RAM 2500HD question

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LVSteve

LVSteve

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Is there some issue with these trucks. There are two 2024 Big Horn Crew Cab examples at my local Carmax with less than 25k on the odo for $40k. Yes, it's a lot of money, but they are asking as much for RAM and Chevy 1500 trucks from 2020-21 with more miles.

Only snags I can see are that both are ex-rentals and they have the 6.4 liter gas motor. Any thoughts?
 
That engine has a reputation for having cam and lifter issues as well as problems with the cylinder deactivation solenoids used to save gas, but some people swear by them. I guess you pays your money and takes your chances. An extended warranty, though pricey, might be worth consideration.
 
The EPA took all the fun out of diesels years ago. Unless you live where you can delete the diesels, you're probably better off with gas. The 6.4 is no slouch.

Run the recommended oil, nothing thicker.
Change oil every 5000 miles.
Leave the warmer thermostat I place.
If you have the 6 speed automatic, don’t do full power downshifts. Manually downshift, then roll on the power.

Don’t beat on it nonstop, then roll 6.4 2500 will go a long time.
 
After a couple Cummins powered Ram 2500’s, I went with a 2500 ST with the Power Wagon package. It had the 6.4 Hemi and 4.10 gears and towed our Jeep like a dream. No issues in the mountains of Colorado, plenty of power. It did get thirsty though.


IMG_1717.webp


I even took it on a couple Colorado Jeep trails. Once. Wrong tool for the job.


IMG_5372.webp
 
ukcats said:
I even took it on a couple Colorado Jeep trails. Once. Wrong tool for the job.


View attachment 811144
Click to expand...

Looks like Ophir pass? Definitely tight for a full size truck!

I like the RAM trucks and have been happy with ours. Now on our 3rd Ram Cummins. Earlier this year I traded into a 2500 Cummins from a 3500 dually Cummins. We no longer haul a slide-in truck camper and didn't have the need for the full ton and it's rougher ride. The 2500 tows what I need to tow, is very comfortable going down the road, and has been averaging ~19mpg when not towing. I was reluctant to trade out of a perfect truck I bought new, but luckily found another one-owner truck with nearly the same mileage and full service records. As a bonus it had nearly the same options as our old truck.

54888890869_aca2be9e3e_c.jpg


I prefer diesel in a heavy-duty truck. They are more expensive up front, and slightly more expensive to maintain, but the better fuel economy and ease of towing are worth it. And they have better resale... gas truck resale usually drops like a stone. The newer diesels do seem to have more issues with the emissions equipment, but I think that's true across all brands.
 
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Rodan said:
Looks like Ophir pass? Definitely tight for a full size truck!

I like the RAM trucks and have been happy with ours. Now on our 3rd Ram Cummins. Earlier this year I traded into a 2500 Cummins from a 3500 dually Cummins. We no longer haul a slide-in truck camper and didn't have the need for the full ton and it's rougher ride. The 2500 tows what I need to tow, is very comfortable going down the road, and has been averaging ~19mpg when not towing. I was reluctant to trade out of a perfect truck I bought new, but luckily found another one-owner truck with nearly the same mileage and full service records. As a bonus it had nearly the same options as our old truck.

54888890869_aca2be9e3e_c.jpg


I prefer diesel in a heavy-duty truck. They are more expensive up front, and slightly more expensive to maintain, but the better fuel economy and ease of towing are worth it. And they have better resale... gas truck resale usually drops like a stone. The newer diesels do seem to have more issues with the emissions equipment, but I think that's true across all brands.
Click to expand...


Yes sir, Ophir Pass. Glad I didn’t take it down Black Bear!
 
Around here a lot of people in the construction business drive Ram diesels and my 2018 Ram 1500 has 240K miles and everything works inside and out and drives just like it was new. The seats, headliner, dash, and carpet look great but I do take really good care of my vehicles and I'll be looking at buying another Ram when this one wears out.
 
