WTF should I buy (A consolidated list of bad decisions)

[Jake]

thumbs up for actually doing the math, had no idea the option list was that short.

nobody's buying a $64k High Country to do work, its just a jacked up cadillac.  so i'd have to assume those buyers aren't worried about value, it'll be out of their driveway in 3 years when the lease is up so they can get the next shiny chromed up thing.  its no wonder US automakers survive on truck and SUV profits, they're utter cash cows.

You'd be surprised at how many high-trim trucks show up in the paddock. They're just as capable as a base truck work-wise but a nicer place to sit. If you define "work" as being a fleet-grade truck for construction workers, then no, they get the XL or WT or Tradesman trims... but their bosses get the nicer trucks.

[Kaan]

More thoughts:

I towed my enclosed over Afton Mountain to JMU with an F150 EcoBoost XLT (cloth seats the horror oh save me jesus) and it was uh... fine? The EcoBoost with your foot hard down drinks fuel like we all did Natty Light at JMU but it was more than enough truck to pull 6500-7k lbs and the aero effects that come with an enclosed.

going west is the easier decent. did you come straight over on 64? From VIR there is a faster way but you need to drive 29 to 151, then up the backside of the mountain (passing skyline and the blueridge parkway) to get onto 64. it saves and easy 30 mintues... i was caravanning with Phills Tire and they cannot go down the backside of the mountain in their rig at all (much bigger trailer but also a much bigger truck)

I'm not rich enough for an aluminum trailer.... most of the steel 20ft are 3200lbs... add the 2400lb car (5500lbs), plus tires (20lbs tire with 13lbs wheels) we are up to 5764lbs.... with spares, AC, coolers, easy ups, insulation, tie downs, etc... i'm going to get to the 7k mark on the trailer (i'm actually looking at 10k trailers) pretty easily. 

I'd rather have more trailer and more truck than needed... i think it will help things last.

[Jake]

More thoughts:

I towed my enclosed over Afton Mountain to JMU with an F150 EcoBoost XLT (cloth seats the horror oh save me jesus) and it was uh... fine? The EcoBoost with your foot hard down drinks fuel like we all did Natty Light at JMU but it was more than enough truck to pull 6500-7k lbs and the aero effects that come with an enclosed.

going west is the easier decent. did you come straight over on 64? From VIR there is a faster way but you need to drive 29 to 151, then up the backside of the mountain (passing skyline and the blueridge parkway) to get onto 64. it saves and easy 30 mintues... i was caravanning with Phills Tire and they cannot go down the backside of the mountain in their rig at all (much bigger trailer but also a much bigger truck)

I'm not rich enough for an aluminum trailer.... most of the steel 20ft are 3200lbs... add the 2400lb car (5500lbs), plus tires (20lbs tire with 13lbs wheels) we are up to 5764lbs.... with spares, AC, coolers, easy ups, insulation, tie downs, etc... i'm going to get to the 7k mark on the trailer (i'm actually looking at 10k trailers) pretty easily. 

I'd rather have more trailer and more truck than needed... i think it will help things last.

I came over from 64, yeah. Went from Richmond to Harrisonburg for the JMU car show.

My aluminum enclosed was $7500, I think. Steel are quite a bit cheaper. I guess it depends where you want to put your money - truck vs trailer. I wanted a smaller truck that could easily be used as a daily so the money had to go into reducing trailer weight. Mine is rated 2560 lbs empty.

I still think a 1500 would do the job just fine but will keep an eye out for a nice year-old (ish) Ram 2500 for ya. They are a very solid option.

[Kaan]

So the thing with the +19 Rams is they are having issues with the fuel pumps... i think the 4th gen (?) is better...a 17/18 model year.

I mean basically the pain with a new diesel is the low sulfur fuel and the high tolerances on the pumps. they all need additives, strict fuel filter replacements, and maybe even an aftermarket water separator system.

[*insertusernamehere*]

More thoughts:

I towed my enclosed over Afton Mountain to JMU with an F150 EcoBoost XLT (cloth seats the horror oh save me jesus) and it was uh... fine? The EcoBoost with your foot hard down drinks fuel like we all did Natty Light at JMU but it was more than enough truck to pull 6500-7k lbs and the aero effects that come with an enclosed.

going west is the easier decent. did you come straight over on 64? From VIR there is a faster way but you need to drive 29 to 151, then up the backside of the mountain (passing skyline and the blueridge parkway) to get onto 64. it saves and easy 30 mintues... i was caravanning with Phills Tire and they cannot go down the backside of the mountain in their rig at all (much bigger trailer but also a much bigger truck)

I'm not rich enough for an aluminum trailer.... most of the steel 20ft are 3200lbs... add the 2400lb car (5500lbs), plus tires (20lbs tire with 13lbs wheels) we are up to 5764lbs.... with spares, AC, coolers, easy ups, insulation, tie downs, etc... i'm going to get to the 7k mark on the trailer (i'm actually looking at 10k trailers) pretty easily. 

