Need advice on picking a truck

I'm looking for any advice on picking a truck. My family is getting bigger so my current extended cab isnt cutting it with my monster sized kids. I started looking at a 2019 1500 5.7 Hemi Crew cab but we have a magical thing called RTA tax in western WA that charges $110 for every $10k of msrp each year for cars under 6000lbs scale weight. That has me paying a yearly tax of $550 to renew my tabs unless I go with a 2500 which is to heavy to be taxed. I'll put my driving style below, any advice would be appreciated.



-I dont tow and dont have any plans to get any of the toys that would have me towing on a regular basis.

-I have a company car so I only drive my truck on my weekends.

-I'm mostly looking to use this for family trips to the mountains in the winter and then the standard runs to the dump, picking up furniture and all that and of course when my wife is out with the car. I may take it hunting and a few things like that but nothing crazy offroad wise. MPG is more important to me than towing or acceleration. Obviously MPG isnt great on any truck but I'd lean more towards trying not to get 12 mpg.

-I dont plan to lift it or run non stock size tires.

-I keep my vehicles for a longer time than some people I know, my current truck has 49k mi and is going on 11 years old to give you an idea of my driving habits.

My current thought is a 2500 Cummins Diesel with a bighorn / SLT package or something in that area. They are currently running around 46k where as I was finding the 1500 hemis to be around 42-44k plus that yearly tax I listed. Any reason to consider the 1500 Hemi or the gas HD engines instead? Also I've seen some transmission options listed and if theres one better than the other please let me know.

I know this is pretty long winded, thanks for any help.

Test drive them all, and get the one you like most.

In my opinion, given how few miles you put on a truck, diesel might not be worth it for you.

A 1500 Hemi should see around 18-20mpg and a 6.4 Hemi HD should average around 14mpg. If you drive 5,000 miles per year, that’s about $300 more per year in fuel.

The 1500 will ride softer than any HD. The gas HD might be a better option for you over a diesel, if you are heart set on a HD truck. I would go with the 6.4L over the 5.7L in the HD platform, if were you.

If you decide to go diesel, regarding transmissions, since you do not plan on towing anything you do not need the Aisin. You can’t get it in a 2500, anyway so that answers that question.

Happy truck shopping.

Solid points MPG / cost wise, thanks

Find yourself a 6.4L Ram 2500 Mega cab and your backseat passengers will be overcome with happiness as they'll experience a new luxury in 2nd row seating. Back seats even recline. And personally, I wouldn't even consider a diesel powerplant as you'll be driving such limited miles. Good luck truck shopping.

+1 on a 6.4 Megacab

alow said:

RTA tax in western WA that charges $110 for every $10k of msrp each year for cars under 6000lbs scale weight. That has me paying a yearly tax of $550 to renew my tabs

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Now that right there is some real gangster type ****, I mean like wtf is that? Sounds like the politicians pockets are getting lined thick. Crooked ****** government,I swear!

+2 on a 6.4 Megacab.

I have a 6.4 but in Crew Cab. The 2500 ride is perfectly acceptable for me and I'm doing 500 miles/week commuting. I'm also pushing 60, not a spring chicken. Had both, would never go back to a 1500. The HD just "feels" so much more capable.
Good Hunting.

+3 on 2500 mega cab, pearl white or granite crystal sport package!

Big surprise I would recommend the mega cab. I have friends and family fight over who gets to sit in the back during road trips. It's enormous back there and with the reclining heated rear seats it's a winner.

On the other hand it does seem to feel pretty long compared to the crew cab even though it's not that much longer. Also there's a giant blind spot where the cab extension is behind the rear seats so you will learn to rely solely on your mirrors while driving. Also, it rides like a dump truck compared to the half tons. Even after installing new springs and shocks I find it still fairly stiff/rough but it is what it is.

All that said, this truck has been my favorite truck I've ever owned and I see myself in it for the long haul. Good luck and I can't agree enough that you have to go test drive them all! Half tons, 3/4 tons, mega cab, crew cab, gas and diesel. Drive them all and look at all trim levels too!

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I'd option out a 2019 1500 6'4" bed with crew cab and a 2018 2500 with 6.4 Hemi, both the way you'd want them, then look at the cost what you can get them. A 2019 Bighorn 1500 CC with hemi on RAMS site starts at $42K. A 2018 RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi Bighorn CC starts around $46K, mega $47k. The new 2019 1500 crew cabs have added a few inches to the rear of the cab so there will be more room than a 2018 2500 CC and it'll be much like a megacab in the 2500. Yeah, with only driving 5000 miles/year fuel costs won't break you even on the taxed amount, about $250-300/year short, but that $4-5K more for the 2500 plus interest will take roughly 14-17 years for you to get that back with the $250 more your paying in taxes. And if you decided to start driving more miles/month your fuel savings will go up. If you want the 2500, a 6.4 Hemi with 3.73 rear end and either crew or megacab would more than work for your needs. Have fun shopping!

