Talk me OUT of a buying a RAM 3500 Dual Cab Dually...

[bdog]

Good points from everyone, but here's the rub...

I have a quote on the Ram 3500 Dually - optioned like I want it - for $40,206. The RAM 2500 - with a whole bunch of stuff I don't need and don't want is $50,000. Both have the same engine. The dealers simply don't have entry price point RAM 2500's on the lot.

I bought a 2012 4 door 4x4 2500 diesel ST with cruise, tilt, power locks, windows, mirrors, bucket seats, etc for $38,000 in Port Lavaca back in June. They had about five just like on the lot to choose from. My previous truck was a 08 King Ranch F-350 so the dodge is not as fancy as the King Ranch but it is nice and comfortable and I like it.

I would not get a dually unless you absolutely need it. If for no other reason than just having to buy the tires. One thing also to watch out for on the dually's if you tow is that the GVWR on them is over 12,000lb. I don't remember what exactly it is 12,500 or 13,000 but this means if you hook up to a 14k rated trailer (which are very common) then you are over 26k and in CDL territory even if you don't weigh that much because they base the need of a CDL on if either your actual weight or rated weight is over 26k.

 

[bdog]

Also forgot to add on the MPGs. Stock it was getting 14 or so empty, 12 towing. I deleted it and added a tuner and am getting 17-18 mpg empty and 15 towing now. This is with a heavy front end replacement bumper, larger tires, and a flatbed.

I drove it for one day with it deleted before I added the flatbed, tires and grill guard and the dash was showing 19-20 mpg. I believe it as it shows 17-18 mpg now which matches hand calculated.

 

[jerrybob]

Doesn't sound like your dealer is working with you very well. They all want to sell only the stuff that's sitting on their lots.......they make more from that transaction because of flooring costs. If you want the 3500....buy it. If you want the 2500.....tell the dealer what you want on it.....tell him to find it and make a dealer trade with another dealer. If he wants your sale.....he'll find a 2500 for you. He won't pocket as much himself but he will still make some money......plus....he keeps you as a customer. Dealers play games.....I don't blame them.....they're in the business to make as much as possible from all of us. Good luck.....I am sure you'll find your truck.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I agree get what you wont if the Dually is what you like then get it but if your worried about parking when you go to Wal-Mart I would get a SWB single wheel.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree get what you wont if the Dually is what you like then get it but if your worried about parking when you go to Wal-Mart I would get a SWB single wheel.

a f350 crew cab drw is my daily driver. i go to wally mart.. jiffy stortes.. movies.. etc.

I find places to park. sometimes I walk 15 more feet. no biggie ..

 

[foreman Etexas]

a f350 crew cab drw is my daily driver. i go to wally mart.. jiffy stortes.. movies.. etc.

I find places to park. sometimes I walk 15 more feet. no biggie ..

Same here,bank even has a wide lane for dually,and the car wash. Im pulling a trailer most of the time so without I feel like im in a sports car in town:laughing:But the Wal-Mart thing wasnt being serious,I prefer to park away from the cart denter/door dingers anyways....

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. even our fast food drive thru's.. if it's been made inthe last 10ys I can fit thru...

 

[foreman Etexas]

The only thing I hate is going down those narrow trails and getting yaupon scratches on her half-ton bearing hips...

 

[Fordman1981]

I have a 2012 ram 2500 quad cab ST CTD 6 speed manual. The mileage isn't near as bad as some claim. I get 15 mpg in town 17-18 mpg highway and 13-14 with 10k in tow. Now you want to talk about poor mileage I traded a 2008 f 350 6.4 in on this truck the 6.4 on its best day got 13.5 empty. I don't want to start bashing brands so I will say no more about the 350 ford. I like the 2012 dodge so well I have ordered a 2013 3500 SRW for my work truck. If I was in your shoes I would order a 2013 like I just did. That way you get the exact truck you want. The price difference between the 2012 and 2013 is very little. Sorry not trying to make your choice harder just trying to give you some options. The 2013's will get better mpg has a much nicer instrument panel and will tow and haul more too.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I don't remember what exactly it is 12,500 or 13,000 but this means if you hook up to a 14k rated trailer (which are very common) then you are over 26k and in CDL territory even if you don't weigh that much because they base the need of a CDL on if either your actual weight or rated weight is over 26k.

