Is anyone towing with the Ram 1500 diesel?

goducks10 wrote:

Really? Why don't you post some pics of the ones that have higher payloads instead of showing the lowest ones? You can do that with the Tundra and the Ford. The OP is interested in the diesel version which if he picks the right trim level will be perfectly adequate.

I posted closer to what people buy. Crew cabs make up 50% of half ton pickup market. Luxury trims (Laramie/Lariat/LTZ and higher) make up 25% of the half ton pickup market. So while most people buy mid trim level trucks (SLT/BigHorn/XLT/LT), they also add a few options which bring as equipped payloads really close to what I posted. Someone else posted they saw under 800 pounds of payload at a local auto show on a luxury Ram Ecodiesel with a lot of options.

Anyway, I also recommend to compare real trucks on lots that OP test drives. If the Ecodiesel meets the needs, great! I'd love one, but it needs about 1000 pounds more payload for my needs.

Fast Mopar wrote:

AndrewM wrote:

I have the heaviest, most optioned F-150 Ford makes. A 2011 Harley Davidson edition, supercrew, all wheel drive, 22" wheels with the 6.2L engine. My payload (1,148 lbs) is still 300lbs more than the Ram ecodiesel.

No, the heaviest most optioned F-150 Ford makes is the Raptor. There is an Edmunds article on a 2011 that I read recently that listed the Raptor payload of 993 lb. Either way, this is a thread on the Ecodiesel.

Most expensive for sure. I hope the raptor is not the heaviest as it would defeat the purpose of a "sporty" offroad truck.

In any case none of those seem to be aimed at towing heavy. The Ford Harley is for show with 22" wheels. The Raptor is for performance. Not quite sure what is the point of the Ram diesel; possibly gas savings but they are quite expensive upfront.

PUCampin wrote:

This is NOT THE SAME as typical RV use

Load up the family of 4 or 5, the dog, plus bikes firewood and a generator in the bed. Now hookup a typical 5500lb dry = 6500-7000lb ready to camp trailer wich is high profile, high center of gravity, and has a tongue weight over 900lbs.

Well, I'd say your post just highlights the fact that there is NO typical RV use. There are lots of people doing what you're doing. But then ...

Take my in-laws for example. Just 2 of them, almost always go to one of about 4 different RV parks w/ full hookups. 5k lb trailer, no water, no firewood, no generator, no dog and no kids, not much stuff other than food, a couple lawn chairs and a few books. The ED would be perfect for this -- nice easy tow w/in the truck's ratings, and a nice driving, good mpg truck for the rest of the year.

It is all about finding the right tool for the job ... I think the ED certainly fills a certain niche.

From my quick read of the adventure, it sounds like the exact situation to use the truck for.

4100lb dump trailer loaded with 1900lbs of equipment is a low profile, low center of gravity and LOW 10% TONGUE WEIGHT. So that is about 600lbs. The guy I believe was by himself? So add 175lbs and some stuff. We are at about 800lbs, so he was actually most likely within spec!!

This is NOT THE SAME as typical RV use

Load up the family of 4 or 5, the dog, plus bikes firewood and a generator in the bed. Now hookup a typical 5500lb dry = 6500-7000lb ready to camp trailer wich is high profile, high center of gravity, and has a tongue weight over 900lbs.

Unfortunately, most people do not realize how different these situations are, and neither the truck or RV dealers explain it. They don't explain just how many flavors these trucks come in, the F150 can have a payload from under 1000lbs, to over 3000lbs!! They just tell you you have a huge trailer tow rating, but not how payload determines what kind of trailer.

ib516 wrote:
ECODIESEL MAIDEN VOYAGE

Interesting thread about the guy's trip, to be sure.

Those looking at the ED for towing a TT should keep in mind that the low profile dump trailer will tow a lot easier than a boxy TT; that dump trailer has almost no wind resistance. I would think that 14 mpg w/ a big sail behind you would be hard to get, but who knows. But at any rate, sounds like a great truck for its intended purposes.

AndrewM wrote:

I have the heaviest, most optioned F-150 Ford makes. A 2011 Harley Davidson edition, supercrew, all wheel drive, 22" wheels with the 6.2L engine. My payload (1,148 lbs) is still 300lbs more than the Ram ecodiesel.

No, the heaviest most optioned F-150 Ford makes is the Raptor. There is an Edmunds article on a 2011 that I read recently that listed the Raptor payload of 993 lb. Either way, this is a thread on the Ecodiesel.

There was a long saga on a Ram forum where a guy got a flight to the lower 48, bought a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and towed a trailer he also bought in the lower 48 back to Alaska. I'll try to find it. That will give you real world info.

goducks10 wrote:
Really? Why don't you post some pics of the ones that have higher payloads instead of showing the lowest ones? You can do that with the Tundra and the Ford. The OP is interested in the diesel version which if he picks the right trim level will be perfectly adequate.

I have the heaviest, most optioned F-150 Ford makes. A 2011 Harley Davidson edition, supercrew, all wheel drive, 22" wheels with the 6.2L engine. My payload (1,148 lbs) is still 300lbs more than the Ram ecodiesel.

goducks10 wrote:

Really? Why don't you post some pics of the ones that have higher payloads instead of showing the lowest ones? You can do that with the Tundra and the Ford. The OP is interested in the diesel version which if he picks the right trim level will be perfectly adequate.

Correct. Get a 2WD SLT and the payload is good. I agree that the Ram ED payload should be higher, but you just need to select the proper model.