jdefoe0424
Active Member
I have already posted this elsewhere but figured I would post here as well. Yesterday I drove all day to trade in 2 vehicles and get 2 "new" ones, the first was a Durango for my wife and the second was trading my 1500 Laramie in for a 2500.
When I bought the 1500 back in August of 2019 I bought with the intention of purchasing a trailer in about 3-4 years. The truck was definitely capable as it did not have any heavy options and I searched specifically for a truck with 3.92's etc. to do so.
Well with COVID and all we decided to purchase a 32' Coachmen in June of 2020. The 1500 never felt underpowered and handled the trailer as well as you would expect a completely stock truck to, I never had any second thoughts about towing with it. The wife wasn't a fan of some of the large undulations over certain bumps but oh well...she'll deal.
With another baby on the way we decided we needed to make some changes. My wife needed something with a 3rd row and we were going to help offset her more expensive vehicle by trading my truck in. I knew that by "upgrading" to a 2500 I was going to lose a lot of the comforts of the Laramie but it's what is necessary for towing the current camper and whatever one we decide to buy next in 5-7 years.
I upgraded in terms of truck capability, but I downgraded on pretty much everything else. It's bittersweet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how much OE stuff I can add to this truck over the next few years to make it more comfortable.
From my inspection and drive home last night:
I slid under the truck at the dealer and immediately noticed one thing, almost every single part on the underside of the truck was painted etc. the track bars and steering components etc. etc. There was not nearly the amount of raw and starting to rust surface area that I have seen with my 1500. I know my 1500 has already seen one winter and it is possible this 2500 has not have seen much salt or was washed often.
Was also surprised to find it had a mechanical fan. Injectors seem to noisier than the 5.7. Idle exhaust note seems to be louder.
In the future I would love to add:
I'll possibly come back to this and update stuff, we'll see.
When I bought the 1500 back in August of 2019 I bought with the intention of purchasing a trailer in about 3-4 years. The truck was definitely capable as it did not have any heavy options and I searched specifically for a truck with 3.92's etc. to do so.
Well with COVID and all we decided to purchase a 32' Coachmen in June of 2020. The 1500 never felt underpowered and handled the trailer as well as you would expect a completely stock truck to, I never had any second thoughts about towing with it. The wife wasn't a fan of some of the large undulations over certain bumps but oh well...she'll deal.
With another baby on the way we decided we needed to make some changes. My wife needed something with a 3rd row and we were going to help offset her more expensive vehicle by trading my truck in. I knew that by "upgrading" to a 2500 I was going to lose a lot of the comforts of the Laramie but it's what is necessary for towing the current camper and whatever one we decide to buy next in 5-7 years.
I upgraded in terms of truck capability, but I downgraded on pretty much everything else. It's bittersweet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how much OE stuff I can add to this truck over the next few years to make it more comfortable.
From my inspection and drive home last night:
I slid under the truck at the dealer and immediately noticed one thing, almost every single part on the underside of the truck was painted etc. the track bars and steering components etc. etc. There was not nearly the amount of raw and starting to rust surface area that I have seen with my 1500. I know my 1500 has already seen one winter and it is possible this 2500 has not have seen much salt or was washed often.
Was also surprised to find it had a mechanical fan. Injectors seem to noisier than the 5.7. Idle exhaust note seems to be louder.
- The inside rear view mirror seems to be smaller. I REALLY miss the auto dimming mirrors.
- The ambient interior lighting seems to be darker, was hard to see cupholders at times.
- The tow mirrors will definitely take some getting used to but I will LOVE them when pulling the camper.
- I miss the SXM radio, hoping to upgrade to the 8.4 and add at some point.
- The backup camera is somewhat useless on the small screen.
- The ANC is something I never realized how much it did in my 1500...I can definitely tell the difference when MDS is active.
- In the snow I realized how much the anti-spin differential did in my 1500, maybe I'll find a wrecked truck in the future and swap the whole axle. I also find it interesting they don't attempt some sort of "e-diff" all I felt was traction control and one wheel spinning, never really started to slide sideways.
- It definitely drinks more fuel, rides a little stiffer, is a little louder inside etc. but that's an HD truck for ya.
- It will get up and go if you put your foot down!
- I'm pleasantly surprised at the ride with the 8' bed, a 6'4" 2019 that I test drove I recall being a little rougher.
- It is in desperate need of mud flaps as the front tires coat the factory running boards...top and bottom.
- It will also need rear wheel well liners, a tonneau cover or cap, windows tinted, floor mats for easy cleanup.
In the future I would love to add:
- OE remote start
- Fog lights
- LED headlights....I missed them terribly driving at night but my wife said she doesn't like them...she won't drive it much so....
- 8.4 Uconnect
- Upgraded seats, maybe eventually change out the vinyl for others or katzkin leather
- Anti-spin, limited slip, torsen etc. rear differential
- The touch lock and unlock door handles would be nice but tradesman may not be possible
I'll possibly come back to this and update stuff, we'll see.
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