Coming over from a Tundra

[1sttimeRamowner]

Hey, everyone,

Just joined as I am looking at getting my first Ram. A little advice if I may.

I am looking at a 2018 2500 and a 2018 3500. Both gas, and 6.4L Hemi, both 6'4" bed. They are within 2-3k of each other.

Coming from a Tundra with the 5.7, I am needing the truck to do the following:

1) Haul wood
2) Take out camping with tent gear.
3) Use to pull a small 4x8 trailer for a local Trail Life Troop when the troop goes out.
4) Normal runs during the week such as going to go visit people, shopping, and general vehicle use, when the other car is unavailable.
5) Trash runs, moving, carrying furniture, etc.

6) Lastly, during the summer, we go camping in our camper. This year we are heading west.

My 5.7 hauled it fine, but I have a Surveyor Legend 19bhle (I believe). This one (https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/surveyor-legend/19BHLE/8333) except I have a'22 or '23. We wanted a smaller camper to get into more places and the Loaded weight has a sticker of around 4000 lbs. Again, I purposely wanted smaller so there is very low chance of going bigger. Perhaps a 2% chance at best.

I know, engine wise, the 2500 will haul that all day long. Even with our gear, we are only pushing up to 1k-1,300 lbs. I should also add that this is EXTREMELY conservative. If I had to be more precise, I would be about the 800-1k mark. Hitch weight just say 700lbs perhaps 800.

Since I know I am new to dodge but not towing (this will be our 4th year going), my questions would be,

1) from what I see, I should be fine with either, right? Or am I missing something in what I am reading?

2) Is there a reason to go with one and not the other?

3) I am using an aftermarket controller. Any issues?

4) Since I am new, anything specific I sould really watch when I go look at the trucks? What should I look for?

5) Lastly, from what I gather, the 2500, at the least, has a 2600 lb load limit and can pull 17k lbs. Am I reading that right?

I appreciate the help and I look forward to exploring. Also, any links you think would be of help, please share.

Lastly, I do not post much but I do read what is posted. So I will do my best to answer questions in a timely manner, but I am sorry if it does not come quickly as I am always running.

Thanks again.

 

[T143]

I will be the first to welcome you here.
The difference between the 2500 and 3500 is the weight it could carry, both tow the same but payload is the key. Any other info I will leave to the masters on here they know every little tick and trick.

 

[dieselscout80]

If the 3500 has the air ride rear suspension I would get it.

Here’s a thought though a 2019 and up has the ZF8 speed with the 6.4. The ZF8 speed is a great transmission and I am really happy with my 2020 6.4 2500.

I also recommend getting the 4.10 axle ratio for towing.

 

[1sttimeRamowner]

I will be the first to welcome you here.
The difference between the 2500 and 3500 is the weight it could carry, both tow the same but payload is the key. Any other info I will leave to the masters on here they know every little tick and trick.

Thank you for the welcome, and help. That is one of my concern about the engine and weight of the truck itself. I do believe this would make the truck heavier and the engine is not enlarged. Maybe I am wrong. Thank you for the help and welcome.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thank you for the welcome, and help. That is one of my concern about the engine and weight of the truck itself. I do believe this would make the truck heavier and the engine is not enlarged. Maybe I am wrong. Thank you for the help and welcome.

2500-3500 weight is about the same the only difference would be the rear suspension. The 2500 has coils the 3500 has leaf springs. Both will easily do what you want. If you think even in the slightest you will upgrade the camper to a bigger unit in the future get the 3500 as it keeps your options more open for the future

 

[1sttimeRamowner]

If the 3500 has the air ride rear suspension I would get it.

Here’s a thought though a 2019 and up has the ZF8 speed with the 6.4. The ZF8 speed is a great transmission and I am really happy with my 2020 6.4 2500.

I also recommend getting the 4.10 axle ratio for towing.

I looked at the specs, and it doesn't say anything about the air ride, so I am not sure if it has it.

Thank you for the thought about the 2019 and up. I did a search, and sadly, the ones that are 2019 and up are either too far away for me to go get or see, way over my budget, is missing things that we are looking for (8' bed vs 6' 4" bed for example where I am looking for the smaller bed), to high of miles, or they have accidents reported.

More wishes than money, LOL!

As for the axle, I am not sure what is on the two I am looking at, but it is something that I can ask when I go see the truck, hopefully this weekend (if not this coming week).

My question, is the transmission, and the ratio a deal breaker for what I am pulling? My Tundra had pretty well stock axle and a smaller transmission, and the only time my truck seemed to be bogged down was when I was accelerating to get on the interstate. Other than that, staying around 65 MPH, I hover around 2K rpms or a little less.

