I will add to the depreciating value on a diesel. Everybody has listened to me brag on my almost 18% off msrp. I month after I bought the 85k msrp truck for 69870, i did the trade value on it, and wholly molley. Every vehicle I've ever owned dropped 25-30% driven off lot, the value after 1 month was still more than i pd at 74,500. I love that
Ram Heavy Duty Forum
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Ram 2500?
- Thread starter MikeG
- Start date
Where approx are you staying?
The weather here looks good, warm days, cold nights.
Epsilon Plus
Well-Known Member
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My truck came with the 5th wheel prep, but I wouldn't have ordered it. My payload is only 2155. A few posts back the 5er stats mentioned were at 2100 pin. Can't remember if payload includes a 150lb driver weight but that leaves me with 55lbs.
For me I prefer bumper pull. Lower tongue weights and empty bed means I can bring more stuff. I used to pull a 50ft backhoe trailer off a pintle hook setup in my CDL life, so tugging around a 30ft trailer is easy peasy ESPECIALLY with all this great camera tech and great mirrors.
I wouldn't have minded stepping up to the 3500 if the dealers actually stocked them in my range. I certainly didn't buy the 2500 for, or even remember they had, coils and soft ride. Around here the 3500s are either vinyl floor Tradesmans with no tow mirrors or $80k Limited or Laramie Longhorn duallies.
The one thing I will always recommend to anyone buying these trucks is #1 make sure it has tow mirrors because believe it or not, some don't (even the diesels) and in online pictures the mirrors look similar in the normal position; #2 the camera tech/trailer tech package is worth it in spades.
slackerwill
Member
Some thoughts about the gas vs. diesel debate:
1. Its your truck. Not a random forum guy's, or your uncle's, or your best friend's.
2. The diesel truck is extremely capable.
3. The gas truck can do 90% of what the diesel truck can do.
4. If your weekends are spent racing your buddy up mountains with a trailer in tow, the diesel is the only choice.
5. Diesel has increased maintenance, the fuel price is higher, and you will have to drive thousands of miles to make up for the price difference, if you ever do, even accounting for the resale value.
6. Diesel 2500's have half ton-ish payload capability.
My experience, for what its worth:
My Ram 2500 is my 7th pickup. I have had everything but a Ford.
I have a 2020 Laramie 4x4 with the 6.4 and 3,150 pound payload and it is perfect for me. The price is right, plenty of payload, hauls anything I need to haul, and the coil spring rear is smooth.
This truck rides just about as nice as the 2017 Tundra it replaced, gets 10% worse gas mileage (and I have the 4.10's for my future 37" tires), and adds 1800 pounds of payload.
I had a 2006 Cummins 3500. The torque was great but my trailer was much heavier back then. Diesel maintenance and availability was only slightly annoying but concrete freeway expansion joints were my worst enemy.
This truck can pull my 6,400 Lance Trailer practically up a vertical wall with 6 people in the cab, camping gear in the bed, and enough leftover capacity for 20 bags of concrete. I love this beast.
I say get what you want. But don't let anybody tell you that the gas trucks suck. They do not.
1. Its your truck. Not a random forum guy's, or your uncle's, or your best friend's.
2. The diesel truck is extremely capable.
3. The gas truck can do 90% of what the diesel truck can do.
4. If your weekends are spent racing your buddy up mountains with a trailer in tow, the diesel is the only choice.
5. Diesel has increased maintenance, the fuel price is higher, and you will have to drive thousands of miles to make up for the price difference, if you ever do, even accounting for the resale value.
6. Diesel 2500's have half ton-ish payload capability.
My experience, for what its worth:
My Ram 2500 is my 7th pickup. I have had everything but a Ford.
I have a 2020 Laramie 4x4 with the 6.4 and 3,150 pound payload and it is perfect for me. The price is right, plenty of payload, hauls anything I need to haul, and the coil spring rear is smooth.
This truck rides just about as nice as the 2017 Tundra it replaced, gets 10% worse gas mileage (and I have the 4.10's for my future 37" tires), and adds 1800 pounds of payload.
I had a 2006 Cummins 3500. The torque was great but my trailer was much heavier back then. Diesel maintenance and availability was only slightly annoying but concrete freeway expansion joints were my worst enemy.
This truck can pull my 6,400 Lance Trailer practically up a vertical wall with 6 people in the cab, camping gear in the bed, and enough leftover capacity for 20 bags of concrete. I love this beast.
I say get what you want. But don't let anybody tell you that the gas trucks suck. They do not.
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slackerwill, I appreciate your input! I am pretty set on going with gas. I like the available payload and it should have no problem pulling what I will put behind it. A diesel has a bit of the "cool" factor, but I don't think I can justify in my head the extra cost for something that isn't really needed. Thanks again.
PGHChris81
Well-Known Member
I think the deal breaker for me aside from the added premium of the motor itself was the Regen cycle. If you don't constantly drive these diesels long mileage, they can be detrimental to the motor. Regen cycles are complicated and meant for lots and lots of driving. I researched heavily into this and there are tons of videos and reading on it.
Kimo7
HDRams' Official Greeter
I second slackerwill’s thoughts, well done. There’s a lot of good insight from others too. You’re smart to do research up front before buying. You will be happy with the RAM HD. I’ve owned both diesel and gas RAM HD trucks. My diesel was a 2017 2500 Limited and I had serious engine trouble with the crank seal repeatedly leaking which led to me dumping it. This time I went with a 2019 2500 Laramie with the 6.4 Hemi. So far I prefer the Hemi between the 2. I also use it as a daily driver and tow a 10k lb + TT in the Blue Ridge mountains and on the East coast, it does fine. The Hemi will rev higher to get the torque going through the new tranny. The temps stay within range and normal operations, no issues so far.
