Should I buy a new Ram?

[Crush14]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I am considering buying a 2019 2500 Tradesman (crew cab, 6.4). I will be trading in my Jeep. I do not tow a lot, but I’m about to be living in a 5th wheel full time. While it will be parked most of the time, I like the idea of being able to pull it whenever I please. The main things I love about the Jeep is going *******/doorless (but I rarely do this thanks to unpredictable weather and time to do) and off-roading. I’m not a mountain climber, just a trail rider and outdoorsmen. Things I hate about the Jeep, no bed to throw stuff in and it’s not fun to drive interstate speeds.

I want to make sure I don’t hate myself later on for trading into a big truck. I am only considering 2500’s because if I’m going to get a truck, I might as well get one that can move my home. If I were getting something that could not tow it, I would just go back to a challenger. Has anyone regretted moving to a truck from a sportier vehicle? Can the Rams off-road decently? I live in Texas, so not mountains or anything to really flex the Jeep.

Also, what are some opinions on the vinyl seats and flooring? A good deal I might pull the trigger on come with the standard vinyl, and from the looks of it I think I like it better. However this dealer is not local so I will not be able to try it out without traveling.

 

[Firetruck41]

Make sure the towing capacity as well as payload will be sufficient for towing the fifth wheel and carrying the pin weight.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Get a power wagon its built to off road and will tow your house

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[Crush14]

Get a power wagon its built to off road and will tow your house

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I would love that... however I’m looking to stay in the 37-38K range.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

I would love that... however I’m looking to stay in the 37-38K range.

Have you considered low mile used? I have dealers around me that offer lifetime warranties on used that they actually cover things if that is a worry. Just a though.

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[RainDesert]

I have carpet delete floors and cloth seats. I like vinyl floors but my tradesman didn't come with the in floor storage and it may be because of my vinyl. I saw a vinyl seat truck at the dealer lot and the seats looked very well done, a lot better than the Ford vinyl seats. I will say that the Ram full floor mats do a great job covering all the flooring so carpet would be fine especially if it came with the additional storage. With my Ram floor mats, you can't even tell I have vinyl floors. I paid 38k for my 2500 crew short 4x4.

 

[redman4455]

How big is your fifth wheel because you may have to entertain a 3500.

 

[Crush14]

Have you considered low mile used? I have dealers around me that offer lifetime warranties on used that they actually cover things if that is a worry. Just a though.

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I definitely would consider that, however, at least within a 300 mile radius of me, I cannot find any low mileage used PW's for under 40K. Even including previous year models (2017+). I am going to check again though.

 

[Crush14]

I have carpet delete floors and cloth seats. I like vinyl floors but my tradesman didn't come with the in floor storage and it may be because of my vinyl. I saw a vinyl seat truck at the dealer lot and the seats looked very well done, a lot better than the Ford vinyl seats. I will say that the Ram full floor mats do a great job covering all the flooring so carpet would be fine especially if it came with the additional storage. With my Ram floor mats, you can't even tell I have vinyl floors. I paid 38k for my 2500 crew short 4x4.

So you can get floor mats for the vinyl too? And yeah, that's around what I have been seeing as an average price for a 2500 with some options.

 

[Crush14]

How big is your fifth wheel because you may have to entertain a 3500.

The models I am looking at are not very big, mostly going 5th wheel for easier travel and stability in the camper since I will be living in it full time. I checked payload/tongue/weight on some models I am looking at and it seems the 2500 should be fine. I will definitely clarify before purchasing though. Thanks for the tip!

 

[gustheram]

Keep in mind the substantially reduced cargo capacity and towing capacity of a Power Wagon if you want to pull a 5er. Last I checked, a lot of the 1500s had higher cargo and tow ratings than Power Wagons. I think 2 big factors there is the much softer suspension on a PW and pretty sure the come with D range tires.

 

[Crush14]

Keep in mind the substantially reduced cargo capacity and towing capacity of a Power Wagon if you want to pull a 5er. Last I checked, a lot of the 1500s had higher cargo and tow ratings than Power Wagons. I think 2 big factors there is the much softer suspension on a PW and pretty sure the come with D range tires.

I actually remember reading that as well. That would probably nix the PW out of my search, though coming from the Jeep I love the idea of lockers and disconnect on a big truck. I bet the softer suspension would also also be nice for as much daily driving I do.

 

[13ram1500crew]

How big is your fifth wheel because you may have to entertain a 3500.

I agree, if you plan to be living in it, consider a used 3500 in the same price range. The payload of a dually with be much better for a 5th wheel.

 

[Crush14]

I agree, if you plan to be living in it, consider a used 3500 in the same price range. The payload of a dually with be much better for a 5th wheel.

Do you think the 2500 could still tow most smaller 5th wheels or larger non-5th wheels? I will only move the trailer 4-6 times a year at most, I won't be traveling much, just living in it parked at a campground. I will be driving the truck to work everyday though, so I was hoping to stay in the 2500 range for slightly better MPG and comfort as a DD.

 

[gustheram]

Do you think the 2500 could still tow most smaller 5th wheels or larger non-5th wheels? I will only move the trailer 4-6 times a year at most, I won't be traveling much, just living in it parked at a campground. I will be driving the truck to work everyday though, so I was hoping to stay in the 2500 range for slightly better MPG and comfort as a DD.

Outside of the PW, it should. Just check your pin weights and make sure you're within your capacities. The real answer comes down to the weights on our trailer and the ratings on the truck.

 

[RainDesert]

So you can get floor mats for the vinyl too? And yeah, that's around what I have been seeing as an average price for a 2500 with some options.

