RobG

I may be "becoming" a Hot Shot, delivering RVs all over. This will be a non-CDL. I'll start with my current truck, a 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 dually 4x4 6sp manual. But I will want to upgrade to something better pretty soon so I don't ruin my 2005 (which I've owned for 12 years and only has 117k on it and is still pretty mint).

That being said, I'm considering a 4500 for the job:

2WD, crew cab, 84" cab-to-axle (10' "bed"), 4.10 gears

Naturally, I'm trying to optimize it for efficiency and lower cost of operation. I figured 4.10's would be better than the standard 4.44's given I won't ever gross over 26k. I picked the 84" version to have a better turning radius with fifth wheels.

Would I be better off just going with a 2wd 3500 dually with a bed? At least that way I could get the HO. I suppose the overall vehicle weight would be less. Would the mpg be significantly better? To me, 2 mpg would be significant.

Part of me wonders if I should just find a low-mileage truck 2-3 years old for a good price and go that route.

BTW, been watching this guy's YouTube channel... in this video, he discusses everything wrong with his 2015 RAM 3500 SRW:


His truck has 500k miles on it. But I can't believe how beat-to-hell it is. I keep my stuff clean. It's why my 2005 still looks so good.

So anyway... I'd appreciate thoughts on this. Thanks!

Rob