2500 Gas vs Diesel 4.10 vs 3.73 gear ratio

[Brewbud]

The Diesel 2500 does run up against its legal payload in those situations due to the 10,000 GVWR. Your payload is GVWR minus the weight of your truck. Capability wise, I would still prefer to tow with the diesel when compared to a 2500 gasser with the same GVWR because of the torque curve and the exhaust brake. However, to do it legally (and smart), it means stepping up to a 3500. I have many friends that are playing that legal roulette game with their 3/4 tons.

 

[RVTRKN]

The Diesel 2500 does run up against its legal payload in those situations due to the 10,000 GVWR. Your payload is GVWR minus the weight of your truck. Capability wise, I would still prefer to tow with the diesel when compared to a 2500 gasser with the same GVWR because of the torque curve and the exhaust brake. However, to do it legally (and smart), it means stepping up to a 3500. I have many friends that are playing that legal roulette game with their 3/4 tons.

Its more like 11K lbs per GAWR, its an old argument, but its legal.

 

[Brewbud]

Its more like 11K lbs per GAWR, its an old argument, but its legal.

My GAWR given both axles would be 11,750 lbs. My truck weighed out at 7800 lbs leaving me a 2200 lb payload which is what my sticker says. I sure like the sound of 3950 lbs though so I will go with that!

 

[DevilDodge]

Guess I am never getting rid of my 2015. My combined axle rating is 12000. Why would I ever want to buy a newer one if it is less capable. So my 2998 payload is now 4998...heck that is more than some dual wheeled 3500s. Awesome. Now I can get that huge 5th wheel my friend said I should buy.

Now just to keep the rust dust of PA away from this goldmine.

 

[DevilDodge]

Hey Powerwagon guys. 8565 GVWR front 4750 and rear 6200. Why the he'll did they derate it if the axles are over 10k and we know that is an artificial limit. So 10950. They could have rated it at 10k and still let you have 950 more capacity then. Hmm.

Guess I can buy that Powerwagon and work it like my truck.

 

[Squatch]

Hey Powerwagon guys. 8565 GVWR front 4750 and rear 6200. Why the he'll did they derate it if the axles are over 10k and we know that is an artificial limit. So 10950. They could have rated it at 10k and still let you have 950 more capacity then. Hmm.

Guess I can buy that Powerwagon and work it like my truck.

I’m kind of a dummy with this stuff, but did they use softer spring rates for better articulation and off-road performance?

 

[DevilDodge]

I’m kind of a dummy with this stuff, but did they use softer spring rates for better articulation and off-road performance?

Yesterday I would agree with you and say yes that the flexy suspension and the disconnecting swaybars are why the Powerwagon or Tradesman with Powerwagon package is rated that way. But today I learned some new things. So I have to disagree with my yesterday self today.

 

[RVTRKN]

The GVWR is a warranty number, so in reality, Ram can refuse your warrranty claims if running over the GVWR. But this would be related to over weight issues. When I was having my Auto Level System evaluated at the dealer, I asked a direct question from the tech while we were looking over the data on Wytech. He says that it records weight data, and under certain suspension failures Ram can deny warranty. The only repair he did that was obviously from overloading the springs with data confirming it, Ram approved the repair. However the customer was told overloading the suspension again causing damage would not be covered. Going over the GVWR and staying within the GAWR would not be concidered overloaded. If you get pulled into the scales and are within the GAWR's you are legal. On the other hand, if you get pulled into the scales and are over the GAWR's, more than likely a ticket and forced to unload it to the GAWR's
Here is my Cat Scale with my 04.5 2500, and is within the GAWR 5K front 6K rear. My Arctic Fox has a 15K GVWR which is heavy for a 2500, or even my 2019 SRW 3500, but its legal.

 

[psardac7]

I know that area well, I would go with a Diesel for those climbs. Unless you go to the Green River area or Montrose, your only choice is to climb out of Grand Junction. Gas engines live in high RPM ranges while climbing, trying to keep the torque and HP up to help, also you'll know where all your filling stations are. I pass up the stations I once had to fill up before travelling through the desert, to make sure I had enough fuel. The Diesel will climb at a steady RPM, I like to climb @ 22-2500 RPM to help keep the EGT down, which we can't see without after market gauges. When I lived in SoCal, I had to climb out on either the Cajon Pass, or the Grapevine and I appreciated every moment with the 5.9 and 6.7 CTD.

Thank you.....Pete

 

[psardac7]

I have opted not to invest in my own TT, but instead to rent them, as it is more economical for us. Those TTs we have rented have ranged from ~4700 - ~8500 dry).

That said, with my 2016 (6.4 + 3.73 + 37" tires + 5" lift), I never had an issue up and down I-70, 285, 50, 550, etc...

I didn't hesitate a bit when ordering my 2020 to stick with the 6.4, though I did opt for 4.10s this time around.

Thanks for your input........

