Hello all,
I'm looking at buying a 2014 or 2015 1500 Express CC 4x4 with 5'7" box sometime in the next several months. I am deployed military overseas and intend to take advantage of the new car sales program that is offered. But that means I don't have the opportunity to test drive or get a hands on look.
I've been reading a bit over the last two weeks since I found this forum. I currently have a 2000 Ford Explorer that has over 200,000 miles. It has served me well, and there are aspects I enjoy in an SUV such as the covered cargo area I can sleep in while still having heat and AC, but I've always wanted a truck. I intend for this purchase to last for a long time, as I do not upgrade vehicles until they are no long cost effective to repair.
I did look at several SUVs online, and I've not been impressed. Too small and higher windows, same or worse fuel efficiency compared to the 1500, low ground clearance, and the utility of the cargo area tends to turn me off. I don't need 3rd row seating, and I'm not keen on throwing a dead deer or the sapped up chainsaw and logs in the back of the SUV. I've done it, but hosing off a spray in bedliner is easier than trying to keep things contained in a tarp.
So I'm pretty set on a truck, and the Ram 1500 looks like it has the most features I want, for the best price. But I need your expert help in determining which engine and gear ratio to go with.
I'm leaning towards the 3.6 with the 3.21 axle. It seems like that would be the most fuel efficient for me given my needs (below). But I'm not entirely opposed to the 5.7 HEMI. Infact when I priced it on the website it appears within $1000 of the 3.6. I would get a topper so could put things like groceries and gear in the bed. And able to put canoe / ladder / etc on the roof.
My driving: daily drive of about 20-25mi. Routes are either down / up big hill each way driving through a valley on freeway speed 45-60mph. Or taking the backroads with stopsigns at 30-40mph.
Once a week 300mi freeway drive (flat terrain) at 70mph.
No towing at this time, but I envision towing a zodiak and 8x10 utility trailer in the future on an infrequent basis such as vacation or getting building supplies. No plans for a huge camper, large boat or pontoon, etc.
No serious offroading. Just what you would expect to get down trails (not serviced roads) through the woods to get to a hunting camp though or to hunting sites.
Explorer gets anywhere from 12 (winter with idling to warm up) to 18 (summer highway) mpg. So either engine choice on the 1500 is better. My budget is to stay below the $40,000. When I priced both engines I came out to about $37,000.
What are your suggestions?
I'm looking at buying a 2014 or 2015 1500 Express CC 4x4 with 5'7" box sometime in the next several months. I am deployed military overseas and intend to take advantage of the new car sales program that is offered. But that means I don't have the opportunity to test drive or get a hands on look.
I've been reading a bit over the last two weeks since I found this forum. I currently have a 2000 Ford Explorer that has over 200,000 miles. It has served me well, and there are aspects I enjoy in an SUV such as the covered cargo area I can sleep in while still having heat and AC, but I've always wanted a truck. I intend for this purchase to last for a long time, as I do not upgrade vehicles until they are no long cost effective to repair.
I did look at several SUVs online, and I've not been impressed. Too small and higher windows, same or worse fuel efficiency compared to the 1500, low ground clearance, and the utility of the cargo area tends to turn me off. I don't need 3rd row seating, and I'm not keen on throwing a dead deer or the sapped up chainsaw and logs in the back of the SUV. I've done it, but hosing off a spray in bedliner is easier than trying to keep things contained in a tarp.
So I'm pretty set on a truck, and the Ram 1500 looks like it has the most features I want, for the best price. But I need your expert help in determining which engine and gear ratio to go with.
I'm leaning towards the 3.6 with the 3.21 axle. It seems like that would be the most fuel efficient for me given my needs (below). But I'm not entirely opposed to the 5.7 HEMI. Infact when I priced it on the website it appears within $1000 of the 3.6. I would get a topper so could put things like groceries and gear in the bed. And able to put canoe / ladder / etc on the roof.
My driving: daily drive of about 20-25mi. Routes are either down / up big hill each way driving through a valley on freeway speed 45-60mph. Or taking the backroads with stopsigns at 30-40mph.
Once a week 300mi freeway drive (flat terrain) at 70mph.
No towing at this time, but I envision towing a zodiak and 8x10 utility trailer in the future on an infrequent basis such as vacation or getting building supplies. No plans for a huge camper, large boat or pontoon, etc.
No serious offroading. Just what you would expect to get down trails (not serviced roads) through the woods to get to a hunting camp though or to hunting sites.
Explorer gets anywhere from 12 (winter with idling to warm up) to 18 (summer highway) mpg. So either engine choice on the 1500 is better. My budget is to stay below the $40,000. When I priced both engines I came out to about $37,000.
What are your suggestions?