Considering purchasing a gas 3500 Crew Cab long bed dually and my friends think I'm nuts

[RKCRLR]

Side boards and/or rent a dump trailer.

I have a pickup bed and rent a dump trailer when I need to haul gravel/dirt and a flatbed with sideboards would hold a lot more firewood than a pickup bed.

Well, yea, that would be a solution. But I'd prefer not to have to plan on renting something if I can get a truck configured to do the jobs I want to use it for, likely at a lower cost. My current truck does it other than the payload limitation with the camper.

As far as firewood goes, I'm on 25 wooded acres. The trees go down faster than I can use them for firewood. I don't need to do large hauls. I'll run the truck for a few minutes to get as close as I can to a fallen tree, cut up some wood and throw it in the bed, and drive the truck for another few minutes to get back to my house to unload it. In fact I wouldn't want a heavy load with a high center of gravity on the hilly terrain, I already have enough of a pucker factor. I live in a high wildfire risk area and also use the truck to haul brush to a safe place to burn it or have it chipped. Similar stop and go situation. Everything I've read says that is not a good duty cycle for a modern diesel engine (not that it is great for gas trucks either).

 

[gimmie11s]

People recommending diesel engines for my situation don't seem to understand how I'm going to use the truck.

Even if I assumed I recovered 100% of the additional initial cost of the diesel engine when I went to sell it and ignored the cost of money over 10 years I'd still winding up paying more in maintenance.

While the additional towing power of the diesel would be nice it isn't my priority, payload is. When I add up the weight of camper and everything I want to carry (including the tongue weight of a 5K lb trailer) I could exceed 6K lbs. Admittedly this is under extreme conditions (like when I had to evacuate a campground with full fresh water and holding tanks) and most of the time I could keep it under 5500 lbs with a few compromises. I'm tired of even having to worry about it. I don't see how I could get a diesel truck equipped the way I want and retain a 6K payload.

Another thing is about half the time the truck will be used without the camper on. A lot of this use will be short trips like hauling stuff around my property, taking or getting stuff from my neighbors, short hauls, etc. While this isn't good for either engine gas engines are more tolerant of this kind of abuse.

This is the perfect situation where the savings at the pump (mpg benefit of diesel) will likely outweigh the added maintenance costs.

With what you describe, a gas DRW 3500 would probably get 5mpg almost all the time for you.

 

[CdnHO]

Well, yea, that would be a solution. But I'd prefer not to have to plan on renting something if I can get a truck configured to do the jobs I want to use it for, likely at a lower cost. My current truck does it other than the payload limitation with the camper.

As far as firewood goes, I'm on 25 wooded acres. The trees go down faster than I can use them for firewood. I don't need to do large hauls. I'll run the truck for a few minutes to get as close as I can to a fallen tree, cut up some wood and throw it in the bed, and drive the truck for another few minutes to get back to my house to unload it. In fact I wouldn't want a heavy load with a high center of gravity on the hilly terrain, I already have enough of a pucker factor. I live in a high wildfire risk area and also use the truck to haul brush to a safe place to burn it or have it chipped. Similar stop and go situation. Everything I've read says that is not a good duty cycle for a modern diesel engine (not that it is great for gas trucks either).

I think in these three pages you have answered your own question.

 

[RKCRLR]

OK, I'll try to have an open mind here. I'll repeat my use conditions.

I need a crew cab long bed truck with at least a 5500 lb payload capacity (6K lbs would be better) to haul my large cabover camper and small aluminum fishing boat (~500 lbs), and I may occasionally (not often) tow my sister's ~5K lb pontoon boat with the camper on. I'd like a mid-level trim. Don't want a work truck interior but don't need high end either.

I'll be driving about 2K - 3K miles per year. About half of that time will be with the camper on, the other half of the time the truck will be used for cargo hauling or getting out of my driveway in the occasional snows we get. Much of the cargo hauling will be short trips around my neighborhood with some occasional heavy hauling of dirt, etc.

I'll also be using the truck around my property as a work truck for gathering firewood, hauling brush around, moving things around in my yard, etc. These will be short moves with the engine only running for a few minutes at a time.

I plan on keeping the truck 10 to 15 years (perhaps longer depending on my situation at the time).

What truck would people recommend and why? And I'm not interested in moving up to a 4500 (I don't even want a dually but I know I need one) or having to rent a trailer for loads that could be otherwise be hauled in a pickup.