I'd rather have more trailer and more truck than needed... i think it will help things last.

Any modern 1500 can handle the treacherous backside of afton mountain lmao.

[ScottyB]

thumbs up for actually doing the math, had no idea the option list was that short.

nobody's buying a $64k High Country to do work, its just a jacked up cadillac.  so i'd have to assume those buyers aren't worried about value, it'll be out of their driveway in 3 years when the lease is up so they can get the next shiny chromed up thing.  its no wonder US automakers survive on truck and SUV profits, they're utter cash cows.

You'd be surprised at how many high-trim trucks show up in the paddock. They're just as capable as a base truck work-wise but a nicer place to sit. If you define "work" as being a fleet-grade truck for construction workers, then no, they get the XL or WT or Tradesman trims... but their bosses get the nicer trucks.

maybe i would be.  i assumed most racers blew all their money on their cars and didn't have much leftover for luxotrucks 

my point was just that its a lot of upcharge for justifying that trim level, when there isn't much if any functional benefit for doing trucky things. i wouldn't say its cheap to add those features, but it shouldn't be THAT expensive.

[Jake]

So the thing with the +19 Rams is they are having issues with the fuel pumps... i think the 4th gen (?) is better...a 17/18 model year.

I mean basically the pain with a new diesel is the low sulfur fuel and the high tolerances on the pumps. they all need additives, strict fuel filter replacements, and maybe even an aftermarket water separator system.

Ah, good to know. I hadn't heard about that. 

If you go with a last-gen Ram, you will need MY2018 for Apple CarPlay if you care about that. It's a substantial cost to add that to the pre-2018 trucks as the head unit looks the same but is not, and has to be completely replaced ($1500 or so for all the pieces you need) - hence why my 2016 doesn't have that upgrade yet.

[Senor_Taylor]

I just looked at the main differences between the $44k Custom Trim Silverado 2500 and a $64k High Country

Nicer seats
Better stereo **
Dual zone climate control
Park assist
Keyless open on doors (both have remote fob, this is the one where you leave key in pocket)
Lane change alert
Power rear window
Surround view and bed camera **
LED headlights **
Larger / prettier wheels
Variable steering assist
Integrated trailer brake controller **
Power Tailgate

All the features with ** could be added pretty easily to the Custom for $1k at Crutchfield or in your driveway.

The only feature in that list I would want or need would be the lane change alert. Everything else does not equal $19k in upgrade to me.


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While you are technically correct, resale is not the same for a vehicle that had these features from the factory and what billy bob at Crutchfield installed on your base model work truck. I could have paid $15,000 and bought a lower trim F150 and added a sub and remote start (ventilated seats would be tough to add), but my Platinum will still be a sought after truck for at least a few more years.

[Kaan]

resale doesnt really mean that much to me... as you can see, we run shit to +200k miles in our house.... though we are semi picky about what we drive so we can easily make that mark. use good fluids and do the maintenance... they will help a good car go a long way.

[Jake]

resale doesnt really mean that much to me... as you can see, we run shit to +200k miles in our house.... though we are semi picky about what we drive so we can easily make that mark. use good fluids and do the maintenance... they will help a good car go a long way.

Speaking of... I'm due for new fluid in both differentials and the transfer case on my truck. Talk about a job I don't want to do but also loathe paying for.

[.RJ]

$40k for a tow vehicle fucking blows my mind, thank you for the reminder that I cant afford to get back into racig

[Kaan]

$40k for a tow vehicle fucking blows my mind, thank you for the reminder that I cant afford to get back into racig

you can get them down to $32k if you dont mind an F150 something or other.... come on back, HC is getting to a big group again.

[Sijray21]

$40k for a tow vehicle fucking blows my mind, thank you for the reminder that I cant afford to get back into racig

I mean, you don't *need* that much rig. Kaan's vehicle would be a daily of sorts.

[Senor_Taylor]

More thoughts:

I towed my enclosed over Afton Mountain to JMU with an F150 EcoBoost XLT (cloth seats the horror oh save me jesus) and it was uh... fine? The EcoBoost with your foot hard down drinks fuel like we all did Natty Light at JMU but it was more than enough truck to pull 6500-7k lbs and the aero effects that come with an enclosed.

going west is the easier decent. did you come straight over on 64? From VIR there is a faster way but you need to drive 29 to 151, then up the backside of the mountain (passing skyline and the blueridge parkway) to get onto 64. it saves and easy 30 mintues... i was caravanning with Phills Tire and they cannot go down the backside of the mountain in their rig at all (much bigger trailer but also a much bigger truck)

I'm not rich enough for an aluminum trailer.... most of the steel 20ft are 3200lbs... add the 2400lb car (5500lbs), plus tires (20lbs tire with 13lbs wheels) we are up to 5764lbs.... with spares, AC, coolers, easy ups, insulation, tie downs, etc... i'm going to get to the 7k mark on the trailer (i'm actually looking at 10k trailers) pretty easily. 

