My trigger finger is itching

[HomelessBound]

We have a 7000 lb travel trailer that I've been shopping for a truck for, but want a bit more payload than the 1/2 ton trucks are providing. Test drove just about everything and was really impressed with the Ram 2500HD/3500HD. I think the 2500HD is probably the sweet spot for us as it still drives unloaded much like a 1/2 ton truck. For our application the smoother shifting gas also seems like the answer, along with the additional payload over the diesel.

So here's the fantasy build for now:

Ram 2500 CCSB 4x4
Tow Tech Pack
Safety Pack
Auto level
Laramie Level 1
Anti Spin Differential
Block Heater
LED Bed lighting
Trailer TPMS

of course, no one offers them like this, so trying to find a dealer to order from. Everyone seems to throw the cummins on with tech+safety, and usually the buckets and Level 2 - leaving way less payload than we'd like.

But anyways -- hi!

 

[DevilDodge]

Welcome. Lots of info here to help you get the truck you want and enjoy it after you get it.

Sounds like you are making a great decision for your towing needs.


Thanks for joining us

 

[archer75]

If you get a 3500 with the air suspension the suspenion will be softer than not having air suspenion. Then you get gobs of payload and a better ride. Though perhaps not as a good a ride as the 2500. Might be worth checking out. Especially for any future trailer/5th wheel upgrades. Just a thought.

 

[HomelessBound]

Luckily I got to test drive both a 2500 with air and 3500 with the air. I also got to drive F150 before, and F250 and F350 after.

I would rate ride quality empty from best to worst as:
F150, 2500HD, 3500HD, F250, F350.

The 2500 and 3500 were closer than the others but on some of the more uneven pavement (think rutted/and collapsing asphalt) the 2500 was better. The 2500 was gas CCSB and 3500 diesel CCLB. The gas transmission shifted much nicer so maybe that also somehow influenced my perception. I also didn't check tire pressures so that could have been a factor too as who knows where the dealer set them...my mistake.

For $1100 the 3500 would be a good payload upgrade. With USAA the insurance is only $10/month more.

Anyone have thoughts on whether I should add the snow chief group or 5th wheel prep -- no desire at this time to do either of those, but I imagine the 5th wheel prep could be done afterwards fairly easily if I or the next buyer wanted?

 

[Ogamiitto]

.....Anyone have thoughts on whether I should add the snow chief group or 5th wheel prep ......

Snow Chief package is a good group to get if you want auxiliary switches, clearance lamps, skid plate protection, etc. i ordered that myself on a build i just submitted days ago.

 

[HomelessBound]

I am mostly concerned that the bigger alternator is going to be a drag on the engine and sap efficiency, also not a fan of the clearance lights personally...

 

[hutchman]

Itchy trigger fingers are dangerous when talking new trucks. The day I bought mine, I dropped my wife off to shop and jokingly told her I was going to buy a new truck. An hour later I picker her ip in our new one. She certainly had a funny look on her face!

Anyway, remember......life is too short to drive a truck without that "new truck smell!"

 

[HomelessBound]

Definitely, luckily we are pretty safe as no one remotely options them the way I am interested. They add the many thousand dollar options I don't want and the bucket seats that I don't want. Our other car is very well appointed with adaptive cruise and heated seats/nav/etc... and some of these trucks have the full price of that car in options... So we are 100% ordering which is making me a little more deliberate...

Looking at the payload thread is looks like a 2500 w/ gas build like I want is about 2900lbs payload and the 3500 is 4700lbs payload. Decisions.

 

[Ogamiitto]

.......Looking at the payload thread is looks like a 2500 w/ gas build like I want is about 2900lbs payload and the 3500 is 4700lbs payload. Decisions.

your situation is similar to mine...thus, i'd say go with the 3500. more payload and towing capacity on a gas engine the better. also gives you some room to grow if you ever wanted to move to a slightly larger trailer. if it's within you're budget, i think you should always get more than you need in all things related to towing performance. i understand that there's a difference in ride quality...personally, to me, not enough to forgo everything the 3500 can give you.

 

[HomelessBound]

Solid logic.

I am pretty sure I'll go with the plow prep package and switches in case we get a property I need to plow.


The only hanging chads are

• TTPMS - please fix this ram.
• running boards (I want power - but they only come on Laramie Lvl2 - $4000 running boards).
• Connect 8c with NAV to get 4g hotspot/app support. XM Guardian is freaking expensive though. That and I deplore SiriusXM for the volume of spam they have generated on every car I got. Leaning toward no.

 

[Ogamiitto]

....running boards (I want power - but they only come on Laramie Lvl2 - $4000 running boards).......

for the running boards, you can get the Amp Research ones..

https://www.amp-research.com/ram/ram-3500?make_name=3483&model_name=3489&year_id=