You Have $70,000 to Spend

[DoubleHeavy]

Good morning from Washington State,

I'm in the market for a truck. i want to buy a Dodge Ram. I'm thinking 2500, and i want a diesel i believe. i want to be able to haul really any size RV.

how are the new transmissions? i heard the Allison is the way to go. Are those ones in the new trucks?

if you had $70,000 cash to spend on a truck what would it be? what options would you have on it (winch, etc)?

i really do have the money and i am in the market right now. This post is designed to start the conversation so i can learn as we go. your reply would be greatly appreciated, as i am fairly new to this world, and i do a lot of research before pulling the trigger. again thanks ahead of time

 

[rule18]

Welcome to RamForum. I'm going to move this thread into the 5th Gen Towing section, you'll get a lot more views and responses.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[G-Ride990]

Welcome to RF!

Sadly I don't know much about heavy hauling/towing with RAM trucks. So I won't be much help here.

 

[mtnrider]

You need to decide what size RV you are going to pull before you settle on a 2500 vs a 3500. Winch is not a option on the diesel unless you go to an aftermarket bumper setup.

Ram does not have a Allison transmission and never will (unless you go aftermarket).

You really to to take a step back and evaluate what your needs are so you can narrow down your choice better.

.

 

[Firebird]

If you want to tow “any size” RV, then go ahead and get a dually Cummins. However, $70K won’t buy much in this market (at least not in my area)

 

[Dinky]

2022 ram 3500 diesel srw big horn for 70k.

 

[GTyankee]

stay away from fancy items that don't work, like the 12" radio
that will help lower the price
The 8.4 radio does work

 

[OC455]

If you have $70k and want to haul any size RV/trailer/5th wheel, and want the diesel, 3500 Bighorn diesel long bed, dually. GO for the max. As far as the 12.1 inch touch screen infotainment system, there have been a lot of issue that have been reported with them. I haven't experienced any yet with mine "knocking on wood".

 

[KKBB]

I have a 2019 with the 12" screen. Not a single issue with it. Not sure if these issues are on newer ones or what?!?!

 

[Riccochet]

The only real difference between the RFE and Aisin is the Aisin has a PTO.

If I had $70k I'd be looking at a 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. You'll get a lot more truck than a 2500 with a diesel. You lose about 1000 lbs of payload with the diesel on a 2500.

Really depends on what you plan on towing. You say "any size RV". Your not towing a 40' 5th wheel with a 2500. At least not within it's limits.

Knowing exactly what you plan on towing helps decide what vehicle you need to tow it.

 

[tjfdesmo]

The Aisin has a higher torque rating, and is a much more durable transmission than the RFE. That's why you can't get the HO with an RFE.

 

[Riccochet]

The Aisin has a higher torque rating, and is a much more durable transmission than the RFE. That's why you can't get the HO with an RFE.

You also cannot get the HO on a 2500. And if you're stepping up to a 3500 it makes sense to get the Aisin for the PTO. Alternatively, if you order a 3500 you can spec it with the non-HO and the Aisin. 3500 opens up your options,

Otherwise, the 68RFE is a very reliable transmission.

 

[tjfdesmo]

You also cannot get the HO on a 2500. And if you're stepping up to a 3500 it makes sense to get the Aisin for the PTO. Alternatively, if you order a 3500 you can spec it with the non-HO and the Aisin. 3500 opens up your options,

Otherwise, the 68RFE is a very reliable transmission.

I believe you will find that you can not order a 3500 pickup with SO and Aisin.

 

[68PowerWagon]

You need to decide what size RV you are going to pull before you settle on a 2500 vs a 3500. Winch is not a option on the diesel unless you go to an aftermarket bumper setup.

Ram does not have a Allison transmission and never will (unless you go aftermarket).

You really to to take a step back and evaluate what your needs are so you can narrow down your choice better.

.

There sure is a lot of talk about a 9 speed Allison for it to "never" happen.

 

[mtnrider]

There sure is a lot of talk about a 9 speed Allison for it to "never" happen.

All internet hype to generate clicks on websites (ie: income) and Zero evidence or proof to back it. That rumor is nothing more then a "wish" that has been floated by Ram owners for years!
Allison (consumer truck transmissions) are built by GM now anyway so unless you see Ram entering in a partnership with them it's not happening.

The only thing that has any real solid rumour is a ZF series transmission.

.

 

[tjfdesmo]

All internet hype to generate clicks on websites (ie: income) and Zero evidence or proof to back it. That rumor is nothing more then a "wish" that has been floated by Ram owners for years!
Allison (consumer truck transmissions) are built by GM now anyway so unless you see Ram entering in a partnership with them it's not happening.

The only thing that has any real solid rumour is a ZF series transmission.

.

The rumor was them testing the nine speed Allison, which is a "real Allison" medium duty transmission, not the phony GM thing. The current Aisin is an MD trans, so it is not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Lordac]

Good morning from Washington State,

I'm in the market for a truck. i want to buy a Dodge Ram. I'm thinking 2500, and i want a diesel i believe. i want to be able to haul really any size RV.

how are the new transmissions? i heard the Allison is the way to go. Are those ones in the new trucks?

if you had $70,000 cash to spend on a truck what would it be? what options would you have on it (winch, etc)?

i really do have the money and i am in the market right now. This post is designed to start the conversation so i can learn as we go. your reply would be greatly appreciated, as i am fairly new to this world, and i do a lot of research before pulling the trigger. again thanks ahead of time

 

[Lordac]

You can get a 3500 Cummins for about $70. The 2500 with the Diesel engine lacks payload, and if 2500 (which will ride better) is how you are going, then look to the 6.4 Hemi. If you want to be able to tow anything, 3500 is really the only way to go. What you have to decide is if you want DRW or SRW. In November I ordered a 3500 Laramie 4x4, Crew Cab, SRW, 8' bed with the base cummins. It as just a few hundred over $70K. The price has since gone up about $2375 before options. Depending on what you are looking for if you go for a SRW in a tradesman you can be under $70K. You can get up to a well equipped Big Horn for just about $70K. Laramie will be over $70K.

Your best bet would be to go on the ram web page, and build the truck you want in a 2500 and a 3500. For me what sold it was the 3500 was only $1550 more than the 2500 equipped the same. I know the 3500 has leaf springs so it will be a bit bouncy unloaded. We currently to a 37' Travel trailer that weighs in about 8100 unloaded and 9400 loaded. The Mrs. has a liking for 5th wheels so our new truck will be able to handle most of them. The 5th wheel we are considering is a Momentum 376TH. It's about 2700 on the pin and 15500 unloaded. The truck is rated for 4200 cargo and 20,020 total towing. A DRW would be more stable but I didn't want the added expense. Good luck with your search.

 

[Goose55]

If you want to be able to tow any size RV, including those enormous 30,000 pound 5th wheels, then you should look at a Ram 3500 duelly (duel rear wheels) with the Cummins High Output, 1,000 pound feet of torque 6.7L Diesel. That combo has the the very stout Aisin 6 speed automatic transmission. It is engineered like an over the road tractor trailer's transmission and is very reliable. If you were to go the route of the 2500 Cummins, they only come with the Chrysler 68RFV trans which which remains problematic with heavy, uphill towing. It's just two small a tranny.

With $70,000 you should be able to find one of these late model, like new Rams with low miles. Aim at a 2019 or newer as the entire truck was re-engineered & redesigned for 2019. I think you would be really happy with that. The Ram Laramie model with the Level 1 option group is a nice way to go. Very comfortable with all the options you'd ever need.