2012 Dually, Keep or Trade?

[Terry Jay]

2012 dually, 3.73, 68RFE, Crew Cab, 8' bed, oil-water separator plus fuel filter, pyro plus fuel pressure and boost gauges, and a 60 gallon mid-ship main tank. Big Horn Cab comforts, they are fine. Full length running boards and a tonneau cover. Firestone air bags, no ping tank, two fill valves at the bumper No DEF. B&W Companion. Currently has 70,000 miles. We get 9 to 10 towing and 15 to 17 highway. Stock General tires lasted 65,000 miles, but did have replace one at 30,000 due to multiple air leaks, so put the spare on the ground and the new tire in the spare space. Now running Toyo mild mud/snow.

We tow a 5er at around 15,500lbs anywhere from 6,000 to 12,000 miles a year. It is also my daily and gets a lot of highway and little city/local miles. The truck handles the grades just fine with the loads we move, always have a sense of control.

The 60 gallon is nice for the annual trip to and from Alaska, and am considering adding an in-bed tank to extend the range.

Are there any compelling reasons to trade this in or do we just keep going with what we have? At age 70, we don't need a bigger trailer. Have historically traded about every 100,000 to 125,000 miles, but now I wonder.

What say you, keep it to 300,000 of more or trade it?

Terry Jay

 

[DAN V]

I have been considering doing the same as you. I have weighed the pros and cons of owning a new truck which would be nice someday. I do not think you could get a 60 gallon tank for the '13 and above since they now have the DEF tank taking up space. However the new trucks have a stronger transmission from what I have read on here. DEF in my area runs around $15 per 2.5 gal jug. There are a lot of nice creature comforts as well. I would love to have a new one like yours except with the MAX TOW package and Fifth wheel prep. Good luck on your choice and decision.

 

[Slow Six]

I am also in this situation. I really like my 2012 other than the empty mileage is terrible. I was thinking about a 2014 but there was nothing available at the time plus I upgraded to a Polaris RZR 1000 last winter as I probably spend more time in it than the truck.

 

[EGroeneveld]

I have a 2011 with about 72K... would love to trade for new. But all of my aftermarket stuff would have to be redone again so I'm keeping it until 200K or so.

 

[Wertles]

My 13 with 4.10 gets the same mileage as what you are getting. With all that you have put into your truck to make it work for you, I'd say keep it. It hasn't caused you any troubles from the sounds of it so it seems like the only thing you gain by new right now is longer oil change intervals. You can do quite a few extra oil changes (at least till 300k miles) and still not make up the difference between what you have into your truck and a new one.

 

[Terry Jay]

Thanks for the comments.

The pluses for a newer truck seem to be the Aisin transmission, a higher payload and GVW, and longer intervals between oil changes.

The pluses for the existing truck are the larger 60-gallon tank and other installed aftermarket items, and lack of DEF. I would also add fit for current purposes.

My sense is there are two trade points, one at 100,000 miles and one at or near end of life or 10+ years.

Looks like a keeper unless someone else has a new fact.

Thanks
Terry

 

[Shadrach]

It's a Cummins so 100,000 miles is nothing. Unless you have a ton of cash keep it, maintain it and enjoy it. David

 

[TJJEEPER]

There are a lot of us hearing the siren's song... NEW truck with better mileage and transmission.
I've got 10,000 on mine. Mostly towing and other than the fact it's BLACK I see no reason to trade. The only issue I've had is the recall for the tie rods.

I upgraded from a 2006 quad cab short wheelbase. It's a night and day difference. I don't think the 2014/15 model year will be such a quantum leap. I'll stick with what I have until I just can't stand the paint any longer

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you want a new truck get it! If you are trying to justify it don't try it will never pencil out.

Transmission may be better but the 68RFE is a solid trans. Mine has 50K and not one problem.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I vote you keep it. At least until Ram can figure out the fancy smancy electronic controlled 2014+ vehicles.

I don't like forum 'B' as much as TDR but there sure are a lot more people on forum 'B' and a lot of complaints about the 2014 trucks. So much that it has changed my plans entirely to buy one.

I think Ram/Fiat needs to go back to the drawing board and reconfigure some electronic issues. Until then, I'm keeping my ole beater.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Your trade in value is better now with the low miles, and with some people eager to find a Ram with the old emissions package. OTOH, for you the DEF system will be a benefit; it costs $2.79 per gallon at truck stops and isn't used at a high rate anyway. One major point is that the new truck has a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty on the entire drivetrain. Yes, the 68rfe is a good trans, and the Aisin is even better, sort of like the Cummins is too good for a pickup. I believe you will get better mileage out of the new truck, maybe 1-2 mpg if you stay with a dually and 3.73s. If your trailer isn't real big and heavy, you might be good with SRW and 3.42 for another 1-2 mpg.

 

[Terry Jay]

Thanks for the added comments. The finances are not much of an issue, but there is no point in wasting cash either. Hauling the trailer to Alaska, and sometimes Arizona, is sort of a hobby so i can afford it. The bigger issue is performance. What I have works, but I was wondering if the newer trucks were significantly better. Looks like the Aisin is definitely better, as are the GVW and Gross Combined. Everything else looks about the same, with a tweak here and there. Got an oil change today and it took a couple extra stops at the dealer to turn off the Oil Change message, and yes, I do know how. Service got it done but noted that they have seen that before. That is an indicator that the electronics are not stable. If the 2012 has an episodic issue with something as simple as the oil change notice, that may be a huge caution flag.

At the moment I lean toward keep on the basis that the improvements are not yet significant enough to warrant a change. And the proliferating electronics are a huge caution flag. I have had enough dead phones, PCs, satellite boxes and such. Even the simple control board went bad at a cost of over $100.

Cheers to all. Carry on.
Terry

 

[Cummins12V98]

If they can get the rear air ride into production I will be jumping ship to the higher HP/TQ and 4:10 truck.

 

[Wertles]

Here's my comparison of a 3rd gen SRW 3500 to the new 2013+ trucks. I suspect there is a much smaller gap between the your current truck and the new ones.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/243760-Real-comparison-stock-2013-vs-modded-2006

 

[Terry Jay]

Good write-up. I really like the tow-haul/exhaust brake combo for the downhills between Alaska and Arizona. Gravity is not my friend.
Terry

 

[dodgesst]

Mr. terry, I feel what you are going through. I am two weeks away from sending the last payment in on my 2011, and I have the "new" truck fever. My 11 is a manual with 3:73 gears and it has my name on the window sticker cause I ordered it. I toss around the pros vs cons and can't come up with a solid answer.