Preparing to order Laramie 2500

[Ejmartin]

Greetings All,
I am in process of building a 2020, Laramie 2500 for order this Spring. I've been a Ram owner for over 20 years, but this will be my first 2500. The 1500's have been great trucks and done everything I asked of them without complaint...even hauling my 10,000lb camper (currently being hauled by my 2017 Bighorn 1500). The camper is the main motivation in upgrading to a heavier truck (not that I need many excuses), and the length of trips the motivation in building a real nice interior. What I'm finding is that reading all the descriptions of the various options still leaves me with questions. Some of it can only be answered by those who own and drive these rigs.
Right now my order looks like this...
-Laramie Megacab, 5 Seat, Patriot Blue w/silver lower trim.
-6.4L Hemi with 8spd and 4.10 Anti-Spin Diff. ( Looking for inputs on 3.73 vs the 4.10 fuel mileage)
-12" display, premium sound. (Any audiophiles out there have this HK system?...what do you think of it?)
-Wheel to wheel flat side steps
-Off-Road package. (I've decided to pass on the Auto-Leveling Suspension but have concerns over whether or not the Off-Road Package degrades ride quality, and how loud are the tires)
-Towing technology group
-Laramie Package Group 2
-Clearance lights
-Bed Package
That's the basics. I intend to post questions as they come up and will gladly share my experiences as we go through this process and enjoy the new truck.
Cheers!
E. J.

 

[Jeffmc306]

That’s going to be one sweet tow vehicle; I’m envious about the MegaCab!

You’re really going to like the Adaptive Cruise especially when towing. And, I think you’ll get a better tire option with the off-road package than I got with the Firestone Transforce AT’s. They’re terrible in wet and snow, at least in my experience. The 12” display and NAV is awesome. In fact, everything in the Level 2 package really makes it a great combination. We did a 2500 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park last August and found the 6.4 and new 8 speed more than adequate.

Please post some photos once your get yours!

 

[Ejmartin]

That’s going to be one sweet tow vehicle; I’m envious about the MegaCab!

You’re really going to like the Adaptive Cruise especially when towing. And, I think you’ll get a better tire option with the off-road package than I got with the Firestone Transforce AT’s. They’re terrible in wet and snow, at least in my experience. The 12” display and NAV is awesome. In fact, everything in the Level 2 package really makes it a great combination. We did a 2500 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park last August and found the 6.4 and new 8 speed more than adequate.

Please post some photos once your get yours!

Thanks for the response!
I have an old Navy buddy who bought the 1500 Limited with the 12" display and I was immediately sold. The Crew Cab and all the storage options it offers are a great improvement over the old quad cabs...but that Mega Cab is amazing, and will keep passengers far more comfortable during a long tow...I really like that feature.
I really appreciate the comment on the 6.4 Hemi. I talked with a lot of folks regarding the power plant and believe the 6.4 is the best fit for my use. We do plan on some longer tows in the near future but all-in-all this is a daily driver...not a work truck. Overall I like what I'm seeing regarding the off-road package, but I want to be sure they don't mount up some tires that roar all the way down the road...been there, done that in the past...not a fan.
Once again, Thanks for the response. Stay safe out there!
E. J.

 

[Jeffmc306]

E.J., the 2019 RAM 1500 I had came with the off-road package and really decent Falken Wildpeak A/T tires that were very quiet. Hopefully you’ll get something similar with your 2500 off-road package.

 

[jb2]

re: Transforce AT's: all the Off-Road Package equipped trucks I've seen had them. I am hoping for something better too, but am somewhat resigned to the fact that they'll be on my truck when it's delivered next month. Hoping I'm wrong though!

 

[Jeffmc306]

Jb2, if that's the case and you end up with the Firestones, you have two choices: Keep them until they wear out or swap them right away and sell them as "take-offs" and get what you can for them. If you want to stick with an off-road/on-road tire, Tire Rack's top ranked tire is the General Grabber A/TX followed by the Continental TerrainContact A/T.

I called TireRack and spoke to a rep about my needs. Interestingly he said if I was towing, the tires with straight tread pattern tends to wander less when towing (compared to the off-road pattern). That's more important to me so I'd look at the newer Michelin Agilis CrossClimate or the Continental TerrainContact H/T. By the way, the Transforce AT finished dead last, 6 out of 6 in their class and most reviewers would not purchase again. Sad!

I wish I would have done that right away since I've now got 5600 miles on the Transforce tires making them "used" rather than "take-offs".

Good luck!
-Jeff

 

[Ejmartin]

E.J., the 2019 RAM 1500 I had came with the off-road package and really decent Falken Wildpeak A/T tires that were very quiet. Hopefully you’ll get something similar with your 2500 off-road package.

I'm familiar with those...I put them on my Bighorn and they've done a great job...though they do drop a couple MPG on the 1500. I thought the stock Goodyear Wranglers were garbage and with the rocky country we have in central Tennessee I need a rugged tire that won't pop on the first creek crossing. I'm waiting on my dealer to get back with me on which tire they're currently offering.

 

[jb2]

By the way, the Transforce AT finished dead last, 6 out of 6 in their class and most reviewers would not purchase again.

Oh boy.... a last place consensus does not reverse from sample size errors. Best case, it's second to last place

 

[jb2]

Poked around the inventory search on ramtrucks.com. Found a couple 2020 examples matching some of the option combos listed in this thread (namely Off Road Pkg). Looks like they are shipping with the same beloved Transforce AT shoes as the 2019's.

