Factory Order RAM 3/4 Ton 2500

[dshizzel]

I'm looking forward to ordering a 2015 Ram 2500 from the factory. I've decided against having the 5th wheel/Gooseneck prep done since it seems to really only accommodate the Mopar frame/rail assy and seems to be a waste of money based on what I want to do (see below).

I want to get the short bed (6.4'). My last TV was a '99 QC LB.

I plan to get the RamBox storage management, and will offset the narrower space and shorter bed with a Sidewinder setup and standard 5'er hitch. I've read some posts in other forums that, on balance, indicate that 5'er towing with RamBox is not a problem this way. (eg, hitting the sides of the boxes when sharp cornering.

I'll likely end up with a Heartland 5'er with the angled front cap. Between that and the Sidewinder, I should be ok for maneuverability.

My question to the forum is what options would absolutely preclude the addition of the hitch. For example, the auto-rear leveling, or full size spare tire.

Any other advice you could offer would be great, as well.

Thanks!

[45Ricochet]

What exactly is your GCWR now IB? Hard to believe you have more than your tuned 2007 5.9L Cummins 😄 Think a 2006 had like 21K with the 3.73's and like 23K with the 4.10's.
I understand the rest of your reasons. I will add that a resale value in 5-10 years will be also be lower in price for the gasser. Heck not sure of the life span of the gasser but I would assume in ten years it would have 120-150K miles, prime time for a Cummins :B Hopefully

[mowin]

If a better ride is more important, get the 2500 if it will handle your towing needs. I drove both back to back, and the 2500 has a noticeably smother ride. I did choose the 3500 tho. My payload is a tweach over 4000 IIRC. 6.4 CC SRW.

[ib516]

dshizzel wrote:
IB, what made you choose gas this time? Was it purely for the payload boost?

Many reasons.

- I didn't want the complexity and additional purchase cost of the diesel.
- I wanted better cold weather performance for my commute in the Canadian winters I have to deal with; I froze in my diesels at anything below about -25*C.
- The 6.4L Hemi offered impressive capability over past gasoline engine options. In fact, my 2500 6.4L Hemi has higher tow rating, GCWR, and GAWRs than my 2007 Ram 3500 SRW did with the 5.9L Cummins.
- The mpg gap between gas and diesel has narrowed with the added emissions controls modern diesels are equipped with
- Diesel fuel USED TO BE cheaper than regular unleaded where I live. That has reversed in the last few years, and it is now usually more expensive.

[ScottG]

Actually form the specs I've seen, the newest 2500's have about the same capacity as my 03 at about 3000# and the 3500's are more like 4000#.
Maybe that's a little off but check the numbers before you buy.

[spoon059]

IdaD wrote:

The coils on the 2014+ 2500 Rams actually seem to ride quite a bit nicer than the leaf setup on the 3500s.

Kinda makes me wonder why the 3500 doesn't offer coil springs for unloaded comfort and airbags for higher payload. Seems like the best of both worlds...

[gmcsmoke]

dshizzel wrote:
For example, the auto-rear leveling, or full size spare tire.

what for truck doesn't come with a full size spare?

[dshizzel]

IB, what made you choose gas this time? Was it purely for the payload boost?

[APT]

Just having a friendly discussion, here, APT.

I know. Just do your research is all I recommend. I'm sure you'll love your new combo!

PT's info is a bit out dated on the Ram 2500s. They used to have lower GVWR and payload than they do now. The frame went from 35,000 psi steel to 50,000 psi steel in the 2014 2500s (3500s got that frame in 2013). The specs on the 2015s will be almost identical to the 2014s.

I read the Tire and Loading sticker from a 2014 model. There is a wide range and generally agree payloads are improved over 5+ years ago.

For 1900 pounds dry pin weight, I recommend at least 3000 pounds of payload in whatever you pull it with. You'll add stuff to increase over dry, the receiver, people, and cargo.

