[Kclapper]

I have a 2011 Ram 1500 Quad cab ST 4x4 4.7 flex fuel and have been considering trading in for a little upgrade. I would like to upgrade to a 2500 but due to a growing business I have to invest more there.

I am considering trading in for a crew cab(have 4 kids that are getting older so thinking about leg room) with a Hemi or the ecodiesel. The ecodiesel sounds great at 28 mpg, but I think I would rather have the get up and go. My truck now just doesn't seem to have the power to tow on a regular basis. It does ok with my 5x8 enclosed, but the 6x12 makes it a little sluggish. I've been looking at mods to gain some torque or hp, but doesn't look like there are a ton of options out there.

I have no performance mods at the time, but have sprayed bumpers with color match Linex, step bars, solid trifold tonneau, 20" wheels, bull bar, and step bars. If I keep it, it will get leveled with Bilsteins, drop in filter( doesn't look like CAI is worth the money), tuner(unsure which one, but looks to make the biggest difference), exhaust, 4-6" lift, new wheels and tires, new headlights, taillights, and led bar lights, upgrade radio with built in DVD and nav with back up camera. I can back up to my trailers without it, but it is so much easier with it and I like seeing if anyone decides to walk behind.

All that being said, should I keep it or trade in? I would more than likely do the following upgrades to new one, level, possibly lift 4", wheels and tires, step bars, drop in filter or CAI and tuner. My truck now is almost paid for as well.

 

[huntergreen]

your post, to me, is a bit all over the place, 2500 or eco diesel with 28 mpg, more than double that which you would see with the 2500 with hemi. imho, keep what you have until you need to make a change.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

My vote is trade in for the 2500 either with a Hemi or a Cummins diesel crew cab. It sounds like you need it. Also, nice to see some ones business is going in the right direction. :smileup:

 

[finn5033]

I vote trade it in for an ECO diesel. It would give you the towing torque you need and get you great mpg when you're not towing

 

[Kclapper]

Sorry if I confused anyone. I would like to buy a 2500, but need to put more money into the business rut now. So the 2500 is not an option right now, but maybe next year. That's why I am on the fence with keeping what I have and upgrading some more or trading for something newer with more power, or just waiting another year for a 2500.

 

[Kcbigbadram]

I would just keep what you have and leave it alone for a year or so, and then when the time is right upgrade to the 2500.

 

[Hermes1]

your post, to me, is a bit all over the place, 2500 or eco diesel with 28 mpg, more than double that which you would see with the 2500 with hemi. imho, keep what you have until you need to make a change.

I agree. Whatever you do, don't rush into a new purchase until you are sure exactly what your needs are and will be. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Kclapper]

I agree. Whatever you do, don't rush into a new purchase until you are sure exactly what your needs are and will be. Don't ask me how I know.

That's exactly what I am afraid will happen. In 6-12 months when I can get a 2500 I'll regret not waiting.

 

[finn5033]

Sorry if I confused anyone. I would like to buy a 2500, but need to put more money into the business rut now. So the 2500 is not an option right now, but maybe next year. That's why I am on the fence with keeping what I have and upgrading some more or trading for something newer with more power, or just waiting another year for a 2500.

That being the case I would keep what you have and buy the 2500 when you can. I wouldn't put a bunch of money into your current truck either if your going to get rid of it in a year

 

[Kcbigbadram]

That's exactly what I am afraid will happen. In 6-12 months when I can get a 2500 I'll regret not waiting.

Thats exactly what i did a couple years ago. I bought a 1500 when i knew i really wanted a 2500. 14 months later I traded the 1500 for my 2500 because I just couldnt stand not having the truck I really wanted.

 

[rdm1465]

As others have suggested. Keep what you have now, make no modifications. The money you save, you can put into your business as you mentioned, needing to invest more cash into it first. Once you get yourself situated again, then look into a new truck, as your needs will be much clearer then.
Continued success in your business.

