I believe I can safely assume that the Ram will tow better than F150HD with max tow package (is that true?). But how about as a daily driving machine? I expect to tow/not-tow roughly 50/50 in terms of mileage. I do prefer non-trucky feeling if at all possible. Does coil spring in the Ram offer better ride compare to other 3/4t trucks? I am likely to end up pulling a TT around 7-8k range if that matters.

I drive the 2012 Max Payload (a.k.a. HD) / Max Tow and it handles my 8k trailer well and is fine around town. My neighbor has a 2015 Ram 2500 with the Cummins. I prefer the electronic steering on my truck and I also prefer the height on my rig (his sits several inches higher). I thought the ride on his truck with the coil springs was fine. The engine is smooth and strong, but I did not get to tow with it. I would expect the Ram 2500 (gas or diesel) to tow better than my truck due to the heavier weight and components. For that matter the 2500 diesel would be no contest.If I were buying a 2015/2016 truck there are 2 things about the new F150 Max Payload I do not like as well as my 2012. I like the fact my truck weighs 6,000 lbs as that provides stability. The new version is 700 lbs lighter. Also, the last time I checked you could not get bucket seats in the Max Payload package and that is a feature I really like. If it were me I would take a Ram 2500 for a test drive and make sure that includes running on some roads that were not too smooth to get a better feel for it. Good luck,Stu

I can't compare it against the F150HD, but I don't mind my 6.4L Ram 2500 as a daily driver at all. I also tow in the 7k+ range. The truck I had prior to this was a '12 Titan, so a 1500 class. The Ram rides very well, considering what it is. Turning radius is a little wider. It's a little taller. It barely fits in the garage height-wise. Gas mileage with no trailer is actually better than the Titan, although the Titan was known for lousy mileage. Bought the trailer after the Ram, so I can't compare towing mileage fairly between the Ram and Titan.Test drive one, and see what you think. Ride quality is pretty subjective, as is "truckiness". I won't try to sway your decision between the two options. But they're both good trucks to check out. As long as it's capable of doing the job, pick the one you like the best.

I think you will find the 2500 gets quite a bit worse fuel mileage tootling around town empty, and rides like a truck with no load to calm it down. The 1500 should get far better fuel mileage around town and probably equal or better towing within it's capacity, and will basically ride like a car. The main difference between them may be load capacity and top end towing ability. If you tow within the capacity of the 1500 it would probably be my choice for a daily driver.

I would go with the 2500 6.4. It will be more trucky and probably get a little worse mileage. But it will handle the trailer better and it gives you the option to upgrade trailers in the future. Plus I prefer to drive a 250\2500 over the 150\1500 trucks.How many miles do you drive a year? You will probably get 12mpg city with the 6.4 vs 15 with the ecoboost.

Can you even get a new F150 HD Payload? They ended up not making them in 2015, but maybe they've started now with the 2016s.I tow an 8000# trailer with a 2011 Ecoboost, but as it wasn't a HD payload, I had to bolster the suspension and switch to LT-E tires. Works fine, but HD Payload is the smart/better way to go.If mileage isn't important to you, I would try the RAM 2500. It is a bigger truck, but I've heard the ride with the coil rear isn't bad. They have a tight turning radius, so are pretty manoeuvrable. If you have any plans to get a heavier trailer in the future, like a fifth wheel, the RAM has more payload.

Ram 2500 6.4 vs F150HD 3.5 Eco as a daily driver

69 Replies

ShinerBock
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
goducks10 wrote:
pbmazda32 wrote:
I asked the dealers i was talking to if I could test drive it pulling my camper. The ford dealer wasnt hesitant at all to let me hitch up. The dodge dealer pushed back, citing something about insurance, until I told them i wouldn't buy a truck unless I knew it suited my needs, then they let me hitch up the camper.

I guess the break in period is not all that important.

Some dealerships will have a vehicle specifically used for that. I know my dealer had a decked out Platinum F150 3.5L max tow they had aa a demo to tow when I was. The general manager will drive it for the first 1,000 miles during its break in. Then it it used as their demo vehicle until it reaches about 10,000 miles and it is sold as a certified used. No doubt that thing has probably been flogged to death by every salesman or customer. One reason why I never buy a used truck and only buy a truck that has never been test drove.

