2016/2017 Ram 2500 CC short bed towing

jdsimple wrote:
Hey all, would like some input on the new Ram 2500 CC. I currently have a 2015 F250 SD and tow a 2015 Primetime Crusader 5th wheel with auto slider. Tows great, no prob but just not completely happy with Ford right now. Truck has 21000 miles and been in the shop more than my driveway it seems. I have been researching Ram 2500 CC short bed and so far it appears I will be trading in to get one. Just want some input on how this thing will tow, fuel mileage and such. I really like the idea on the auto level air suspension which takes place of the coil springs. Anyone have experience with this so far? Also was looking at the ram box bed with the tools boxes on sides of bed. Would this inhibit the 5th wheel hitch in any way? I know the issues of 5th wheel and short bed but would I need a slider?

Thanks for all the input.

Don't fool yourself that the Ram will be any better. I have a '14 2500 CC that has been nothing but problems. It's currently at the dealer getting its 3rd transmission. Electrical problems abound, rust, poor fit and finish, recalls etc etc. Can't wait to get rid of it. Wanna trade?

Only thing I'd say is....
1. You will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
2. Bypass the 2500 and get the 3500 SRW.
There is virtually no price difference between the two and the 3500 gives you more payload.
Interestingly, the 3500 actually sits lower by about 1 to 1.5in in the rear than the 2500 due to the coils in the 2500. This is important if your considering a 5th wheel and bed rail to RV clearance is an issue. See my post currently in the TV forum for a run down of my past year with my 2015 Ram. I came from Fords also and have zero regrets. This truck is terrific all the way around!

Calicajun wrote:
. . . My only suggestion would be if you haven't already bought a new truck yet look into getting a 1 ton instead of the 3/4 ton. Fuel mileage is the same, at least that is what all the 1 ton owners I have talked to say they get on the road. Plus with the 1 ton you get a lot more cargo weight capability, 2,000 in the 3/4 ton, 4,000 in the 1 ton SRW and 6,000 in the DRW trucks. Cargo weigh is important when towing a 5th wheel.

Good point. There's zero difference in fuel economy and very little difference in cost between the Cummins SRW Ram 2500 and 3500. The 3500 comes standard with some options that are extra cost on the 2500 (tow mirrors, anti-slip differential, etc.).

Typical door jam sticker payload on a Cummins Ram 2500 SRW is 2000-2200 lbs; a Cummins Ram 3500 SRW, 3800-4000 lbs. Many will say the payload on the Ram 2500 is artificially limited due to its 10k GVWR. However, if you're a by-the-numbers kind of person this difference in payload is something you may want to keep in mind. If the Ram 2500's softer ride is not a priority, IMO the Ram 3500 is the way-to-go---especially if you have any plans to upgrade to larger 5th wheels in the future.

jdsimple wrote:
. . . I have been researching Ram 2500 CC short bed and so far it appears I will be trading in to get one. Just want some input on how this thing will tow, fuel mileage and such. I really like the idea on the auto level air suspension which takes place of the coil springs. Anyone have experience with this so far? Also was looking at the ram box bed with the tools boxes on sides of bed. Would this inhibit the 5th wheel hitch in any way? I know the issues of 5th wheel and short bed but would I need a slider?

Thanks for all the input.

The bed rails in a Rambox equipped truck are significantly narrower than the bed rails in a standard short bed. Clearance issues between the king pin assembly and the bed rails during a turn are going to be a serious problem which a slider will not address---unless you can adjust the hitch high enough to get the king pin assembly to clear the bed rails in a turn---highly unlikely. As transamz9 mentioned, a Sidewinder may be your only option.

Most late model Ram 2500/3500 6.7 Cummins SRW's typically get 16-19 mpg empty at 75-80 MPH. Towing a 10k-15k 5th, most typically report 9-11 MPG.

FWIW, if you do consider the Ram 3500, note the Ram 3500 OEM airbag suspension is more of a "supplemental" system vs. the more dedicated unit in the Ram 2500.

Good luck!

Can't comment on the ram box and 5ver, but while I love the usefulness of the rambox, it limits a lot of things a pickup bed is used for. I'd opt away from it personally.
Power wise, the Pstroke will toast the Ram in a drag race like the ram was chained down. Pulling, they'll run side by side. After time in the Arctic with a fleet of all 3 new def emissions diesels, the solid nod goes to ram for least amount of emissions issues for trucks that were absolutely tortured from an emissions standpoint.
And I believe the 2500 air ride is only good to 3000lbs or so. Something to consider.

