I think for you it would be perfect, thats all I really use mine for. Again its probably the best riding/driving truck out there! Best just to get in one, you will find out! Hehe
As far as the whole diesel/gas situation, by what you are telling me you don't need a diesel. If your rich and have money to spend, well i guess so. HOWEVER you will loose the rear coils in the back and have a much harder riding truck, because you will have to go with a 2500 or 3500. IMO the gaser will ride better and tow just about what you want. Some guy add a set of bags to help out with towing, so just a heads up on that. BUT in most cases where a WDH is present its not needed.

As for the whole towing thing and loss of power with the transfer case and such...It is true for the most part. Yes you do have run that power through a transfer case but it really does not make a HUGE difference when you conciser the fact that you have 4x4. If you look at most stats you loose maybe 500lbs MAX. I would sacrifice that for the fact that I have 4x4 anyday! Not to mention the fact that most of those ratings are done with 4x4 fully engaged. So you might only be looking at 250-300lbs lost when your in 2wd .

The longhorn is a good choice but its all up to what you want for options. Leather, DVD etc:
But if I could make a suggestion, WHATEVER truck you look at you NEED these things: 3.92 gears (wonders for towing) and the Anti-Slip diff. Must haves IMO.
If your going into 4x4 and have a rather large pocketbook. Get one with the 4x4 auto (I did mention it already), 4 wheel ABS, and traction control. It will help in the snow for sure.

 

I dont get what you say. THe diesel is only awalable for the 2500/3500?
I want a 1500 and probably am going with the hemi engine.

 

yes. The cummins is not an available option in the 1500. I read a write-up somewhere that dodge might be considering making a smaller diesel just for the guys that want that in a 1500, who want that extra power. The 6.7 cummins is just too much weight for that small truck hence why you have to go to a 2500. I do believe that works with all trucks, cause I have not seen a half ton with a diesel motor in it...

Dodge is also following the ford trend, by looking into the powerful V6 option. Same horsepower, better fuel economy, but less torque. IMO if they try and sell you this motor stay away from that. They are just too new, too buggy, and face it. Your buying a truck to do some pulling, your gonna want the HEMI. Best just to get it now, its maybe only a 2-4 MPG difference. Just a heads up for you.

 

this is dodges full line up for 2012 in their trucks very diverse

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  • ModelsStarting at $21,475
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  $21,475
  STselect drive option
  $21,475
  4x2select cab / box length
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  $25,490
  4x4select cab / box length
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  $22,340
  Tradesmanselect drive option
  $22,340
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  $26,015
  4x4select cab / box length
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  $23,080
  Expressselect drive option
  $23,080
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  $26,755
  4x4select cab / box length
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  $25,655
  SLTselect drive option
  $25,655
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  $29,225
  4x4select cab / box length
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  $28,250
  Outdoorsmanselect drive option
  $28,250
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  $31,820
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  $31,340
  Sport R/Tselect drive option
  $31,340
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  $32,020
  Lone Starselect drive option
  $32,020
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  $35,240
  4x4select cab / box length
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  $32,020
  Big Hornselect drive option
  $32,020
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  $35,240
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  $34,260
  Sportselect drive option
  $34,260
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  $34,835
  4x2select cab / box length
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  $38,415
  Laramieselect drive option
  $38,415
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  $41,165
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  $43,125
  Laramie Longhorn
  
  
  
  

 

LongHorn/BigHorn are options for the SLT model. Laramie is the top of the line.

Just saw that you can get a "Laramie LongHorn"

 

ST, SLT, long horn, outdoorsmen, Ect, ect, i s nothing more than otion packages.

I own a dodge, and my work truck is a GMC. I like the vorteck v/8 due to easy spark plug changes vers 16 in the hemi, and in the 2500 gas chevy trucks, I love the 6speed automatic ( and I hate automtics, esp Dodge automatics )

To really be fair to compare, you have to get as close to identical gear ratios, engine sizes, to to see what trucks performs better.

One pet peave with chevy, esp the Z71 off road package is, the trucks sit too dam low for any 4x4 use and a chevy rides light when compared to a Ram.

20 in rims are is the getto package on the Ram, 17 in rims is the only way to go.

Also, invest in at least 6 ply tires, load range C, P rated ruber made for cushy cars on all new truck brands.

I'm old school with trucks, the rear coils overs on the Ram, don't impress me as I own a 3/4 ton truck, but the ride is better on a Ram than a chevy.

Sky is the limit with booth trucks in terms of money..

 

it would be great to see Dodge offer a twin turbo direct injected V6 similar to Fords ecoboost.. Torq to pull like a little diesel and gas mileage of a V6 without this MDS bs. Drive one with the 3.73 gears, the thing is a friggin sling shot when it hits 2000 rpm.