Looking to buy new and need to learn more

[NWWIRAM]

Hi guys and gals. I bought my first Dodge in 1971 and was disappointed so I switched to buying 4-Fords and 2-Chevys up to 1992. I have bought only Dodge or Chrysler since then, one being used and 10 being new. Now I am looking into ordering a new Ram 3500 and all the reading I have been doing the last few weeks has led to questions and I can't ask questions without membership. Thus the membership, and I thank you all for your contributions to this forum. My present truck is a 2012 Ram 3500 Bighorn 4x4 CCSB SRW 6.7L HO 3.73, 33k miles, all stock and never been in a shop for problems. Looks like new. I am pulling a 16k GVWR RV with it and need to upgrade if I am going to travel further than just the Midwest. It seems that if I am ordering a 2021 Ram, I may have to take my chances and hope that I end up with a problem free truck.
Edit: Added SRW to truck description.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Welcome.

Why do you think you need to upgrade?

My tow/lake/boat/camping/hunting/drinking buddy pulls his 18K Cardinal with a 07.5 6.7L SO/68RFE just fine out here in the mountain west. he's been all over with it.

All vehicles now are a bit of a crap shoot. I've had 3 Dodge/RAM that have been mostly trouble free (except self-induced issues), including the 2020, but only have 4K on it.

My only concern at this point is the CP4 and for that, I have warranty and fuel records.

 

[Xflight29]

Welcome, I have a 2020 / 3500 Longhorn Meg Cab and have 15,000 miles free of any issues what so ever towing a 11,000 - 16,000 pound trailers. you will love the truck.

 

[NWWIRAM]

Welcome.

Why do you think you need to upgrade?

My tow/lake/boat/camping/hunting/drinking buddy pulls his 18K Cardinal with a 07.5 6.7L SO/68RFE just fine out here in the mountain west. he's been all over with it.

All vehicles now are a bit of a crap shoot. I've had 3 Dodge/RAM that have been mostly trouble free (except self-induced issues), including the 2020, but only have 4K on it.

My only concern at this point is the CP4 and for that, I have warranty and fuel records.

Thank you Brutal _HO and Xflight29 for the welcome. Sorry, I neglected to mention in my description that the truck SRW. My fifth wheel loaded for camping has a pin weight of 29% with empty tanks. After I loaded 100 gallons of water in the very rear of the trailer, the pin weight dropped to 25% and was still a little over my payload rating, but much better and within reason. The truck handles the fifth wheel quite well, but isn’t very good with high winds. A fifth wheel measuring 13’6” high x 38’ long makes one heck of a sail. I figure a DRW is really what I need to cover all the bases and ordering a truck will allow me to get everything I would need to travel in comfort. The SRW just isn’t very comfortable when “white knuckle” driving in high winds. Just looking for some comfort before I get too old to enjoy it.


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[NWWIRAM]

Here is a photo of my 2006 1500 in the foreground and my 2012 3500 behind it. Only about 26000 miles on the 2006 at that time. I usually rode my bicycle to work, even in the winter time at 25 degrees F below 0 unless the snow was too deep and the roads hadn't been plowed.

2012 3500 Ram and 2017 Keystone Montana 3610RL on the north shore of Lake Superior. The lake is just beyond the trees a couple hundred yards.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Ah, I see, you need/want a DRW. Makes sense now.

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I sold my 04.5 2500 with just 72K on the clock after I bought the 2020. Still have some regrets selling it but I spent too many years pushing the payload and towing limits of that truck. I just couldn't justify keeping it when I got offered top dollar for it private sale.

 

[NWWIRAM]

Ah, I see, you need/want a DRW. Makes sense now.

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I sold my 04.5 2500 with just 72K on the clock after I bought the 2020. Still have some regrets selling it but I spent too many years pushing the payload and towing limits of that truck. I just couldn't justify keeping it when I got offered top dollar for it private sale.

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Thanks Brutal_HO! You have a really nice combo there!
I really did want a SRW because it would be so much easier for me to take care of. But, the more reading I am doing on the forums, the more I am being convinced that I really need a DRW. Even though the newer SRW's have a heavier payload rating, I am afraid that the handling in windy conditions won't improve that much. I still have plenty of time before next years camping season to make a final decision. For now I am thinking DRW set up for traveling throughout the US and Canada with the RV.

 

[wyoredneck]

Welcome and congrats on the future purchase. I will just say, the DRW has handled the winds with a trailer in WY better. My last 2 trucks have been dually. When I first moved to WY, I had a SWD. The winds did push me around some. I am not going to say I don't still get pushed around at all, but not near as much nor as bad. We don't even call it wind until it gets over 35 mph. LOL

 

[NWWIRAM]

Welcome and congrats on the future purchase. I will just say, the DRW has handled the winds with a trailer in WY better. My last 2 trucks have been dually. When I first moved to WY, I had a SWD. The winds did push me around some. I am not going to say I don't still get pushed around at all, but not near as much nor as bad. We don't even call it wind until it gets over 35 mph. LOL

Thanks. Yeah, those are the winds I was thinking of. I experienced those winds on a trip to the Black Hills and a year later to the Flat Head Lake area in Montana. On occasion we will have sustained winds of 35+ mph in Wisconsin, but nothing like on the western plains. Thus, the reason for the stable hauler.


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