what would you buy?

[ultrascott]

hello all,i'm currently presented with a hard decision. i have a 2019 ram 2500 with the 6.4 gas engine that i'm hauling a toyhauler that when loaded will weigh probably close to 12k pounds.my ram is able to to around 12,600 pounds so i'm ok on weight.it pulls ok but struggles some on bigger hills and of course has the high rpm rev when climbing those hills,i average about 6mpg when towing and 14 when not.the a/c is very poor on the ram and the ride is very jarring.i can lease a 2020 silverado 2500hd with the duramax and 10 speed for $700 a month with some of that payment as negative equity on the ram.i know the silverado would have no issue pulling that camper but is it really worth it? would you keep the gas ram or upgrade? 

[Colossus]

$700 a month? ouch. 

[Colossus]

Stick with what you have for now if it works fine otherwise.  Sure it may have to work hard, on the mountains but the engines are made to work hard.  Get it paid down or paid off and then explore your options if it still bugs ya. 

[Thankful]

Unless you are able to take your lease payments off your taxes, I strongly recommend against leasing.

[Ray Pickle]

Agree with all comments.  Define struggle? High rpm and reduced speed up significant hills/mountains is not necessarily struggling. Are you sure of weight. 12k for a loaded toyhauler is light unless it is fairly small. Chevy has a lot of payload in new truck but diesel 2500 may be less than your gasser depending on configuration and possible issue for your potential payload. More to pulling than how well it accelerates as I am aure you know. 

[Njmurvin]

I can't comment on whether $700/mo makes sense for you or not.  Only you can answer that.

 

I CAN, however, comment on how a new 2020 Duramax pulls a 12K trailer because that's what I have. I too came from a Ram only mine was a stock 3500 diesel (2004.5). It pulled my trailer fine but I always felt like it was on the outer limits of what it could handle.  My exhaust brake and trailer brake controller were both aftermarket because they didn't offer factory options at that time. I find that those features of my new truck are far better integrated - as expected.

 

For towing, the upgrade to the new Duramax reminds me of the upgrade from my old Ford gasser to my first diesel truck (Ford 7.3).  It is another world. I believe the credit goes equally between the more potent engine and the 10 speed transmission. I just can't say enough how I love this transmission after coming from a 4 speed 48RE.

 

I have to agree with the others regarding payload. The price difference between a 2500 and 3500 is minimal and it future-proofs you should you decide you want a bigger/heavier trailer down the road.

[ultrascott]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I’ve decided to get the diesel 2500hd ltz. I’d rather just lease now and buy at end of the lease and get out of this ram. Even if the a/c was repaired i still won’t be happy with the ride quality 

Edited August 17, 2020 by ultrascott

[Stand By]

Double check that lease price against a purchase. The HD's don't get the lease specials like the 1500s. I was thinking of a lease, but allthough a longer term, the purchase payment came in lower than the lease payment. 

[ultrascott]

1 hour ago, Stand By said:

Double check that lease price against a purchase. The HD's don't get the lease specials like the 1500s. I was thinking of a lease, but allthough a longer term, the purchase payment came in lower than the lease payment. 

i have checked and the lease is the cheaper option.payment would be a couple hundred dollars more.i plan on keeping the lease for 4 years then refnancing the rest into a loan for 4 years.