 

[psardac7]

Thanks all for you input, I am picking up my 2020 RAM 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab 1st week of Jan.
We test drove the gasser and diesel. I guess I am just not a diesel guy. Since the RV pulling will be x times a year,
went with the Gasser. The RAM 2500s are flying off the dealers lot here in Grand Junction. If I ordered a 2021 it would
take 2-3 months and who knows with COVID on that time frame.....Sitting on Ready, I will love those RAM Boxes that the truck
came with. ...Pete I did a separate post of the best octane to use....

 

[aterza]

Thanks all for you input, I am picking up my 2020 RAM 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab 1st week of Jan.
We test drove the gasser and diesel. I guess I am just not a diesel guy. Since the RV pulling will be x times a year,
went with the Gasser. The RAM 2500s are flying off the dealers lot here in Grand Junction. If I ordered a 2021 it would
take 2-3 months and who knows with COVID on that time frame.....Sitting on Ready, I will love those RAM Boxes that the truck
came with. ...Pete I did a separate post of the best octane to use....

Nice pickup. I was looking to upgrade to what you just got, but the wife isn't happy. I need to chip away at her sloooowly. The biggest reason is we have a TT that is around 6500# and I currently have a 2016 1500 ram laramie with a payload of only 1175#.

 

[psardac7]

Finally got it done! Will run 85 Octane in the city and 87 when pulling the TT. Oil changes will do every 5k, even though synthetic.
So far getting 13.8 mpg in the city, Grand Junction. I plan to pull my TT after I get 1,000 miles on the truck. Started with 37 miles on it
and now it has 142. 1st tow up the step Colorado Passes, Monarch Pass, will be in April. Since the truck sits higher than my F150 need to get
my stabilizer hitch ball lowered. Drives real nice, especially for a 3/4 ton. Even got it squeezed in the garage!

 

[Kimo7]

Finally got it done! Will run 85 Octane in the city and 87 when pulling the TT. Oil changes will do every 5k, even though synthetic.
So far getting 13.8 mpg in the city, Grand Junction. I plan to pull my TT after I get 1,000 miles on the truck. Started with 37 miles on it
and now it has 142. 1st tow up the step Colorado Passes, Monarch Pass, will be in April. Since the truck sits higher than my F150 need to get
my stabilizer hitch ball lowered. Drives real nice, especially for a 3/4 ton. Even got it squeezed in the garage!

Great looking truck, you’ll be happy with your choice. It’ll get the job done in style

 

[aterza]

Finally got it done! Will run 85 Octane in the city and 87 when pulling the TT. Oil changes will do every 5k, even though synthetic.
So far getting 13.8 mpg in the city, Grand Junction. I plan to pull my TT after I get 1,000 miles on the truck. Started with 37 miles on it
and now it has 142. 1st tow up the step Colorado Passes, Monarch Pass, will be in April. Since the truck sits higher than my F150 need to get
my stabilizer hitch ball lowered. Drives real nice, especially for a 3/4 ton. Even got it squeezed in the garage!

Love the billit silver and night edition. That would be my choice or patriot blue. What options did u get with it? Thanks for update.

 

[HD5280]

I have opted not to invest in my own TT, but instead to rent them, as it is more economical for us. Those TTs we have rented have ranged from ~4700 - ~8500 dry).

That said, with my 2016 (6.4 + 3.73 + 37" tires + 5" lift), I never had an issue up and down I-70, 285, 50, 550, etc...

I didn't hesitate a bit when ordering my 2020 to stick with the 6.4, though I did opt for 4.10s this time around.

Do you have a website you like to rent from? Going to start TT’ing this year for the first time and would like to do the same and just rent for a summer until we figure out what we like. Thanks.

 

[elephantrider]

interested on feedback once you do monarch pass with the gasser.

 

[RainDesert]

Congratulations, that color combo looks really nice.

 

[LateToTheParty]

Do you have a website you like to rent from? Going to start TT’ing this year for the first time and would like to do the same and just rent for a summer until we figure out what we like. Thanks.

I've had pretty good luck with ColoradoCamperRental, as they have a decent fleet to choose from all under one business. But we've also used Outdoorsy a few times, but since that allows private-party all the way to big businesses, I ask a lot of questions to be sure we don't get swindled.

interested on feedback once you do monarch pass with the gasser.

I do Monarch all the time. My grandparents used to live in Gunnison and I have a lot of memories from the area (Taylor, Blue Mesa, Spring Creek, Needle Creek, etc....), that I try my best to replicate with my wife and kids. Do I pass everyone on the way up? Nope. But I don't have a problem maintaining what I feel is a safe speed either.

 

[Wmhjr]

Do you have a website you like to rent from? Going to start TT’ing this year for the first time and would like to do the same and just rent for a summer until we figure out what we like. Thanks.

I've found that RVShare is generally better to work through than Outdoorsy. But that's just feedback from using each of them once, as well as feedback from others I know. Outdoorsy was not awesome to deal with when an issue popped up. A RV owner backed out less than 72 hours prior to the date with no notice and Outdoorsy really didn't help in any way. That same owner is still on Outdoorsy and you can't provide a review or comment so nobody else knows that they don't act in good faith.