trading in a 2017 for a 2025 used

[blazer]

2017 V6 with 76000 miles, rear wheel drive, looking to trade in for a used 2024, or 2025 with under 15,000 miles, 4 wheel drive.
I tow a boat that weighs around 3,000 lbs.
The V6 on my 2017 has had no problem towing, but looking for input on the V6 vs the Hurricane other then the mile or two less in gas millage.
Thanks

 

[Grams]

I tow a boat and that’s the primary reason I insist on 4wd in my truck… because pulling a boat up a slippery boat-ramp can be tricky…And can hazard losing the entire rig into the water if certain boat ramps grow slippery-algae.

Unfortunately…. without Locking differentials….. 4wd doesnt actually MEAN all 4 wheels will work together. Even limited-slip rear difs coupled with 4wd can result in only 2 wheels doing all the work. The wheels with the Most traction…will actually stand-still…and the wheels with the least traction (the ones on slippery stuff) will spin-away….and you’ll still be stuck.

<edit to clarify> 4WD selection only makes the Front driveshaft turn in conjunction with the Rear Driveshaft. But if one of the front wheels lacks traction…IT will spin-away and the front wheel With Traction …will be lazy and do no work.
This means if your rear axle is spinning away…. engaging 4wd will add the front axle….but unless both front wheel have good traction …you will not get much movement.

With limited slip (2wd or 4wd) the application of light-braking can improve the situation, however.

4WD isn’t the End-All solution many think…. but it IS a big improvement.

So, to address the question: You must First decide on the Financial-Aspect of the trade… and then Secondly, consider Why you think 4WD is what you actually “need” …or not.

If you Do decide only 4ed will work for you…. then I suggest you focus on a truck with a L.S. rear diff…. or even better… LOCKERS.

 

[tron67j]

7,600 miles?! Even if 76,000 miles, you might do better selling it outright. I am always skeptical of buying used trucks, but if you do get one, go with one that has original warranty left on it. And for the price that you may pay you might find a left over new 2025 at a great price.

Not near you, but the place I bought my truck has a few 2024 new leftovers as well as 2025s. Maybe a similar place nearer you.

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[blazer]

Unfortunately…. without Locking differentials….. 4wd doesnt actually MEAN all 4 wheels will work together. Even limited-slip rear difs coupled with 4wd can result in only 2 wheels doing all the work. The wheels with the Most traction…will actually stand-still…and the wheels with the least traction (the ones on slippery stuff) will spin-away….and you’ll still be stuck.

Did not realize this.
I have had no problems with with my rear drive on any ramps, just thought 4wd just in case it was needed.
Will look more into this Thanks

 

[blazer]

edited to show 76000 miles
Carvana offered 18,000, carmax offered a little less and I have dealt with both, so I am going that route to sell.
Yes when I pick out one it will have factory warranty left.
More interested in input on the pentstar V6 vs Hurricane

 

[Grams]

Here’s a vid which shows the issue:

Why Your 4WD Truck Only Spins TWO Wheels (And How to Fix It)

I Test out my 4WD system in my truck and show that 4WD LOCK only spin 2 wheels. I explain why this is and how torque flows through a 4wd system. Lastly we ta...

www.youtube.com

 

[blazer]

Not near you, but the place I bought my truck has a few 2024 new leftovers as well as 2025s. Maybe a similar place nearer you.

Thanks, checked they are not showing any 24's other than 2500's. Their prices are comparable to what I have near me

 

[tron67j]

I had a 2003 2500 with 2wd. I also never had a problem with ramps for my boats and PWCs. But every ramp is different. The main thing I did was always having about 1k pounds in the bed, so that and keeping it in 1st gear was probably the difference. The times I saw problems at the ramps was usually boats not properly trailered with more of the stern behind the axle(s) because the trailer was improperly undersized, so it lifted up on the hitch and took weight off the truck rear end.