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Have been researching the Ram 3500 DRW for awhile. Planning on ordering a new one next year and weighing between the gas and diesel versions. It won’t be a daily driver just for pulling a 5th wheel RV from place to place.
TX-Dennis said:
That engine has a reputation for having cam and lifter issues as well as problems with the cylinder deactivation solenoids used to save gas, but some people swear by them. I guess you pays your money and takes your chances. An extended warranty, though pricey, might be worth consideration.
Click to expand...
The gas version is plenty capable of handling my needs at a considerable cost savings. The 6.4 Hemi has for the most part proven to be tank that delivers. The cylinder deactivation concerns me and I can’t get it optioned out like the diesel version.
Rodan said:
I prefer diesel in a heavy-duty truck. They are more expensive up front, and slightly more expensive to maintain, but the better fuel economy and ease of towing are worth it. And they have better resale... gas truck resale usually drops like a stone. The newer diesels do seem to have more issues with the emissions equipment, but I think that's true across all brands.
Click to expand...
Agree with all of this and that is why I pause my thoughts on the gas version.
I don’t have any experience with the newer diesels (my current is an 2000) and with some of the issues with the emissions that causes me to think long and hard on them as well.
Conundrum of sorts.
 
Grayfox said:
When it comes to vehicles, Dodge is a verb.
Click to expand...
Well, if I used a childhood memory as an indication on modern Dodge vehicles I would agree. In '68 Dad rented a Dodge Monaco for a one-way trip from Ft Worth to Ft Lauderdale. The first one puked its transmission fluid onto the drive and the rental company had to bring us another.
 
Why would suspect the vehicles because Car Max has two of therm?? I know nothing about Dodge/Ram but know I would never buy anything at CarMax. We looked there once and nothing looked good. They don't even clean out the cars or make them look at least half nice and they have lots of cars. I asked for an estimate on the car we had at the time and it was lowball.
 
Rule3 said:
Why would suspect the vehicles because Car Max has two of therm?? I know nothing about Dodge/Ram but know I would never buy anything at CarMax. We looked there once and nothing looked good. They don't even clean out the cars or make them look at least half nice and they have lots of cars. I asked for an estimate on the car we had at the time and it was lowball.
Click to expand...
Carmax out here has been pretty good to me and others I know. I guess like service from UPS and FedEx it depends where you live.

I'm going to bet that some rental business in the Vegas are thought that these trucks might be a good money maker. The recent slowdown in construction might have poked a hole in that business plan. We have three Carmax locations here, and these all but identical trucks with near identical prices are spread evenly around the valley.

I need to do some research on the prices these typically display, but I would guess that the original owners either went bankrupt or took a major bath on these trucks. Still, it was likely deductible against tax.
 
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LVSteve said:
Is there some issue with these trucks. There are two 2024 Big Horn Crew Cab examples at my local Carmax with less than 25k on the odo for $40k. Yes, it's a lot of money, but they are asking as much for RAM and Chevy 1500 trucks from 2020-21 with more miles.

Only snags I can see are that both are ex-rentals and they have the 6.4 liter gas motor. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
FWIW, Ram resale value has always been much lower than Bow Tie and Blue Oval. the Transmission had a bad reputation, and the pistons in the 6.4 are made of glass, supposedly.
 
Dermako said:
Have been researching the Ram 3500 DRW for awhile. Planning on ordering a new one next year and weighing between the gas and diesel versions. It won’t be a daily driver just for pulling a 5th wheel RV from place to place.
...
I don’t have any experience with the newer diesels (my current is an 2000) and with some of the issues with the emissions that causes me to think long and hard on them as well.
Conundrum of sorts.
Click to expand...

Our first Ram/Cummins was an '04 Crew dually 3500 (after a '00 F250 Powerstroke). Hauled a 4500lb (wet) Lance Camper and pulled 8k of enclosed trailer with a race car. Went from that to a '17 Ram Crew Dually 3500. The difference was night/day... the '17 had more power, was more comfortable, quieter and more efficient. A 600 mile day in the '04 was exhausting, but a 600 mile day in the '17 was easy. The '17 required DEF, but it was a small price to pay for a quieter and far less smelly experience. Folks complain about a lot of things with the newer trucks, but they are so much nicer to drive. And, IMHO, many of the problems people have with the newer diesels is because they never really work them hard, which is what they're designed for...

Couple of pics, same place a few years apart...

35788383454_3e7634c8eb_c.jpg

48223747121_e5babbc37b_c.jpg
 
More poking about the Interwebz has revealed multiple Carmax locations selling 2024 RAM 2500 Big Horns all listed as ex-rentals. It seems likely a national rental company has dumped them.

Yet more research shows that this model depreciates quickly and the Carmax examples are near the top in pricing.
 
Plug-in AFM delete modules are out there. Range Technologies for one. I have one on my GMC, so it stays V8 mode all the time. I know RT also offers one for the Chrysler / Dodge / RAM series as well.
 
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