2024 BIGHORN 2500 CC VERSUS 2026 TRADESMAN 2500 CC WHICH ONE?

[Horses]

BOTH 4x4 SHORT/STANDARD BED
BIGHORN USED 16,000 MI AT $43K; have no idea of previous use but expect it was a rental.
TRADESMAN NEW AT $53K
Both 6.4 gas

The Tradesman has the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck option. To add that to the Bighorn would be 2-2.5K.
So, basically 45K versus 53K, but 2 whole model years difference. Add extended warranty to Bighorn for what, something like 3K? So really $48K to get same 100K warranty.

Which would you choose? And can anyone explain the differences/changes from 2024 to 2026?

 

[56ram2500]

BOTH 4x4 SHORT/STANDARD BED
BIGHORN USED 16,000 MI AT $43K; have no idea of previous use but expect it was a rental.
TRADESMAN NEW AT $53K
Both 6.4 gas

The Tradesman has the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck option. To add that to the Bighorn would be 2-2.5K.
So, basically 45K versus 53K, but 2 whole model years difference. Add extended warranty to Bighorn for what, something like 3K? So really $48K to get same 100K warranty.

Which would you choose? And can anyone explain the differences/changes from 2024 to 2026?

Buy the new one that way you know how its been driven, taken care of, serviced to your liking and longer warranty, fyi you can buy OEM Mopar extended warranty's cheaper from Granger Motors

 

[sstoner911]

2026 no doubt just due to the New Cummins and Trans alone...

Plus on the 2026 you get more standard features like Adaptive Cruise etc...

 

[Slutzk]

2026 no doubt just due to the New Cummins and Trans alone...

Plus on the 2026 you get more standard features like Adaptive Cruise etc...

Hes not looking at a cummins.

Both 6.4 gas

^

 

[Slutzk]

And can anyone explain the differences/changes from 2024 to 2026?

2026 has 5 less HP, and a face lift. Pretty much it. They are essentially the same truck.

Personally, im picking new over used. Plus you dont have the add the package you want yourself. Go drive both and pick the one YOU like.

 

[Thisnthat]

The Tradesman has the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck option. To add that to the Bighorn would be 2-2.5K.

new or used, a B&W hitch shouldn't be more than $12-1300 installed. Depending on your area could be a lil more/less but wouldn't think over $1500. I paid right at $1000 a couple years ago after shopping around for about 20 mins. There's a lot of dealers that won't order trucks with the Ram setup as a significant % of buyers aren't keen on the puck system...the whole, I don't want five holes in the bed. keep in mind that new truck you'll have to buy a gooseneck ball I believe as those aren't "included"

we had a 2021 tradesman and it worked for our purposes. had a new driver that was going to take it over - but in the end we needed a power seat (may not be an issue but something to consider if that's a factor). that bighorn should have a power seat, and possibly heated seat/steering wheel/audio controls on the steering wheel....which screens do they have?

could the 2024 be bought for $40k or less?

ultimately I'd probably agree with others - buy new. don't even drive the bighorn if you aren't willing to buy it - the door panels in the tradesman may sway you away from it. can't miss what you don't know you're missing.


5th wheel


dferee

 

[wrvond]

I wouldn't be too worried about buying a gasser with "only" 16,000 miles. 5th wheel/gooseneck prep sounds important to you, so that's a factor, though I believe it can be added without lifting the bed. What options does the Bighorn have that the Tradesman doesn't? Power seat with memory is handy if you have more than one driver. My bride has no wish to drive my truck so the seat doesn't move except to vacuum under it. Heated/ventilated seats and heated steering wheel are items I'll never live without again. Keyless entry? Remote start? Power windows?
If you plan on pulling a 5th wheel, which truck has the most cargo carrying capacity? Is the difference significant? They're both 2500s so not a whole lot of CCC but I believe you'll find the '26 model is rated quite a bit higher.

 

[whitexc]

Drive both and see what you like and don’t like about each.

Beat the dealer up on the 24 and install the puck system yourself (if you need it-many do rails/hitch instead). It’s not a bad job.

There are some things I wish my Big Horn had but once you start adding packages the price isn’t shy to add as well.

Being both are gassers I’m not sure the ‘26 is $10k better.


Sent from me

 

[Horses]

Going to look at them this next week. I hear horrible reports on RAM but less expensive than Ford. Owned a RAM 3500 in the past but it was a diesel.

 

[RKCRLR]

I wouldn't be too worried about buying a gasser with "only" 16,000 miles. 5th wheel/gooseneck prep sounds important to you, so that's a factor, though I believe it can be added without lifting the bed. What options does the Bighorn have that the Tradesman doesn't? Power seat with memory is handy if you have more than one driver. My bride has no wish to drive my truck so the seat doesn't move except to vacuum under it. Heated/ventilated seats and heated steering wheel are items I'll never live without again. Keyless entry? Remote start? Power windows?
If you plan on pulling a 5th wheel, which truck has the most cargo carrying capacity? Is the difference significant? They're both 2500s so not a whole lot of CCC but I believe you'll find the '26 model is rated quite a bit higher.

My Big Horn is pretty loaded for a Big Horn and it doesn't have seat memory but it does have a power driver's seat. I miss that, passive entry, and ventilated seats. As far as I know they aren't available on a Big Horn.

 

[Davidbt]

There's been a flood of rental trucks on the market. I bought one June 10th with 11,800 miles on it and got it for $40,800. It's pretty well equipped with wheel to wheel steps and the bed utility group, so the factory spray in bed liner, bed step, and led bed lights. I prefer to not have the big screen, so I'm happy it has the 8.4 inch radio. The MSRP was $65K. I'm pretty happy with it.