4WD PU buying advice

[Durango]

Wow, great advice to mull over. (Even if some of it is contradictory!) But we are having zero success finding a F-150 with the heavy duty payload package. Actually Sioux and I drove a 2010 Dodge 2500 SB yesterday and were very impressed vs. how the F-250 drove. But we still don't see the wisdom of a diesel for a truck driven less than 10K per year. So today we drove a new basic 2500 Hemi and were equally impressed. Let's see what the dealer says on price...

Steve

PS They actually have a Power Wagon in stock and supposedly at under invoice price. But given the higher bed I don't think it will fit in my garage with the camper on.

 

[Durango]

So if we go with the 2012 Dodge 2500 with the Hemi (and I realize it will not get as good a gas mileage as the Ecoboost) should I go with the 4:10 rear axle ratio or a 3:73?

I appreciate all of your opinions...

Steve

 

[brianjwilson]

I dont know how dodge engines drive or how the transmissions are geared, but generally speaking I would go with the lower gears myself (4.10 in that case). Being geared too high is going to cost you more fuel if you're carrying a load, since your foot will be in the throttle more and the transmission will have to slip more. Lower gearing will make it a lot easier to get rolling, downshift less on hills etc, causing less wear/strain on the drivetrain. The truck will stay in overdrive or keep the torque converter locked more with the lower gears.
Even after regearing a couple of my trucks I've never once though "oops I geared too low", and I always regear a bit lower than stock with bigger tires factored in.

 

[Durango]

Thanks for everyone's help. I pulled the trigger last night on a 2012 Dodge 2500 Big Horn for around 8,000 under MSRP. Ordering the Hawk today from Chris in Denver and then installing it mid May in Denver. Then the fun begins!

Steve

 

[JCMatthews]

Congrats on the new truck and camper. Best of luck and hope you love it as much as you are hoping to.

 

[Durango]

Congrats on the new truck and camper. Best of luck and hope you love it as much as you are hoping to.

Thanks. It is a big investment- between the truck and camper almost 55K. But I can justify almost anything! (And I'm selling a 2010 Highlander with only 10K miles on it.)

So now for another question for you folks:

The solar question came up yesterday when I was specifying the Hawk with Chris. Me being old school I am tempted to take the 1,000 bucks for the FWC solar installed option and put it toward a 2,000 watt Honda invertor generator that I can occasionally run if needed through the shore power connection to top off the batteries. (We are getting two auxiliary ones.) BTW, the genny can ride up front in the Crew Cab since it will normally just be Sioux and I. (It weighs 50# dry.)

However, to avoid the "dreaded-looking-for-the-wire-in-the-future" problem Chris suggested we order the 50.00 installed plug for solar. NOW for my question. It can be installed on the back camper wall for use with a portable solar panel or on top if I want to install a permanent unit. I chose the wall mount but am now racked by agonizing doubts. Your thoughts please?

Steve

 

[Durango]

I wanted to thank everyone for their help in this thread. We picked the camper up last week in Denver. I'm fairly happy with the mileage- driving back to Durango with full water tanks and around 400# of baggage (across five mountain passes) the Ram 2500 with the Hemi still averaged 14.4 mpg. (Of course, I was really gentle on the gas pedal.)

Steve

PS I've still got some mild buyer's remorse over not having bought the Power Wagon. But it just wouldn't go under my 8' garage door with the camper on. (The one I have now clears with an inch to spare.) Now it is time to stock up the camper and head over to SE Utah for a shakedown cruise before it get's unbearably hot there. (May already be!)