Just bought a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Quadcab, 5.7L, 3.92, 4x4.
It has 1340 lbs of payload, which will work fine for my situation, and I'm not afraid to push that a bit occasionally. Though I do think I will add Timbrens or some kind of air bags to firm up the rear when towing. With about 430 lbs of passengers, under 100 lbs in the bed and about 750 lbs of tongue weight (Equal-I-zer hitch), it towed level, after settling 3 or 4 inches in the rear. Just a little too soft for my tastes. It handled the load very well with no sway, but stiff crosswinds got my attention a couple times.
I understand that it's not the cat's meow of half ton tow vehicles anymore, but I couldn't be more impressed with the engine/transmission combination. Pulling my approximately 6000 lb trailer, I had more power than I needed at all times. I was able to pass with confidence, even climbing grades. We were constantly changing elevation the entire trip between about 1500 and 4500 feet, which netted near 8.5 mpg, hand calculated. Considering I inadvertently found my self well north of 70 mph several times and the ever changing terrain, I'm very satisfied with that number, but I expect it to improve as the engine breaks in, and I settle down behind the wheel.
I can't believe how quiet and pleasant driving this truck is. The only time you hear the engine is when you push hard on the go pedal, and that's definitely a nice sound. 1000% improvement over the 'ol 97 F150, even though it was significantly souped up.
My wife is the most impressed. I learned on this trip that she dreaded road trips in our old rig and always drug her feet when I wanted to go somewhere. Now she's already planning our next adventure, and we've only been back less than a week! I think all the amenities, including the ventilated seats, may have influenced her some too.
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2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE
