Would like to buy a used 2500 Diesel

[Viqdor]

We have a 30 ft toyhauler bumper pull, it’s 7k empty, but lets face it, going on a trip loaded down with enough supplies for a family of 6 enhances our towing weight a bit more lol. We opted for the diesel. It’s a 14’ ram 3500 6.7 4x4, and it pulls great. With the EB and the Intergrated brake controller its both very capable and safe. I put Ride Rite airbags with a compressor for air for the kids bikes, tires or whatever comes up. For me, traveling with my wife, kids and critters a guy can never be too safe these days. Though, that being said, I find i need to keep an extra box of DEF in the trailer for traveling distances 1,000 miles or more so i have one when the DEF goes down. Just something to remember to throw into the trailer cubby or the bed of the truck before you start a journey. But i would rather do that and keep my diesel. More capability is key. Safe journeys!

 

[JPM]

I think the trucks being built in Mexico and the threat of trade wars will have some kind of affect.

from what i read, the cost of a new truck with the tarriffs would be 100 dollars more. i am not a fan of tarriffs, but its nice to see the usa take a stand. we send vehicles to europe and they tax them 25 percent. they send vehicles here and we tax them 2 percent. cheers comrade!

 

[Barbieri]

We just got a 30' travel trailer. Our 2016 ram 5.7 hemi pulls it but up and down the mountains here in Georgia are a little bit hard. The trailer is around 7000lbs and we are at the limit. So........I was thinking about a 2012 or 2013 2500 and the main question is the DEF fluid. I don't think the 2012 had to use it, but the 2013 does. Any comments/advise would be greatly appreciated.................................................

thanks a lot for the invite to the forum......................


Diesel

The 2012 TD doe not use DEF. Stay away from the 2012. It uses a different EGR system that requires service after 67.500 mules. That is a cost of about $800.00. Look for a 6.7 that uses DEF. The oil in a 2012 collects all the soot that normally went out the tail pipe. The end result is more frequent oil changes. The tail pipe is as clean as the day I took delivery. No soot because it is in the oil.

 

[Barbieri]

My 2012 gets 18 mpg on a flat road. It is a good engine for towing.

 

[Mightyhorse]

We just got a 30' travel trailer. Our 2016 ram 5.7 hemi pulls it but up and down the mountains here in Georgia are a little bit hard. The trailer is around 7000lbs and we are at the limit. So........I was thinking about a 2012 or 2013 2500 and the main question is the DEF fluid. I don't think the 2012 had to use it, but the 2013 does. Any comments/advise would be greatly appreciated.................................................

thanks a lot for the invite to the forum......................


Diesel

I had the same setup as you. 31' bumper pull behind 05 Hemi 1500. Pulled it fine but was right at the top of the towing capacity. Went to 2014 2500 diesel and now I can almost forget it is back there. Mileage is much better, DEF is a non-issue for me. My biggest complaint is the recalls. Have had more on this truck than all of the vehicles I have ever owned combined.

 

[Cujonaut]

I've got a 2017 Ram 3500, I've got about 6,000 miles on it and I've refilled the DEF tank once. So far there hasn't been any issues with it. According to the manual the vehicle will go into limp mode (max 5mph) if you ignore repeated warnings from the system (i.e. low def, system error, etc). I'm still a diesel newb so I'll defer to the others on here when it comes to hands on experience.

Semper fi, 2001-Present

 

[TMyers]

You will not use much DEF unless you are towing. Some say you'll get up to 10K miles on a tank under normal driving. Also, wait until you get to 1/4th tank or so before you refill. DEF has a shelf life so you want to get as much of the old out before adding new. Be sure to check the date on the new containers when you purchase them, if you go that route. Most truck stops have pumps with DEF so you can purchase only what your need.

Almost forgot... Semper Fi! I did 8 years from 84' to 92'.

 

[nukegm]

I think the trucks being built in Mexico and the threat of trade wars will have some kind of affect.

comrade! as i understand canada and mexico are in negotiations, or re negotiations of NAFTA. and the current administration said last week that the negotiations would exempt them from tariffs. i am just a carpenter, however i'm a a.m. radio junkie. i heard this from a few shows on the radio. hope its true. cheers!

