Ram 1500 vs 2500 - Page 2

Vasquez Kid · 07-15-2018, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TENNESSEE

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. We decided to go with the 2500 gasser. I know the 1500 could probably handle our current camper fine, but the HW was at the high end of the capacity of a 1500 and I just like having more truck than I need, if that is possible.

They gave us a good price on our 2011 and gave us credit for the $2300 we just spent on it. All in we got $23,500 for truck that needed $3,500 of transmission and fuel injection work. The new truck came ready to receive a fifth wheel, which we took as a sign

. Wife is already planning on a fifth wheel! That's how this works, right? One toy leads to another!

Congratulations Tennessee,

Sounds like they treated you pretty fairly be you made a very good decision.

Send us pics when you can and enjoy!

Jeff.

12ptdroptine · 07-15-2018, 02:00 PM

We just traded up from a great F150 to a F250 with the 6.2 gasser....so glad we did. Struggled with the diesel option. Just wont use it enough in the next 5 years to justify. You made a good choice
Drop

spoon059 · 07-15-2018, 02:36 PM

Congrats on the new truck. I think you did the smart thing, staying in a HD platform. 6500 lbs trailer is almost 900 lbs tongue weight at 13%. That would put you very close to max on a 1500, whereas your gas 2500 should have over 3000 lbs of payload. Enjoy and drive safe!!!

TENNESSEE · 07-15-2018, 04:28 PM

Amen

Vasquez Kid · 07-15-2018, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12ptdroptine

We just traded up from a great F150 to a F250 with the 6.2 gasser....so glad we did. Struggled with the diesel option. Just wont use it enough in the next 5 years to justify. You made a good choice
Drop

Right here is the power of these forums and sharing info and experiences.

No doubt the modern 150 is a lot more capable than not that long ago. Sometimes a diesel just isn't necessary or justifyable. Can't argue with the bigger systems on the 250 tho.

Can't have too much truck.

TENNESSEE · 07-15-2018, 08:13 PM

Preach

Cheetah053 · 07-21-2018, 12:56 PM

I had a 2011 RAM 1500 towing about 7300 loaded. It was OK, and I mean just OK. I traded up to a RAM 2500 and it ties so much better. With the 5.7L Hemisphere in the 1500 I got about 8.5 mpg in relatively flat interstate. With the Cummins 6.7L I was getting 14 mpg! We have since moved to a fifth wheel, but I’d sure reconsider if you can. There is no such thing as too much toe vehicle.

StevL · 07-21-2018, 01:26 PM

I don't tow a trailer but I do tow boats, up to 9k lbs. I was using a 3/4 ton Suburban (gas), it towed good or so I thought. Tried the F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost and the Max Tow package; Awesome! So much better than the Suburban!

Steve

Harleyjay · 07-21-2018, 01:56 PM

If that’s s all the trailer you plan to pull then go with the 1500 with 3:92 rear end gears and all the trailer towing cooling options they have this will let you pull a little over 10,000lbs gross weight.
I have a 2500 with 6.4 hemi motor and lots of power pulling a 40 Jayco fifth wheel at over 12,000lbs gross weight. I opted for the gas because of the diesel maintenance costs. Unless your able to do your own maintenance

StevL · 07-21-2018, 02:42 PM

The F150 depending how you configure it has a tow capacity of 13,200.... that's with the 3.5 Ecoboost (V6).

Steve

trucking_jeske · 07-21-2018, 04:28 PM

When I pulled with a Ram 1500 5.7 hemi, trucks would push me around as they passed and I noticed wind would affect my handling when pulling our TT.

When I went to a Ram 2500 Diesel i noticed a big improvement. Trucks didn't bother at all and wind hardly affected handling when pulling our 5th wheel.

It is more relaxing when towing when your rig rides smoothly down the road.
IMHO

TENNESSEE · 07-21-2018, 08:22 PM

Totally agree. Even if you only tow once in awhile, it’s still worth it.

cekkk · 07-21-2018, 08:37 PM

I just realized that I really had 5 diesels. Forgot about the 1980 Oldsmobile. But everybody knows that story. The first engine conked out at about 35,000 miles and Oldsmobile replaced it under warranty. That engine went before I had a hundred thousand miles on the truck total. I'm not sure I need to count that as a Troublesome diesel, do I? LOL

SunshineTX · 07-21-2018, 08:42 PM

We have a 3500 Dodge dually with Cummins diesel and it pulls wonderful. Cool weather get 18-22 mpg. Also 30' fifth wheel. Would not go lighter on the truck. Truck has to be able to handle any situation you get into.

AndreenRacing · 07-22-2018, 07:42 AM

In 2015 I was ready to replace my 01 Cummins. We went with a 6.4 gasser. The cost to maintain and repair the newer diesels is just not something that I wanted to deal with.
I had it swapped from a 3.73 to a 4.56 gear front and rear which turned out to be perfect with the 33" factory tire height and 6spd auto. We tandem tow our 5th wheel and boat which is about 14,000 combined and have no issues at all. It gets 10mpg towing and over 18mpg empty.
We saved thousands on the initial purchase, even after the gear swap. If it needs injectors down the road it will be hundreds and not thousands.
If we were going to be pulling over the mountains a lot, then I probably would have bought the diesel. An exhaust brake is invaluable on mountain passes. For what we do though, the gas truck was the right choice.

TENNESSEE · 07-22-2018, 09:19 AM

I feel good about our decision to go with gas. We got the 2500 with the off road package. Have not towed anything yet but like it so far.

Sahric2 · 07-23-2018, 11:42 AM

Just bought a 24 ft White Hawk, 5250 lbs dry weight.Tongue weight 660 lbs. I have a 2017 Eco Diesel 1500 and just had the Air Lift 5000 installed. Heading out on a 3000 km trip this week. This will tell if I have enough truck.

Doughydman · 07-24-2018, 09:35 AM

I have a 2500 gas with 6.4 hemi. Tows with no problem except on steep grades. My trailer weighs fully loaded around 10,000-11,000 lbs. Can only go about 35 mph up the Eisenhower. Little disappointing but it tows great on flat ground. Average about 8 mpg when towing.

Big1 · 07-24-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TENNESSEE

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. We decided to go with the 2500 gasser. I know the 1500 could probably handle our current camper fine, but the HW was at the high end of the capacity of a 1500 and I just like having more truck than I need, if that is possible.

They gave us a good price on our 2011 and gave us credit for the $2300 we just spent on it. All in we got $23,500 for truck that needed $3,500 of transmission and fuel injection work. The new truck came ready to receive a fifth wheel, which we took as a sign

. Wife is already planning on a fifth wheel! That's how this works, right? One toy leads to another!

Congrats! What gears are you planning on getting, I had the 4.10 gears with is perfect for towing? Did you already bought it?

nddan21 · 07-24-2018, 07:54 PM

Had a 1500 with the intentions of getting a 25’ or so TT. Ended up wit a 29 ‘ (Jayco 26bh). Numbers said ok with a Blue Ox sway control. No way. Not safe. Not comfortable. If I was by myself, ok, but kids, no way. Traded it in for a stripped down 3500, no options but puuuuuuure capability. Heated seats? No way. Big screen? Who cares. Remote start? I don’t care. Rolling hard, no squat, and able to worry about what’s important....

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