Ram 2500 6.4 vs F150HD 3.5 Eco as a daily driver

The Ram 2500s have Coil Springs with Optional Rear Air suspension. The Ford F150s have leafs in the rear.

My coworker has a 2500 with the 6.4, and loves it. He was telling me on the hiway, with cylinder deactivation, it gets decent mileage. Of course, as with all railroaders, it is probably a fish story, and his mileage isn't as good as he claims.

And the Ram with the EcoD, would handle 7000. Especially with the 3.92 gears and Green Diesel tune. But, there are a few model of grills to avoid due to poor air flow. I have one of them, and will be changing my grill inserts. A few of us here are on theRam 1500 Diesel Forums. If interested, ask away. And, remember, just like every forum, people go there to post issues.

Thanks for some feedback, guys.

Here are some additional info:

- Chance of upgrading my future TT will be close to nill before upgrading the truck, I'm in it for a long run. This will be a custom built TT suited for our needs. Since we will snow bird with this setup, we will drive roughly 8000 miles per year towing, and another 8000 miles not towing.

- I do realize that F150 will probably ride better but what about the Max Payload version? I hear that this version rides a bit truckier than the regular version. I'm hoping to hear from someone who has experience riding on both F150HD and Ram 2500 with coil or even air suspension. And yes, on Canadian 2016 site, I was able to equip high payload option on 3.5 Eco model. I do remember them not offering this in 2015 as well last year. I can test drive for sure but based on my past experiences with test drives, they don't always reveal all the subtle aspects of car's suspension behaviours.

- Is Ram 2500 bigger than F150 physically? I thought 1/2, 3/4, and 1t trucks are all similar in sizes... I'm only interested in the "CrewCab" variation with short beds so they all should come out close to 20feet-ish.

= Based on my own research, Ram 1500 with EcoDiesel would struggle to pull a trailer that weighs at least 7k, correct?

Between the Hemi cylinder deactivation and the rear coils making it ride more like a Caddy vs. a truck I think the choice is clear.
Go to some of the Ram forums that have sections specifically for the 6.4 HEMI's, you'll get more accurate info there.

Using a newer 3/4 ton as a DD is not bad. I use both my car and truck, but sometime the truck is the primary for a while. I don't mind it a bit. I would rather have a truck made for towing then trying to upgrade the components on my 1/2 ton to provide what a 3/4 ton already provides. Not that I feel the 1/2 ton trucks can't pull there rated towing. The newer ones are really impressive, but if I have to order extra packages with them, just make it simple go 3/4 ton. Btw the new dodge 2500 is a really nice truck, I have seen them up close and really like the way they have improved them.

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.

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.

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 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 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