Replaced my tow rig

Started by Princeton_Man, June 22, 2020, 05:09:26 AM

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Princeton_Man

The GMC's rocker panels were being eaten away by the WV road salt and estimates to cut out, replace, and paint were more than I wanted to put into the old girl.  Adding to her demise, a recent exhaust leak developed which was due to exhaust manifold bolts snapping off. Again amounting to needing to put money into something that was rusting away.

So after several grueling weeks of shopping in North and South Carolina for a salt free heavy duty 3/4 ton within my price range, I gave up. I had hoped to stay in a 2500HD because we plan to buy another camper in the near future and I prefer a fifth wheel. During my mission to find the right truck I found a lot of nice 1500's including a low mileage Ram Big Horn that came up for sale Friday. Test drove and purchased Saturday morning, then sold the GMC Sunday afternoon.

The "White Horse" is gone, meet the "Red Ram".
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Bassinkorea

Very nice looking ride PM. What year is that?

Need more photos with the Stratos in tow  ~c~ ;PHO)
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Princeton_Man

Quote from: Bassinkorea on June 22, 2020, 05:45:22 AM
Very nice looking ride PM. What year is that?

Need more photos with the Stratos in tow  ~c~ ;PHO)
2011, 102k and a 5.7 Hemi. I'm having to learn to gentle taking off, she keeps wanting to light up those 20" tires. lo
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Bassinkorea

It looks well looked after for a 9 year old truck  ~c~
That 5.7l should handle a 5th wheel easily.
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Princeton_Man

Quote from: Bassinkorea on June 22, 2020, 07:52:12 AM
It looks well looked after for a 9 year old truck  ~c~
That 5.7l should handle a 5th wheel easily.
Didn't think you could mount 5th wheel in 1/2 tons.

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Princeton_Man

Quote from: Bassinkorea on June 22, 2020, 05:45:22 AM
Very nice looking ride PM. What year is that?

Need more photos with the Stratos in tow  ~c~ ;PHO)
Garage kept. It was never used as a truck or a tow rig.
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Mike Cork

Awesome, can't go wrong with a Red Ram... I've got the triple R and love it.

Fishing is more than just a hobby

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Princeton_Man

Quote from: Mike Cork on June 22, 2020, 09:21:22 AM
Awesome, can't go wrong with a Red Ram... I've got the triple R and love it.
I've owned quite a few Dodge trucks. Every one of them has been rock solid and took tons of abuse my younger self gave them.My very first was a barn find 1959, D200 with a flat head 6 and three on the tree. ;D
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Mike Cork

Quote from: Princeton_Man on June 22, 2020, 10:48:06 AM
I've owned quite a few Dodge trucks. Every one of them has been rock solid and took tons of abuse my younger self gave them.My very first was a barn find 1959, D200 with a flat head 6 and three on the tree. ;D

Shame you don't still have that one :-*

Fishing is more than just a hobby

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Captsteve

Yea, no 5th wheel on half ton. Great looking truck

                                Any day fishing, is a good day.

Steve
Headed for the Lake

Princeton_Man

Quote from: Mike Cork on June 22, 2020, 11:30:07 AM
Shame you don't still have that one :-*

Young and stupid back then... ???


Quote from: Captsteve on June 22, 2020, 02:17:09 PM
Yea, no 5th wheel on half ton. Great looking truck

                                Any day fishing, is a good day.



Thanks Steve.
I figure if we ever get to that point, this little girl should be very marketable if I can take care of her.
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Nutt

I had an '08 Ram with the Hemi and it pulled everything I asked it to pull.  I have a 34' V-Lite camper that weighs 7K dry and it pulled it pretty well, it just sucked more gas.  I replaced it with a 2020 F-250 with the 6.7 Power Stroke the end of February.  I haven't had the opportunity to pull my camper with it, but I literally can barely feel my Nitro while going down the road. 
Doctor says I should stay away from other people.

Princeton_Man

Quote from: Nutt on July 07, 2020, 08:49:46 AM
I had an '08 Ram with the Hemi and it pulled everything I asked it to pull.  I have a 34' V-Lite camper that weighs 7K dry and it pulled it pretty well, it just sucked more gas.  I replaced it with a 2020 F-250 with the 6.7 Power Stroke the end of February.  I haven't had the opportunity to pull my camper with it, but I literally can barely feel my Nitro while going down the road.
But you're on flat ground.  ~roflmao I have mountains to climb.


I have to say the Ram does a fine job in the pulling department. It feels like it has more power than my GMC 2500HD, but I can definitely feel the Stratos back there. The only way I could tell the Stratos was behind the GMC was looking in the mirrors. I believe the weight difference of the Ram vs the GMC accounts for a lot of the perceived difference.



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Nutt

Quote from: Princeton_Man on July 07, 2020, 09:39:39 AM
But you're on flat ground.  ~roflmao I have mountains to climb.
Whats a mountain?  I think I saw one on the side of a Coors Light can, but I could be wrong?  LOL
Doctor says I should stay away from other people.

Princeton_Man

Quote from: Nutt on July 07, 2020, 11:39:36 AM
Whats a mountain?  I think I saw one on the side of a Coors Light can, but I could be wrong?  LOL
Yup! Those are mountains.

They sure screw up your fuel mileage too.


13 City/19 Hwy and 5 in the mountains.
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merc1997

On Heaven's Lake

Captsteve

Had too many problems with my Ram.  Was spending one of my days off every hitch. From the very first.  So I traded it in for a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss.

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Steve
Headed for the Lake

Donald Garner

Steve that's a really nice looking truck there  ~shade   Congrats on the new rig.
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Captsteve

Quote from: Donald Garner on December 30, 2023, 10:13:53 AMSteve that's a really nice looking truck there  ~shade   Congrats on the new rig.
6.2 liter engine

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Steve
Headed for the Lake

Mike Cork

That's a pretty one Steve!!! Congratulations

Fishing is more than just a hobby

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caddyjoe77

badass!! Nice pickup you will enjoy. 

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