Yes you can. If you can find the right tradesman with carpet likely, the mats are available through the parts department if it's not equipped. They are a great factory product.

 

[13ram1500crew]

Do you think the 2500 could still tow most smaller 5th wheels or larger non-5th wheels? I will only move the trailer 4-6 times a year at most, I won't be traveling much, just living in it parked at a campground. I will be driving the truck to work everyday though, so I was hoping to stay in the 2500 range for slightly better MPG and comfort as a DD.

Yes, it will be fine for a smaller 5th wheel, But it has to have the right gears and payload. Use the ram website to enter the vins on the ones you like and it will spit out the payload and towing capacity...

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

Click on enter by Vin...

 

[dputnam01]

I really like my work grade vinyl seats and vinyl floors. If I am going to do a particularly messy activity, I can temporarily install inexpensive seat covers.

 

[TomB 1269]

I do not have a 2500 or 3500, however my 1500 came with the heavy duty vinyl seats and i get asked regularly if its a leather interior. I prefer the vinyl over the cloth for cleaning purposes. I will tell you that unlike leather there is no perforations and therefore it does not breath. The results are a sweaty back from time to time, but nothing a back massager or similar would not resolve if you found it an issue.
As for your 5th wheel "home" idea. I think it may be in your best interest to go look at some campers 1st. A well fitted bumper pull (i.e. not maxing out the trucks payload) and a good WDH can pull just as nicely 95% (or more) of the time as a 5th wheel.
The true advantage of a 5th wheel is that they tend to come with higher level of finish and amenities, like the whole side of the trailer sliding out from front to back as one piece and opening the entire interior be 2&1/2 to 3 ft. However, this also weights a lot more, i.e. 3500 vs 2500.
In the camping world you have RVs, either small van style, class C (cut bodys) and class A, bus chassis, and they are out fitted from basic - Vans, moderate - Class C, luxurious - class A. With towables you have popup / Hybrids - basics, travel trailers moderate, 5th wheels luxurious.
There are some very well laid out and outfitted TTs that will rival a 5th wheel with respect to space and function, the only real difference in the high end TTs and the high end 5th wheels is that 5th wheels will tend to use full hardwoods and stone countertops, etc. thru out where the TT only use these materials sparingly as they need to balance estatics with overall weight.
I have only owned a popup but I have shopped TTs and 5'ers with my parents. I have seen some really beautiful towables. The other aspect is pricing, high end TTs tend to top out around $50k where 5'ers can reach well over $100k.

 

[HM_SanDiego]

Some suggestions and advice on choosing both the truck and the trailer.....

I had a 1/2 ton truck, when I purchased a travel trailer that honestly was more than the 1/2 ton could handle, so I ate a transmission before I realized that......expensive lesson, so then went to an extended cab 2500 CTD, which was where I should have started, but, then I upgraded to a 30ft 5th wheel, which was head and shoulders more comfortable, better to tow, and just all around better. But then, wanting even more comfort, newer, and bigger, I upgraded to a newer & larger 33ft 5th wheel, and man, that was it! Then of course, I came across a deal I could not pass up, and upgraded to a 3500 CTD Quad cab Dually, and I was literally and figuratively “fat, dumb, and happy”.....looking back, I could have saved a bunch of money, had I sold or traded in my 1/2 ton 1500 for a 3500 crew cab.....I would have been set for the next 15+ years.....

My point is, in all likelihood, you will probably want or need to upgrade, in the not so distant future, likely sooner than you think, so you might very well be better off spending a little more, and going a little bigger, to start with.

Spend a little more than you think you want to or need to now - on the truck. If you buy up a bit more than you want or need now, you avoid trading up in the near future - and this happens “a lot” when folks first get into towing a significantly sized RV, travel trailer or 5th wheel.

You are smartly considering a 2500 - as some have offered already, you might be better off “not” pursuing a Power Wagon, due to actual payload and towing capacity. In your case, you think you will only tow a handful of times a year, so the 2500 gasser might suit your needs for the near future, but, consider if a 2500 CTD might be in your budget, you might be better off for the near and distant future, again, depending on your daily driving.

When looking at RV trailers, I urge you to go with a 5th wheel, especially considering it will be your full time home. Having gone through the above steps, most especially in RV purchases, you will absolutely save money if you skip at least a step or 2, by buying up now..... and absolutely shop used - RV value loss or depreciation are way worse than cars and trucks.....

My suggestions - look for a gently preowned 2500 (preferably CTD but gasser 6.4 may work for you) - Crew Cab, if it is in your budget, but.......

also consider you are getting into “the” time of year when it is a buyers market for new trucks. Dealers “want and need” to get rid of any remaining 2018’s, and 2019’s, to make room for the 2020’s.....if timing works for you, buy thanksgiving week, Christmas week, or right before New Years - you will absolutely get the best offerings for dealers.

Get your financing in order now, before you go shopping. You may be able to finance with a dealer to get additional discounts, on a new truck, and then pay that off with your own financing. This holds true for the trailer you ultimately buy as well - your bank or credit union financing will likely be extremely better for you than an RV dealer will.....

You might be in a position to buy a new truck for the same or even less money than a pre owned truck....used trucks in my area (So Cal) are more expensive than buying new right now......shop around, diligently, and, consider nationwide - you can grab a 1-way flight on Southwest to the dealer city with your truck for like $100.00, and then drive your new truck home.

My advice on your RV/home choice, you will definitely be better off buying gently preowned - the value loss on any new RV is incredible.

Good luck - happy hunting