|
|
01-13-2016, 09:18 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Slc
Posts: 4
|
If you were me
Hello everyone!
Looking to upgrade my TV this spring and was wondering what others would do in my situation.
I have a 26ft TT (6000-6500 wet) and currently towing it with my '08 1500 ram with the 5.7. Inside the truck, wife, 5 yr old, 2 large dogs and myself. Live out in Utah so canyon driving happens no matter where I go. The 1500 does okay... flat travel, I have no issue. Going up any sort of incline, now that's a different story. Truck struggles on the hills and head winds. Drives me absolutely crazy!
So, looking for a better tower. Leaning towards a 2500 Ram with the cummins, but also thinking about sticking with a 1/2 ton and getting the 3.5 ecoboost. This truck will also be my daily driver (40 mile commute each day).
Which way would you go? Really looking for an effortless tow. I know the cummins will handle things with ease, but I wonder at times if I should just stick to the 1/2 ton since it'll be a daily driver.
Thanks everyone!
|
|
|
01-13-2016, 09:27 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Langley (Vancouver)
Posts: 396
|
Get a 2500 diesel for way better towing in the mountains and better payload.
Or wait for the new Nissan Titan comes out with the Cummings.
However, the hemis in the 1500 dodge has a height towing capacity than you currently have with your dodge, but payload is around the same.
Are you keeping the 26 foot trailer or planning on upgrading that too in the near future?
__________________
TT: 2015 Jayco Jayflight 26BH Elite
TV: 2014 Ram 1500 Sport, 5.7 HEMI 3.21, Firestone 1000# air suspension. WD hitch w/800# bars
SOLD: 2012 Jayco J-series 1007
|
|
|
01-13-2016, 09:40 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri City, The Republic of Texas
Posts: 5,063
|
The diesel will pull much better than a gasser IMHO.
We pulled 4800# HTT with a 5.4 gasser and now pull 12700# 5th with 6.7 diesel. The gasser got 9-ish and the diesel gets 12-ish mpg. Night and day. My exact TT and TV combi's are below.
Our 1st TV would have been over with your weights and it was a bit less than a 1/2 pickup. Have you hit the scales? I'm a solid believer in getting weighed.
The CAT Scale is your friend.
__________________
Cheers,
T_
2013 F-350 CC SB 2WD 6.7PS
2013 Eagle Premier 351 RLTS
-SOLD- 2012 X23B
-SOLD- 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4, Bilstein shocks
|
|
|
01-13-2016, 10:37 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 781
|
I like a larger and more powerful tow vehicle but I tow a lot. Just makes the long hours behind the wheel less stressful. Also gives you the option to upgrade without having to invest more money later.
You can never have too much TV.
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 330RSTS = " Madame Maxime"
Maxxis M8008 E rated Tires and 16" Wheel Upgrade
Dual A/C 15K BTU, 14K Equalizer WD hitch with SC
King Bed with Java Interior, (2X) Yamaha EF2000isV2
2012 Ram 4500, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, MegaCab = " Hagrid"
8'x12' BMCM Stake Bed, Cabin Chassis, 2WD
360 degree Virtual Tour
|
|
|
01-13-2016, 11:09 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ames
Posts: 297
|
You can see my trucks in my signature.
Based on my experiences, the ecoboost with the turbos will probably solve your power problem on the hills although you may experience much larger hills more regularly than I do in the midwest. I have been on a 5-6% grade with it and it had no problem accelerating thru 70 (which you shouldn't do anyway with a trailer). My issue was I was over payload with a growing (and increasing in weight) family, your TT is lighter it appears. Make sure you understand your loaded trailer weight and tongue weight before you commit is my best advice. There was the feeling that the trailer sometimes pushed the truck around a bit, I think its just because its a lighter truck, but I assume you experience similar with your Ram 1500. I also really wish I had LT tires, the stock tires were very squishy. The F150 is a great daily driver.
I haven't had the pleasure of towing with my new 2500 yet, Its OK for a daily driver but not as convenient as the F150 was. I am down around 4MPG average as a daily driver so far, which I expected. Its around a 1000lb more truck curb weight. My biggest complaints on the 2500 is its height compared to the F150, and the one I got does not have a full time 4WD option, when its in 4WD you definitely know it when your making sharp turns, and you really don't want to do it on dry pavement at all. I stuck with the 6.4 hemi for cheaper fuel and to save the money out the gate, I just don't tow enough for the increased mileage towing to make a huge difference. I actually expect the gas in the 2500 might not have as much torque and power as the ecoboost had, but I am hoping i am wrong :-). If I towed a lot, I would probably have gone with the Diesel for the turbos.
