Truck dually dilemma REDUX

[chunker]

I'm researching a more capable TV, not talking 75" LCD flat screen, and I started a couple of threads which is seems some third graders on recess caused it to be closed. Maybe they got covid and have to stay home. Anyway, I continued to research the 1T dually offerings and this is basically what I know and found. I was leaning towards the Ram because I have one, have had a Ram 3500 DRW (2012), and my B&W hitch is the Ram puck mount. My search criteria, 2020 Ram 3500, Laramie, 6,7HO diesel with AISIN, 4WD, LB, CC, and some other towing helpful equipment without being overly equipped. I also researched the GM and Ford equivalents. What I found, and didn't find.

Apparently FCA has kept some production going on these trucks in the Mexico truck facility. Apparently the state of Michigan and Canada didn't. I searched using the FCA corporate "inventory search" around various ZIP codes generally within 500 miles of SE AL. But also looked nationally. I also used a variety of independent sites such as cars.com, car guru, truecar, etc. With Ram you can just about "build your own" and find it in stock, or transit, someplace. With Ford/GM very little stock of any build. Tons of the 250/2500s out there but the 350/3500 DRW very limited.

Incentives, Ram has some, not robust like a year ago, Ford/GM almost nothing. Discount off MSRP can be had with Ram if you are aggressive in negotiation like I am but but with Ford/GM nothing to negotiate for. You could order, I did a couple of builds that way and NO incentives and little off MSRP.

Trade value. I got figures from "fair/poor" valuation based on auction up to good at low trade-in value. Difference and OTD is what counts. So what did I decide?? Monday I'll be picking up and trading my Ram 3500 SRW to a NW FL Ram dealer for a 2020 Ram Laramie 4WD, CC, LB, HO engine, "nicely equipped", with the spray in bed liner installed at no extra cost. They will remove my aux tank and set in in the bed and I'll install that later. This was all accomplished over the phone and "several hundred emails and texts". My trade is only 13K miles and in very good to perfect condition. Lots of pictures and descriptions sent. They will sell it as a Certified vehicle since the full warranty is still in effect.

To get the best price requires time, research and firm negotiations. Some dealers don't and unfortunately I'm going to spend the next month or two "unsubscribing" to solicitations.

[rhagfo]

Good luck on your search!
Wow, missed that last paragraph completely!
Congratulations on your new TV, I am very happy with our 2016 as you should be with your new TV.

[Javi]

Congratulations on finding what you wanted.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by Javi

Congratulations on finding what you wanted.

Looking at your sig line you do have fuel. This new truck has the 50g option tank plus my RDS 51G. I'll be able to tow not only across TX but LA and NM without refueling. Shoot, maybe MS and AL with a tail wind.

[gearhead]

What rear end ratio did you get?

[sourdough]

Congrats on the new truck chunker. If I understand you got the srw? The Laramie pkg. should have all the "amenities" that you want. Out of curiousity, where did you get the truck in NW FL? The reason I ask is that I've found the FL pricing beats TX and as many miles as I'm rolling up I may want to look at something next year. Sounds like you may have found a good place. I was not impressed with Tallahassee Dodge/Ram.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Congrats on the new truck chunker. If I understand you got the srw? The Laramie pkg. should have all the "amenities" that you want. Out of curiousity, where did you get the truck in NW FL? The reason I ask is that I've found the FL pricing beats TX and as many miles as I'm rolling up I may want to look at something next year. Sounds like you may have found a good place. I was not impressed with Tallahassee Dodge/Ram.

No I'm getting a DRW, I have a SRW but at the very edge of payload and RAWR with full fuel, hitch, and aux tank full. That's with only 1/3 fresh water and everything heavy well aft in the garage. I just couldn't get any more weight shift off the pin and I want payload margin. The SRW was very stable, not an issue, payload and reserve payload I wanted. I'm "old" and spending all future inheritances from me so gotta hurry because no telling how much time I have to enjoy life.

3.73 rear axle ratio which is what I wanted. Unless I have a head injury and go crazy, I'm not going to buy a New Horizon, Luxe, or any 25K 5th wheel.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Congrats on the new truck chunker. If I understand you got the srw? The Laramie pkg. should have all the "amenities" that you want. Out of curiousity, where did you get the truck in NW FL? The reason I ask is that I've found the FL pricing beats TX and as many miles as I'm rolling up I may want to look at something next year. Sounds like you may have found a good place. I was not impressed with Tallahassee Dodge/Ram.

