cdhd2001

Here is the deal. My 2007 Dodge 3500 QC 5.9L auto 2wd was totalled last week. After the insurance and gap, the wrecked truck will be payed off. But, no money left for down payments and TTL. I bought the previous truck last year for a killer price and had some equity in my trade. This kept my payments reasonable. Diesel fuel was also the same cost as gas last year too.

So, here are some factors creating my dilemma.

1) A new 6.7L costs more than I paid for my old truck. I have gotten a killer deal on a new 6.7L 4x4 that is $12k below MSRP. This still makes my payments $65 more the my last truck (5.9L) (no trade equity this time).

2) Cost of diesel and 6.7L fuel mileage. Diesel still $0.70 per gallon more than gas. Commuting to work (1,800 miles per month) my 5.9L would get 17.5 mpg. After searching the forums and talking to the dealers the 6.7L will only get 14-15 mpg. The means that the 6.7L will cost an extra $60 per month in fuel vs. my old 5.9L. This would mean that the 6.7L will cost $125 (payment + fuel) more per month than the 5.9L.

3) I have always owned a 3/4-1 ton because I have always owned a large 5th wheel. However, we are currently doing lemon law on our current 5th wheel that should provide us a complete refund. So this means when we buy another RV that we can "reboot" and match to another (maybe smaller) truck.

4) My wife is suggesting that we down grade my truck. I can buy a 1500 QC SB Hemi 4x4 for almost $12 less than the 6.7L 4x4. The payments on the 1500 vs. 6.7L is nearly $170 less payments per month and $105 less per month in fuel costs. This would make the 1500 Hemi $275 cheaper per month.

To be honest, I like both trucks. They perform well and ride very similar. I am leaning towards the 6.7L because my last 3 trucks were heavy duty. But, I will use the truck 95% of the time for commuting and the economics and finances are leaning heavily toward the 1500 Hemi.

Any thoughts?

Dodgezilla

I think, for me, that it would be hard to go back to a half ton truck. It's so nice being able to do anything you want with your H/D truck. If you get a 1/2 ton then you will have to think twice before just dumping a heavy load in the bed or hooking up a big heavy trailer. It would be nice to save all that money but really, if you are just commuting mostly then maybe a truck is the wrong choice regardless....

Equalizer 2

I am glad I am not in your position. I have tried buying cars and using them as they generally get better mileage but I am not comfortable in them. Also I don't feel safe for some reason.

When I started driving I started with a half ton truck and then moved to a 3/4 and now in a SRW one ton. My commute to work is only about 800 miles a month, my wife doesn't drive and the Dodge is my only vehicle. We have a 28 ft 5th wheel and have put almost 7,500 towing miles on the trailer since we bought it about a year and a half ago.

You need to consider if a different TT or 5th will fill your needs and then determine which truck can handle it well. There is a member here that uses a 2500 with the Hemi to pull a 10,000 lb 5th wheel and he says it does fine. He has been through 4 or 5 Cummins trucks and says he is happy with the Hemi.

blkt6

Stick with the 5.9. Find a nice used one, there are alot in this market now. It is a nite and day difference between towing with a diesel and a gas. This is especially true with camping trailers were long distances are involved. The gas guys are always drooling over the diesels in the camp ground. Been there,done that and wont go back to a 1/2 ton.

cdhd2001

I have also been looking at used 2006 trucks. I can find 3500 DRW 4x4 SLT's for about $22k-$24k. Biggest cons are no warranty and the same price per month on a 4 year note as a new truck.

Dodgezilla

Used trucks/cars can be a great deal if you pay cash. If not then you have a higher interest rate and they want like 20% or 25% down. That shoots a lot of people down when you are talking about a $20,000+ vehicle.
I think you can still probably talk the dealer way down even on a used truck too. They are giving nothing for these on trade-in.