I've owned my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 for nearly ten years now, and it has hauled everything I've asked of it with few complaints. The interior is getting wrecked, and the body has many dings, but this truck is a solid work truck. The factory class three tow hitch will pull my trailers around with no issue. I have around two hundred fifty thousand miles on this truck, and it shows no signs of slowing down. It's not the prettiest, and it's nowhere near as fuel efficient as some of the newer trucks, but I can use it to the full extent of its abilities without worrying about scratching the paint or, in the case of Ford, tearing the body panels like a beer can. This truck will likely be my go-to work truck for another five years, provided the transmission holds up.

I bought this truck brand new almost 20 years ago and it's still going strong. We've had our experiences -- hail storms, busted windows, dead batteries and flat tires on the side of the road over the past 160,000 miles, but I wouldn't give her up for anything. Having the strong engine and tow kit has save me in moving expenses almost as much as the truck cost new. She's is a Wisconsin truck and is showing her age. Rust around the wheel wells and at the bottom of the doors, both of which are typical of Dodge trucks around this year of manufacture. Two summers ago she smoked the air-conditioning clutch, so we've gone without A/C ever since. But two weeks ago she helped me haul four bed-loads full of mulch to clean up our yard. I don't know how I would get things done with the old girl!