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Old 05-27-2017, 12:02 PM   #1
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Ram 2500 with 6.4L

Hello,

Considering jump to 3/4 ton tow vehicle (4X4).

My current 1/2 ton does "OK" but struggles more than I like on the highway.

Looking for best "bang for the buck" between the big 3.

I like them all but leaning toward the Ram with the 6.4L.

Prefer not to spend Diesel money but concerned a 3/4 ton gas truck may not make a big enough difference.

I would appreciate any insights or advice on this.

Thanks for your time.
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Old 05-27-2017, 12:06 PM   #2
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If your going gas, consider Chevrolet. About the same price really with a better ride. Diesel I would say Dodge. Now a really good question is do you want 2wd or 4wd? 2wd go for Chevrolet. 4wd go for Ford. Yes,I said Ford. They have a strong gas engine with a better straight axle 4wd version.

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Old 05-27-2017, 12:58 PM   #3
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I had the same decision. I bought a 3500 SRW RAM WITH RHE 6.4l & 4:10. Love it! Pulls our 28 BHBE easily, intact it's hard to stay at the speed limits... best bang for you buck for sure.
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Old 05-27-2017, 01:23 PM   #4
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I ended up with the 6.7 2500 4x4 Ram, did not need the extra hauling weight that the diesel does plus the cost for diesel engine. Mine tows 12,500 pounds, and my trailer is around 7,000. I don't even know its behind me even when doing 75-80mph
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Old 05-27-2017, 01:48 PM   #5
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No real complaints out of our 6.4 Ram 2500, towing a 29BHDS. It maintains speed limit (We tow at 64-65MPH due to tires) without any issue, handling is much better, the truck is in control of the trailer vs the trailer in control of the truck. Power wise, from start to stop, I think my F150 Ecoboost would have accelerated faster with the trailer, but thats what the turbos do. Personally, I'd rather have the feeling I can stop and handle the trailer better.

I didn't consider the other 2 manufacturers because the short box crew cab wouldn't go in our garage. Expect to have a more stiff ride unloaded for sure, and look into the SRW3500's as well, especially if registration in your state isn't impacted much.

My biggest complaint is I would like to run my tires at lower pressure to improve the ride when unloaded, but the air light comes on if you get it much below 75 and FCA has made it nearly impossible to adjust that now, thats a recent development from reading on other forums. 3500 doesn't have that issue I believe as its a DOT Class 3 truck vs DOT Class 2 truck.
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Old 05-27-2017, 02:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsallman1 View Post

My biggest complaint is I would like to run my tires at lower pressure to improve the ride when unloaded, but the air light comes on if you get it much below 75 and FCA has made it nearly impossible to adjust that now, thats a recent development from reading on other forums. 3500 doesn't have that issue I believe as its a DOT Class 3 truck vs DOT Class 2 truck.
Yep, that TPMS bugs me to. The light comes on when rear tire pressure drops below 65 psi.
I run 68-70 unloaded. I would like to know why they programed it that way.
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Old 05-27-2017, 02:41 PM   #7
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I have no problems towing my 24RBS with my 6.4l.
If you travel on roads with a lot hills I would recommend the 4.10 axle. The engine needs to be above 2000 rpm to make decent power.

Both Ford and Ram have solid front axles on 4x4s.

I can only speak about Ram, never owned one of the other two, but going from a 1500 to a 2500 is a bigger step in towing/hauling/stopping power than going 2500 to 3500.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:34 PM   #8
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I have a 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 crew w/4.10s as well, we use to tow our 2013 28BHBE. The 4.10s do make a difference and are a positive. I have no complaints whatsoever.

The TPMS is a problem. I had a 2012 Ram 2500 for a while, it had a "light load" button on the dash you could push to lower the TPMS threshold when you reduced the tire pressure. I'm guessing that Ram did away with that for liability reasons, but it worked very well.

I run my tires at 65# up front and 55# in the rear, I just live with the TPMS light. If you run them at 70# when empty all the time, you have a reduced contact patch and you wiill wear out the centers of the tires more quickly. Mine are wearing evenly at this pressure- I air them up when hauling or towing.