I really think it comes down to as others say, are you going to get more trailer, and then also whats your towing miles vs daily driver miles. If you got the ecoboost route, I would definitely encourage you to go with the HD payload option, it cant hurt and isn't a lot more if your buying new. Had I had the HD Payload option with the extra few hundred pounds of payload, I probably wouldn't have bought a new truck.
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29BHDS
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab - 6.4 Hemi
2013 Ford F150 Supercrew EcoBoost, MaxTow (Loved and Sold)
ProPride 3P
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 04:28 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hamilton/Cincinnati
Posts: 264
|
I bought a 2015 F150 XLT supercrew 4x4 with 3.5 Ecoboost and max tow package. Ford specs the towing at 11,700 pounds (not that I would try towing that much with an F150) as well as approximately 1900 pound (don't have the exact number in front of me). My camper weight is roughly the same as yours.
I have not had the opportunity to tow with it yet but based upon everything I have read I can't wait to try it out. Many others on this site have towed much larger campers with the F150 with Ecoboost and praise the truck.
I don't think you would go wrong with either truck with your current camper. If you plan on upgrading to a much larger camper then you may want to consider the 2500. You also need to consider alot such as mpg, maintenance and comfort if it is going to be your daily driver. Good luck!
__________________
2014 Jayflight Swift 264BH
2015 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 SCrew 3.5 EcoBoost Max Tow
Equalizer 10K
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 04:38 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
|
IMO, go with the Ram & Cummins. I started out with a Tundra and White Hawk combination, and while I had no issues with the Tundra, the switch to the Ram/Cummins was like night and day.
The Ram is also my daily driver (40 - 140 miles depending on which office I'm in) and i'm averaging ~19mpg. Towing was about 12mpg.
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 08:22 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Vienna
Posts: 2,044
|
The big questions is do you think you might upgrade to a bigger unit in the future. If I could afford it now, I would go with the Ram 2500 diesel. I switched from the 5.9 cummins to the newer 6.7 and what a difference that makes. Night and day! Get great mileage whether towing or daily driver.
__________________
Joe Hinson
2010 Jayco Quest G2(SOLD)
2014 Jayco Eagle 33.5RETS
2007 Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins(SOLD)
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 4WD
:)
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 08:26 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OKC
Posts: 403
|
If you want effortless towing, then the cummins would give you your best chance at that.
I've towned with the 3.5 ecoboost, and the cummins. I think most all gas motors will struggle in the mountains. If you don't want that struggle, diesel will likely cure that.
The stability of the 2500 will be a night and day difference towing compared to any 1500. No doubt.
My fuel mileage is about the same between the 3.5 ecoboost and cummins. Unloaded I'm 18-20 mpg. With travel trailer about 8,000lbs I'm 9-10 mpg. (ecoboost towing was about 7-9 mpg).
Plus, if you decide to move to a larger camper, you won't have to get a bigger truck (possibly...)
The Ram 2500 rides pretty good. If you want a comfortable daily driver, GM & Ram 3/4 ton trucks ride good.
__________________
2016 Road Warrior 355
2015 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW 4x4 MegaCab ShortBed
2011 F150 ecoboost - Traded
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
2009 Jayflight 26 BH (sold)
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 03:41 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Slc
Posts: 4
|
Appears the majority are thinking along the same sort of lines I am here. I don't have any plans to upgrade the TT anytime soon, but you never know? Jsallman1 pointed out something that I forgot to mention in my OP. I, too, feel like the TT is in control instead of the truck.
It may seem like I've made up my mind, but I guess it's the daily driver portion that has me coming back to the ecoboost. Daily driving will far exceed tow miles. However, looking at some pricing up in Idaho, a 2500 ram/cummins isn't a whole lot more than the 3.5 EB with max tow. The dealers just need to let me hook my rig to the truck and let me tow it around for a while!
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 04:38 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,803
|
My thoughts, for what they are worth...
The Ecoboost with max tow and max payload rides pretty rough and gets up there in price.
A 2500 with the Cummins will have more power, more payload, more stability, a higher ceiling for what you can tow and will be an all around better vehicle for towing. The Cummins can get low 20's on the highway. I average about 18 with mostly suburban driving. The 2500 with coil suspension is surprisingly gentle. I think it feels smoother than my 2010 Tundra, which I thought was a pretty smooth truck.
IF IT WERE ME, I would buy the Cummins all over again. Vehicles are depreciating assests, but the Cummins won't depreciate nearly as fast as a gas engine truck will.
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 04:39 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lancaster CA
Posts: 125
|
I was in the same boat as the OP and opted to go all in on a new 2500 Ram CTD. We all acknowledge that the Ram with the diesel tows great so I won't belabor that point. I will say that the Ram is, IMHO, much more comfortable than my daughters 2014 F150. So much so that the Ram has become my daily driver! I have a 60 mile round trip commute that I used to do with a 2008 Yaris. Now the wife gets the Yaris for her 20 mile round trip commute!