We had a 2014 RAM EcoDiesel and pulled a 31.5 TT weighing 7,000 pounds loaded. The EcoDiesel would get 13 to 14 mpg towing which was great but going up hills the sweet spot for that truck was between 45 to 50 mph max. The truck would do more but I don't like to rev the engine. Also the EcoDiesel would get 26.5 mpg not towing on the open road.

We traded up to a 2015 RAM 2500 Mega Cab CTD with plans on moving up to a little larger 5th wheel. The 2500 pulls our 7,000 pound TT with no problem at all. Only problem I had towing with the 2500 was going up the Grapevine (I-5). Before I knew it we were doing 85 mph a speed I don't do while towing. The 2015 Ram 2500 gets me between 11 to 12 mpg towing, 16 to 17 around town (not towing) and 20 to 21 on the freeway not towing.

So far I find the RAM to be a great truck with no problems in the 16 months I have had the truck (15,000 miles). Ok, I did just have the front end aligned, boy that made a nice difference in driving too. My only suggestion would be if you haven't already bought a new truck yet look into getting a 1 ton instead of the 3/4 ton. Fuel mileage is the same, at least that is what all the 1 ton owners I have talked to say they get on the road. Plus with the 1 ton you get a lot more cargo weight capability, 2,000 in the 3/4 ton, 4,000 in the 1 ton SRW and 6,000 in the DRW trucks. Cargo weigh is important when towing a 5th wheel.

My wife and I in March traded in our 2012 ram Mega Cab 2500 with the 5.7L.
We used it to tow our 40' 11K bunk house. It towed amazingly. Never had an issue with towing. We had a slider hitch in it but never used it. That was mostly due to the design of the fifth wheel as the pin was exposed a lot and it let us turn almost to the full 90.
As for gas mileage we added the bullydog system and pulling the trailer she was around the 12 mpg range. I don't have a heavy foot at starts and stuff or highway. Mostly 65 mph. Did add air bags because she squatted a lot. Oh also added a cold air intake and a flowmaster muffler.
We just upgraded to a 2016 Ram 3500 CC with the Cummins. World of difference for sure. It I do miss the mega for its room inside the cab. Also we upgraded our trailer and the new one the fiberglass front cab sits very far forward and does not allow us to turn as far as the old one. So we see us having to use the slider. Time to practice with it again.

But I have no complaints about that truck wife wanted bigger trailer so good excuse for me to get a new truck. Traded it in with 24,000 on it.

Me Again wrote:

Flashman wrote:
Sorry about That Ford - As far as the SB Dodge - just got back from a 4000+ mile round trip with a 2016 Dodge Diesel 2500 short bed crew cab - was my Brother in law's truck - ran perfect the whole way. I was in my 2006 Mega cab 2500 - both trucks performed flawlessly.

How did your BIL get a 2016 Dodge truck? Dodge no longer builds trucks! Chris

Always be Dodge to us old timers.

Flashman wrote:
Sorry about That Ford - As far as the SB Dodge - just got back from a 4000+ mile round trip with a 2016 Dodge Diesel 2500 short bed crew cab - was my Brother in law's truck - ran perfect the whole way. I was in my 2006 Mega cab 2500 - both trucks performed flawlessly.

How did your BIL get a 2016 Dodge truck? Dodge no longer builds trucks! Chris

Sorry about That Ford - As far as the SB Dodge - just got back from a 4000+ mile round trip with a 2016 Dodge Diesel 2500 short bed crew cab - was my Brother in law's truck - ran perfect the whole way. I was in my 2006 Mega cab 2500 - both trucks performed flawlessly.

jdsimple wrote:
Hey all, would like some input on the new Ram 2500 CC. I currently have a 2015 F250 SD and tow a 2015 Primetime Crusader 5th wheel with auto slider. Tows great, no prob but just not completely happy with Ford right now. Truck has 21000 miles and been in the shop more than my driveway it seems. I have been researching Ram 2500 CC short bed and so far it appears I will be trading in to get one. Just want some input on how this thing will tow, fuel mileage and such. I really like the idea on the auto level air suspension which takes place of the coil springs. Anyone have experience with this so far? Also was looking at the ram box bed with the tools boxes on sides of bed. Would this inhibit the 5th wheel hitch in any way? I know the issues of 5th wheel and short bed but would I need a slider?

Thanks for all the input.

The only way you can have the Ram Box and tow a fifth wheel is to have a pivoting hitch like the Sidewinder put on your fifth wheel. As for all you other questions, there won't be much difference between your current truck and the Ram except you won't see the dealer as much.

As for the air ride, you will wonder how you lived without it.