I do drive in shift mode and keep the transmission around the 5th or 6th gear as I approach hills or not.

 

[1sttimeRamowner]

2500-3500 weight is about the same the only difference would be the rear suspension. The 2500 has coils the 3500 has leaf springs. Both will easily do what you want. If you think even in the slightest you will upgrade the camper to a bigger unit in the future get the 3500 as it keeps your options more open for the future

Thank you for the info. If we did go bigger, it would not really be much bigger. Where I am in my life, I would probably go a little smaller, but if I did go different, I would probably get something like this: https://goriversiderv.com/intrepid-171i/. This would be simply because my needs are changing and I don't need the bunks.

But I don't ever really see me going bigger than this. This would fit my needs perfectly. When I do go with the camper, my family and I are barely in the camper. We are out and going all day, each day. The camper is just our hotel for food, sleep and rest till the next adventure.

This is why I am needing a truck with less mileage. We are planning our biggest trip this year and we are going to MT, WY, ID, ND, NE, possibly the Grand Canyon, and then back home. So less miles are good.

The truck I am looking at has 93K on the OD, and I am comfortable with that.

I have been reading where the coil spring is smoother than the leaf, but I only know leaf because of the Tundra. I don't know what to expect.

I hope that makes sense.

ETA: The reason we do not see ourselves going bigger is because from the four years we have been doing this, we have had, heard, and seen many who are in these massive 5th wheels and long travel trailers, and the biggest complaint they shared with me was they hate how restricted they are. I even had someone offer me my full value of my camper, plus extra, right on the spot!

I told him that I didn't think that would be god with the Mrs. but it was an interesting offer. He had a 45-55' fifth wheel and he said he hated the thing because of the restrictions of where, how, and what he could and could not do. Me sitting with something that is under 20' (24' if you count the hitch and tongue), I can maneuver in and out of a lot of places that we want to go. This is why I am also being careful of how long the bed is as well.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thank you for the info. If we did go bigger, it would not really be much bigger. Where I am in my life, I would probably go a little smaller, but if I did go different, I would probably get something like this: https://goriversiderv.com/intrepid-171i/. This would be simply because my needs are changing and I don't need the bunks.

But I don't ever really see me going bigger than this. This would fit my needs perfectly. When I do go with the camper, my family and I are barely in the camper. We are out and going all day, each day. The camper is just our hotel for food, sleep and rest till the next adventure.

This is why I am needing a truck with less mileage. We are planning our biggest trip this year and we are going to MT, WY, ID, ND, NE, possibly the Grand Canyon, and then back home. So less miles are good.

The truck I am looking at has 93K on the OD, and I am comfortable with that.

I have been reading where the coil spring is smoother than the leaf, but I only know leaf because of the Tundra. I don't know what to expect.

I hope that makes sense.

ETA: The reason we do not see ourselves going bigger is because from the four years we have been doing this, we have had, heard, and seen many who are in these massive 5th wheels and long travel trailers, and the biggest complaint they shared with me was they hate how restricted they are. I even had someone offer me my full value of my camper, plus extra, right on the spot!

I told him that I didn't think that would be god with the Mrs. but it was an interesting offer. He had a 45-55' fifth wheel and he said he hated the thing because of the restrictions of where, how, and what he could and could not do. Me sitting with something that is under 20' (24' if you count the hitch and tongue), I can maneuver in and out of a lot of places that we want to go. This is why I am also being careful of how long the bed is as well.

Coils are great for loaded and unloaded use

 

[JDMHero47]

Hey, everyone,



Just joined as I am looking at getting my first Ram. A little advice if I may.



I am looking at a 2018 2500 and a 2018 3500. Both gas, and 6.4L Hemi, both 6'4" bed. They are within 2-3k of each other.



Coming from a Tundra with the 5.7, I am needing the truck to do the following:



1) Haul wood

2) Take out camping with tent gear.

3) Use to pull a small 4x8 trailer for a local Trail Life Troop when the troop goes out.

4) Normal runs during the week such as going to go visit people, shopping, and general vehicle use, when the other car is unavailable.

5) Trash runs, moving, carrying furniture, etc.



6) Lastly, during the summer, we go camping in our camper. This year we are heading west.



My 5.7 hauled it fine, but I have a Surveyor Legend 19bhle (I believe). This one (https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/surveyor-legend/19BHLE/8333) except I have a'22 or '23. We wanted a smaller camper to get into more places and the Loaded weight has a sticker of around 4000 lbs. Again, I purposely wanted smaller so there is very low chance of going bigger. Perhaps a 2% chance at best.