 

[CdnHO]

OK, I'll try to have an open mind here. I'll repeat my use conditions.

I need a crew cab long bed truck with at least a 5500 lb payload capacity (6K lbs would be better) to haul my large cabover camper and small aluminum fishing boat (~500 lbs), and I may occasionally (not often) tow my sister's ~5K lb pontoon boat with the camper on.

I'll be driving about 2K - 3K miles per year. About half of that time will be with the camper on, the other half of the time the truck will be used for cargo hauling or getting out of my driveway in the occasional snows we get. Much of the cargo hauling will be short trips around my neighborhood with some occasional heavy hauling of dirt, etc.

I'll also be using the truck around my property as a work truck for gathering firewood, hauling brush around, moving things around in my yard, etc. These will be short moves with the engine only running for a few minutes at a time.

I plan on keeping the truck 10 to 15 years (perhaps longer depending on my situation at the time).

What truck would people recommend and why? And I'm not interested in moving up to a 4500 (I don't even want a dually but I know I need one) or having to rent a trailer for loads that could be otherwise be hauled in a pickup.Y

A dually is going to force you into a diesel as that is the only engine option. A single wheel with a hemi only has a GVWR of 11,100 pounds so you are still going to be shy of the payload you are looking for. If you want that 5500 payload you are gong to have to go to a dually and that means a diesel power plant. Suggest you take a look at another brand since that camper is putting you in a tough spot . Not sure what they have.

 

[Wanderlust073]

2000-3000 mi a year and don’t need an interior full of fancy gadgets - why not just buy used? You’ll save a bundle and a new truck warranty is going to go tits up before you even hit 20k miles.

It will prob solve your hemi vs cummins dilemna too since it’s unlikely you’ll find any hemis at all.

 

[RKCRLR]

A dually is going to force you into a diesel as that is the only engine option. A single wheel with a hemi only has a GVWR of 11,100 pounds so you are still going to be shy of the payload you are looking for. If you want that 5500 payload you are gong to have to go to a dually and that means a diesel power plant. Suggest you take a look at another brand. Not sure what they have.

A 3500 crew cab long bed DRW is available in the Big Horn with a gas engine but it will likely need to be ordered. I have quotes. The Laramie, Limited, and Longhorn is only available with diesels.

 

[mbarber84]

If you research / consider the C&C option, be sure to consult with your insurance provider prior to making the purchase. Especially if you go with a 4500 / 5500 as often, insurance sees that truck as “commercial” and the rates can skyrocket quickly.

 

[mbarber84]

A 3500 crew cab long bed DRW is available in the Big Horn with a gas engine but it will likely need to be ordered. I have quotes. The Laramie, Limited, and Longhorn is only available with diesels.

If you’re going to order, you’ll want to do that sooner than later. The deadline for 2024 orders is likely approaching.

 

[RKCRLR]

2000-3000 mi a year and don’t need an interior full of fancy gadgets - why not just buy used? You’ll save a bundle and a new truck warranty is going to go tits up before you even hit 20k miles.

It will prob solve your hemi vs cummins dilemna too since it’s unlikely you’ll find any hemis at all.

I am considering used but only a few years old, but I have the same problem of finding one with a good payload. I'd keep my current truck if it wasn't for the limited payload and reliability because it is old. My wife basically said no more camping trips until we get a new truck after the last time it broke down (and AAA fell flat on their face - it took us two extra days to get home).

 

[RKCRLR]

If you’re going to order, you’ll want to do that sooner than later. The deadline for 2024 orders is likely approaching.

Yes, and I'm working on getting quotes. One of the salesman said they expect the 2024 ordering window to remain open until September or October. How much have the annual increases been?

 

[Brutal_HO]

Here you go:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/new-inventory/vehicle-details.ram_3500.2024.html?vin=3C63RRGJ0RG301454&dealerCode=26880&ccode=IUT202415D28L92A&llp=2TA&zipCode=80138&optionCodes=DFX,DMF,PSC,X8,V9,WLA,ESB&radius=25&sort=0

 

[RKCRLR]

Here you go:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/new-inventory/vehicle-details.ram_3500.2024.html?vin=3C63RRGJ0RG301454&dealerCode=26880&ccode=IUT202415D28L92A&llp=2TA&zipCode=80138&optionCodes=DFX,DMF,PSC,X8,V9,WLA,ESB&radius=25&sort=0

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That one isn't that far off from what I'm looking for although it is a ways away from me. It has the level 2 and safety package. But one of the options I'd really like is the auto leveling. Right now I'm speccing out a Big Horn with level 2 equipment, safety, and tech packages; and auto leveling. I'd go to a Laramie if it had a gas engine option. I'd even consider the Laramie with a normal output diesel if I could find a good deal on one because it looks like it would just squek in at the payload I want. But I'm really concerned that a diesel is not a good fit for the way I plan on using the truck and would need to be convinced that the diesel would be a good fit.