__________________
2015 Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 turbo diesel
2015 White Hawk 27DSRL
No, I did not win the lottery.
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 06:56 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdb
Appears the majority are thinking along the same sort of lines I am here. I don't have any plans to upgrade the TT anytime soon, but you never know? Jsallman1 pointed out something that I forgot to mention in my OP. I, too, feel like the TT is in control instead of the truck.
It may seem like I've made up my mind, but I guess it's the daily driver portion that has me coming back to the ecoboost. Daily driving will far exceed tow miles. However, looking at some pricing up in Idaho, a 2500 ram/cummins isn't a whole lot more than the 3.5 EB with max tow. The dealers just need to let me hook my rig to the truck and let me tow it around for a while!
|
Everybody I know with an EB says their mileage is just as bad as their previous Tritons. Give the 6.4 2500 a drive. I went from a big tow Titan to mine. Best gasser I've ever driven, and don't have all the crazy maintenance of a diesel.
__________________
2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 6.4L HEMI 4.10s with antispin
2014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 287BHBE
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200(new 90-02-4900 shank)
2x Honda 2K
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 07:28 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ames
Posts: 297
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdb
The dealers just need to let me hook my rig to the truck and let me tow it around for a while!
|
Now Wouldn't that be nice! At the same time, RV Dealers should let you test tow the new campers and head on over to a scale before you commit!
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29BHDS
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab - 6.4 Hemi
2013 Ford F150 Supercrew EcoBoost, MaxTow (Loved and Sold)
ProPride 3P
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 08:47 PM
|
#15
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Slc
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewBlackDak
Everybody I know with an EB says their mileage is just as bad as their previous Tritons. Give the 6.4 2500 a drive. I went from a big tow Titan to mine. Best gasser I've ever driven, and don't have all the crazy maintenance of a diesel.
|
I'll likely check the 6.4 out as well. Sounds like most people like it, but I have read complaints that are similar to my OP when it comes to canyon towing. How would you say your does with steep grades?
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 08:48 PM
|
#16
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Slc
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsallman1
Now Wouldn't that be nice! At the same time, RV Dealers should let you test tow the new campers and head on over to a scale before you commit!
|
Agreed!
|
|
|
01-14-2016, 10:12 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdb
I'll likely check the 6.4 out as well. Sounds like most people like it, but I have read complaints that are similar to my OP when it comes to canyon towing. How would you say your does with steep grades?
|
I haven't had any issues with my combo. I would definitely go with 4.10's. I live in Utah county, and have towed to Vegas twice, Colorado Springs, Mesa Verde, Grand Junction, Rifle Gap, Bear Lake, Red Creek, Fish Lake, etc. I don't believe in towing over 65mph, but I haven't had any issues. Yes the gas engine revs higher, but that's to be expected.
__________________
2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 6.4L HEMI 4.10s with antispin
2014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 287BHBE
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200(new 90-02-4900 shank)
2x Honda 2K
|
|
|
01-15-2016, 09:46 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
|
You really have to watch payloads when looking at 3/4 ton trucks with diesel engines. In many cases the added weight of the diesel cancels out the increased suspension and you are left with a payload number equal to some of the higher payload 1/2 ton gassers. This is especially true of higher trim level 3/4 tons.
__________________
2013 F-150 EcoBoost MaxTow, Roush tuned (415hp 506tq), lifted on 33s, R.A.S.
2013 Jay Flight 28BHS Elite (Equalizer 10K hitch)
|
|
|
01-15-2016, 10:50 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 781
|
One other thing no one mentioned is that the ecoboost uses a smaller motor. Basically producing more HP per cubic inch.
This creates more strain on the engine and although I am speaking in generalities here, could cause premature fatique\wear.
P.S. If you are not too picky about what you drive, a daily driver can be had for less than the cost of a lawn mover.
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 330RSTS = " Madame Maxime"
Maxxis M8008 E rated Tires and 16" Wheel Upgrade
Dual A/C 15K BTU, 14K Equalizer WD hitch with SC
King Bed with Java Interior, (2X) Yamaha EF2000isV2
2012 Ram 4500, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, MegaCab = " Hagrid"
8'x12' BMCM Stake Bed, Cabin Chassis, 2WD
360 degree Virtual Tour
|
|
|
01-16-2016, 08:17 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tuscola
Posts: 212
|
I second the 6.4 vote. I'm super happy with mine and I've been a Cummins guy all along. No beating the Cummins, but the 6.4 is a great midline option for those of us that don't really need all that expensive power.
__________________
2014 Eagle 34.5 BHTS FW
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie 4/4 CC
Cummins 68rfe 3.42 gears
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|