Found a 2006 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 for sale (dealer) with 156,000 miles on it. Truck is in really nice shape (Texas truck) but the mileage is a little high (for the year I think) and it has a gooseneck and airbags. He says it wasn't used as a work truck, so I am guessing private hauler, horse trailer or something along those lines. Like I said, the truck is in REALLY nice shape, but the airbags and gooseneck worry me a little with the tranny realiablity that it has towed heavy a lot. 156,000 easy towing miles is a lot different than 156,000 miles towing heavy. He wants $22,980 for it, whaddya all think??

 

What does NADA.com say?

 

Book value is pretty right on, actually he is a little lower by a few hundred. My concern is the airbags and gooseneck on a 3/4 ton. Usually for me that translates into the previous owner towing heavy, maybe too heavy, or maybe not at all who knows. The truck doesn't look tired as they sometimes do.

 

I had an 87 Toyota with a gooseneck. Was used by the dealer to pull a float in a parade. People get all kinds of things installed for all kinds of reasons. Any way you can talk to the previous owner, and actually find out what they did with the truck?
They could have towed a camper for all you know, hardly overtaxing the truck.

 

In my opinion, the main thing to worry about is the actual engine. With that many miles the tranny will or could have already gone. If the egine is good then offer about 7000 less than what he wants and work your way throught the deal. Also, can he show you reciepts for the oil changes? If so, the engine was taken care of..... I think these motors can take alot, it's the components around them that eventually go out...

 

It shows to be a one-owner truck, so calling the guy seems plausible. Carfax and autocheck came out clean as well. Your right about the different things people install these different hitches for, looks good so I am hoping for the best..

 

I checked Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) and it looked fine on price.

I, too, am concerned about the towing heavy other have mentioned. If you're serious about it, have the fluids tested by Blackstone (last I heard it was $40) or do some more looking around. CL is a good spot to hit up, along with some of the other well known dealers like Dave Smith in northern Idaho.



Kris

 

Thanks for all the replies guys...we'll see how it goes!

 

wouldnt worry about the G.N. hitch and air bags... most trailers here in Texas are gooseneck equipped.. Air bags are put on so that we can pull our horse trailers at 85 mph down a gravel road and the rear end not sway around so much...
If you can sample every compartment and send it to somebody like Blackstone, that would be the best way to find the true condition of a used vehicle..

 

I have air bags on my 2500 so i sit level towing my10,000# toy hauler. like poormanscat saidpullin fast without sway!

 

That makes sense, a freind of mine here in Texas said the same thing. I also found out today that the truck is having a brand new tranny installed. Good that it is having the tranny installed, but is that a bad sign?? Although I guess 156,000 on the auto is pretty good...my last one went at 100K