 

[AH64ID]

That one isn't that far off from what I'm looking for although it is a ways away from me. It has the level 2 and safety package. But one of the options I'd really like is the auto leveling. Right now I'm speccing out a Big Horn with level 2 equipment, safety, and tech packages; and auto leveling. I'd go to a Laramie if it had a gas engine option. I'd even consider the Laramie with a normal output diesel if I could find a good deal on one because it looks like it would just squek in at the payload I want. But I'm really concerned that a diesel is not a good fit for the way I plan on using the truck and would need to be convinced that the diesel would be a good fit.

If you do go diesel get the HO, don't worry about the 230lbs. The rear axle is what will carry almost all your weight and it doesn't care what engine you have.

 

[RKCRLR]

If you do go diesel get the HO, don't worry about the 230lbs. The rear axle is what will carry almost all your weight and it doesn't care what engine you have.

I'm not going to buy a new truck knowing that I'm planning to exceed the GVWR even occasionally, although if I can find one with a HO engine that has a 5500 lb payload with the options I want I'd consider it (if a diesel turns out to be a good fit for me). While I believe you may be correct and it will take it just isn't a compromise I want to make.

 

[AH64ID]

I'm not going to buy a new truck knowing that I'm planning to exceed the GVWR even occasionally, although if I can find one with a HO engine that has a 5500 lb payload with the options I want I'd consider it (if a diesel turns out to be a good fit for me). While I believe you may be correct and it will take it just isn't a compromise I want to make.

It’s not a compromise, GVWR is a marketing and classification number not a legal weight limit for private use(in every state I’ve researched). Your axle weights are what you need to care about.

It’s simply about understanding the ratings and the laws.

If a Class III vehicle were to be rated up to 15,000lbs tomorrow Ram wouldn’t have to change a physical thing other than the sticker. The truck is already built for it, and then some.

 

[gimmie11s]

That one isn't that far off from what I'm looking for although it is a ways away from me. It has the level 2 and safety package. But one of the options I'd really like is the auto leveling. Right now I'm speccing out a Big Horn with level 2 equipment, safety, and tech packages; and auto leveling. I'd go to a Laramie if it had a gas engine option. I'd even consider the Laramie with a normal output diesel if I could find a good deal on one because it looks like it would just squek in at the payload I want. But I'm really concerned that a diesel is not a good fit for the way I plan on using the truck and would need to be convinced that the diesel would be a good fit.

Auto leveling is nice.. I have it. But you only have 2 settings under load. Normal height and "alternate" height -- which is slightly lower.

If I was hauling a camper often, id probably want full adjustability and as such -- an aftermarket air helper system.

 

[RKCRLR]

Auto leveling is nice.. I have it. But you only have 2 settings under load. Normal height and "alternate" height -- which is slightly lower.

If I was hauling a camper often, id probably want full adjustability and as such -- an aftermarket air helper system.

I currently have air helper springs but I just inflate them to level the truck. Does the auto leveling system sometimes not achieve a level ride?

 

[Brutal_HO]

I currently have air helper springs but I just inflate them to level the truck. Does the auto leveling system sometimes not achieve a level ride?

It will level fine. I have auto level and I wouldn't haul a 6K bed load with it. It will also alarm/throw codes if exceeded by about 500-600lbs.

 

[RKCRLR]

It will level fine. I have auto level and I wouldn't haul a 6K bed load with it. It will also alarm/throw codes if exceeded by about 500-600lbs.

I asked a salesman if the auto leveling would work at GVWR with a full payload and he said yes but you know what they say about salesmen. You said you wouldn't haul a 6K bed load with it, may I ask why? It seems it should work OK as long as I don't exceed GVWR and rear GAWR. If it doesn't work as advertised I don't want to restrict my options to trucks with it.