I'd rather have more trailer and more truck than needed... i think it will help things last.

Any modern 1500 can handle the treacherous backside of afton mountain lmao.

When was the last time you even drove a truck, let alone hauled a car? Haha.

Even my truck with just an open trailer feels underpowering going over the mountain on route 7 going to Summit. Being fully matted in third gear is the only way I'm accelerating going up it. If it upshifts to 4th, it doesn't have the umph to hold 60-65 mph.

[Kaan]

resale doesnt really mean that much to me... as you can see, we run shit to +200k miles in our house.... though we are semi picky about what we drive so we can easily make that mark. use good fluids and do the maintenance... they will help a good car go a long way.

Speaking of... I'm due for new fluid in both differentials and the transfer case on my truck. Talk about a job I don't want to do but also loathe paying for.

its a smelly job... someones got to do it. really the part that sucks is sourcing all the fluids lol.... at least for the Jeep it is.

[Senor_Taylor]

$40k for a tow vehicle fucking blows my mind, thank you for the reminder that I cant afford to get back into racig

Plenty of people have an old Diesel that they picked up for $10k that they JUST do truck stuff with. A lot of us just try to have something nice to daily as well.

[Kaan]

More thoughts:

I towed my enclosed over Afton Mountain to JMU with an F150 EcoBoost XLT (cloth seats the horror oh save me jesus) and it was uh... fine? The EcoBoost with your foot hard down drinks fuel like we all did Natty Light at JMU but it was more than enough truck to pull 6500-7k lbs and the aero effects that come with an enclosed.

going west is the easier decent. did you come straight over on 64? From VIR there is a faster way but you need to drive 29 to 151, then up the backside of the mountain (passing skyline and the blueridge parkway) to get onto 64. it saves and easy 30 mintues... i was caravanning with Phills Tire and they cannot go down the backside of the mountain in their rig at all (much bigger trailer but also a much bigger truck)

I'm not rich enough for an aluminum trailer.... most of the steel 20ft are 3200lbs... add the 2400lb car (5500lbs), plus tires (20lbs tire with 13lbs wheels) we are up to 5764lbs.... with spares, AC, coolers, easy ups, insulation, tie downs, etc... i'm going to get to the 7k mark on the trailer (i'm actually looking at 10k trailers) pretty easily. 

I'd rather have more trailer and more truck than needed... i think it will help things last.

Any modern 1500 can handle the treacherous backside of afton mountain lmao.

on 64 its not a problem... but if you come off onto 250/Rockfish gap and head down to the BrewRidge Parkway... i've had to do a lot of emergency stops with the drunks pulling out, random stops for the overlook, etc. on that side of the mountain. moving from a open trailer to an enclosed, i likely would have totaled a truck/trailer with some of the close calls i have had.

[.RJ]

Even my truck with just an open trailer feels underpowering going over the mountain on route 7 going to Summit. Being fully matted in third gear is the only way I'm accelerating going up it. If it upshifts to 4th, it doesn't have the umph to hold 60-65 mph.

Why do you have to go 65mph over that one mile stretch of road? Seriously?

I used do to this with a 2000's 5.4L F150 and it was just fine. So what if you slow down a little over *one* hill.

[Kaan]

Even my truck with just an open trailer feels underpowering going over the mountain on route 7 going to Summit. Being fully matted in third gear is the only way I'm accelerating going up it. If it upshifts to 4th, it doesn't have the umph to hold 60-65 mph.

Why do you have to go 65mph over that one mile stretch of road?  Seriously?

I used do to this with a 2000's 5.4L F150 and it was just fine.  So what if you slow down a little over *one* hill.

I dont speed when towing... it is nice to at least be doing the speed limit in the right lane but it doesnt always happen. I'm personally more worried about the stopping and the trailer control when people do crazy stuff.

[Senor_Taylor]

Even my truck with just an open trailer feels underpowering going over the mountain on route 7 going to Summit. Being fully matted in third gear is the only way I'm accelerating going up it. If it upshifts to 4th, it doesn't have the umph to hold 60-65 mph.

Why do you have to go 65mph over that one mile stretch of road?  Seriously?

I used do to this with a 2000's 5.4L F150 and it was just fine.  So what if you slow down a little over *one* hill.

I don't HAVE to. That's why I still have my truck. I didn't even say it's a problem or that it bothers me. I'm just providing a data point. I'm just saying that 1/2 ton trucks aren't these amazing "tow anything" machines and if Kaan wants to tow an enclosed eventually, there will be some times when he is REALLY having to push a 1/2 ton just to get up some hills. I don't know why you're so upset about this. Who gives a shit if you fucking carried your car on your back up hills both ways 20 years ago. Times have changed, things are different.