New Member - need advice

[Ozz]

Hello from frigid SE Michigan!

Currently I drive a 2 door automatic Jeep Wrangler which I love. It has remote start, car play, heated seats and steering wheel A great car for Michigan winters and just plain fun!

But the probably not the best car to pull the 13,000lb boat that I recently bought.

So I'm looking at a 2500 ram. Both are $60k, very different trucks and I'd like some advise on the best choice.

The first is a brand new BigHorn gas V8 at my local dealer. It has all the above features and some other modern day niceties.

But like all post 2018 RAM's its an automatic.

The second truck is a 2017 Tradesman that's located about 6 hours from where I live. It has a manual transmission, 17,000 miles, one owner and looks to be completely stock.

But is has no heated seats/steering wheel nor remote start (it is a manual). Based on my research its a unicorn but its still a 2017 truck that the dealer wants $60k for. I could add in aftermarket heated seats and remote start (yes it's possible with a manual) but that would add another couple of thousand dollars.

My heart says to buy the manual - I suspect it will hold its value better - and it's a unique vehicle. My brain says buy the new one because its probably better value for money.

Help!

Thoughts?

 

[MADDOG95]

If it were me, I would go with my brain on this one.

Good luck with your purchase decision.

 

[whitexc]

The 2017 must be a diesel? To still want that kind of money for it that is. No 2017 gasser is worth $60k regardless of transmission and a diesel would have to be VERY nice for that money.

Buy the new gasser. You will be happy with it.


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[Ozz]

Thanks for the advise. The 2017 is a diesel.

 

[whitexc]

13k is a pretty good size boat. Pics? How often are you planning to tow? You may want to look into a 3500 over the coil sprung 2500’s.


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[Ozz]

13k is a pretty good size boat. Pics? How often are you planning to tow? You may want to look into a 3500 over the coil sprung 2500’s.


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It’s a Ranger 27. The GVWR of the trailer is 15,300lbs so I figure I need a towing capacity of 16,000 lbs. Both the diesel 2017 and the new gasser can do that.

I’ll only tow it a couple of times a year. The rest of the time it will be a daily driver. That’s why I was thinking 2500. A better ride with coil springs with occasional towing. Towing will be on level terrain.

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[Dodgeman]

I’ve been driving big trucks for 66 years. (You start very early on a mid-west wheat farm and I’m sorta old.) After that many years of driving and towing - manual for the first 38 years and auto for the last 28, I would never buy a manual. Modern auto transmissions are generally excellent and are much easier for maneuvering and backing, particularly on crowded summer boat ramps. We pull an 18,000 lb. 5th wheel with a 2022 3500 dually and I can spot that thing on a dime. Feathering a clutch while backing a big boat up hill, at an angle, into a garage is a skill I don’t need anymore. The auto transmission eases it in slicker than … well, you know.

 

[whitexc]

It’s a Ranger 27. The GVWR of the trailer is 15,300lbs so I figure I need a towing capacity of 16,000 lbs. Both the diesel 2017 and the new gasser can do that.

I’ll only tow it a couple of times a year. The rest of the time it will be a daily driver. That’s why I was thinking 2500. A better ride with coil springs with occasional towing. Towing will be on level terrain.

What a nice boat! Best of luck in your truck search and with the new boat.


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[26BigBlue]

I just purchased a 2500 gasser to pull my 2015 Jeep wrangler 4 door to the trails. There was no way I could justify the cost of the diesel for no more than I was pulling. Just got it but love it so far.