Thinking of buying 2017 Dodge 1500 Longhorn

[deewaltguy]

We tow a 267BHSW and just traded in a perfectly fine and blue 1500 for a lesser trim white 2500 6.4. As others have stated, the 1500 pulled OK, my issues were with load capacity. I knew I was pushing the numbers, and really liked the 1500 (did I mention it was blue). It wasn't the motor, hell the 2500 can come equipped with the 5.7 and still tows half again as much as the 1500.
This is a numbers build-up game. As others have stated, everything you add into the truck and or trailer works against you. You may not need more motor to tow safely, you need more truck. As a testament to the 1500/ 5.7 combo, I got 10+ MPG, but it never felt solid.
No problem with the 2500. I'm getting a little less than 10 with the 2500, but it feels more at home towing than the 1500 did.
I paid 43K for my new Big Horn, about the same as the 1500 Sport a year ago, but then we didn't have a TT. My advice would be to drop down in trim but up in capacity.

[54GFL]

Originally Posted by deewaltguy

You may not need more motor to tow safely, you need more truck.

Exactly. Same situation with my 2016 F150 that I'm selling. PLENTY of motor with the 3.5L Ecoboost. But not enough truck, which I really felt in moderate crosswinds (not sway, mind you - I have the best anti-sway hitch made). But, if you can get a diesel in that 2500 you'll get better mpg than the gas, and you'll have overhead should you ever decide to get a bigger camper. Otherwise, the 2500 with the gas engine and you'll be happy, with no white knuckles...

[Bigdomino]

I have a Sierra 1500 with 6.2 liter engine and 8 speed trans. Payload 1840 pounds. Tows great. Was going to get Ram 1500 like you. Just not enough capacity and thus went to gmc.

[TednWV]

Weight Distribution Hitch will help put some of that tongue weight back onto the trailer.

That'll help your payload too.

I have a 2013 RAM 1500 and tow my 2017 28 BHBE (6800# dry) just fine. I've towed thousands of miles this year already. I have my WDH dialed in to where the truck sits level with trailer when hooked up. 8-10 MPG on every trip.

[Camper_bob]

The payload horse has been beaten to death. I'm going to give it one more hit. Payload is the killer and always has been, especially with the Ram 1500, it's just bad.

I will also +1 a look at the 2500 gasser if you're going to stick with Ram. I have the 6.4 with 3.73 (I recommend the 4.10) and I love my truck. I got an optioned out Tradesman, and it fits our needs very well and was a pretty good deal price-wise. If you want a diesel, just tack on about $8K to the price tag. If you'll run the truck hard day in and day out, a diesel is a good choice. If you have a short commute, and you only run it hard once in a while, and budget is a serious consideration, maybe the diesel doesn't make sense, it doesn't for me.

Don't discount ALL 1/2T class trucks though. If you really want to stick with a 1/2T truck for some reason, just be careful what the sticker in the door says, NOT brochure or website weights! GM and Ford 1/2T class trucks can be optioned with upwards of 2K lbs in payload, and if you're patient or willing to order the appropriate trim package, this might be a another way to go.

Also, forget the brochure weight on that trailer. Do all of your calculations at the trailer's GVWR with 15% tongue weight. Don't forget all the people and gear you will haul in the truck (generators, extra fuel, fire wood, bikes, etc...) If you can fit all that weight to 80% of the truck's capacity, you'll have a much better towing experience in the end.

[Jflyboym]

Like others said, a 2500 would give you plent of capacity. I was considering a new Dodge Ram and spent a lot of time on their webpage configuring trucks. Surprisingly, the same truck 1500 Tradesman crew cab 4wd gas vs a 2500 Tradesman crew cab 4wd were only about 700 dollars difference in price. I figured that if you are daily driving and not towing too much, for comfort and mileage a 1/2 ton would be more appealing, but if it is being used to tow heavy loads regularly and work the 3/4 ton is the best choice. I ended up buying a used GMC 2500 HD gas and it tows great but rides like a log wagon compared to my Sequoia and gets about 8mpg towing.

[JHerzog]

Originally Posted by Slow and Steady

Hello to everyone, and hope you are having great times traveling in our wonderful country this summer.

My wife and I are thinking of buying a 2017 Dodge 1500 Longhorn with the Hemi, and towing package. We have a 2017 Jayco 29 RKS and dry weight about 6500 lbs.

We are looking for input good or bad. The dealer claims that we should get between 10-12 miles to the gallon depending on the roads.

We will also be getting four wheel drive too.

So please add any ideas or suggestions and opinons.

Thanks
Tom and Kathy
North Ga.

Like many have said I started out with a F150 Eco Boost max tow package and it was "OK" but always felt like I needed more truck. Since you have not purchased a truck I'll add that my move up to an F250 diesel allows me to run 60-65 and almost forget the TT's back there. It is sooooooo much more relaxing getting to our camping sites and I no longer arrive feeling worn out.

As for ride empty, I have not noticed a significant different between my F150 (with the beefier suspension) and my new F250. Both are comfortable to me and I use my F250 as an everyday vehicle. My towing gas mileage went up from 8mpg to 14 mpg and my empty MPG only went down from 20mpg to 18mpg.

You will definitely be glad you are going with the 250 or 2500 depending on brand.

