6-speed or auto....Need to chose SOON

[DPKetchum]

The ones i've talked to in person commented that that was a mistake they would'nt do again. I may be wrong but in the future resale on these will hurt. Then again just my two cents worth.

 

[Dean Upson]

Unless you have a real small garage or have no room to park, I suggest getting the long bed. There is no advantage to having the shortie otherwise. You will find the long bed irons out the bumps much better as well.



Dean

 

[DPKetchum]

I've been out of the auto service business for 2. 5 years now. ALL the surveys showed first time truck buyers bought short beds. After the first truck surveys showed 2nd time buyers would not go back to a short bed again. I know the guys i've talked to with 03 short beds have all admitted it was a mistake. In a 1500 series for pine straw and pulling the two wheel trailerl with a riding mower its ok. But for real toting and pulling and ROOM its not. Mentioned this before on this forum and got bashed. Then one of the members due to job loss had to sell his 03 diesel. His first thing posted was the phone calls he got when it was noted it was a short bed was OH,well not interested. Time will tell. Ride is better the longer the wheel base.

 

[rmcnamee]

Ride and resale maybe better with a long bed over a short bed, but to me, the long bed is too long and I don't feel that the ride of the short bed is all that bad. I have a 2001 Quad Cab longbed now and I don't feel that it rides a whole heck of a lot better than the previous Quad Cab short beds.



Bottom line, as has been said before, these are trucks and it's even in their name "Dodge Ram Heavy Duty". With a name like that, you can't expect the truck to ride like a dream. Yes you should expect the truck to drive nice, which these new Rams certainly do, but don't expect it ride like an F-150 with soft riding IFS front suspension and what not. These are big trucks, with big, heavy components built for work. If you stop and think about it, these truck are really not your typical "daily driver" type vehicles and they were never designed to be used in this fashion. A lot of pick-up truck buyers want to treat them as such and end up being disappointed. If you want a plush ride, don't buy a truck, buy a Lincoln Continental. No matter what these engineers do to the suspensions, they'll never get them to perform like a sedan, not when they're expecting the truck to actually haul things and do "work"... . Just my 2 cents



Ryan

 

[CATCRACKER]

in louisiana, mississippi, 99% f250, CTD, and almost every duramax are shortbed. the reason is that it looks proportional. the only time a longbed looks propotional is when it is dooley. I am not dogging anybodys truck but if you dont need a 8ft bed dont get one. the 8footers with extracab are like landships when getting around in tight situations. as far a funtionability an 8ft is much more functional and is a must have if you work with tools IMHO



I am going to get blasted but i can handle it shoot

 

[krabman]

I do agree that most folks would be better served with a long bed, but... People have so many different needs. My truck needs to pull my boat and carry the odd couch or yard a gravel or whatever. Thats when its makin a living as a truck. Its also my daily driver and I like the shortbed for that. I have had many trucks in almost every configuration (long/short, dually, king cab/standard, auto/stick, half, threequarter, one ton, stripped to hose out, loaded with every option, etc. ) At this point I know what I need and want and Im happy that I got a shortbed. Im going to do the same thing when I sell this one. The resale will be what it will be, I have no intention of driving a vehicle that was not what I wanted just for that.

 

[rmcnamee]

Well put krabman. When buying any vehicle, one should remember that they are buying the vehicle for themselves and not the guy or dealer who is going to buy it off them in a few years. In the past, I have always gotten exactly what I wanted and I almost broke that practice this time around, just to get a deal done and get the truck. However, after reading the first reply to my original post by smartineau, who stated "You said you wanted a Laramie, hold out and find what you want. You are about o plunk down $35,000 or so, get what you want. ", I came right back to my senses and planned to continue my prior practice. I'm glad I did because I'll be happier in the long run and it's me that'll be cutting the check every month and that's what counts. In short, get what you want, since, at least for the time being, you are the one who is going be to driving it. .





Ryan

 

[Dean Upson]

Ryan,



That is the best answer to your post yet .



Dean

 

[jeepit]

Get 6 speed & long bed, you will be much happier fellow with it!

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by rmcnamee

Yes you should expect the truck to drive nice, which these new Rams certainly do, but don't expect it ride like an F-150 with soft riding IFS front suspension and what not.

I just spend 3 weeks driving around a Rent-A-Ford F-150 4x4 that the insurance paid for after my 95 CTD was wrecked. My new Ram CTD rides and handles much better than that Ford. The Ford had the 5. 4 litter engine, but was still gutless with no torque. And it would get blown all over the road everytime I passed a big truck.



I've had several good F-150s over the years, but these new ones are GIRLS TRUCKS!

 

[rmcnamee]

Point well made Blakers. . . My Expedition handled like crap, but rode real nice, so I figured an F-150 would also ride alright. . Oh well. . .





Ryan

 

[DPKetchum]

I fully understand. It IS your money. But for the same reason its always just been my wife and I(no children,No mother in laws etc. )That I always bought 3 and 4 bedroom homes and two or three baths. NO resale on 2 bedroom 1 bath homes and it is a big investment.

 

[rmcnamee]

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

Well after a month, the truck is finally in my hands. Picked it up yesterday afternoon and it is NICE. So much better than my 2001. The 6-speed and Laramie package were definitely the right choices, although I wish Reverse was positioned near 1st and 2nd gear, but that's no big deal at all. This is a great truck and well worth the money, wait, etc. The ride and handling are far superior to my 2001 and power is awesome! It really comes on in 4th when you rev it out some. I'm glad I went with the short bed over the long bed. I think this truck rides better than my 2001 QC long bed 4x4. One thing I noticed between this truck and my friends 1999 Cummins/5-speed is the amount of noise (not motor noise) coming from around the shifter and under the cab. His truck is real quite and I don't think it's because the motor is louder. Is this normal? Anyways, next will be the fender flares, bed caps and the Edge EZ w/ gauges. I guess I have to update my sig now...