New truck dilema

[CSeugling]

Hi all, I have owned Dodge trucks since 1975 and loved all of them. Presently I own a 2004.5 H/O cummins 3500 4X4 dually laramie with 63,000 on the clock. The truck has been by far one of the best I have owned. I don't really need a dually anymore and as I get older I don't enjoy washing it by hand after a snow storm in my driveway. I am seriously considering a new 2016 3500 SRW and I'm looking for some advice or opinions from people who have had the older trucks and have traded up for the new ones. Thanks,Chris

 

[SnoKing]

We recently went from a 2001.5 Std Cab 2500 4x4 to a 2015 Laramie 3500 CC SRW SB 4x4. It is a bit of a climb to get up into the higher truck. The old one had 4:10 gears and towed the trailer really well, however it was not a freeway cruiser. The new 2015 with 3:42 gears and Aisin transmission has really long legs and loves the freeway, yet the Aisin low first gear is there to get a load rolling. Mileage empty is as good or better with the new truck. We will be going to Arizona after Christmas, so then I well find out if I tow the same 62-64 MPH how towing mileage compares.

I have to say that with the Laramie trim this is a luxury vehicle that is like some sort of great earned reward at our age(early 70's). We smile a lot and high 5 each other. We have a nice Buick Rainier that has been our "family" car for years, however now we take "Cherry" our new truck. The Rainier is now truly DW car.

Negatives: Smaller fuel tank, more expensive fuel filters, little higher insurance. Tow mirrors in down position have a blind spot at the rear quarter panel(I added some stick on spot mirrors on the main arm).

Positives: Sound system, quiet, 10 way driver and 6 way passenger seats, real back seat. 8.4 with Nav is good. Ability to customize the 7" EVIC screen is nice. Ability to see tire pressure without alarms(3500) when running reduce pressure empty. The power folding tow mirrors make garaging it easier.

We purchase a FCA 8 year / 120K warranty.

SNOKING

 

[NickSullivan]

Boy, this is a tough one for me. I had an 04.5 with the manual. What a great truck! I really wish I still had it. I thought however that this 2014 would be a truck I was going to keep for a very long time. However, as you can see from my thread regarding the groan I don't see how that is possible at this point. Since my 04.5 I have had an 11 F350, 2012 Ram 3500 SRW and now my 14 DRW. The 2012 was a fantastic truck once I deleted and tuned the engine and transmission. I just didn't have the ability to haul a large camper and horse trailer like we wanted to do.

The downsides to the 2014: Aisin transmission programing is terrible in my opinion. It wants to lug the engine way too much for my liking. It makes the truck feel gutless. Compound that with Torque management and that adds to the gutless feeling. This really seems to only be the case however on winding steep hills. On the freeway where it can sense a gradual increase in the power needed it does great. Tire wear on my front tires seems excessive but this is my first dually. DEF consumption is high too. I go through 5 gallons every 3,000 to 3500 miles.

The plusses: The truck just feels solid and well built. Quite and comfortable. The seats are great, the dash is great, the 8.4 is great, the stereo is great, the Aisins ability to get a heavy load moving in first gear is great, the up fitter switches are nice, the center console is a work of art compared to Ford and Chevy.

All in all, I really think you will be happy with a new truck but if you like your 04.5 like I liked mine. It doesn't matter what you replace it with, your going to miss it.

 

[lawdog1]

A new truck will blow your mind on features, improvements, etc., so I suggest you not even look at a '16 unless you are sure you want a new one (or unless you have an incredible attachment to the 2004.5 and super strong will power.). I LOVED my 2003 when I had it, it was awesome fuel mileage wise and a great truck, better in many respects than my '12. I think your 2004.5 should fetch top dollar if you sell it (sell it, dont trade it.). My friend sold his 2004, 3500 SRW QC Laramie with 55K miles last year for $29K!!!...I moved mine years ago for a little less and was shocked at what his brought. (The sticker on his 04.5 new was $43K.). The 03-04.5 is the premier CTD IMHO....so if you swap, get paid for what you got.

I today am picking up my '16 Laramie 2500, traded my 2012 Big Horn 2500. The '16 is a luxury ride and I am excited about the better fuel mileage and extended oil changes above all but time will tell. I got an absolutely great deal with next to zero hassle at Airport CDJ in Orlando, FL if you want to come south to Disney or Seaworld to get a truck. PM me and I will give you my salesman's name if interested, he was also great after the sale, shuttling me around to get all my accessories swapped to the new truck. Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[SnoKing]

Nick, have you tried manually driving the transmission on winding steep hills? SNOKING

 

[CSeugling]

The dealer is offering me around 26K as a trade, add the sales tax savings and thats like getting 27800.00 on a trade, don't think i'll do much better on the outside. I did fall in love with the new trucks features. I'm just afraid of the DEF and emission systems on the new ones.

 

[SnoKing]

DEF is good. It is the pre DEF 4th gen trucks that had lots of problems along with poor mileage.

We like our bells and whistles!

Just make sure they sell you the new one at invoice, minus any incentives and some of the hold back.

There are deals to be had. SNOKING

 

[Dogpatch]

My 15 Ram 3500 Laramie 4x4 is definitely the most luxurious beast of a truck I've ever owned.

So far, the only drawback about my truck is the tube style running boards. I have a set of Amp Research power running boards ordered and on their way! Then the truck will be perfect!