I know, engine wise, the 2500 will haul that all day long. Even with our gear, we are only pushing up to 1k-1,300 lbs. This is extremely conservative, but if I had to put a closer number on it, I would say more like 800-1k lbs. Hitch weight just say 700lbs perhaps 800.



Since I know I am new to dodge but not towing (this will be our 4th year going), my questions would be,



1) from what I see, I should be fine with either, right? Or am I missing something in what I am reading?



2) Is there a reason to go with one and not the other?



3) I am using an aftermarket controller. Any issues?



4) Since I am new, anything specific I sould really watch when I go look at the trucks? What should I look for?



5) Lastly, from what I gather, the 2500, at the least, has a 2600 lb load limit and can pull 17k lbs. Am I reading that right?



I appreciate the help and I look forward to exploring. Also, any links you think would be of help, please share.



Lastly, I do not post much but I do read what is posted. So I will do my best to answer questions in a timely manner, but I am sorry if it does not come quickly as I am always running.



Thanks again.

Hi, long time Toyota owner here. My experience before owning a pickup was 2 freightliner FLD120s & my current freightliner Cascadia125. I swore I'd never buy a pickup and got around all of my maintenance needs on my trucks with a Toyota previa minivan.

Well that died & my son needed a pickup for house projects, so we got a 2nd gen 2500 5.9L V8. Great truck, but not enough payload and towing. He blew through it with 3200lb pallets that left you scratching your head as to how the springs didn't break. It could only tow 8k before you subtracted payload from that, but it did that okay.

Later we got a 3rd gen 2500 cummins. Terrible experience. Zero usable payload, 12mpg, and even though the PO had a billet transmission in it, it never locked up the TC under 49mph. Compared to the 2nd gen gasser it was the worst pickup we got so far.

He sold that asap and got a 5th gen 3500 gasser. We got tired of buying old junk and wanted a lexus quality interior. We love it for the capability, but visibility is horrid compared to my Freightliner. Still better than Ford though, for sure. We are planning on towing a 16k trailer with it, and have 4.10s in our 3500.

To answer your question, if you're sure you won't go bigger then a 4k trailer, I'd suggest you stick to your Tundra, maybe get a newer 2021. Personally, anything under 6k I tow with my 4Runners & GXs. 1200lbs of payload on those trucks & 18mpg putting around town. Better engine & trans. tuning too.

 

[1sttimeRamowner]

Hi, long time Toyota owner here. My experience before owning a pickup was 2 freightliner FLD120s & my current freightliner Cascadia125. I swore I'd never buy a pickup and got around all of my maintenance needs on my trucks with a Toyota previa minivan.

Well that died & my son needed a pickup for house projects, so we got a 2nd gen 2500 5.9L V8. Great truck, but not enough payload and towing. He blew through it with 3200lb pallets that left you scratching your head as to how the springs didn't break. It could only tow 8k before you subtracted payload from that, but it did that okay.

Later we got a 3rd gen 2500 cummins. Terrible experience. Zero usable payload, 12mpg, and even though the PO had a billet transmission in it, it never locked up the TC under 49mph. Compared to the 2nd gen gasser it was the worst pickup we got so far.

He sold that asap and got a 5th gen 3500 gasser. We got tired of buying old junk and wanted a lexus quality interior. We love it for the capability, but visibility is horrid compared to my Freightliner. Still better than Ford though, for sure. We are planning on towing a 16k trailer with it, and have 4.10s in our 3500.

To answer your question, if you're sure you won't go bigger then a 4k trailer, I'd suggest you stick to your Tundra, maybe get a newer 2021. Personally, anything under 6k I tow with my 4Runners & GXs. 1200lbs of payload on those trucks & 18mpg putting around town. Better engine & trans. tuning too.

Thank you for the input and your thoughts.

I did look at going back to the Tundra before the 2500 but there are a few issues.

1) The Tundras that fit in my budget is fairly high mileage.

2) If it is lower, it is way too expensive for me.

3) If I can afford it, and it is low miles, it has a couple of accidents reported.

4) If everything does work, one of the things we need is a six seater.

5) If all that does line up, those trucks are 600-2100 miles away from me so I am unable to go and see it.

So as much as I like the Tundra, I think a 2500 or a 3500 is the better move at this time.

Perhaps I am wrong? I am open to other opinions both for or against. I am just also being very careful of my budget as well.