Hello, I am currently looking to buy a used Ram 1500 4x4 from a local dealer. Is there anything that I should watch for, problem areas, years, etc.
I want to use it to pull a 24 foot camper, as well as a daily driver. There are a couple of trucks I was looking at, all 1500, but some had HEAVY DUTY on the tail gate and some did not, is there any difference? any comments would be great.

 

I don't ever recall seeing a heavy duty half ton by dodge thats odd.... usually heavy duty is just a little beefier suspension and a tranny cooler and 8 lug axels things like that. How often are you going to be pulling the camper? what year truck are you looking at, different years have different things to watch for, the common problems have a recall you could get done before you bring it home if they havent already gotten it taken care of.

 

well, im stating the obvious, but dodges are known for their bad trannies... but badass engines. the 1500 heavy duty, was that a CTD (diesel)? if so, then it was a 2500 or bigger.

 

Year?

 

I believe the truck with HEAVY DUTY on the tail gate was a 2004, it has 1500 on the door pannels, it is a hemi with an automatic, I only pull the camper approx. 100 miles every couple weeks, but I would like to make a long trip with it through the mountains. Does the tow haul feature help on the praries or is putting the truck in 3rd like I do now with my 95, just as good.

 

Inspect the pressure and return lines on the power steering gear. Mine failed at about 30k and there seemed to be an inordinate amount of people in the service bay getting the same thing fixed.

 

If you are buying off a smaller used car lot, make there mechanic in front of you pull the diff covers and make sure no damage there, then while you are at it make them service the trans. Tell them if they want to make the sale that is what it will take. tell them you also want a lube, if it si a 06 make sure they get the front drive shaft requires a special tool.