[therealsafetya]

We had a very similar setup. 2013 26bh and a 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie with a Hemi. I put airbags in to help keep things level and smooth the ride out, which worked.

However, when loaded up and wanting to carry more than one dirt bike, I had payload concerns.

Fuel mileage with the hemi was ok towing, I recall getting around 23/24L/100kms.

I ended up trading in on a 2015 Ram 3500 Laramie with a Cummins, and the experience is night and day. Payload is a non issue, same with towing capacity. The truck manages the trailer pretty easily, you don't get pushed around by big rigs, and hill climbs are easy on it. Fuel economy is a bit better, I get around 20L/100kms . I switched for capability and less for fuel mileage. IMO fuel mileage isn't really something to focus on when towing a giant wind plow , it's gonna suck no matter what!

[BillV]

RAM Hemi will do fine. MPG quoted by dealer is about right. I have a 2016 RAM Big Horn with 5.7 Hemi and 2 wheel drive. Pull 2015 JayFlight 24FBS.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by Scott_Trailer_Newbe

I purchased my TT, based off the Truck I currently own which is a 2008 Tundra Crewmax, with a tow rating of 10,300. Toyota doesn't really build a so-called 1/2 ton, but it's defiantly not a 3/4 ton. I purchased a Whitehawk 24RKB because the max weight was around 6,400. Yes I would prefer a bigger truck, but my Tundra only has 52K miles and is payed off.

The Tundra is definitely a 1/2 ton truck. My bet is that your payload is under 1400lbs (check yellow sticker on your door jam).

Payload was a big factor when I was shopping for my truck, that's why I didn't get a heavy glass moon roof. My (aluminum) F150 has an 1813lbs payload, which was the highest I could find when comparing to GM and RAM equals.

We have a couple of Toyotas at work, and the payload is low low. My "guess" is that you're very close to you maximum payload on your truck when you are hooked up and ready to hit the road. Between passengers, cargo and tongue weight, it is soooo easy to go over that number.

That being said, most people are over their payload when they tow with a 1/2 ton, LOL. The tow ratings are so ridiculously high (mine is 11,700), that if you used that number for trailer shopping, you'd be in a heap of trouble with payload!

[bondo303]

Many of my friends at work have pickups and I look at the payload numbers at it is actually surprising to find out how low some on the numbers are. My 17 RAM 1500 has 1550lbs of payload which I feel is respectable for a RAM, still not as much as I would like. One guy has a 16 Tundra TRD off road with the 4 big doors with only 1200lbs payload and another guy has a 07 RAM 2500 long bed diesel with 1780lbs of payload which I thought was low for 3/4 ton. Some new 1/2 tons have more than that.

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[dee]

My loaded 4WD ecodiesel LARAMIE Ram had 1150 payload! In contrast, my 2500 cummins laramie is rated at 2250. The 6.4L is rated at 3000lbs.

[54GFL]

My 16 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5L Ecoboost has a payload of 1450. The 17 F350 Platinum 6.7L diesel I ordered should come in with a 3500lb payload


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[Jopopsy]

The higher up you go in TV trims (XL to XLT to Lariat to ....) the more payload you sacrifice. All that Cush for your tush takes away from your payload.

[54GFL]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

The higher up you go in TV trims (XL to XLT to Lariat to ....) the more payload you sacrifice. All that Cush for your tush takes away from your payload.

Truth


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[Jflyboym]

My 05 Sequoia pulled my camper just fine but you new it was back there. Also, it may be a coincidence but I got a coolant leak in the intake manifold, went through a couple sets of brakes and had to replace some suspension parts. It can do the job but with the GMC 2500 not having to worry about having enough capacity is great. Towing is so hard on vehicles. It just is. Also, it is my wife's vehicle and she was always worried we were tearing it up. Every creak or squeak would end up being "se to our ruining my car towing that camper".

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Originally Posted by Quantum

The Tundra is definitely a 1/2 ton truck. My bet is that your payload is under 1400lbs (check yellow sticker on your door jam).

Payload was a big factor when I was shopping for my truck, that's why I didn't get a heavy glass moon roof. My (aluminum) F150 has an 1813lbs payload, which was the highest I could find when comparing to GM and RAM equals.

We have a couple of Toyotas at work, and the payload is low low. My "guess" is that you're very close to you maximum payload on your truck when you are hooked up and ready to hit the road. Between passengers, cargo and tongue weight, it is soooo easy to go over that number.

That being said, most people are over their payload when they tow with a 1/2 ton, LOL. The tow ratings are so ridiculously high (mine is 11,700), that if you used that number for trailer shopping, you'd be in a heap of trouble with payload!

You are correct, sticker says 1,395 lbs, however a 24RKS Whitehawk as I said is well within its weight limit. The most I put in my truck besides my wife and me is two 30 lb bikes.

[bap]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

The higher up you go in TV trims (XL to XLT to Lariat to ....) the more payload you sacrifice. All that Cush for your tush takes away from your payload.

Exactly, no matter what brand truck you are talking about. A bare bones work truck verses a fully loaded with options truck can be several hundreds pounds of payload sacrificed.

[turbo130]

Have been towing our White Hawk 27DSRB with my wife's 2008 Nissan Armada, not really any Issues except lower gas mileage. Just purchased a 2006 Ford F250 Diesel for pulling it. We also have a fishing boat and a ATV trailer that I will also use it for.