Test drove an '18 Tradesman CTD...

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mtnrider

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Funny you mentioned the 6.4...the same dealer has a 2500 Tradesman with that engine and it's about $6K cheaper. Indeed something to think about!

TXCOMT

Don't let the paranoid anti diesel crowd scare you. While a diesel may be $6K more you will more then re-coupe that when you sell. And it will hold it's value much longer then a gas truck so keep that in mind.
No one wants a gas vehicle with much over 100k on it. People won't bat an eye at a diesel with that mileage on it.

Also, maintenance is pretty much a wash when you add up all the cost of ownership.


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w6pea

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Don't let the paranoid anti diesel crowd scare you. While a diesel may be $6K more you will more then re-coupe that when you sell. And it will hold it's value much longer then a gas truck so keep that in mind.
No one wants a gas vehicle with much over 100k on it. People won't bat an eye at a diesel with that mileage on it.

Also, maintenance is pretty much a wash when you add up all the cost of ownership.


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That's very true. I looked at buying a used 1995 Dodge P/U @ a Ford Dealership in 1996 they wanted over $23000.00 for it.The Dodge Truck had 36,000 miles on it if I remember correctly. It was a lease vehicle from their other dealership. Part of Sunroad Auto Group. I bought a 1995 Ford F-250 XLT for $16500.00 and it was a leftover from their dealer stock, from the previous model year.
 

22hemi13

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Funny you mentioned the 6.4...the same dealer has a 2500 Tradesman with that engine and it's about $6K cheaper. Indeed something to think about!

TXCOMT
Have you drove a 19 6.4 8spd. It’s a different animal. She’s FUN!
 
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TXCOMT

TXCOMT

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Have you drove a 19 6.4 8spd. It’s a different animal. She’s FUN!

I'm sure...and that would be a great combo, too; alas, I'll stick with what I have. I just don't have a real need for a 2500 of any stripe.

TXCOMT
 

22hemi13

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I'm sure...and that would be a great combo, too; alas, I'll stick with what I have. I just don't have a real need for a 2500 of any stripe.

TXCOMT
I feel ya. I love the new ones but I’m a tight *** lololol. In fact my wife’s looking into a used 2017 crew 4x2 with the 5.7. It’s a truck/car haha
 

txfire

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I went from a 1500 CC Laramie to a 2500 megacab limited... take a look at the 6.4 you can probably get a much higher trim level for the money. I got into mine brand new for sub 50. With 35s and 3 inch lift Im averaging 12 city and around 16 highway. Honestly if your not towing weekly I would take a long hard look at the 6.4. I did the diesel trucks and yea they are a lot of fun but honestly these modern ones with the power they make require a decent more amount of maintenance and at least where Im at diesel is 60 cents more a gallon ontop of the premium for the motor you need to keep it 250k miles most likely to make up the difference.

Throw a thuren kit on it and call it a day rides better than my stock 1500 did.

View attachment 166219



Josh, which Thuren kit are you running?
 

Regcabguy

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I went from a 1500 CC Laramie to a 2500 megacab limited... take a look at the 6.4 you can probably get a much higher trim level for the money. I got into mine brand new for sub 50. With 35s and 3 inch lift Im averaging 12 city and around 16 highway. Honestly if your not towing weekly I would take a long hard look at the 6.4. I did the diesel trucks and yea they are a lot of fun but honestly these modern ones with the power they make require a decent more amount of maintenance and at least where Im at diesel is 60 cents more a gallon ontop of the premium for the motor you need to keep it 250k miles most likely to make up the difference.

Throw a thuren kit on it and call it a day rides better than my stock 1500 did.

View attachment 166219
Yeah,Thuren or Carli can dramatically improve the ride and control of any Dodge.
 

Gotjeepomaha

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Paid $35K for my 2018 Tradesman in Jan 2019. Doesn't have all that many options, 5in Screen radio, auto headlights, 6.4L hemi with 373 limited slip, and does have trailer break controller. Love that it has a 4wd shifter. I pull a 04 Jeep LJ 2 or 3 times a year. I am getting 13.5mpg with premium fuel, all in town driving. Haven't pulled with it yet.

Added factory remote start, factory steps and picked up some New car take of 20in wheels of craigslist for $900. Does ride like a tank, but going to upgrade to the Billsteins when i add the leveling kit. Hoping that will help. Roads suck in Omaha.

Ram_2018_black_wheels.jpg
 

Texomahog

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Went from a chevy 2500 2012 gasser to a ram 2018 2500 gasser. There is no comparison. Much better gas milage, more horsepower, more torque. The ride is better. Wished I had switched years ago.
 

Kukailimoku

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...yesterday and I liked it!

...The larger bed is sweet, but I'll hate to lose my RamBoxes...

TXCOMT

Wait, what?! They STILL are not making RamBox for the 6 foot bed yet??!!!! WTH?

Anyone know if or when they will make RamBox for '18/'19/'20 six foot beds????
 
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TXCOMT

TXCOMT

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Wait, what?! They STILL are not making RamBox for the 6 foot bed yet??!!!! WTH?

Anyone know if or when they will make RamBox for '18/'19/'20 six foot beds????

Let's just say they're hard to find...I couldn't find one locally (Dallas-Fort Worth), but that doesn't mean they don't exist; just uncommon, I suppose. I'm not sure why, as they're handy as all get out.

TXCOMT
 

olyelr

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Yea, they have always made ramboxes for the 6’ bed (its actually 6 1/2’).... actually finding them though is a whole other issue. As handy as they are, they are quite rare.
 
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SouthTexan

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The Ram Boxes are hard to find since most dealers will not carry them. Luckily for me a dealer close by, Bluebonnet Ram in New Braunfels, keep plenty in stock. The next closest dealer that had one with all the other options I wanted was in New Mexico.
 

Gr8bawana

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It never ceases to amaze me how many people complain about having stiff ride from their truck. It's a truck. :emotions133:
 

Iron Outlaw

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It never ceases to amaze me how many people complain about having stiff ride from their truck. It's a truck. :emotions133:

I work my truck hard everyday but I wouldnt complain if it rode like a Cadillac and got 25 miles per gallon. I dont think there is anything wrong with pushing manufacturers to get better.
 

olyelr

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I work my truck hard everyday but I wouldnt complain if it rode like a Cadillac and got 25 miles per gallon. I dont think there is anything wrong with pushing manufacturers to get better.

Not at all.

But when people ***** that their 3/4 ton diesel pickup is bouncy or chattery on poor roads it is kind of pathetic. Or their 8000 pound, 400 horse gasser only gets 12 mpg empty....


And it is proven, you can make em ride like a Cadillac (spend the money on a Thuren or Carli kit). Problem is they will loose a portion of there capability that the manufacturer built them with.
 

Thatdarncat

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Ive had a f-350 idi turbo dullay, a f-350 powerstroke and a GMC 2500 gasser 6.0 over the years.
I now have my last truck, a 2017 ram tradesman 6.7, short bed in a canary yellow...yes yellow but give it time the color grows on you.
The f-350's and the stiffer suspension would bounce you around a bit, the 2500 GMC gasser wasnt too bad, and I dont really feel a thing in my Ram but its a truck and I expect it to be a truck and not a town car with a box in the back.
What was luxury 20 years ago is in my Ram and more, so Im completely happy with its features. I pull our camper around and I love this Ram, it has more power than I will ever need in its bone stock configuration.
 
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