Isn't all all how you spec them? I have seen the WT model here for under $30K. Seems like a good deal to me. Found a couple "barely used" for around $25K.
And just why do you think that is?
Could it be that the owners of sed trucks ( and I use that term lightly ) have become frustrated with there trucks lack of truck and are now dumping them in cheap.
Look. Swapping safety ( yours and everyone else on the road ) for a few miles per gallon is a ridicules and somewhat arrogant argument .
Thinking that a trouble free truck is one with a 22,000 mile clean service record is sticking your head in the sand .
Yes, economy is an aspect of the build ( or rig ) in question . But only one of the considerations and is by no means as important as the safe load carrying capacity of the rig.
All of the extra range in the world will do you no good if your axle leaves the truck at the first washboard you cross. Or if you can't stop the load on a steep incline without over heating your brakes.
Most new 1/2 tons are nothing more than cars with the look, feel and cost of a truck.
Very few were designed to CARRY any kind of a load . And any that can carry even a light load ( say 1000lbs ) in the bed with a normal fuel and passenger load are defiantly not diesel.
Figure dad at 200lbs, mom at 130, 3 kids at 100 each ( average ) the dog at 50, and gear at a conservative 200lbs. Now add fuel , 7.1 lbs per gallon x 21 ( diesel ) = 149.1 lbs now deduct that 1,029.1 lbs from the best load rating provided in a 1/2ton Dodge crew cab truck = 1,710 lbs for a net grand total of 680.9 lbs in bed.
I think you now understand the problem.......