 

[dirt dauber]

I don't care how much more diesels are fuel wise there are serious pitfalls,especially in emissions testing states.
you have to bring the diesel in after so many miles to get emission tested,pluss you're spending well over 60 cents more per gallon on diesel,plus maintance is higher
your call but I would keep what you have after all the key word is it's ALL MOST PAID FOR.

 

[Kclapper]

I don't care how much more diesels are fuel wise there are serious pitfalls,especially in emissions testing states.
you have to bring the diesel in after so many miles to get emission tested,pluss you're spending well over 60 cents more per gallon on diesel,plus maintance is higher
your call but I would keep what you have after all the key word is it's ALL MOST PAID FOR.

Thanks everyone....my wife has an escalade esv that we get 12-13 mpg AT BEST, but we don't do a lot of highway driving with premium. I'm not so concerned about fuel mileage or higher maintenance costa, as I am having what I really want.

Fortunately, our business is doing great, and it's not that I can't afford to buy now, but I have more business opportunities that will benefit us in the long run by expanding our business and hiring more techs, meaning more vehicles. More work vans means more money in the future but ties up what I have been planning to spend on a new truck.

So I think I will hold onto what I have, but may not be able to stop myself from any additional mods. However, I think I can go without the lift and new wheels and tires. By this time next year, I can go for the 2500 mega cab, and it will get built.

 

[dirt dauber]

Kclapper,after your truck is paid for there is no better feeling in the world like no truck payment!!
just put the amount of your truck payment into a savings account every month after it's paid off,then one day if the new truck bug hits you again,you will have some cash for a down payment.

 

[Kcbigbadram]

I don't care how much more diesels are fuel wise there are serious pitfalls,especially in emissions testing states.
you have to bring the diesel in after so many miles to get emission tested,pluss you're spending well over 60 cents more per gallon on diesel,plus maintance is higher
your call but I would keep what you have after all the key word is it's ALL MOST PAID FOR.

I don't know where you're buying gas, but here in kansas diesel is only 20 cents more a gallon. That's pretty easily offset with higher fuel mileage. Maintenance is of course more, but as OP said, who cares if it's the truck you really want and can afford

 

[Hermes1]

Thats exactly what i did a couple years ago. I bought a 1500 when i knew i really wanted a 2500. 14 months later I traded the 1500 for my 2500 because I just couldnt stand not having the truck I really wanted.

Put me in that club as well. :doh:

 

[RSchleder]

I just gotta ask----why would you expect anyone to know if you should trade trucks or not. It seems to me it's your choice, you make the payments, you drive the truck, etc, etc!! It always blows my mind when someone asks a bunch of strangers if they should spend thousands of dollars or not on a item they may or not need. How in the world would we KNOW!!!:4-dontknow:

 

[Kclapper]

I just gotta ask----why would you expect anyone to know if you should trade trucks or not. It seems to me it's your choice, you make the payments, you drive the truck, etc, etc!! It always blows my mind when someone asks a bunch of strangers if they should spend thousands of dollars or not on a item they may or not need. How in the world would we KNOW!!!:4-dontknow:

By no means am I asking how to spend my money. Just looking for opinions and/or experiences. The reality is, I could get away with a 1500 with more power than the 4.7, but I WANT a bigger truck and a diesel.

Based on the couple that regret the 1500 and traded up, I think I better wait so I do not make the same mistake. I appreciate the feedback guys.

 

[PTCTreeGuy]

I don't care how much more diesels are fuel wise there are serious pitfalls,especially in emissions testing states.
you have to bring the diesel in after so many miles to get emission tested,pluss you're spending well over 60 cents more per gallon on diesel,plus maintance is higher
your call but I would keep what you have after all the key word is it's ALL MOST PAID FOR.

Where are you going that they test diesel emissions? GA doesn't test any personal diesels for emissions in any of the metro areas. Virginia didn't use to have any diesel testing in their metros either but there was a push to change when I moved. And either way a 2500 would be over the GVWR anyway and not be tested.

 

[namretsud]

To trade or not is a good question. If you do decide to get a bigger better truck, don't do the trade. You will get a better dollar if you sell it privately, hands down.