The only real dislike I have with the gas truck is the fuel tank size at 31 gallons is way too small. You‘ll find a lot of complaining on the forum about it. My daily commute average MPG around northern VA in stop and go driving is slightly below 13. Towing the heavy TT with a full load, mileage is around 9. The Hemi has the power to move it, put the hammer down and it’s instantaneous for the speedo, RPM gauge and..unfortunately the gas gauge too. Dependent on your terrain you’ll need to plan accordingly for fuel stops that will accommodate your length when towing. I don‘t regret my choice going with the Hemi based on my current situation. I love to hear it making that V8 sound through the exhaust. You will be happy with either truck. Good luck with your decision.
The only real dislike I have with the gas truck is the fuel tank size at 31 gallons is way too small. You‘ll find a lot of complaining on the forum about it. My daily commute average MPG around northern VA in stop and go driving is slightly below 13. Towing the heavy TT with a full load, mileage is around 9. The Hemi has the power to move it, put the hammer down and it’s instantaneous for the speedo, RPM gauge and..unfortunately the gas gauge too. Dependent on your terrain you’ll need to plan accordingly for fuel stops that will accommodate your length when towing. I don‘t regret my choice going with the Hemi based on my current situation. I love to hear it making that V8 sound through the exhaust. You will be happy with either truck. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks Kimo7! Ram was looking out for you with the 31 gallon tank. When towing, they were ensuring you didn't go too long without getting out and stretching your legs.
My roundtrip commute is about 40 HWY miles and 10 city miles, so if I can get 13-15 mpg, I will be happy. It is a 3/4 ton so I'm not expecting much.
My roundtrip commute is about 40 HWY miles and 10 city miles, so if I can get 13-15 mpg, I will be happy. It is a 3/4 ton so I'm not expecting much.
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JohnandDonna
Well-Known Member
Campground Just north of Gatlinburg. Arrived yesterday. Loving it so far. Today was awesome.
We were planning to go early October from central iowa, but had to postpone that a bit. Love that part of the country.
Which campground? Greenbrier?
I’ll buy you a bottle of fine scotch if you’ll do my leg work. I’ll even help you drink it around the campfire!
I lived in Knoxville for 20 yrs, i know the lay of the land your tromping around in better than i can remember wich way to the restroom from one campground to another. Real nice areas your staying in between Gatlinburg and Townsend. Don't drop your guard, there are bear over there and there not very shy. If you go out and eat, go back to pigeon forge or Sevierville, will be half the cost. Whatever you do, don't plan on going anywhere on the strip until 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Short window i know , but unless you want to sit in traffic for literally 1 mile per hour of travel, it's crazy out there.
he'll yah, I'm in, I'm negotiating allready though because i want the bottle of scotch and the $375 naviks unit thrown in to boot, ill travel to you
Uggghhhh, change of plans, my wife said that no way In he// is she going through that with me again. Sorry boz , the wife comes first
Uggghhhh, change of plans, my wife said that no way In he// is she going through that with me again. Sorry boz , the wife comes first
I appreciate the feedback from everyone. I have found a few trucks I like that have most if not all of the options I am looking for but they all come with an open differential. Who would have thought an HD truck doesn't come standard with a limited slip differential. Any of yall have thoughts on towing and winter driving with an open differential. I have found some with an LSD but depending on the truck, I would have to forego options like NAV, BLIS, heated seats (a must for wife), bedliner, etc.. I can add a bedliner but not so much with the BLIS, NAV, and Heated Seats.
slackerwill
Member
I was in the same shoes. The Bighorn looked like what I wanted but it was hard to find one with the right amount of equipment. I almost bought an open differential truck. The ECU does a pretty good with the brakes to simulate a LSD but I didn't like the idea of relying on it.
I ended up with a Laramie that the dealer said was a unicorn. $58k MSRP. It has hardly any options (Trailer Tech package for the 360 camera) but most of the must haves for me (heated seats, rear USB, etc) are standard on Laramie.
Also, here is a tip: Search for trucks with 4.10 rear end. That is how I found mine. The anti-slip is a required option for the 4.10. And, if you are going to oversize your tires, you end up with just about the same as the 3.73 if you go to 37's.
It might be worth it to search out of town. I bought my truck 700 miles from home. Shipping is not super bad if you get a good deal. I rented a car for less than $200 and drove.
Good luck man. And don't compromise on the creature comforts to be in a hurry. Regret is expensive.
I ended up with a Laramie that the dealer said was a unicorn. $58k MSRP. It has hardly any options (Trailer Tech package for the 360 camera) but most of the must haves for me (heated seats, rear USB, etc) are standard on Laramie.
Also, here is a tip: Search for trucks with 4.10 rear end. That is how I found mine. The anti-slip is a required option for the 4.10. And, if you are going to oversize your tires, you end up with just about the same as the 3.73 if you go to 37's.
It might be worth it to search out of town. I bought my truck 700 miles from home. Shipping is not super bad if you get a good deal. I rented a car for less than $200 and drove.
Good luck man. And don't compromise on the creature comforts to be in a hurry. Regret is expensive.