Pensacola and I bet there were several dozen texts, emails and calls. I'm persistent.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chunker

Pensacola and I bet there were several dozen texts, emails and calls. I'm persistent.

Yep, I am persistent and insistent as well. And I'm with you, no need to leave a bunch of assets in the bank when I kick the bucket. My financial advisor asked me what kind of "legacy" I wanted to leave; I looked him straight in the eye and told him..."same thing I got; a funeral bill."

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by chunker

No I'm getting a DRW, I have a SRW but at the very edge of payload and RAWR with full fuel, hitch, and aux tank full. That's with only 1/3 fresh water and everything heavy well aft in the garage. I just couldn't get any more weight shift off the pin and I want payload margin. The SRW was very stable, not an issue, payload and reserve payload I wanted. I'm "old" and spending all future inheritances from me so gotta hurry because no telling how much time I have to enjoy life.

3.73 rear axle ratio which is what I wanted. Unless I have a head injury and go crazy, I'm not going to buy a New Horizon, Luxe, or any 25K 5th wheel.

I think you made a good choice, 3.73’s with the HO, Aisin is rated to pull 25,000#+, so the 17,000# of your Raptor should be a great fit.

[chunker]

Yesterday I picked up the new truck so no more wondering what's out there and a break in researching. Hardly a thorough evaluation but the first hundred miles was pleasant. Steering seemed lighter than the 17 SRW. Adaptive steering likely so I'll have to study up on that. The ride seemed smoother/softer driving empty of course. I suppose a refinement of the suspension dampening. Plenty of power, comfortable on the interstate, easy in "city" setting. The 3500 interior was a blending of the 2017 3500 SRW and the 2020 1500 3500 Ram I have. Improved air conditioning flow over the 2017 and knobs to turn fan on not an electronic up/down switch. Column shifter not dial like the 1500. Next month I'll plan a few day trip with the RV and put it through the towing paces.

With the 50g tank, it's nice looking at the mileage "range" and seeing 790 miles. In a couple weeks I'll install the aux tank.

[Badbart56]

Congrats on the deal! Curious to see what your mileage figures are. Those Cummins powered Rams always did get better mileage than the Fords so I expect that will continue. I get 17 mpg on the interstate with my F350 (3:73 gears) but I got a Banks programmer that I'm hoping to install when I get back to Tallahassee in November. This providing I can get the truck out of the body shop! A tree limb fell on the hood and roof back in July and myself and the body shop have been fighting with Allstate to get right on the estimate. Did i mention I hate Allstate? Apparently with the Covid they refuse to send claims adjusters out to actually look at the damage, they force you to send pictures. Do you know how hard it is to see damage in pictures?! Anyway my truck has been in the body shop since August but I'm anxious to see what the Banks programmer can do for my 6.7! They claim 1 1/2 to 2 mpg so we'll see. Oh, and 510 horsepower and 1065 ft/lbs too! I'm thinking it will be hard to resist the temptation, I may not see those mileage improvements for a while!

[LewisB]

Originally Posted by chunker

Yesterday I picked up the new truck so no more wondering what's out there and a break in researching. Hardly a thorough evaluation but the first hundred miles was pleasant. Steering seemed lighter than the 17 SRW. Adaptive steering likely so I'll have to study up on that. The ride seemed smoother/softer driving empty of course. I suppose a refinement of the suspension dampening. Plenty of power, comfortable on the interstate, easy in "city" setting. The 3500 interior was a blending of the 2017 3500 SRW and the 2020 1500 3500 Ram I have. Improved air conditioning flow over the 2017 and knobs to turn fan on not an electronic up/down switch. Column shifter not dial like the 1500. Next month I'll plan a few day trip with the RV and put it through the towing paces.

With the 50g tank, it's nice looking at the mileage "range" and seeing 790 miles. In a couple weeks I'll install the aux tank.

Nice! Gotta love a new DRW. Congratulations! Now you get to change your signature - and buy more tires.

If you are like us, you will love the DRW - there's no going back for us!

Best of luck!

[chunker]

Originally Posted by LewisB

Nice! Gotta love a new DRW. Congratulations! Now you get to change your signature - and buy more tires.

If you are like us, you will love the DRW - there's no going back for us!

Best of luck!

