Ram owners; Ram 1500/2500 ownership question

[norfla71]

I've been doing a bit of research about my next truck. We are looking at an older Airstream to restore for retirement travel; weighs about 7,000 loaded. The trailer will be paid for cash, so we have a good bit to spend on a more comfortable truck. I would love to have a 3500 Longhorn Mega dually, but can't afford that $72k entry point; about $50k is closer to our reality. We are looking at the Longhorn 5.7 Hemi, either in the 1500 or 2500; either are more than capable to pull this, and are very close in price (both 4x2)- only about $1k or so apart as built (once current incentives come into play). We could go much cheaper, but like the comfort and features of the LH enough to justify spending the extra cash (this will be our last major purchase before retirement). No fancy extras like the moon roof, air suspension or Rambox.

75% of ownership will be standard duties; commuting, errands, groceries, pulling a small boat, hardware store runs, etc, so the 1500 would be better suited for daily use. However, I've always wanted a Mega, and it would be an awesome towing vehicle; I just cringe at the thought of unloaded fuel economy with that beast; the 1500 isn't exactly a hybrid, either, but should be on par with the 6.7 I sold last year, or at least 50% better than the 2500 unloaded (towing mileage will suck either way). Both have positives and negatives.

In either case I would like to hear from 1500 and 2500 owners (trim excluded) about your experiences.

[Walaby]

Ram 1500 is "capable", but I would not call it "more than capable".

Ram 2500 is "more than capable"

1500 cargo capacity is limiting. 7000 lbs loaded = 900-1000lbs tongue weight. Add your weight, DW weight, Fuel (at 8lbs per gallon), and anything you add to the bed. Also, add 100lbs for WD hitch. Could it do it,.. probably, would it exceed cargo capacity.. likely. If you are doing this FT, don't cut yourself short.

Buy the 2500

Mike

[TurnThePage]

My 1500 Laramie is a joy to commute in and does a great job towing my 6000ish pound trailer. Excellent ride, tons of power, always under control, etc. Aside from pushing up against payload limitations, I think one would serve you well too. But if I was close to retirement, and had the option, I would opt for the 2500 with the 6.4.

[Nicholsfamily05]

The wife and I just traded in our 2012 4x4 mega can 2500 a few months ago. We loved it
She had the 5.7 V8 and well we really mostly used it for towing. Traded it in with only 24,000 miles on it.

Anyways when we bought it she was getting about 10-12 highway and 9-10 city unloaded.
We had a travel trailer to start right around 7k and highway was about 8.

We used that for one year and then upgraded to a fifth wheel 12k(after loading for trip)
During the winter I ripped the exhaust off and added a flowmaster muffler then a cold air intake
And to top it off I added a Bully Dog tuner and set it for towing.

It took sometime but each time we drove the truck it got better and better mileage.
We went on a weekend away no camper to Maine 5 hr trip and she was getting 18 to 18.5 on the highway and then 12-13 in the city.
If I wasn't heavy on the peddle with the trailer I could hold her at 11 on the highway.
Our last long trip to Pennsylvania 9hr ride after the math was done she was at 10.5 and dash was reading 10MPG.

Now to help from the stop and go point for highway use I added a 40 gallon transfer flow tank to the bed and hooked it to my normal tank so 76 gallons before having to stop made it a great ride.
I'm not heavy on the foot from the start line and I baby my trucks so the mileage stays high.
But again this truck was 80% towing truck or a night out and we want to take the badass rig truck.

[Mark_Heisler]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Either will tow that trailer but I think you are doing yourself a disservice by not taking a hard look at the Ecodiesel. That trailer in well withing it's tow rating and with the rounded front end will tow like a dream. Go look and see what guys are towing with the Ediesel a http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/forum.php. BTW if you wait until 01/01/2018 The Ram gets a total make over with a good bump in the tow & payload rating.

Don

I have a buddy that got one of these Ecodiesel he just loves it.get great fuel mileage tow and as a daily driver.this would be my choice.just make sure you get it with air ride or put air bags in it.

[2012Coleman]

OP wrote:
I would love to have a 3500 Longhorn Mega dually, but can't afford that $72k entry point; about $50k is closer to our reality.

Then consider used. I'm currently shopping for a used 3500 SRW, and see many low mileage 2014 - 2015 duallys in your price range. Try www.cargurus.com

[bbaker2001]

my ram 3500 4x4 diesel was 42,300. single axle
47,220 for the longhorn 4x4.
mega was just to big for us. the full 4 door is awesome.
love the 23mpg freeway and 18 city

[IndyCamp]

If you're set on RAM, go with a 2500 with the 6.4 like I did.

I drive my truck to/from work much more than I use it to tow our trailer, and while the MPG isn't great (about 14.5 mixed used unhitched), it makes up for it when we tow and don't have to worry about payload or stability on the interstate.

I love this truck, and I have towed with all of the Big Three (had a Silverado last).

[Bionic_Man]

If you are towing the TT with any frequency, I would suggest a 2500. If it is only occasional, you will likely be fine.

I have a 1500 Yukon to tow my 6500 pound boat, and I am fighting trailer sway issues.

[braindead0]

$1k premium for a 2500... all other things being the same, I'd suggest getting the 2500. Might want to read this thread for tons on the 3.0 ED.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Either will tow that trailer but I think you are doing yourself a disservice by not taking a hard look at the Ecodiesel. That trailer in well withing it's tow rating and with the rounded front end will tow like a dream. Go look and see what guys are towing with the Ediesel a http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/forum.php. BTW if you wait until 01/01/2018 The Ram gets a total make over with a good bump in the tow & payload rating.

Don

[Waunacamper]

I had a 2006 Ram 1500/5.7 and loved the truck. It pull our 7500 lb loaded trailer fine but with 1200 lb payload we were at or over max all the time. You could feel the trailer push the truck around sometimes. We now have a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.4. Pulls the trailer much better and with the 3000 lb payload no worries anymore. The truck is very stable.

[autorot8]

If you were looking at the 5.7 in either 1500 or 2500, then consider the 6.4 in the 2500. Fuel mileage will be at least the same (maybe better), with a little more power than the 5.7. My 2500 6.4 is the daily driver plus used to tow the TT. Does great all around, plus the 3000# payload means I can tow the trailer and not worry about what gets loaded where.