Picked up a new tow vehicle!

[Askibum02]

I just traded in my '14 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel for a '16 Ram 2500 CTD. Among other things it has the 5w tow prep, which was a must have for me. I started out looking for a TT I could pull with my EcoD, but when I realized how meager the tow capacity was, I realized I needed something bigger. The ride is great, really not much rougher than my 1500. I did give up a few interior accoutrements with the Tradesman trim, but I can dip into the Ram parts bin and add pretty much anything I want.

My plan is to rent from MWR at Ft Bragg for a year or so before we start looking for a new 5w to recover from the truck purchase. 🙂



Out with the old and in with the new.

[Big1]

romore wrote:
:B Sweet. That beast should pull anything you need to move.

Congrats! I have the same truck and even have the same color but my is 2500 6.4L.

[Askibum02]

VernDiesel wrote:
Congrats. Love my EcoDiesel but if I was going to do a 5er I would get the bigger truck also. I rode in a 2500 diesel with the new suspension the other day and they are a lot better than the old stick and slide leaf spring trucks. Like the ED to load heavy they either need the air ride or air assist for the coil spring but what a great combo. From the fuelies I have seen where people had both the difference was 8 mpg in mixed driving. Less when towing. Different trucks for different markets. Sometimes you need a claw hammer sometimes you need a sledge hammer. Best always depends on the job you need done. Since somebody mentioned it Red kind of has become a rare color the last few years.

I'm honestly only seeing a 2-3 mpg difference. I was getting 20-21 mixed rural driving, and now I'm seeing 17-18. It's a trade off that will be well worth it in the end.

MFL wrote:

Slownsy wrote:
Red is defnetly faster.
Frank

You are correct Frank! The LEOs watch the red ones closer, and the red ones are high on the ticket receiving list.:W

Jerry

I have a "get out of jail free card," my wife is a Police Officer.:B

[MFL]

Slownsy wrote:
Red is defnetly faster.
Frank

You are correct Frank! The LEOs watch the red ones closer, and the red ones are high on the ticket receiving list.:W

Jerry

[Slownsy]

Red is defnetly faster.
Frank

[Deep_Trax]

APT wrote:
Congrats, but I suspect you'll have the same problem with 3/4 ton diesel and 5er as half ton and TT!

I'm guessing you mean that the payload capability of the 2500 will significantly limit the 5er selection. I've learned the hard (expensive) way that a 3500 series truck is a much better choice for the majority of the 5er's on the market.

[ivbinconned]

I've heard it said that when older men start driving bright RED trucks their testosterone levels increase??

[VernDiesel]

Congrats. Love my EcoDiesel but if I was going to do a 5er I would get the bigger truck also. I rode in a 2500 diesel with the new suspension the other day and they are a lot better than the old stick and slide leaf spring trucks. Like the ED to load heavy they either need the air ride or air assist for the coil spring but what a great combo. From the fuelies I have seen where people had both the difference was 8 mpg in mixed driving. Less when towing. Different trucks for different markets. Sometimes you need a claw hammer sometimes you need a sledge hammer. Best always depends on the job you need done. Since somebody mentioned it Red kind of has become a rare color the last few years.

[IdaD]

Grit dog wrote:

APT wrote:
Congrats, but I suspect you'll have the same problem with 3/4 ton diesel and 5er as half ton and TT!

I don't. Only problem he'lol encounter now is not being able to wipe the grin off his face!

Agree. These trucks are amazing towing a fifth wheel. Really they're amazing towing anything, it just happens that fifth wheels tow particularly nicely.

[FishOnOne]

Nice truck and a very rare color

[Grit_dog]

APT wrote:
Congrats, but I suspect you'll have the same problem with 3/4 ton diesel and 5er as half ton and TT!

I don't. Only problem he'lol encounter now is not being able to wipe the grin off his face!

[GA1dad]

That's one good looking rig,, congrats!!!

[APT]

Congrats, but I suspect you'll have the same problem with 3/4 ton diesel and 5er as half ton and TT!

[IdaD]

I got a Tradesman too and it has plenty of amenities for me. When it's time for new tires I'll spring for some decent wheels but otherwise I'm happy. I took all the badges off other than the C and love the clean look.

The truck itself is great and pulls our fifth wheel effortlessly, including both up and down big grades. I did add timbrens and I like the way it settled the ride down on the highway while towing. They weren't necessary and the truck doesn't squat any less with them, but it handles bumps at speed better now. Not a dramatic difference but worth the $200.

[Askibum02]

Bionic Man wrote:
Congrats on the new purchase. It will be apples and oranges, but it would be interesting to hear the difference in MPG.

I am sure the new ride will treat you well.

The truck was driven from Indiana to NC and the EVIC display says 18.9mpg average. That's not bad for such a big truck/motor.