Dodge 2500 or 3500 for a Travel Trailer

We just returned from a cross Canada trip. It gave me a different perspective on TVs. Back east rust limits trucks life . Back east,my '08 was rarity, but coming west, parking in shopping mall parking lot in Alberta, there were three of them parked near me. Since you are going to have to buy two or three of them, just get a cheap 1/2ton, in the time we run our Cummins.

valhalla360 wrote:

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Believe me if you live in the west or plan travelling here, it's not massive overkill. There are these things called hills, we go up then down them. When it comes to mountains we go through them on passes. These are like very long hills. Again, up and down. With a 1/2ton,after a few of these, you think camping on flat lands is for you. That Cummins flattens the highway, and it does it with 1/3 less fuel.

Around town, the length of the wheelbase not the capacity limits you. I don't know about the latest Rams, but my leaf sprung 1ton used overloads and was softer riding than some 1/2tons.

The guy is talking about a little 25' travel trailer. If it was a 35' 5th wheel trailer coming in north of 15k lbs, I would buy your argument.

Modern 1/2 ton trucks will handle the mountains no problem and unless you are pulling 50,000 miles per year, you will never make up the upfront cost difference with fuel savings.

But if he wants overkill, no one is stopping him, just can't justify it by anything logical.

You probably wouldn't make up the upfront cost in fuel savings,but I bet on the back end the 2500/3500 diesel retains more of their value so it's not a total loss. Not only that, you don't have to pull with a half ton of gutless wonder every time you want to go camping.

Thanks for all your kind help.

valhalla360 wrote:

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Believe me if you live in the west or plan travelling here, it's not massive overkill. There are these things called hills, we go up then down them. When it comes to mountains we go through them on passes. These are like very long hills. Again, up and down. With a 1/2ton,after a few of these, you think camping on flat lands is for you. That Cummins flattens the highway, and it does it with 1/3 less fuel.

Around town, the length of the wheelbase not the capacity limits you. I don't know about the latest Rams, but my leaf sprung 1ton used overloads and was softer riding than some 1/2tons.

The guy is talking about a little 25' travel trailer. If it was a 35' 5th wheel trailer coming in north of 15k lbs, I would buy your argument.

Modern 1/2 ton trucks will handle the mountains no problem and unless you are pulling 50,000 miles per year, you will never make up the upfront cost difference with fuel savings.

But if he wants overkill, no one is stopping him, just can't justify it by anything logical.

Why don't we make guys justify buying higher trim levels?

Sometimes you just want what you want. Out west a modern diesel provides such a better towing experience.

I ended up buying a 2015 RAM DRW 3500 when looking for a 2500 diesel 4WD. It was cheaper. I drive it everyday for work and it is our preferred vehicle for road trips without the 28 TT. Personal experience is that it does not ride like a log wagon although I carry about 200-250 lbs in the truck's bed.

Upside, I'll never wear it out, great ride and there have been no problems with the truck or pulling the trailer. Great driving position.

Downside, slightly less fuel mileage, curb the rear tires-I forget there're out there. Can's just park anywhere. My daughter has a RAM 2500 4WD and likes to drive the 3500 more. She tends to "borrow" it.

Would I do it again, short answer yes.

.

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Believe me if you live in the west or plan travelling here, it's not massive overkill. There are these things called hills, we go up then down them. When it comes to mountains we go through them on passes. These are like very long hills. Again, up and down. With a 1/2ton,after a few of these, you think camping on flat lands is for you. That Cummins flattens the highway, and it does it with 1/3 less fuel.

Around town, the length of the wheelbase not the capacity limits you. I don't know about the latest Rams, but my leaf sprung 1ton used overloads and was softer riding than some 1/2tons.

The guy is talking about a little 25' travel trailer. If it was a 35' 5th wheel trailer coming in north of 15k lbs, I would buy your argument.

Modern 1/2 ton trucks will handle the mountains no problem and unless you are pulling 50,000 miles per year, you will never make up the upfront cost difference with fuel savings.

But if he wants overkill, no one is stopping him, just can't justify it by anything logical.

Gulfcoast wrote:
I repeat, no half ton towing for me.

I recommend a class 8 semi tractor. Properly set up it, you won't even feel the trailer back there.

Believe me if you live in the west or plan travelling here, it's not massive overkill. There are these things called hills, we go up then down them. When it comes to mountains we go through them on passes. These are like very long hills. Again, up and down. With a 1/2ton,after a few of these, you think camping on flat lands is for you. That Cummins flattens the highway, and it does it with 1/3 less fuel.

Around town, the length of the wheelbase not the capacity limits you. I don't know about the latest Rams, but my leaf sprung 1ton used overloads and was softer riding than some 1/2tons.

ScottG wrote:

Gulfcoast wrote:
I'm getting a 5.9 Cummins diesel, will decide on the 2500 or the 3500.

In the 5.9 era of trucks, the 2500 and 3500 will ride exactly the same.

Enjoy!

The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 5.9L (3rd Generation) Dodge Ram truck is one extra leaf in the rear springs. They both have the same rear axle rating which is your real payload limitation. So if you're shopping for a 5.9L truck, I would suggest you buy either a 2500 or 3500, whichever one you find the best deal on the best condition truck.

If you buy a 2500, and should later get a heavier towable RV, you can either add the extra leaf spring, or put air bags on. I bought my 2500 5.9 used and it already had air bags on the rear. I did add an onboard air compressor with gauge, so after I hook up my TT, I level my truck by adding air to the air bags. Then right before I unhook, I deflate my air bags to a minimum 10 lbs.