I appreciate the feedback so far. We went and checked out some 15 and 2500s today but didnt get to test drive anything as we had alot to get done. I think I'm going to try to get some test driving done and make a decision then but so far my wife liked the 2500 more and I think I liked it a bit better myself. Didnt see a mega cab on the lot but I've seen them around so I have an idea but id still like to see one.

Get the 1500 and shop around.
The 6.4l 2500 is a beast. You won't enjoy driving it or trying to find a parking space for it when you go out.

You don't need 4x4 just a limited slip.

You can get a good deal on the 18 but the 19 is a better truck.
https://www.edvoyleschryslerjeep.net/new-inventory/index.htm?search=&year=2019&normalDriveLine=RWD&trim=BIG+HORN+/+LONE+STAR+CREW+CAB+4X2+5'7+BOX&saveFacetState=true&lastFacetInteracted=inventory-listing1-facet-anchor-trim-0

I wouldn't consider a diesel at all unless you were going to do alot of pulling or hauling. If you was really going to work the truck the diesel would be the way to go but from what you've said it would be a total waste of money plus costlier maintenance.

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You are getting some informed thoughts. Agree, Diesel and 4x4 add $10-$12. Only makes sense if you need it and will use it. One point on the 1500 Mega Cab. No question that our 07 was a dream to take on a trip with 4 people. Very comfortable, great Hwy cruise. But, pay attention to the wheel base and bed length. I learned two things that I did not know when I ordered it. The 07 1500 Mega Cab was built on a 2500, 8 lug frame and suspension. It was 6 " longer than a Quad Cab. Had to modify the garage door hardware by 1" to close. Also, turning radius and parking are different.

I had an 06 1500 Big Horn and traded it for a 2015 2500 6.4l Crew Cab. I used to tow a 20' boat but I sold that so now I don't tow anything. I drive about as much as you do. Currently the truck only has 9500 miles on it so about 3k per yr. I went with the 2500 because I am not sure what might change for me in the future. I want to make sure that I get a truck that is capable of doing anything that I want with in reason. Since I don't drive far gas mileage is not a concern however I have seen 20 mpg on the highway at 70 which is close to what I was getting on the 06 with the 5.7. I too will hang on to this truck for 10+ years.

What I do like about the truck is it feels like a truck. It is big, sits high and rides like a truck. If I wanted a truck to ride like a SUV or car I would have purchased a SUV or car.

With the low miles you put on the truck in a year the 6.4 is the way to go, Great motor. The mega cab would sure be nice. But you should look at a PW good ride 4.10's locker everything a bigkid wants the only downside is the limited payload and towing (not a concern for you). I am get around 13.5 MPG (running 87 octane) but driving local only, no highway right now.

I wouldnt mind 13.5 local if I got about 20 babying it on the highway on a long trip. Are the 6.4 hemi and 6.7 cummins that close mpg wise? How is the 6.4 for longevity?

Yep, 6.4 Hemi for sure. With the usage you describe, the extra $$ for diesel would take decades to pay you back in increased mileage.

I'm not sure if I caught that tax thing right but I'm thinking the 1500 still gets taxed and the 2500 does not? If so, the 2500 for sure. fwiw, it's the same size at the 1500 so I'm not sure what the poster was talking about with not being able to fit it into parking spots.

If the tax thing is the same, go for the 1500. The backseats and overall room in these things (even with the non-megacab) is amazing.

Also, great choice on the Bighorn/SLT line. I think that is by far the best bang for the buck. Many/most have heated seats and steering wheel, 8.4 Uconnect screen and a really nice stereo.

I have a 5.7 2500 crew cab. I’m 6’4. My 11yr old son is just over 5’5 and my 13 yr old daughter is 5’5 they have plenty of room to grow. The boy will have to sit behind mom in a few years. She’s only one who can move her seat forward “ she’s 5’2” recently came from a f150exteded cab. Many times I’ve said “damn I need a bigger truck” both size and payload capacity. I’ve not said that once since getting the 2500.

Ramnewbie said:

I wouldn't consider a diesel at all unless you were going to do alot of pulling or hauling. If you was really going to work the truck the diesel would be the way to go but from what you've said it would be a total waste of money plus costlier maintenance.

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This is false!



OP, I say the 1500 with the 5.7L or 3.7L or 3.0L Ecodiesel if MPG is more important than acceleration and towing, and you don't have need to tow or haul anything like you say.


As far a fuel mileage, this is about what most actually get combined according to the hand calculated numbers on fuelly.com, and not the computer.

Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins - 15.5 mpg

Ram 2500 6.4L - 12.0 mpg

Ram 2500 5.7L - 12.0 mpg

Ram 1500 5.7L - 15.5 mpg

Ram 1500 3.7L - 18.5 mpg

Ram 1500 3.0L Ecodiesel - 22.0 mpg