I had a 2012 Ram Laramie DRW with the "normal" engine so I'm up on how they drive. Sold it when I sold the toy hauler and got a motorhome. Shoulda kept it. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. My life. I shouldn't need tires for while since it's new.

Badbart I got around 16 yesterday but that was 70-75 on the interstate My 17 in the current sig line I would get 21-22 if steady around 55-60, 19 interstate. Towing the toy hauler mostly flat 9.5+. After this breaks in, few thousand miles, I expect to see an improvement. BUT I didn't buy for the MPG, and my Miata isn't a very good tow vehicle.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by chunker

I had a 2012 Ram Laramie DRW with the "normal" engine so I'm up on how they drive. Sold it when I sold the toy hauler and got a motorhome. Shoulda kept it. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. My life. I shouldn't need tires for while since it's new.

Badbart I got around 16 yesterday but that was 70-75 on the interstate My 17 in the current sig line I would get 21-22 if steady around 55-60, 19 interstate. Towing the toy hauler mostly flat 9.5+. After this breaks in, few thousand miles, I expect to see an improvement. BUT I didn't buy for the MPG, and my Miata isn't a very good tow vehicle.

While that 2012 didn't have DEF, it only has a 12,300# GVWR, your new DRW has a 14,000# GVWR.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by chunker

Badbart I got around 16 yesterday but that was 70-75 on the interstate My 17 in the current sig line I would get 21-22 if steady around 55-60, 19 interstate. Towing the toy hauler mostly flat 9.5+. After this breaks in, few thousand miles, I expect to see an improvement. BUT I didn't buy for the MPG, and my Miata isn't a very good tow vehicle.

The best I ever got with a Ford diesel was 20.7 with my old 97 7.3, but that was at 55 mph and that one had 4:10 gears. I only checked my towing mileage one time in my current truck and it was under 9 mpg but I did have the cruise set at 75. What's really funny is the Cummins powered semi that I drive gets better than 7 mpg running 73 mph with a gross weight of 68,500 pounds!

[Vinnie]

In light of my introductory dilemma, I've been lazily shopping for an equivalent dually, to allow my current SRW to "grow" into my foolishly-purchased toy hauler. I'm noticing where my truck was stock with 20" wheels, the equivalent duallies are sporting 17" aluminum, with the desired 14k lb GVWR and 6k+ lb available capacity. Is smaller wheels just a typical thing with DRW setups? They look so tiny like little Hot Wheels...

[LewisB]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

In light of my introductory dilemma, I've been lazily shopping for an equivalent dually, to allow my current SRW to "grow" into my foolishly-purchased toy hauler. I'm noticing where my truck was stock with 20" wheels, the equivalent duallies are sporting 17" aluminum, with the desired 14k lb GVWR and 6k+ lb available capacity. Is smaller wheels just a typical thing with DRW setups? They look so tiny like little Hot Wheels...

Yes, pretty much unless you go for an F450 which I believe comes with 19.5" wheels. I've owned both and actually prefer the smaller wheels - a lot more choice in tires. JMHO

[gearhead]

The 3.73 rear end is a good compromise. If I were towing everyday I would get the 4.10. I do get a bit of driveline shudder occasionally when taking off around a corner.
My biggest frustration has been with the cheap plastic inside tire dually valve extensions. I replaced them with several different lengths and brands. Eventually went back to the OEM. Grabbed a few extras from my dealer.
A bad freeway in Louisiana broke the belts in the OEM Nexen tires at 25,000. Replaced with Coopers.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

In light of my introductory dilemma, I've been lazily shopping for an equivalent dually, to allow my current SRW to "grow" into my foolishly-purchased toy hauler. I'm noticing where my truck was stock with 20" wheels, the equivalent duallies are sporting 17" aluminum, with the desired 14k lb GVWR and 6k+ lb available capacity. Is smaller wheels just a typical thing with DRW setups? They look so tiny like little Hot Wheels...

Originally Posted by LewisB

Yes, pretty much unless you go for an F450 which I believe comes with 19.5" wheels. I've owned both and actually prefer the smaller wheels - a lot more choice in tires. JMHO

Well Vinnie, if you want larger wheels you can spend the $$$ and get after market wheels, just make sure the are strong enough! I think the 17” aluminum wheels on our 2016 Ram 3500 DRW look great. Tires are great and easy to come by. I am more than happy with a 9,750# rear axle rating, and more than you need also with a 5,411# payload can carry a good sized 5er.