Hi everyone,I really appreciate all the help I get on here. I have another question for you guys. I have a Lance 650 on my 2015 Nissan Titan w/ a Tow Package. I've also added rear suspension and a brake controller to my truck. I also tow behind me a large 2-Horse Bumper Pull Trailer with an 1100lb horse in it and usually have a friends 900-1000lb horse as well. My horse trailer is about 3500lbs with nothing in it. I added an E-Z lift kit w/ Sway Control to my trailer. My tow capacity is 9,300 lbs. My wet weight of my camper is 1800lbs.When I originally got my Titan I planned on just zipping around the valley to destinations with my horse. I didn't know I'd be getting a truck camper. I've never had any problems so far while towing all of this weight. I've even done several trips going up and down long hills (from Phoenix to Flagstaff) without issues. Yet, I have a lot of experienced horse people giving me strange looks and suggesting I get a bigger truck. When people tell me this do they think they are stressing a bigger engine or heavier truck? I also need to switch to a 4x4 because of some of the base camps I end up at I am afraid of getting stuck.I am partial to Ram Trucks, but have been fairly happy with my Titan. I've been considering a couple of options but wanted to get your opinions.Option #1: A 2017 Ram 2500 w/ a V8 engine and tow capacity of 13,000lbs (could get nicer trim for same price as below)Option #2: A 2017 Ram 2500 w/ a Cummins Diesel and a tow capacity of 17,000lbs (most expensive and most basic trim)Option #3: A 2017 Nissan Titan XD w/ a Cummins Diesel and tow capacity of 13,000lbs (most value and best warranty)All of your thoughts are greatly appreciated :)

It sounds like your current truck works fine other than 4x4? Too bad, the Titan sounds like it is up to the task other than that. If it came with a locking type diff and you went to more aggressive tires it might be just fine.I would personally go with Option 2. In fact looking to buy my 3rd Cummins P/U now. Have always liked the easy power the Cummins truck delivers right off idle. The trailer and camper would be an easy tow with plenty of power on tap if you ever go to a bigger trailer.I'm sure any of these trucks would work fine for what you describe above though.

My experience with Nissan is that they don't stand behind their warranty. Our Altima had a problem with the motor mounts. I had 2 Nissan dealers tell me that the warranty should cover it. Nissan wouldn't. You are much better off with Ram.

Mortimer Brewster wrote:You are much better off with Ram.Davesmith.com in Kellog, Idahoor DennisDillon.com in the Boise, Idaho area are two highly recommended dealers.

Option 2. Get the diesel Ram if you're going to step up to a bigger truck. You'll love it, and it won't even know that camper and trailer are on it. That makes a significant difference in comfort, stress and fatigue on you when on a trip. What used to be a loaded-heavy drive will seem like a leisurely effortless cruise. The tow rating number in the brochure isn't the whole story!

burningman wrote:Option 2. Get the diesel Ram if you're going to step up to a bigger truck. You'll love it, and it won't even know that camper and trailer are on it. That makes a significant difference in comfort, stress and fatigue on you when on a trip. What used to be a loaded-heavy drive will seem like a leisurely effortless cruise. The tow rating number in the brochure isn't the whole story!Last year I did several 8+ hour trips alone while hauling my horse. I feel like having a more than capable truck will give me some peace of mind.

Upgrading my Truck? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 15, 2017
Really, you don't need a DRW for a Lance 650 and a 2-horse trailer. I know about planning for the future and all, and a 2500 would limit you as far as getting a lavish massive TC in the future, but do you really forsee that?

3500 SRW's are hard to find in certain areas. Such as Western NY state. West of Syracuse there is ONE dealer with a Chevy 3500 SRW new on the lot, and it's a crew cab 2WD. Used ones are even harder to find because they're usually clapped out F350 work trucks.

