Family currently camps out of a 34' fiver TH, which is overkill for us, and are looking to downsize about 10' of trailer and go bumper pull. To that end we currently pull with an 08 Ram 3500, which is also overkill for us. Not only is it a tank to park or drive, the seats also suck for anything over commute time. Back seat is extended cab size, and my kids are way cramped back there. More to the point, the Cummins is too much in every respect; just dropped $1,800 overhauling and modding the OEM turbo and trans is heading south to the tune of $8,500; this in addition to any hidden issues over the coming years. Final blow is climb in height and ride quality; stock height and still have to leverage up. Not getting any younger. And rides like a mad bull on anything other than laser smooth pavement.
There are advantages (huge bed for transfer tank and all our camping crap) and the chasis is solid. However, I want to downsize, and it's looking like a Longhorn ED fits the bill. Decision is made easier by the fact that, in order to put all the goodies the new trucks offer into mine, it would cost more than just getting the 1500. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the seats; I can drive for hours with no screaming back, and all the tech crap keeps the navigator happy.
One negative is tank size; wish they offered the 32 gallon on the standard bed, and haven't found if anyone offers a bigger tank aftermarket yet. I'm pretty sure a tank vent kit would allow more fuel capacity (did mine a couple of years ago and capacity went from a painful 15+ minutes to fill 35 gallons to a much quicker 44 gallons, all with just a vent kit). I may just get a small capacity in-bed.
The other is reliability of this engine; like all new diesels this one is saddled with so much EPA crap. Even deleted, my turbo only lasted 85,000. Combined with all the controls, I'm curious to see what, if any, issues will creep in as these age, hoping they are as reliable as the Hemi (or better). Otherwise, the truck seems solid, which is a first for Dodge/Ram, at least in my experience. Understand that these have been out for a while in the GC and overseas, just have concerns about Italian diesels (bad experience with Lombardini).