Isn't it the case that the 26k limit for requiring a CDL only applies if you are actually towing commercially? As long as he's just towing for his little farm, it's non-commercial, right?

 

[foreman Etexas]

Isn't it the case that the 26k limit for requiring a CDL only applies if you are actually towing commercially? As long as he's just towing for his little farm, it's non-commercial, right?

Yeah,just aslong within 150miles of farm,last I checked. I run I45 loaded all the time,pass the weigh stations and never had an issue...

 

[pizzaguy]

a f350 crew cab drw is my daily driver. i go to wally mart.. jiffy stortes.. movies.. etc.

I find places to park. sometimes I walk 15 more feet. no biggie ..

X2. Even the wife loves driving the F350 crew dually and sometimes you may have to walk a few feet more. If you need to tow something heavy-no worries!We tow a 40' fifth wheel and the stability is much better than the SRW.

 

[SanDucerro]

Well, ya'll did such a great job of talking me out of the dually that I went ahead and purchased it any way... :laughing:

I realize I made light of it - but this WAS the truck I wanted. Matter of fact, I've wanted one for several years now. Had my two favorite colors to chose from, took the one I liked best, and made the deal. Got 9k off list and an excellent price on the trade in. I'm sad the vette is gone, but happy with the truck and the deal I got. It is BIG - that's a fact - already nick named it the "Tour Bus". Too dark to take photos, but I'll see if I can get some out at the farm this weekend. :thumbsup:

Thanks for everyone's assistance - well - most of you anyways.

 

[Soundguy]

X2. Even the wife loves driving the F350 crew dually and sometimes you may have to walk a few feet more. If you need to tow something heavy-no worries!We tow a 40' fifth wheel and the stability is much better than the SRW.

yep.. I got it for the towing capacity and stability. we have horses and cattle thus pull stock trailers.. or flatbeds for equipment.. or a cargo trailer. I got tired of white knuckling it on 1/2 tons. 3/4 is ok on power.. but hard to beat that extra weight and rubber on the road for control. sure the suspension is a lil stiffer.. that's what padded seats are for.

I was in a wreck a few months back. stopped at a stoplight. a f150 drive looked down at his phone and misjudged stopping distance and hit me at lower speed fromt he rear. put a dent in my bumper SMALLER then the dent I put in backing into my own trailer one day.

mashed the front of his truck.. front clip ruined.. quarter panels bent.. bumer folded.. cowling around front poped off and went into his tires. all that expensive lamp assy's were crushed. thousands of $ of damage if you fix it correctly. dent in my bumper.

sure.. I'll take the dually. sets high enough that my bumper and trailer hitch rcvr is is a nice rear collision protector in moderate cases.

 

[Soundguy]

- but this WAS the truck I wanted. Matter of fact, I've wanted one for several years now.
Thanks for everyone's assistance - well - most of you anyways.

glad you got it!

 

[Bob77064]

Congratulations on the new truck!

 

[Dmace]

Well, ya'll did such a great job of talking me out of the dually that I went ahead and purchased it any way... :laughing:

Congrats!
I certainly look forward to the pictures!

 

[buickanddeere]

a f350 crew cab drw is my daily driver. i go to wally mart.. jiffy stortes.. movies.. etc.

I find places to park. sometimes I walk 15 more feet. no biggie ..

You go to Walmart........eeeeeeeeeewww. I'd rather the reverend catch me walking out of a strip joint that out of Walmart. Less to be embarrassed about.

 

[burnieman]

You go to Walmart........eeeeeeeeeewww. I'd rather the reverend catch me walking out of a strip joint that out of Walmart. Less to be embarrassed about.

Wal Mart is awesome! What are you? A snob?

 

[jerrybob]

Great choice.....enjoy your truck....congrats!!!:thumbsup: