Test drove a Cummins last night.

What's wrong with Dodge mirrors?

AH64ID wrote:
I personally dislike how Ram only offers 3.42's in their SRW's but not much can be done about that unless you have the dealer do a swap before delivery. Personally I would be having 4.10's swapped in before delivery but I do a lot of heavy driving up steep grades at slow speeds where the 3.42's and 1st just aren't low enough.

Yea, I was a bit curious about that as well. I guess they figure the 2500 has a max tow rating of 17K and the 3.42 handles it fine. It isn't until you get to DRW and tow ratings bump into the 20K+ range that they even offer a lower rear axle ratio. I guess they know what they are doing...

I personally am not a fan of any of the air suspension systems. I think they limit off rod performance and I don't like the added complexity. Just my opinion.

If a 2500 meets your needs then please consider a 3500. Everyone gets a BIGGER RV every few years.

Factory prep FOR SURE! Rear air is really nice. Then if ya really want to step it up get the Aisin trans. All these things do cost a bit more but down the road when you are trying to figure out how tom make the 2500 safe to tow Mama's dream RV you will be thankful you have them!!!

OH LONG BED!!!!!!!!!

We have the factory fifth wheel prep, like that. We also have the factory rear air suspension, that's nice too but I really love the whole truck! The power is awesome as is the EB!

If you get the RAM just know it'll be extremely hard to wipe the grin off of your face every time you drive it for the first few months! :B

Dan

LOL, I was a Ford man for all of my life and you can see what I bought! I personally don't think that the Cummins can be beat for ultimate reliability. We plan on keeping our truck for 20 plus years so buying the Cummins with the manual transmission seemed like a no brainer. The current heavy duty Ram truck is as good if not better than the competition too.

I too would highly recommend the factory fifth wheel prep package if you plan on going to a fifth wheel in the future. It is so much cleaner than an aftermarket installation with no drilling required. The electrical plug is also installed inside the bed as part of this package.

I went with the short box because I wanted it to fit in my garage. I currently am running the factory Ram 20k slider hitch (had it thrown in on the truck deal) and had to use the slider with our former trailer but our newer trailer has a much more rounded cap that makes the slider unnecessary. I will probably switch to the B&W hitch at some point in the future which fits the factory prep package perfectly.

We just pulled our 16,000 lb fifth wheel over Stevens Pass in the South Cascades in Washington the other day and the slowest I saw was 55 mph and got 11 mpg doing so. The truck pulls like a train with power to spare. The exhaust brake is also fantastic and I only touched the service brakes once coming down the East side of the pass. I would highly recommend one and have no regrets at all with ours.

The 2500 with the rear coils is 370/800.

I highly recommend the factory 5th wheel prep.

The coil suspension means you looked at a 2500 with the 68RFE and 370/800 rating. That's a great truck with a great ride. You can even get it with an air ride suspension.

Long vs Short bed is similar to 2500 vs 3500. What are you planning to use it for??

I personally wouldn't get a short bed and I also would get a 3500 but my usage may vary. My truck is mostly dedicated for towing/hauling/camping/hunting/etc so I want a long bed for the room/gear. Long beds also are more comfortable on the road. I know many people with short beds that have complained, at least once, about wishing they went long bed. I don't know anyone with a long bed who has said the same about a short bed.

2500 vs 3500. The biggest advantage to the 3500 SRW is the option for the Aisin transmission if you tow heavy and/or often. The 68RFE is a great transmission the Aisin is just better.

The 2500 will ride better empty and loaded will be similar. If you get the air ride 2500 it will have the best ride. The 3500 can get air assist but it is not air ride.

I personally dislike how Ram only offers 3.42's in their SRW's but not much can be done about that unless you have the dealer do a swap before delivery. Personally I would be having 4.10's swapped in before delivery but I do a lot of heavy driving up steep grades at slow speeds where the 3.42's and 1st just aren't low enough.

So lots of things to think about.

As far as the 5er prep group I say get it. I have heard lots of good things about it.

My dad was a GM guy growing up but he made the switch to Cummins in 2005 and I bought my 05 in 07. For where/how we use our trucks we prefer the Cummins/Dodge powertrain and axle setup.

CampingN.C. wrote:
Man that thing is sooo smooth. You can't hardly feel it change gears at all. Factory exhaust brake is pretty cool, didn't expect it to work as good as it does. The ride quality with the rear coils make mine feel like a wooden wagon.
Still on the longbed/shortbed fence though, and all they have is black and white, don't really care for either.
Thoughts on RAM factory 5th wheel prep? Pros and cons?
May pull the trigger Monday.

Can't believe I just typed this, been hardcore Chevy since I was 16! :(

I went in not expecting to get a Ram either but it wasn't even a close decision for me after I shopped the different brands. I still can't get in it without smiling. They have really upped their game with these new heavy duty models. FWIW I went short bed cause this is my daily driver and I deal with parking lots and garages a lot plus on weekends in the summer and fall I take it offroad camping and fishing and hunting and the shortbed is substantially better in those environments. Either would have fit in my garage so that was a non issue. I will say that despite the long wheelbases these Rams do turn surprisingly tight.

I get 16-17 city/suburban consistently and that's a lot of stop and go. Run 82 freeway and I get 18+. Keep it at 65 and I'll run 21-22. EVIC and hand calculated has run real close for me for whatever reason. Sometimes high and sometimes low but never far off yet.

Aftermarket fifth wheel rails run a couple hundred bucks and you can install them yourself so I wouldn't say the factory prep is necessary, but it is a cleaner look with the factory and you get the harness in the bed without having to run the wires yourself. I wouldn't say its a big deal either way.

Mine is white and its a great color. Haven't washed it yet but it looks nice and clean...if you don't look too close. :B

Edit - the tow mirrors are great, but I think Ford mirrors are the best. Not a big deal either way, I just don't love the donkey ear look when mine are flipped up.

CampingN.C. wrote:
Can't believe I just typed this, been hardcore Chevy since I was 16! :(

Now now it's all right. (Pats on the back)

Chevy man for 54 years until 2006 when I bought my Ram.

You can make the transition too. :)