So, I'm planning on buying a new Ram 1500 express in April, with the insentives that they are giving right now, I can buy a brand new truck for the price of a slightly used one.
The delema is, 4wd or 2wd? I hardly ever drive my truck in the winter because I have a work truck, plus with the weather we have been having, snow isn't an issue. (crap, I think I just ginxed us).
The concern I have is with towing. I have a 20' skeeter and the Dakota that I'm towing it with is just not cutting it on long trips. I'm just wondering if the extra $3k is worth it.
It will be worth it at the first ramp your back wheels are spinning.
Resale will be greater/easier with 4x4.
I loved 4-wheel drive when I had it. There are some good lakes with crappy ramps that I could get in and can't now. There was some creative things I could that I keep telling myself now, "don't try it! Don't try it!" If I can ever get a new truck again, I want it to have 4 wheel drive.
I agree that for my money its easily worth it, but there is more than just the $3K at purchase, to consider.
There are higher fuel costs (every stinking trip to the pump.)!
The additional maintenance costs are significant!
The 2 wheel drive has a significantly better turning radius.
However, on the other hand...
The resale if far better on the 4x4!
If you are ever on a slick ramp, it will be worth the extra money.
Every now and then it never fails that I find myself parking on soft ground, or pulling my boat somewhere on snowy/icy roads.
It is back to 4x4 for me, on my next truck!!!
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
These days gas milage is just about the same on a 4x4 as a 4x2. I can rattle off several names of ramps I wouldn't go to in the early spring or late fall without my 4x4!
4x4 without a doubt
This is my opinion and I have owned both 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks.The fuel milage is pretty close and the cost to maintian a 4x4 is not that much more than a 2 wheeler but with owning a 4x4 if you need 4 wheel drive you have it I personally will not own another truck unless it's a 4x4
Quote from: SethV on January 09, 2012, 09:21:48 PM
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
You warned me Dan! lol
Quote from: SethV on January 09, 2012, 09:21:48 PM
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
Seth lets be fair here...its not the weak Dodge engine that sucks about a mopar. It is the Tranny that is not worth a crap when towing. I got a hundo that says you don't get 100K miles on a mopar trans, pulling a boat.
Never buy a truck without 4 wheel drive!!!!!
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I ended up purchasing the F150 2wd with the 4.6L V8. Like everyone else is saying, the ramp has to be decent. There are a few around where I live that I wish I could get to but can't with the 2wd. The fuel mileage is 17 mpg where as my buddies 4x4 gets 16. I think the main difference besides where you can go with a 4x4 is the cost to maintain. If you buy new, you shouldn't have to worry about that though. I love my 4x2. Just wish it had better fuel efficiency as it only beats the 4x4 version by 1 mpg.
Good luck!
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I drove my car 99% of the time and only needed a truck to pull my boat so I bought a cheap 2x4. My situation changed (wife crashed her car and started driving mine) and I was screwed. My truck couldn't get through the 4" of snow in my flat driveway. At less than a year old I traded it in for a 4x4 and have never regretted it. 90k miles so far on that 2008 Chevy an zero issues.
Edit: Never had a Dodge so I can't compare. :)
Definitely 4x4. Even a ramp like Harley Ensign can get slick when a bunch of weeds wash up on the bottom of the ramps. I've had my rear wheels spinning there and just pushed a button to engage four wheel drive, popped right out.
I don't know why all of the Dodge bashing here. I had Dodge trucks for years and never had any problems. Oh well, everybody has their preferences I guess.
Something that hasn't been mentioned here but is important (maybe it is a given to everybody but I'll throw it out there anyway as I didn't think about it in my younger years-a long time ago >:(). Get the towing package. You get a factory installed trans cooler and oil cooler in addition to the hitch. Maybe it will get that "...not worth a crap..." tranny to 100k miles. ;) ;D
Do those have a spare transmission option from the factory now? I'm not going to slam Dodge, out of respect for fellow members, but you really have to look at the track record. Every truck can break, but which one is most known for it? A transmission is not a cheap repair. I have almost 160,000 on my Silverado, and all it does is tow. It's pulled everything from my 24 foot enclosed car trailer to boats and so on. Still on the original drivetrain from front to back. I have done one wheel bearing, and a couple of u joints since I bought it.
No matter what you buy, make sure it is four wheel drive. I barely use mine, but its there when I need it.
i would still always go with 4wd. You might only need it once, but you'll be darn glad you have it.
i'm not up to speed, but i think most full-size trucks have limited slip rear ends now. my first truck was a 2wd ranger with an open rear and i could get that stuck on flat black top with a little snow or ice. When i moved up to an FX4 f150, with limited slip, it was worlds of difference - that truck would go through some nasty stuff in 2wd - still found a use for the 4x4 though.