 

[blazer]

Here’s a vid which shows the issue:

Why Your 4WD Truck Only Spins TWO Wheels (And How to Fix It)

I Test out my 4WD system in my truck and show that 4WD LOCK only spin 2 wheels. I explain why this is and how torque flows through a 4wd system. Lastly we ta...

www.youtube.com

Well after seeing that might not be worth the extra $ for 4 wheel drive, have to look into it more

 

[Docwagon1776]

Well after seeing that might not be worth the extra $ for 4 wheel drive, have to look into it more

It's one of those things that's more complicated than it seems at first. Especially when you're facing uphill, there's less weight on the front wheels so less traction than if nose down or flat. But, if the ramp is dry under the front but silty or algae slicked under the rear, that'll more than cancel out.

Note many vehicles have pretty good traction control these days that can mimic a locker for shorter durations. Ram tends to still be on the dumber end, though.

 

[Grams]

It's one of those things that's more complicated than it seems at first. Especially when you're facing uphill, there's less weight on the front wheels so less traction than if nose down or flat. But, if the ramp is dry under the front but silty or algae slicked under the rear, that'll more than cancel out.

Note many vehicles have pretty good traction control these days that can mimic a locker for shorter durations. Ram tends to still be on the dumber end, though.

How wet or dry the ramp might be … will also be influenced by how popular the day is for other boaters…. For once a few boats and trailers have been launched and/or hauled out….the ramp WILL be wet.

 

[Wellcraft]

If it were me I'd keep your 2017 especially if the truck is running good and you aren't having any issues mechanically or when towing. I recently got a good deal on a leftover 2025 RAM Bighorn 1500 but I only bought it because my 2010 Tundra was facing two expensive repairs and it didn't make financial sense, at least to me, to pour 5 grand plus into a 15 year old truck with 121000 miles. If you're determined to buy new wait until the end of the month or year when dealerships are more eager to make a deal in order to meet sales quotas. I got 8 grand off MSRP on my leftover 2025 which helped motivate me to buy the truck otherwise it'd still be on the dealers lot. Also don't be afraid to travel a bit for the right deal, driving a couple hundred miles can save you a lot of $$$$$$$$

 

[blazer]

If it were me I'd keep your 2017 especially if the truck is running good and you aren't having any issues mechanically or when towing. I recently got a good deal on a leftover 2025 RAM Bighorn 1500 but I only bought it because my 2010 Tundra was facing two expensive repairs and it didn't make financial sense, at least to me, to pour 5 grand plus into a 15 year old truck with 121000 miles. If you're determined to buy new wait until the end of the month or year when dealerships are more eager to make a deal in order to meet sales quotas. I got 8 grand off MSRP on my leftover 2025 which helped motivate me to buy the truck otherwise it'd still be on the dealers lot. Also don't be afraid to travel a bit for the right deal, driving a couple hundred miles can save you a lot of $$$$$$$$

I thought about keeping, but its in the shop as we speak, oil filter adapter is leaking, they are fixing that and changing out some sensors while they are in there.
I bought it used with about 5,000 miles and really have not put much into it other than normal maintenance.
It has had a squealing noise now for a year ( drove it to Canada and back and two long trips to Wisc. with no problems ) mechanic can't find whats causing the noise, he thinks maybe a heat shield or another type of shield, but swears its not mechanical.
New heavy duty breaks front and back, new timing belt, then I had them replace water pump, fan cooler, and they checked all pulleys .

anyway my gut says more repairs might be needed soon, an a 8 year old truck I do not want to put money into it and that noise is killing me.
Will get a decent amount on selling so will not be out of pocket much for what I paid for it and have put into it.

 

[TruckNut]

Regarding 2 vs: 4 wheel drive. I had a 1992 club cab Dakota 2 wheel drive (318 auto) and later bought a boat. Pulling the boat up the ramp was going to be a no-go, so I thought I'd try a solution before changing vehicles. I had my dealer install a posi-traction differential and then put some weight in the bed. I used a water tank and filled it so I had a good 800-1000 pounds in back. Worked like a charm and never got stuck. Tank was the perfect solution as it was easy to lift into the bed, and easy to both fill and drain.

 

[Bob Horowski]

Be very wary about buying a one or two year old USED truck, there is a reason someone else got rid of it and it usually is not just because they wanted something different. Now a leftover from a reputable dealer [ha, ha] is another story.