Am I Crazy for Considering this 18 Dually

[HFolb23]

Evening all,

I have a 2016 Ram 2500 6.7l Crew Cab Short Bed. I have been shopping for a 2019-20 3500 Laramie Crew Cab Long Bed, but really having a hard time swallowing the price tag.

I found a 2018 Laramie 3500 DRW truck that has every option I wanted in the 2019, minus a sunroof and the 12in radio. The 2018 has 4K miles on it, MSRP was $73k, dealership is asking $55k for it now. Thoughts on price?

My questions are as followed:

Is daily driving a dually really that bad?
I know things like car washes and drive thrus are tight, and that parking isn’t always easy, but how bad can it really be? I’m a CDL A driver on a downtown route so I’m comfortable operating a big vehicle in an urban environment but acknowledge I wouldn’t take my work truck through a drive through either. I don’t tow anything that would require the DRW, just really need the 8ft bed and it’s been tough to find a 3500 with a long bed and single rear wheels, plus I’ve always loved the dually trucks since I was a kid.

This truck has 4.10s, versus the 3.42s on my 2016. What is real world fuel mileage like for a dually with 4.10 rears? My 2016 averages 15/16 around town. I know fuel mileage is never going to be great but still a considering factor.

My 2016 is tuned and deleted, and while it’s been good to me in 28k miles, I want a truck with a warranty again. I deleted my 2016 at 12k miles, but now I’ve grown up a little bit and want more of a quiet, professional truck versus the obnoxious loud young guys truck. Having a warranty again is a great peace of mind too and is the biggest justification I have for looking at a new truck.

I’m wanting to leave this truck mostly stock, I want to do a leveling kit and larger tires, how difficult is that to do on a DRW truck? I know plenty about SRW trucks but I feel like a total rookie with the DRW world.

 

[R.Taylor]

Find yourself a SRW, Be patient.. You'll find what you're looking for. The only DRW trucks I've seen with aftermarket wheels and oversize tires are SEMA trucks.

 

[AH64ID]

That’s a good price.

If you don’t need/want a dually I’d get a SRW. If a DRW works for your usage I’m sure you won’t regret it. I’m still pleased I found a lightly used ‘18 over getting a ‘19.

 

[Cummins12V98]

DRW daily is no biggie. You will be lucky to get 12-13 in mixed driving.

 

[Wiredawg]

I had a 2002 Ram 3500 QC 4x4 6spd with 4.10s and was my daily driver in DC. And I went downtown a lot with it. Big bubbles no troubles. After I retired from hauling our 5th wheel, I raised the front 3" that leveled it, added taller tires, and made it a hot rod. Way much fun.

EDIT: Buy it and don't look back!

Cheers, Ron

 

[pwr2tow]

My 2018 Ram 3500 dually 3.73 is my daily driver, in fact the only vehicle we own now. I do anything with my duallies I did with my srw trucks.

The only car wash I don't use is the belt type that pulls you through the wash for obvious reasons.

As for larger tires, plenty of them running around gods agriculture country. You'll need to research for proper offset rims.

As for fuel mileage average 18.7 in summer and 16-17 in temperatures under +10F and lower. Alot depends on wind, 25-30 mph winds 14.5-16 mpg. These are all Stop & go city, highway, through small towns and rural intersection stops on every tank.

This is my 3rd dually, love'em. Back in 99 I modified the helll out of my 99 dually, fun truck, wish I would have kept it but scared off by the 53 block situation.

Couple of pictures, one of how cold it gets here, the other of my truck/camping buddies.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My wife loves our 18 3500......it’s a tank.

 

[nukegm]

My 2018 Ram 3500 dually 3.73 is my daily driver, in fact the only vehicle we own now. I do anything with my duallies I did with my srw trucks.

The only car wash I don't use is the belt type that pulls you through the wash for obvious reasons.

As for larger tires, plenty of them running around gods agriculture country. You'll need to research for proper offset rims.

As for fuel mileage average 18.7 in summer and 16-17 in temperatures under +10F and lower. Alot depends on wind, 25-30 mph winds 14.5-16 mpg. These are all Stop & go city, highway, through small towns and rural intersection stops on every tank.

This is my 3rd dually, love'em. Back in 99 I modified the helll out of my 99 dually, fun truck, wish I would have kept it but scared off by the 53 block situation.

Couple of pictures, one of how cold it gets here, the other of my truck/camping buddies.View attachment 117974 View attachment 117976 View attachment 117977

unrelated post reply - dogs rule. all dogs go to puppy heaven. love the photos.

 

[pwr2tow]

unrelated post reply - dogs rule. all dogs go to puppy heaven. love the photos.

Thank you sir.

