Capricious
Platinum Member
Next year I plan to buy a new pickup, what used to be referred to as a "half ton." I would like to be able to tow a fully-loaded 7,000 lb trailer, which means the truck would need to be rated to tow about 8,000 lbs or more, since the advertised trailer towing load always assumes an empty truck, and my truck aint never empty.
I don't really care much about what brand, other than I want to avoid Ford since I don't want the aluminum body. Chevy has such gimmicky pricing. So I have been looking at Dodges (yea, I am aware of the Ram name and all, but they are Dodges as far as I am concerned.)
I noticed something; last year (2014) the dealers were all stocking 1500's with 3.55 axles ratios, which I assume was standard. The 2015's, however, all have 3.21's, which really cuts down on the towing capacity. A V6 Dodge with a 3.21 is rated for about 4,700 lbs or so, and if the truck has any kind of load that drops down to mid- to upper 3,000 lb range.
I swear I just checked dealer websites for 200 miles around here looking for a 2WD with a 3.55 ( or better yet, a 3.92) final drive ratio and I did not see one (admittedly, I did not look at vehicles priced over
$35,000.00)
Buying out of dealer stock usually get's one a larger discount, but for the lack of a $50.00 option it is looking like I will have to order.
I don't really care much about what brand, other than I want to avoid Ford since I don't want the aluminum body. Chevy has such gimmicky pricing. So I have been looking at Dodges (yea, I am aware of the Ram name and all, but they are Dodges as far as I am concerned.)
I noticed something; last year (2014) the dealers were all stocking 1500's with 3.55 axles ratios, which I assume was standard. The 2015's, however, all have 3.21's, which really cuts down on the towing capacity. A V6 Dodge with a 3.21 is rated for about 4,700 lbs or so, and if the truck has any kind of load that drops down to mid- to upper 3,000 lb range.
I swear I just checked dealer websites for 200 miles around here looking for a 2WD with a 3.55 ( or better yet, a 3.92) final drive ratio and I did not see one (admittedly, I did not look at vehicles priced over
$35,000.00)
Buying out of dealer stock usually get's one a larger discount, but for the lack of a $50.00 option it is looking like I will have to order.