 

[Tuesdak]

The dealer is offering me around 26K as a trade, add the sales tax savings and thats like getting 27800.00 on a trade, don't think i'll do much better on the outside. I did fall in love with the new trucks features. I'm just afraid of the DEF and emission systems on the new ones.

Post it on Ebay and find out. Low mile, under 100K, trucks of this vintage are going for serious money on Ebay.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My 15 Ram 3500 Laramie 4x4 is definitely the most luxurious beast of a truck I've ever owned.

So far, the only drawback about my truck is the tube style running boards. I have a set of Amp Research power running boards ordered and on their way! Then the truck will be perfect!

Except for the launch shudder.

 

[dodgesst]

Chris,
I have gone from a 2004 2500 auto, to a 2011 3500 DRW, manual, now have a 2014 3500 SRW Asian limited. While driving around town the 2014 is by far the best truck of the three. Features and size makes it much more manageable. But when I hook up my fiver or my gooseneck I really miss my 2011. I didn't trade in the 11 for the 14 so I had both at the same time for a year. I would still have my 11 if it wasn't for the darn Charger Hellcat I had ordered coming in. Oh well. I not not gonna say I like or dislike the emissions on the 14 better or worse than the 11. Mileage is better, power seems better, DEF fluid is a pain to deal with. I know everyone talks HP/TQ of the newer one but I'll tell you when I let that clutch out with a trailer hooked up and didn't press the go pedal the 11 just moved. Didn't think about it, no converter slip, no TQ management it just moved. Seems every year the bells and whistles just get better and better. Power folding mirrors and selectable cameras views in the 8.4 make the 16's look even better than my 14 (not sure I like the grill and tailgate of the 16 limited) not sure if this helps or not.
Dusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm having a similar debate with myself too. I'm thinking of special ordering a '16 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie after the first of the year. Like someone else posted, I'm in my 70s and the '16 will probably be my last truck. I'm hesitant since my present truck with only 44,000 miles (4th CTD) has been absolutely the best trouble free truck I have ever owned. It isn't a daily driver and it doesn't tow. It's only job is to haul our heavy Lance slide-in truck camper when/if we want to travel otherwise it's parked in a heated garage. The '16 will see the same use and would be the first truck I've owned that will be hauling a load under its GVWR.

Bill

 

[dfb]

Just sold my 2004.5 Laramie Dually 4x4 6 speed with 112k for 25000 if that helps…. Started getting calls within 30 minutes.. A wholesaler offered 24k!!!

 

[wyosteve]

Guess I don't understand the statement, "DEF is a pain to deal with". What's so hard about putting a jug in the hole and holding it for about 3 minutes? Couldn't be easier in my opinion.

 

[dfb]

Guess I don't understand the statement, "DEF is a pain to deal with". What's so hard about putting a jug in the hole and holding it for about 3 minutes? Couldn't be easier in my opinion.

We just bought a new 2015.. I have not put the DEF in yet... Don't know if it is a pain. However, it is an extra step every so often..

 

[lawdog1]

I got $13K off the sticker price on my '16 Laramie 2500, $1.5K of that was trade equity (...and they added clearance lights to the truck at no charge)...it was a real good deal IMHO. I think you are in the right range for your trade when you figure in tax savings, may could get $2 or $3K more with the right private party but speed of trading and lack of hassle could make it a push for you. I drove 450 miles after taking delivery of my new truck...got 19.3 mpg. Awesome compared to my '12 and much smoother ride. Tech and comfort on the new one is impressive. Have fun shopping, if you decide to look out of town I got a great salesman in Orlando, FL.

 

[lawdog1]

P.S. Bought a 2.5 gal jug of Blue DEF at a Pilot on the way home when I fueled up. Jug was in a box like the cooking oil I buy for a turkey fryer. Had a spout with it that screwed on, just leave the jug in the box. Worked awesome, no leaks, no spills, poured quick (spout had a vent), no mess, took about 2 gal to get to 100% on the gauge and I put the top back on the jug, saved the funnel to top off later. No fuss, no muss in my experience ($15.99 for 2.5 gal, much less than $11.99 per gal for Mopar DEF...). Having had a '12 I think the DEF system is going to be worth it for fuel mileage and oil change interval alone...and that is before we start talking front axle disconnect on the 4x4...

 

[jhenderson]

I traded my 04-1/2 for a 15 3500srw with Aisen. It did take me a while to get used to the auto. You do have to step on it to get things going. This truck tows my 18,500 gvw GN better than my old truck, hands down. It also drives better around town as well as on the highway. I buy WalMart brand def for about $9 for 2-1/2 gals. I've used about 12 gals in 10,000 miles. I have a tradesman and it's much more comfortable and pleasant to drive than my old SLT. So far I'd do it again.

 

[CSeugling]

Well I went to back to the dealer yesterday and sealed the deal. Shopped around and got good numbers on the new truck and got a great trade price for my 2004.5. Although I may run an ad just to see if I can get a little more when it gets close to the new truck being shipped. Hard to believe they say the new truck could take up to 10-12 weeks to show up, comes from Mexico. 2016 3500 SRW, 6.4 bed Laramie,CTD,aisin,air susp,ram cargo box, snow chief,nav etc. Does the air suspension do anything to smooth out the ride or is it strictly to level the truck when loaded?? Thanks all for the responses, I'll be sure to post pics when it comes in.

 

[SnoKing]

What color did you choose? SNOKNG

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