Now i'm rolling front locking hubs in a 8000lb truck......
My 94 Dodge 5.2L 4x4 towed my 6000 lb Baja Outlaw for 5 years, 146,000 miles and the tranny never skipped a beat. My 98 Dodge 5.9L 4x4 pulled the same boat to about 120,000 and then had to have the tranny rebuilt. At 167,000 the crank shaft broke and tore the motor to pieces. My advice if you get a Dodge... plan on selling it or trading it in as soon as it hits that 100,000 mark.
So I'll take that $100 that says you can't get a dodge tranny to 100K while towing. Need my address? ;D
I'll add this quick note: My 98 Tahoe 5.7L 4x4 has 207,000 miles on it and tows my Triton like it's not there. All original drive line. Original owner only towed a 16' aluminum v-bottom with it, but it has still towed nearly all it's life.
Very envious of the Ford, Justin. I have always been a Chevy guy, but the next go round will land an F250 quad cab diesel in my driveway.
To add to what Mike said about his Tahoe, I had a 94 Suburban, and when I sold it, it had 201,000 on it. It came from the original owner, who pulled his enormous travel trailer all over with it. Drivetrain was 100% original. If I didn't want a diesel so bad, Is buy another Chevy in a heartbeat. But, I don't like the look of their bigger trucks anymore.
Don't matter what I drive the tranny goes out. (2) 94 z71 pickups=5 trannys. (1) 2000 dodge ram 1500 =1 tranny. All of these were 4x4 trucks which is all I will have. I just can't seem to keep trannies in my trucks. Maybe I just baby them to much. The other problem with the dodge is the front u joints for the wheels if you don't keep them lubed you will go thru them every 15 to 20 k. Found that out the hard way. Not a cheap fix either $500.00+ to replace.
Quote from: mikeszr800 on January 10, 2012, 02:00:59 PM
Very envious of the Ford, Justin. I have always been a Chevy guy, but the next go round will land an F250 quad cab diesel in my driveway.
yeah, well... you'd be less envious of all the fun that comes along with keeping a 13 year old truck on the road! The good news is on a 3/4 ton, you can use a hammer to "fix" just about anything.
I feel like adding my 2 cents worth. I have owned a Dodge, Ford and presently a 2010 GMC Sierra. All have been 4x4's. The GMC has been the best truck I have ever owned to date with 45,000 miles. My Ford was a 2003 F-250 7.3L Diesel which was a great truck I sold to my son. We use that truck when making long trips as there is nothing like a Diesel for towing. I would like to forget about the Dodge as it was a money pit on repairs.
My son is a mechanic and he specializes in suspensions. The most costly truck to repair is a Dodge followed by Ford then GM. I love the look of the Dodge Ram. If you could put the body on a GM frame and still keep the price in line sign me up.
The only thing I would do differently of my GMC would be to have gone with the 6.0L vs the 5.3L I have now. My buddy has the same truck as mine but has the bigger engine. He gets the same mileage pulling his boat as I do but has a bit more power which helps on hills, etc. Maybe i'll run into a few of you at the show. I'm going thurs at 3:00 PM but my go again on sat. Later
I can't imagine being without 4wd. I don't need it often but there have been times when 2wd just wouldn't do it. I started buying Fords in 1987. I've had several and I've never had a trans problem or any driveline problem and many miles were pulling heavy loads. And, I drive the crap out of them. Hard to beat Fords durability.
Bob
4 wheel drive, you wont regret it.
The 4 wheel drive part seems like a frontrunner anyway.
I thought about this post this morning when I hit the button. ;D
Exactly... I thought of this post too as I was just driving to work thru snow and ice without a care in the world. Point and shoot driving!! 4x4 rocks!!
Quote from: peters_skeeter on January 09, 2012, 10:14:08 PM
Quote from: SethV on January 09, 2012, 09:21:48 PM
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
You warned me Dan! lol
I will warn you too. Dodge Ram is one of the easiest trucks to steal. My Uncle Dave (MadWags) had two stolen right out of his driveway in Grosse Pointe Woods. If you still want a Ram 1500 (and not a bicycle) get a 4x4.
Well, took the plunge and traded the dakota in. Got a 2012 ram 1500 4x4 express. Black. Super excited, can't wait to see how much better it tows than the dakota. All the Ram hatters have to admit the power of a hemi is a big step up from a dakota. With the majority of you guys dead set on 4wd, I took your advice, I'm sure now i'll be in a situation that calls for it. ;D thanks! Happy towing!