 

[snadamo]

One thing to consider is if you camp/hunt/fish off the grid, a dually may be more challenging to navigate between trees, rocks, etc.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NOT calling anyone a liar, BUT I would love to fuel same pump to top off tank and do the exact same route for 300 miles and fill to top same pump. Guarantee nothing close to what is being claimed with a 2013+ RAM DRW auto.

 

[TFucili]

Thus far, mixed driving I am in the 13+/- range. Best I have seen on a tank of mostly highway 15. Have not done enough towing to judge. The new HOs are thirsty buggers.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Parking spaces seem to be getting smaller. I think it's plot to push people into smaller vehicles.
The back Forty always looks more accommodating.

 

[dieselshadow]

I have zero problem using my ‘18 DRW for daily driver duties. For that price and your affection of a good looking dually, I’d get it. You won’t regret it.

And yes, mileage isn’t spectacular, you’re driving a heavy truck with extra width and 4.10 gears. I average 15-16mpg mixed driving empty.

 

[SnoKing]

My 2016 is tuned and deleted, and while it’s been good to me in 28k miles, I want a truck with a warranty again. I deleted my 2016 at 12k miles, but now I’ve grown up a little bit and want more of a quiet, professional truck versus the obnoxious loud young guys truck. Having a warranty again is a great peace of mind too and is the biggest justification I have for looking at a new truck.

Just asking.
Are you going to keep the 2016 truck also? If not dealer most likely will not take it on trade. Are you going to un-delete it to sell it?

Was this a buyback truck?

Get what you really want, or just put "your" truck back to stock. 2016 was a good model year, with front park sensors and ability to move things like bed/backup cameras between displays.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thus far, mixed driving I am in the 13+/- range. Best I have seen on a tank of mostly highway 15. Have not done enough towing to judge. The new HOs are thirsty buggers.

No different than my 15. Plain and simple they are WIDE and HEAVY. Mine scales at 10,000# full tank, hitch, toolbox plus wife and myself.

 

[HFolb23]

Thank you everyone for your input so far.

My dealership doesn’t care that the truck is deleted, they just want the emissions equipment included with the trade in. I have a friend that wants my 2016 if the dealership doesn’t want to offer enough for it.

I have a good rapport with this salesman, when the 2018 Sport Duallys came out I mentioned to him how nice they looked. He called me when this truck came in and asked if I was interested or knew anyone that might be. It’s not a buy-back or a lemon truck, it’s a trade in from a guy that buys a new truck a couple times a year because I guess he has enough money to take that type of depreciation hit. When I was shopping for my 2016 I actually test drove a 2015 3500 Laramie CCSB SRW that was owned by the same guy. At that time he had traded it in for a new Rebel so go figure.

I do have a hunting camp that I go to, it’s 3mi off the road on logging trails but if a log truck can go down those roads this dually should too. I can always park at the bottom and ride the wheeler in too.

I’m not looking for a crazy lift either, basically just enough to level the front end and increase the tire size enough to fill the wheel wells. I’ll be keeping the stock wheels.

 

[HFolb23]

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

My dealership doesn’t care that it’s deleted, they just want the emissions equipment included with the trade. That’s assuming I can’t private sell the truck beforehand.

Not looking to get crazy with the lift or tires. I would like to do enough of a level kit to bring the front up even with the rear, and then increase tire size to match because the truck still has the Nexens on it but those will need to go quickly.

The truck isn’t a buy back or a lemon. I have a good rapport with this salesman and told him how nice the 2018 sport duallys looked when they came out. When this truck came in he called me and asked if I was interested or knew anyone that might be. I had been really wanting a 2019/2020 truck but that’s just over my budget right now. This truck was owned by a guy that is constantly buying and trading in new trucks. He buys a new one at least twice a year according to the dealership. When I was shopping for my 2016 I actually test drove a 2015 Laramie 3500 CCSB SRW that was owned by the same guy, at the time he was trading in for the Rebel when that came out.

Fuel mileage is a bit disappointing but I expected that. I have a 6mi commute to work so I guess it could be worse.

I do have a hunting camp on a logging lease but if a Class 8 truck can drive those roads my Ram should be fine.

 

[lpennock]

If it has factory air suspension you won't need a level kit. If it doesn't it is no harder to put a level on than a SRW.

 

[pwr2tow]

NOT calling anyone a liar, BUT I would love to fuel same pump to top off tank and do the exact same route for 300 miles and fill to top same pump. Guarantee nothing close to what is being claimed with a 2013+ RAM DRW auto.

Since I'm the only one who reported MPG I can only assume you're talking about me, no surprise there!!!

My Mpg aren't reported on a measly 300 miles, it's over thousands of miles, multiple fills, and temperatures from subzero to +100F. All speeds are 65 mph, rarely 75 mph. And yes, majority of miles over the exact same route both ways.

Not my fault your truck sucks. LOL