Coochas

I know there are tons of tow vehicle threads. I want to know what sort of bad things to expect now that my tow vehicle is getting older. I LOVE my truck but would trade in for something new if I need to start worrying about reliability.

My truck is a 2010 Ram 2500 Diesel SRW. It has 80K miles. I've had very few problems. The biggest one has been needing new front calipers recently.

I bought this truck off the lot and the only thing it did not have was the extending tow mirrors which cannot be retrofitted. I've made do with the current mirrors which work fine with my 22 foot trailer. I'm planning on upgrading to a 32 foot (or so) gooseneck in the near future. Hopefully I can continue to get by with the stock mirrors.

So, my questions are:
1) Does my truck have another 80k in it without melting down?
2) Will the stock mirrors be a nightmare with a longer trailer?

stujelly

yes the wider mirrors allow you to see the end of your trailer. I am sure there are aftermarket options. Way cheaper than a down payment on a new truck.

My GMC dually has about 75k and all we use it for is pulling a 47 foot race trailer.

Other than oil changes and a battery, the truck has help up well on the road.

As far as miles go, run it. 80k on diesel is nothing, as long as can and chassis holding up. If you get a bigger trailer consider airbags for the rear axle to help the ride quality and handle any increase in tongue weight.

kgorman

10 years and 140k and mine is just getting started. To be fair I did bulletproof it (it's a 6.0 thing), and now I would be sad if I didn't get another 200 out of it and another 10 years.

tcsracing1

2010 cummins with 80k miles? She is just breaking in!

I am looking for a low mile 2010-2012 dodge diesel. They are the last of the non DEF.

You have alot of life left in your to vehicle. Good for another 6 years.

NaroEscape

2010 is not "older"...it's still young!!

Ours is a 2000 F250 7.3 liter diesel. Only 102k miles. We plan to keep it until we die...or quit racing, whichever comes first.

noturavgm

Seriously. There are junk econobox cars aplenty from 2010 with more than 100k, and you're worried about a 2500 with a Cummins at 80k???

Thing hasn't even had its first cup of coffee in the morning yet.

Coochas

Thanks guys. I figured the motor should be good to go. I'm more worried about the transmission, rear end, electronics etc.

While I realize a dually would be a nice step up for towing a 2-car, I have friends that tow similar trailers with no problem on SRW. I have the added advantage of towing two 1350 pound cars although I realize it's the silhouette of the trailer that is the bigger problem.

TCS, I didn't realize that the Cummins now required DEF! I love the fact that mine doesn't need it.

Nader Fotouhi

You should not have any problem with the engine, but may need a transmission at some point depending on how heavy you pull. I find the problem with diesel trucks is not typically engine/transmission, but having a mechanic you trust. That has been my biggest problem and the dealer which I have stopped using is only 5 miles from my house.

I go through the same thoughts from time to time with my 01 GMC dually with 129XXXK miles. Given that I only need a truck for towing and not sure how much longer I can squeeze myself into a race car, I do not look forward to paying for another truck, but the thought of breaking down on a Sunday night is also not comforting. I try to do a lot of preventive maintenance, like changing the serpentine belt and roller at 80K and all fluids every 3 years.

I've have had to change the hard brake lines due to rust and injectors due to model dependent problems with injectors. The recent work includes replacing calipers, drive shaft, shocks, and a wheel. I still think I am ahead of having payments and dealing with DEF which is a whole 'nother animal for me. I have also started driving the truck everyday which I think is better than leaving it sitting.

Not to highjack, but I would be interested to know the experience of people who use their trucks with DEF occasionally or on short commute of say 10-15 miles of stop/go traffic.

jrgordonsenior

Kenny what did bulletproofing entail? My 06' 6.0 has 90k and blew injector o-rings for the first few years but perfect since.....

Coochas

Another vote to hang on for another year.
I'm also going to have my trailer dealer chime in on the subject.

HoBoJoe

I've found some forum posts that say adding the tow mirrors is possible on a 2010 2500.

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/4t...l#post13561889

bgiere

80K ? Those trucks will go 200K without even thinking about it. We run ours 10 years/250K...Dodge Cummins is a pretty stout rig.

dan212

When I got my 2011, I had the dealer add the missing options that I wanted - including nice wide tow mirrors

GT3DE

On my 4th ford diesel, over 200k miles on each previous 3, never any problems, sold them for the upgrades not because they died.

Coochas

THANK YOU for that link. I may try those.