A 2500 will work fine for your purposes and leave you some room for growth.
burningman
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2017
Whatever you do, don't buy a shortbed for camper hauling plus horse trailer towing!
Wrong rig!!!
FireGuard
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2017
A little more for you to think about, based on my experience.
I know you already have the Lance but if this is your only RV and you may think you want to go bigger in the future consider the LB.
A LB Ram gives you 500 more lbs of payload and allows for a bigger camper.
The Lance 850 would be a perfect match and give you a lot more room and tank capacities.
The SB Ram is only a 6'4" bed and makes any 8' camper have a long overhang.
You should be able to sell the 650 pretty easily so something to think about.
I like my SB for the convience but also have a TH when I want more room and tank capacity when camping for a longer period of time.
FireGuard
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2017
Go with a 3500 diesel and never worry about it.
I just bought a new 17 Ram 3500 Tradesman nicely optioned CC 4x4 Cummins with the Aisin trans for $44k.
I have close to 4K lbs of payload and more power than Ill ever need.
If you get the 68RFE trans which will be more than enough for your needs, you could probably get it for $41k or so. Probably less $ than the Nissan.
As mentioned, the exhaust brake alone is worth going diesel.
The Lance 650 is also on my list of TCs.
The air assist may be nice but not required.
With the leaf springs just get the Stabil Loads if needed.
stufarmer
Explorer
Feb 13, 2017
stufarmer wrote:
You have a Lance 650. A Ram 2500 4x4 with it's standard 5.7 V8 will handle your Camper with ease.
I do recommend either 3:73's or 4:10 gear ratios, but other than that, anything above and beyond the 2500
is for your wants, not your needs.

I retract my suggestion for a 2500. The 3500 does have rear leaf springs where the 2500's have rear coil springs. The rear leaf springs are better for weight carrying.
jimh406
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2017
I agree you should stop by a scale loaded and see what the numbers look like.

My guess is your horse friends want you to buy a DRW. That's probably what they drive, right? If you can get by the rest of the time with a DRW, buy the DRW.

If you need a SRW for the rest of the time, buy a 350/3500. There really isn't a lot of reason to buy the 2500 or another Titan. A DRW will give you more flexibility for the future when you decide to upgrade your truck camper or pull a heavier trailer. A heavier truck will be more stable.

They probably want you to buy a bigger truck camper, too. When are you going to do that? :)
mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 13, 2017
They are most likely suggesting the heavier truck for the strong frame, suspension, and tires. Power really isn't that much different, at least not in a gas model.

Frankly, the Titan XD does not gain you anything as far as any of that goes. It has LESS payload capacity than the truck you have now. The truck itself is much heavier, but the suspension and undercarriage is largely the same as a regular Titan.
kohldad
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2017
The new Ram 2500 has gone to a five link coil rear suspenion which provides a great ride and good towing capacity, but I've heard it doesn't handle the load of a truck camper very well.

Agree, don't get a 2500 with the coil springs as it doesn't do well with the load of a camper. There was someone here who had a light camper and bought a 2500. After several mods he has gotten it to work but still doesn't like how it handles the camper.

The 3500 is almost the same cost and gives more capacity. Spend the extra $1k and upgrade to the 6.4L engine. Much more torque down lower RPM so you will find you can stay below 3,000 RPM most of the time. With the 5.7, you will be much higher in the RPM band as that is where the torque comes into play.

My 3500 is my daily driver and it isn't that bad once I lower the pressure in the back tires to about 40psi. Which is something you can only do in the 2500 if you don't mind the tire pressure warning notifications.

As far as trim packages, the Tradesman is the bottom line, but one step up is the SLT (hard to find on the lot) as it is about $2k more but gives the chrome package, upgraded seats (still not power), rear sliding window, heated mirrors, 110V outlet, and a few other things. Usually you will find a Big Horn package for about the same price as the SLT, but it gives a few more features that I didn't like.

Before I did any of this, I would weigh your current setup with horses on board and see how the weights stack up against your limits. It will also give you an idea where you need to be on the new truck.
GpnAZ
Explorer
Feb 13, 2017
I have driven the highway from Phoenix to Flagstaff many times and I promise you will be happier pulling those mountain passes with a diesel, especially with your trailer and horses hooked up. I would look at the SRW Ram 3500 with factory air assist suspension. The exhaust brake also makes for safer downhill speeds on those mountain roads.
horseshoesnhapp
Explorer
Feb 12, 2017
stufarmer wrote:
You have a Lance 650. A Ram 2500 4x4 with it's standard 5.7 V8 will handle your Camper with ease.
I do recommend either 3:73's or 4:10 gear ratios, but other than that, anything above and beyond the 2500
is for your wants, not your needs.

Will the V8 be enough to haul my trailer and the horses? I mean, like I said so far I've had no problems with my V8 in my Titan...is it just the heavier truck I'm wanting?

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Upgrading my Truck?

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