Quote from: SethV on January 09, 2012, 09:21:48 PM
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
I went to cars.com and read the reviews of all Full size trucks. Seems the RAM was rated highest 2 years in a row now (4.9 of 5.0) with 26 of 26 recommending it to a friend, and those 11 awards the truck won last year must not count for much either. Cant figure out why 2011 and 2012 reviews have Fords and GMC trailing RAM ? I dont know what they put in the water over there at Chrysler, but the product is just outstanding now. Love ya Seth, and after a RAM, I'd definitely take a GMC over the fake foreign box buggys or a Found On Roadside.... Anyone who went to the BFL regionals in KY in 2010 will remmember my Found On Roadside lost its tranny at 140,000 miles and I babied it, so I dont want to hear anyone bark about the reliability of the Dearborn Dino.
Congrats on buying your RAM. A GM would have been great too, except they are $3000 higher price for same equipment.
PS: The one winter my Ford had its 4x4 fork broke, I was stuck with 2wd. Found 3 ditches that winter ....
them extra wheels turning up front will make you feel like you made the right decision at least 2 times a year and I guarantee that.
Mojo
Quote from: Jay-MadWags on January 13, 2012, 09:59:23 PM
I will warn you too. Dodge Ram is one of the easiest trucks to steal. My Uncle Dave (MadWags) had two stolen right out of his driveway in Grosse Pointe Woods. If you still want a Ram 1500 get a 4x4.
Thanks Jay - now I leave the outside lights on all night ..... >:(.
Quote from: peters_skeeter on January 19, 2012, 10:45:12 PM
Well, took the plunge and traded the dakota in. Got a 2012 ram 1500 4x4 express. Black. Super excited, can't wait to see how much better it tows than the dakota. All the Ram hatters have to admit the power of a hemi is a big step up from a dakota. With the majority of you guys dead set on 4wd, I took your advice, I'm sure now i'll be in a situation that calls for it. ;D thanks! Happy towing!
Congratulations. ;D That's a good looking truck. Don't try to compare it to a Dakota. It's not even from the same planet as far as towing. Ford, Chevy or Dodge, they're all good trucks and they've all had their issues. You won't regret getting the 4x4. Mine has been getting a lot of use with all this snow.
Congratulations on 4 wheel drive. I loved it when I had it!
The first time you tow with your new Dodge you will think you were towing with a Volkswagen Beetle before! The Hemi will get you down the road like nothing else you've towed with.
Quote from: Jay-MadWags on January 13, 2012, 09:59:23 PM
Quote from: peters_skeeter on January 09, 2012, 10:14:08 PM
Quote from: SethV on January 09, 2012, 09:21:48 PM
I'd rather have a bicycle than a Dodge... ;D ....but if you must buy one of those get 4x4. Doubt that weak stinkin motor can pull a boat anyway, but you may as well look good with 4x4 when the Chevy pulls you out. :P
You warned me Dan! lol
I will warn you too. Dodge Ram is one of the easiest trucks to steal. My Uncle Dave (MadWags) had two stolen right out of his driveway in Grosse Pointe Woods. If you still want a Ram 1500 (and not a bicycle) get a 4x4.
Picked her up this morning and WOW! What a truck! The key is a fob. I don't see how someone can steal the truck with out the key. I'm guessing there is an electric signal in it.
Thanks for buying a Dodge. 8) We employees of Chrysler, LLC appreciate your patronage. Enjoy your new truck and if there is anything that I can help you with concerning your truck, please don't hesitate to PM me. I work in the ride and handling group at Chrysler Engineering. Thanks again. :D
I have got 156000 miles on my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 and it still pulls like the day I bought it. The transmission is still humming as is the motor. I got a 4.7L small V8 in mine and I still get about 16 mpg city\highway combination. Mine still purrs. I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off. I love that truck. Planning on getting rid of my 2002 Dodge Ram Van 1500 and getting a Dodge Ram 2500 truck to pull my travel trailer and eventually a 5th wheel. That will be the start of my truck fleet. I can see the marquee now.........UAWBigDog Ram Truck Fleet of 2. :o
BD ;D
Better see if that domain is still available and buy it!
BD, do you have access to doors for a 2000 ram 1500 ext cab? Mine are about rusted off my truck. Turning 200k on it soon and runs like a champ.
Unfortunately Stack, doors for a 2000 Ram may just be a junk yard item. However, I will ask some of the guys I work with. You never know what maybe lying around someone's garage.
BD. ;D