I traded in a 2015 F250 SD 6.2 w/3.73s for this truck. The 6.2 always felt sluggish to me, and the empty ride was nothing less than bone-jarring due to the leaf springs. The Ram 2500 with it's variable rate coils is so much more comfortable to drive, there is no comparison. I won't go back to an SD until they start tuning the suspension.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:41 PM   #9
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Thanks for the replies.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:49 PM   #10
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If it were me, I would definitely tow your TT with a 2500. I do like the big gasser as well as the Cummings. I would likely go for the gasser for the cost savings at purchase and in maintenance (service and parts) and the added payload capacity (lighter than diesel). If we move up in trailer size, we will likely got for this type of RAM that you are considering. Our RAM 1500 has been an outstanding truck for our needs to this point, very reliable and capable, but I would not tow and load much more than we currently have going with it.
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Old 05-27-2017, 08:57 PM   #11
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Had a 2014 CC 4x4 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L and 4.10s when I was towing my 32BHDS ~ 10k lbs. Over all the combination was about a 7/10, as under the right conditions the truck can get stuck in 1st gear while pulling a significant grade.

The issue is that Ram uses the same transmission ratios in the 6.4 and 6.7 Cummins. While with 800 lbs of torque, the Cummins can easily put out the power necessary to shift from 1st to 2nd on a 7 percent grade, the gas motor cannot. When this occurs the truck will be in first gear with the tachometer wound out, and attempt to shift to second. Once in second gear the truck will loose speed and downshift to 1st again, leaving you at about 40mph.

Although this only occurred 4 times while owning the truck, it seemed unsafe as it put me with no option to accelerate away from the large trucks pulling the same grade.

I ended up buying a Titan XD with the Cummins and the towing experience with a similar load, 11k gvw, is awesome.

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Old 05-28-2017, 01:28 AM   #12
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I tow a 24mbh Whitehawk with a Tundra. With the weight distribution hitch setup properly I am satisfied with the towing experience. However I don't see myself going to a bigger trailer someday with a half ton. Long term I am adding rear bags and 10 ply tires but that's to make things even better not because I have to.
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Old 05-28-2017, 01:31 AM   #13
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I have the 2016 2500 6.4L with the 4.10 gears and my tow is 37' TT about 10,000 lbs and it tow it like nothing, if you do go with the ram see if you can find the 4.10 gears. The 4.10 gears give you 15,620 lbs of towing my payload is 3000 so not bad I say.

I can't comment on the other trucks but either one will do the job, and whatever you go with do your homework and see if you can get the lower gears for more towing. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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Old 05-28-2017, 04:08 PM   #14
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I have a 2500 Ram 4x4 towing Jayflight SLX 28bhds 40' with 6.4L. Avg approx 16mpg and towing it ranges between 10 and 13 depending if I'm driving up hill or down. I like mine, has the get up an go when you need it. Sits level when hooked up to trailer and the front looses 200lb off front axle but but no change in steering. Great truck for me. As for the tire pressure I run the 80 in back and 65 in front and it doesn't bother me. I guess because I'm used to drivi ng a truck with 38" tall tires or maybe because it's a truck and not a car so I don't expect a pillow soft ride

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Old 05-28-2017, 04:14 PM   #15
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30' not 40, stupid phone fat fingers

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Old 05-28-2017, 08:58 PM   #16
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I've have been seeing a lot of gas 2500 on the road lately, mostly the Dodges and some Fords I love mines and if I had to get another one for some reason it will be the same or maybe next the 3500.
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Old 05-29-2017, 02:14 AM   #17
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I'll throw in there that I have the 373 gear and after doing the CAT scale weigh in I am well within range on CC and overall weight. 373 weight capacity not as much as truck with 410 gears but I'm happy with it. I have the Cooper all terrain tires and it pulls good on wet clay. Also didn't have a problem backing trailer up hill on wet clay with front locked in

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Old 05-29-2017, 05:40 AM   #18
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I have been researching the Ram 6.4 and I have read a few complaints on the rough ride and high tire pressure. One thing I have read is people removing the TPMS sensors and placing them in a pressurized piece of PVC pipe. The computer still sees them but you can air up your tires to whatever PSI you want.
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Old 05-29-2017, 06:15 AM   #19
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From all I've read, if going the gas route, the 6.4 in the ram is the way to go. Good luck with the truck hunt.

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Old 05-29-2017, 07:03 AM   #20
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I came out of a 2015 3/4 ton Dmax and decided to give the Nissan Titan XD with Cummins 5.0L diesel a try. I'm pulling a 314BDS. Other than sacrificing a little torque and HP due to the smaller displacement, there is no difference in towing experience. The XD is at least worthy of a look and would be $7-8K less than any comparable 3/4 ton diesel.


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