Dodge Ram 2500 VS Chevy 2500 Gaser Short beds

[Crabbypatty]

We need a new TV soon and have been using a 2500 series Suburban with an 8.1l. Its a beast of a truck. We bought two Jeeps and have lifetime warranties on them and the Ram trucks have that option as well. Wife likes the Dodge I like the Chevy and would like to do diesel but we only tow 30+/- days out of 365, so its not cost effective. Has anyone had any experience towing with either truck. Keep in mind we would be getting the short bed 4x4. The long beds are like trying to park a bus and wifey would not be happy about that. Presently we are pulling a Sunnybrook Sunset Creek with a max weight of 10,000. I think we are around 8500 as presently configured. Any issues with either truck?
Thanks!

[Crabbypatty]

Great Info All! And thank you! I'll see what develops on the lots as the new models are coming so maybe there will be a great deal on a leftover .

[kmbelt]

autorot8 wrote:
You might have a hard time finding a 6.4L with the 4.10s. Not sure you would need the 4.10s. I tow about the same weight as you with a 4x4 short bed 6.4L with 3.73s. I also live on the west coast at 4000', and have no problems with the 3.73. Pulling mountain passes I can maintain 55-60 mph in 3rd at 3000 rpm.

I'm in the same boat. mine has the 3.73 also and i have no problem at all. I do think the 4.10's would be better from everything i have read. I also believe they would produce better fuel economy ironically. My truck lugs around when in MDS mode and not towing. I think the 4.10's would even it out better.

They are hard to find with 4.10's though.

[autorot8]

You might have a hard time finding a 6.4L with the 4.10s. Not sure you would need the 4.10s. I tow about the same weight as you with a 4x4 short bed 6.4L with 3.73s. I also live on the west coast at 4000', and have no problems with the 3.73. Pulling mountain passes I can maintain 55-60 mph in 3rd at 3000 rpm.

[Targa]

The later models are all so close in performance just get the one YOU like. Sit in them, take them for a spin and just get the one that you feel good in.

[Dandy_Dan]

Crabby, see if you can find posts about the newer Ram with the 6.4 He went from a diesel to this unit and hasn't had any complaints. Ib516 is the poster on this.
Good Luck.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Crabbypatty wrote:
It seems that votes are for Ram with a 6.4 and 4.10 gears. Not unless I can find a left over CTD at a gasser price. Then the DW wouldnt have a choice. ! 😉

You won't go wrong with either. Test drive both back to back if possible (and with comparable options) to decide. Trying to drive the same route as well!!!

Good luck!!! And keep us posted how it all turns out!!!!

[Crabbypatty]

It seems that votes are for Ram with a 6.4 and 4.10 gears. Not unless I can find a left over CTD at a gasser price. Then the DW wouldnt have a choice. ! 😉

[Need-A-Vacation]

GM definitely uses torque managment!!! Lol

[KD4UPL]

I'm mostly a Chevy guy. I have a 2015 with 6.0 at wprk anf it's a great truck. I test drove a 6.4 Ram and then a Chevy back to back. The Ram felt more powerfull, it had more snap or punch. Maybe GM uses more torque management.

[itguy08]

Chevy is going to be the better quality truck hands down. Nothing FCA makes is worth buying, IMHO.

[spoon059]

Let me tell you, the coil suspension in the back of the newer Ram's is AWESOME! I'm amazed at how smooth the ride is in the 3/4 ton truck. The 2016's are about to hit the lots, you should be able to find a 2014 for a decent price. I was able to stumble into a used 2015 diesel... couldn't turn it down! It was about the same price as a new gas...

[Need-A-Vacation]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Just out of curiosity, being a Ford guy and no dog in the hunt, I checked the motor and transmission specs mentioned. The old 8.1L 4 sp would pull the new 6.0L 6 speed off the line every time and with less RPM's. Since my next truck will not have my beloved 6.8L V-10 I will look at Ram's 6.4L vs. Ford's 6.2L.

Just going by specs doesn't always tell the whole story though. The current 6.0 that is down on power by a fair amount compared to the 6.2 or 6.4 should not do nearly as well as it does in the real world if one went by the paper specs only. Yes, the 6.0 does have a drinking issue, but the combo of the trans gears keeps it playing even though it is probably overdue for an update (per the paper specs).

Yes, the 6.0 does need to rev to make the power, but most of the modern motors need to do so as well. Just the way the gas motors are now designed. No more reaching full tq output at only 2200rpms.

[fla-gypsy]

Just out of curiosity, being a Ford guy and no dog in the hunt, I checked the motor and transmission specs mentioned. The old 8.1L 4 sp would pull the new 6.0L 6 speed off the line every time and with less RPM's. Since my next truck will not have my beloved 6.8L V-10 I will look at Ram's 6.4L vs. Ford's 6.2L.

[blt2ski]

The last couple of years 6.0 gassers have given past years 8.1 more than ample run for the money. Especially since that have as many HP, torque and MORE gears to work with keeping it in the powerband better. I seem to recall a test against the almight dmax, and at the end of the hill climb, the 6.0 was catching up due to initial startup not being as quick. I would consider one with 4.10's and the new 6 sp over the 8.1 or dmax frankly. For how and where I drive, 4.33's would be better if an option. I'm pretty much a 62 mph or slower driver, so the DOD with 3.73's and even 4.10s could be a useless gear to work with.

Marty