Just got back from a dealer and was quoted just under $15,000 for a 2013 Sportsman with a 5.7 and around $17,200 for the Bighorn.

Both are loaded/appointed pretty well, (No leather, no sunroof) and both prices are based on my trade in of $18,500 CDN for my 09 Sierra SLT with just under 54,000 km's.

Not the best trade in imo, but my GM dealer said around $20 to $21 tops for it so they are not far off.

I haven't owned a Dodge truck since my 76 PowerWagon over 30yrs ago but I have had crappy luck with my 09 GM so I am looking to go back to Dodge.

Concerns: Do I need to worry about the 3.92 gear ratio and the 6 speed tranny with the Sportsman (gas mileage) or should I go with the Bighorn with the 8 speed and the 3.55 gear ratio.
I don't haul anything heavy, just a couple snowmobiles in an enclosed trailer (1500lbs) and my boat, which is only towed 2 times a yr 11 km's each way.

Any news, good, bad or ugly about either truck would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Irv.

 

If you're doing any towing at all, you'd be better better off going with the 3.92 rear end which comes with an LSD, rather than the open 3.55. I had 3.55 in my truck from the factory, had a dealer swap it out for 4.10 and an LSD, by far the best "mod" I've done to the truck. Sure, you'll take a tiny hit in MPG, but when you're already in the 16/15/14 range it's kinda a moot point by then. Of course going with a Bighorn and the 8-Speed tranny would help offset that.

Have you driven both trucks yet? Did you notice a big difference between the Sportsman's leaf spring rear end and the Bighorn's coils?

Sorry to hear about the bad luck with the GM. I crossed over into Dodge from a Nissan, but I've been burned a couple of times by crappy GMs. I don't hate on other brands, but it's just crappy when you pay that much cash for something and have an endless stream of issues. Hopefully you'll have better luck with a RAM.