I think every dealership should have a vehicle like this with their main tow packages.
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
pbmazda32 wrote:
I asked the dealers i was talking to if I could test drive it pulling my camper. The ford dealer wasnt hesitant at all to let me hitch up. The dodge dealer pushed back, citing something about insurance, until I told them i wouldn't buy a truck unless I knew it suited my needs, then they let me hitch up the camper.

I guess the break in period is not all that important.
pbmazda32
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
I asked the dealers i was talking to if I could test drive it pulling my camper. The ford dealer wasnt hesitant at all to let me hitch up. The dodge dealer pushed back, citing something about insurance, until I told them i wouldn't buy a truck unless I knew it suited my needs, then they let me hitch up the camper.
jus2shy
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
when test driving, I find the most horrible road a reasonable distance away I can take the vehicle. I jostle the vehicle to make sure I like it. I even find some horrible speed bumps to drive over. That'll do it justice enough and if you test drive nearly back to back, you can get a good comparison between vehicles and figure out which one suits you. The trick is consistency. Take your own route, not what the dealer determines as your best route.
Acei
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
Grit dog wrote:
Acei wrote:
pbmazda32 wrote:
Test drove both the F150 with the Max Tow package and the Ram 2500 with the 6.4. The F150 was a much nicer truck unloaded. With the camper, the Ram wins it hands down, in my opinion. I bought the Ram and just finished my 4th outing with it and the camper and am happy I got the right truck for my needs. Biggest difference I've noticed between the HD Ram and my old F150 is i'm not nearly as tired after a day of towing. Everything about the truck is relaxed and I never feel like I'm working to keep it under control, does that make sense? Anyways, good luck with your truck hunting.

Thank you for describing your experience. When you say F150 was much nicer unloaded, could you elaborate a bit further please? Was it the interior or the driving experience itself, and in what ways?

Also, what was the length/weight of the camper you pulled?

Thanks again.

Why don't you just go drive them and decide for yourself?

I will for sure, but a 10min test drive won't do this justice. Plus I won't be able to test drive pulling a trailer. Further more, I never pulled one before, so I wouldn't even know where to start. Just trying to do as much due diligence before making the actual purchase. :)
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Dec 09, 2015
Acei wrote:
pbmazda32 wrote:
Test drove both the F150 with the Max Tow package and the Ram 2500 with the 6.4. The F150 was a much nicer truck unloaded. With the camper, the Ram wins it hands down, in my opinion. I bought the Ram and just finished my 4th outing with it and the camper and am happy I got the right truck for my needs. Biggest difference I've noticed between the HD Ram and my old F150 is i'm not nearly as tired after a day of towing. Everything about the truck is relaxed and I never feel like I'm working to keep it under control, does that make sense? Anyways, good luck with your truck hunting.

Thank you for describing your experience. When you say F150 was much nicer unloaded, could you elaborate a bit further please? Was it the interior or the driving experience itself, and in what ways?

Also, what was the length/weight of the camper you pulled?

Thanks again.

Why don't you just go drive them and decide for yourself?
brulaz
Explorer
Dec 08, 2015
Maybe they've changed it for 2015.
That would be a great improvement.
Acei
Explorer
Dec 08, 2015
In Canada, it appears to be available. I saw the option for the Platinum model, which was checkable...
brulaz
Explorer
Dec 08, 2015
Sadly the HD Payload option is not available in the higher trims like Platinum.
Highest is the Lariat, and even there, the fancier options are not available.

You want a very fancy Ford truck with >2000# payload you will have to go up to an F250/350.
Acei
Explorer
Dec 08, 2015
I weigh 140lb and my DW only weighs 127lb so that saves some payload... lol. We don't plan on carrying any passengers, especially when towing. But I do plan to carry an aux fuel tank on the bed which is significant. There won't be any other significant cargo when towing... If I go the route of F150, I would be getting the Platinum version. Hopefully, there will be enough payload capacity.