[IdaD]

I've been looking at 4wd Tradesman crew cab short boxes. On the 2500s, I've found that the payloads run just under 2400 with the CTD and just under 3300 with the 6.4. I assume the difference is the heavier motor. A 3500 CTD generally comes in at a little under 4000 lbs. Granted I am looking at Tradesman trucks which are going to tend to have higher ratings cause they have have fewer options weighing them down.

If you Google Ram Towing the first result is a webpage where you can plug in the VIN of any Ram you're looking at and it will pull up the ratings for that specific vehicle as equipped.

[ideratherbecamp]

dshizzel wrote:

ideratherbecamping wrote:
As far as the rear air suspension, it appears to let the rear ride lower than the coils and when the alternate ride height is activated it drops the rear another inch, which would help with extra clearance with fifth wheels. I can tell the ride quality is very good. I also like the fact that it doesn't matter what I put in the bed because the rear air always maintains the same height.

So, I take it that the rear air suspension doesn't cause an issue when installing a 5'er hitch, right?

And, I just looked at the 3500 on TrueCar, Edmunds, and DodgeRam and it looks like the 2015 specs are starting to come out for them, though, it barely lets you select more than the drive train and color. However, from a pricing perspective, I see you're right. My '99 had heavy duty leaf springs on it (Camper package), and it was a rough ride without a load.

No, the rear air suspension doesn't cause an issue with fifth wheel hitch. My 2014 ram 2500 came from the factory with the fifth wheel prep and rear air suspension.

[ib516]

Get the 5th wheel prep group. My truck is a 6.4L Hemi, but it has over 3000# payload. The diesel version of my truck would have around 2400 - 2500# payload.

The 3500 SRW has an 11,700# GVWR vs the 2500s 10,000#, so payload will be right around 4000#. A buddy of mine has a twin to my truck except it is a 3500 SRW diesel.

APT's info is a bit out dated on the Ram 2500s. They used to have lower GVWR and payload than they do now. The frame went from 35,000 psi steel to 50,000 psi steel in the 2014 2500s (3500s got that frame in 2013). The specs on the 2015s will be almost identical to the 2014s.

[dshizzel]

Just having a friendly discussion, here, APT.

Actually, we're zeroing in on a Heartland Big Country 3520TS w/about 1900lbs hitch wt and about 12k dry. So, the 3500 looks to be a more comfortable margin. I just hadn't previously considered a Srw 3500 until now.

[APT]

Ram 2500 Cummins 4WD with Rambox might have 1500 pounds of payload. I've seen one IRL, not the web site 3500 pound model. 6.4L might be over 3000. The details matter. I don't think "Oh I want the cushy ride of the could springs unloaded" matters if you end up 1000 pounds over GVWR when towing. Oh, air bags. That will solve AKA mask everything.

I don't know exactly which configuration you want, or the 5er you want. Just get your facts straight before spending $40k+.

[dshizzel]

ideratherbecamping wrote:
As far as the rear air suspension, it appears to let the rear ride lower than the coils and when the alternate ride height is activated it drops the rear another inch, which would help with extra clearance with fifth wheels. I can tell the ride quality is very good. I also like the fact that it doesn't matter what I put in the bed because the rear air always maintains the same height.

So, I take it that the rear air suspension doesn't cause an issue when installing a 5'er hitch, right?

And, I just looked at the 3500 on TrueCar, Edmunds, and DodgeRam and it looks like the 2015 specs are starting to come out for them, though, it barely lets you select more than the drive train and color. However, from a pricing perspective, I see you're right. My '99 had heavy duty leaf springs on it (Camper package), and it was a rough ride without a load.

[ideratherbecamp]

As far as the rear air suspension, it appears to let the rear ride lower than the coils and when the alternate ride height is activated it drops the rear another inch, which would help with extra clearance with fifth wheels. I can tell the ride quality is very good. I also like the fact that it doesn't matter what I put in the bed because the rear air always maintains the same height.