 

[josephc1]

Pulled my 10K# 5th wheel a little more than 6K miles this past summer using less than 2 tanks of def. Not towing I can't say. When it's almost empty I dump in a gallon, that moves the needle to about 3/8 tank and it seems to go forever. The only time I top it off is if we are planing a 2000 mile trip or more with the RV. I bought used with 26K on the clock, it now reads 47K and has been rock solid. Moved up from a Tundra, a world of difference towing in the Rockies.

 

[TomCseh]

I have a 2015 3500 with 115K miles on my cummins and no problems at all except for water pump recall. As far as DEF goes, $8.00 for 2.5 gallons of DEF every 3000 miles is nothing to worry about.
Get a diesel. I don't think gas engines are any good for towing unless you live out west in the plains where you have level ground. Just my opinion for what its worth.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

I would get the newest truck you can find/afford, they seem to have worked out a few more bugs every year. I would get a 2500/3500 with leaf springs and avoid the coil spring rear on the 14+ 2500, it's not horrible but the leaf spring ride is more predictable, if not quite as smooth. Towing you will use quite a bit of DEF, depending on the situation. Towing my 8000lb toyhauler from AZ to IA in the summer I will go through 6-8 gallons each direction, not towing you won't notice the usage. Any of em, including a 2500 with coils, will tow your trailer with ease.

 

[kthaxton]

While I haven't had the opportunity to compare a 4th gen (or 3rd for that matter) with leaf springs, I cannot see any issue with the coils. Not one single issue or scenario has caused me to think there are any drawbacks to the coils.

 

[Barbieri]

If I was in the market for a truck I would stick with a NEW truck. The technology has improved especially for the emissions. You never know what you inherit when you buy used. Old USAF guy here.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

The coils have some strange handling characteristics in certain circumstances, for example, hit an expansion joint or large bump in a turn, especially while towing a heavy trailer, and the rear of the truck will shimmy side to side much worse than a truck with leaves. If you off-road at all or plan to lift your truck in the future the coils are at a distinct disadvantage as well. Most of these issues are related to the factory track bar, the Thuren track bar is supposed to be a large improvement. It's not a safety issue, but it is definitely noticeable.

To the OP, you do not need a diesel rig to pull your trailer, my uncle tows a 30'TT across the Midwest and across the country, including trips to Colorado, with a '17 2500 6.4 hemi rig. He was looking at used diesels, but was able to buy a new gasser for less than the price of the used diesels he was looking at. Would most prefer the diesel? Sure. Is it absolutely necessary? No. He was in the same predicament, having purchased a new TT and towing it with a '14 1500 just wasn't enough truck. He loves the 6.4.

 

[kthaxton]

The coils have some strange handling characteristics in certain circumstances, for example, hit an expansion joint or large bump in a turn, especially while towing a heavy trailer, and the rear of the truck will shimmy side to side much worse than a truck with leaves. If you off-road at all or plan to lift your truck in the future the coils are at a distinct disadvantage as well. Most of these issues are related to the factory track bar, the Thuren track bar is supposed to be a large improvement. It's not a safety issue, but it is definitely noticeable.

Again, haven't noticed such thing myself but I haven't done a side by side comparison.

I'm curious though, not that I intend to do serious off-roading in a 3/4 ton, but why do you say coils are a distinct disadvantage off-road? Most, including myself, would disagree.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Not to derail the original topic, coils are not a disadvantage off-road when properly configured (like a purpose built car or truck) it's the way Ram designed the rear on the 2500s that cause the issues- particularly relating to the factory track bar. Is it noticeable during most driving conditions? No. Does the coil spring rear ride better than leaves for day to day drivng? Absolutely. Plenty of threads across a number of forums outlining the issues. Have you hauled a heavy bumper pull trailer across a curved and rutted out section of interstate with a coil sprung 2500, particularly with a sidewind? One tow under those conditions is all it takes to understand. Would I purchase another coil sprung rear Ram? No. Anyhow, back to the original topic...

 

[bboxall]

I have a 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 MegaCab if you want to look one over in LaFayette. It has been a great vehicle so far.
I bought it new in June of 2016 and only pull a bass boat with it when I tow, otherwise is carries me to work every day.