. The savings in fuel economy is also offset by the higher price of diesel. If I didn't have to haul big loads sometimes I would get another Tacoma. They get 18-20 around town on summer gasoline, tires last 50% longer and you don't need 3 gallons of oil for an oil change. Much easier to park as well.

[wagzs]

You are not going to get 18 mpg is a 350 TBI Chevy without about $500 in mods. Once they got into the 5.3L (327LS) engines, 18mpg or better is probable, 2001 or newer.

my 2004 1500 w/30,000 4X4 15-16 mpg city

[jreifsch80]

if you're a gear head that loves horsepower then get a diesel

[Bailey Guns]

if you're a gear head that loves horsepower and torque then get a diesel

[Great-Kazoo]

I'll be the voice of discourse here and recommend a Mid Size Toyota or Nissan Frontier . Or the dakota with V8, You want a DD with good to decent MPG. You're in the city (parking) and only going to use for hunting, not pulling or hauling. Mid Size works very well.
Why full size other than Just Because? I am also suggesting Import because of this one sentence.

* I am not a mechanic. While I can do all the routine maintenance, anything 'involved' requires me to hand it off to a real mechanic. Actually, as I write this, I am not even sure I know what the "routine maintenance" is for a diesel, so am unsure if I really can do it.

If you have no clue, buy the best bang for the buck, overall lower maintenance cost and almost bullet proof. The UP / DOWN dise to metric UP= resale Down = resale. You'll pay more for a used import, then a big 3 unit.
Eventually we will sell the silverado and replace it with an import.

[cofi]

I'll be the voice of discourse here and recommend a Mid Size Toyota or Nissan Frontier . Or the dakota with V8, You want a DD with good to decent MPG. You're in the city (parking) and only going to use for hunting, not pulling or hauling. Mid Size works very well.
Why full size other than Just Because? I am also suggesting Import because of this one sentence.

* I am not a mechanic. While I can do all the routine maintenance, anything 'involved' requires me to hand it off to a real mechanic. Actually, as I write this, I am not even sure I know what the "routine maintenance" is for a diesel, so am unsure if I really can do it.

If you have no clue, buy the best bang for the buck, overall lower maintenance cost and almost bullet proof. The UP / DOWN dise to metric UP= resale Down = resale. You'll pay more for a used import, then a big 3 unit.
Eventually we will sell the silverado and replace it with an import.

x10000

if your willing to look at other trucks most of the midsize import stuff sounds like it will be a much better fit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWKz7Cthkk

[XC700116]

Not much love for fords around here eh hahaha.

I drive an 05 F150 Crew cab, It averages about 16-17 MPG, and I can still tow well with it, there's tons of room in the cab for road trips and bringing groceries home, etc.

I have a 22 ft enclosed trailer for snowmobiling and I still get 11 MPG towing it with 3 sleds, 3 guys, and all our gear and gas for riding and camping for the weekend (I've set the trailer up for winter camping) It's got the power needed to do some pretty impressive towing, nothing crazy but not just little open trailer either. The cab is the best part, Since having a crew cab, I'll NEVER go back to an extended cab.

Would I like to have a diesel? yeah, do I need one? nope and the fuel costs when you calculate it, you'd have to tow ALOT to ever justify it financially.

So in summary, IMO, go with the half ton gasser for your purposes, and when needed you can still tow a considerable load.

[Stevensje]

I have an ecoboost and like it. I get around 16-18 around town and can be tough to park on an occasion. Tacoma's are hard to beat as a daily driver.

[BushMasterBoy]

Heres a work truck, will burn moonshine if the price of oil goes too high. Yeah its a Chevy...but look at the price! Only thing I would add to this truck is a super large transmission cooler in front of the radiator and a drain plug to the transmission fluid pan.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3657049528.html