 

[Ejmartin]

3.73 vs. 4.10...Sheesh! I think I'm more invested in this choice than any other. How on earth can a .37 difference change tow capacity by over a ton and or multiple miles per gallon??!!...I know, engineering.
I've been reading lots of the posts in here (Great stuff folks!) and frequently scanning the 'net for information on the performance/efficiency of the 6.4 Hemi with 8spd transmission, and comparisons between 3.73 or 4.10 gearing. As some of you may have already experienced...there's not a whole lot out there...or at least MY searches haven't produced much.
When starting my research for this truck build I selected the 4.10 gearing due to the higher tow capacity. Some of the comments regarding the lousy fuel mileage with the 4.10 have got me wondering if that's the best way to go, but then I noted that most of those comments were in regards to older rigs with the 6spd transmission.
Like many of you, my truck tows the camper about 15 - 20 times a year...the rest of the time it's my do-it-all vehicle. Depending on where you look the specs are, 3.73 = 13,940lbs, 4.10 = 16,310lbs...either one is more than enough for my 10,000lb Puma so that's a non-issue.
What it comes down to for me is whether or not the 8spd compensates the 3.73 during hill climbs (North Georgia is nothing but hills) or improves the fuel economy of the 4.10 to an acceptable difference.
One way or the other there is a good vs. best choice here...any additional info will certainly be welcome. Cheers!

 

[Distillusion]

You make a good point, and you're right, it's the engineering. That .37 difference to 4.10 is a 10% ratio change compared to the 3.73. Theoretically 10% more torque at the wheel. Of course, you offset this if you plan on changing tire diameter, too. Switch from a 33" to a 35" tire, that's a change of 6%, but it's a -6% effect on the power where rubber meets the road.

So you get the 4.10 and put 35" tires on it, now it's equivalent to having moved to about a 3.88 rear end.

 

[Jeffmc306]

E.J., you are asking the right questions and I think you could make an argument either way. The 3.73 will definitely do the job while the 4.10 will “future-proof” yourself should you decide to go with a heavier trailer later.

That new 8 speed really does a great job with the 6.4. There are guys over on the 5th Gen Forum with 2019 1500’s and the 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed and 3.21 towing 8000 lbs trailers. I had a 2019 RAM 1500 with the 5.7 and 3.92 towing our 7000 lbs Airstream. Power was never an issue.

Our 2019 2500 6.4 with the 3.73 had no issues in the Colorado Rockies. I never wished I had the 4.10. Your mileage may vary...

 

[Ejmartin]

You make a good point, and you're right, it's the engineering. That .37 difference to 4.10 is a 10% ratio change compared to the 3.73. Theoretically 10% more torque at the wheel. Of course, you offset this if you plan on changing tire diameter, too. Switch from a 33" to a 35" tire, that's a change of 6%, but it's a -6% effect on the power where rubber meets the road.

So you get the 4.10 and put 35" tires on it, now it's equivalent to having moved to about a 3.88 rear end.

Thanks for your insight. From my Jeep days I remember the math gyrations we used to go through trying to optimize for the trail but hadn't considered a tire change in this case...that would certainly be a good strategy. This is exactly the sort of feedback I've been looking for. Thanks again!

 

[Ejmartin]

E.J., you are asking the right questions and I think you could make an argument either way. The 3.73 will definitely do the job while the 4.10 will “future-proof” yourself should you decide to go with a heavier trailer later.

That new 8 speed really does a great job with the 6.4. There are guys over on the 5th Gen Forum with 2019 1500’s and the 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed and 3.21 towing 8000 lbs trailers. I had a 2019 RAM 1500 with the 5.7 and 3.92 towing our 7000 lbs Airstream. Power was never an issue.

Our 2019 2500 6.4 with the 3.73 had no issues in the Colorado Rockies. I never wished I had the 4.10. Your mileage may vary...

As always, I appreciate the experiences you share. Your Gen 5 had a tad bit more tow capacity than my Gen 4, but even with my Puma behind it I make pretty good headway with the 5.7 and 3.92. It has always been the light suspension giving me the greatest concern. GCWR for my Bighorn is 15,950 lbs, my estimated GCWR with the Puma is 15,933 lbs so I'm pretty well maxed out and really feel that way on long hauls. Since I'm regularly hitting the road for my camp in central Tennessee (363 miles one way) I'm leaning closer to the 3.73 for the moment.
That said, Distillusion made a real good point and I'm going to explore the tire sizing angle. I think the good news here is that it's not that huge a difference in either direction. I'm still a little ways off from placing the order so there's more time to ponder on it. Stay safe out there!

 

[Plum Cra Zy]

To the guy who was talking about adaptive cruise, that comes with safety group, not with towing tech, unless they changed for 2020. I have a 2019 and it's part of safety group.

 

[Brutal_HO]

I would go with the 4.10's if you're thinking of going up in tire size. Take a bit of a mileage hit, but the increase in towing is worth it IMHO.

My 04 CTD with a 4.10 LSD has been rolling on bigger tires since new and put me into an effective ratio of 3.92-3.96 depending on brand and wear.

You can check it yourself here pretty easily. https://tiresize.com/gear-ratio-calculator/