Ram 2500?

[MikeG]

Good evening gentlemen and any ladies that may be on the site.

I currently own an F150 and I have also owned a Silverado 1500. The wife and I plan on purchasing a camper, so I am looking to upgrade to an HD truck. In addition to hauling a camper, this would also be my daily driver (50 miles roundtrip each day). I have been checking out all 3 manufacturers and it looks like the best bang for my buck might be a Ram 2500. I am thinking a late model 2018/2019, 2500 (maybe a 2020 if I can find one for the right price) with the 6.4 Hemi would suit my needs. The 2019s with the 6.4 are the ones that seem to be most available. I have read some of the posts discussing some issues people have with the 2019 with the 6.4 and I understand more folks gripe online than they praise, so hopefully that isn't why I see several available. Anyways, I was hoping yall could provide some insight into what you like and what advantages you feel the RAM 2500 would provide me versus the other 2 manufacturers.

I definitely appreciate any input yall may have!

 

[PGHChris81]

I came from an F150 (2016) I joined this forum and read lots of things and did my research on the issues and figured i would take the chance as my F150 was very problematic. Needless to say I have not had any of the issues I have read about on here yet (knock on wood) and I just turned 6600 miles and finished up a cross-country road trip and back with no issues at all. This truck is so nice and worlds ahead of the Ford in so many ways. I am glad I made the decision to pull the trigger. It is a step way up from the 1/2 ton in power, looks, comfort.

 

[MikeG]

PGHChris81, thanks for the reply, I appreciate the feedback. I think the RAM folks have been working hard to improve the perception a lot of folks have about the trucks.

 

[MikeXM]

If you are thinking camper, I think a 3500 is more suited for the job.
The 2500 is great for towing, but when payload is important, it's a job for the 3500.

And they make great DD too, don't be worried.

 

[GEM1N1998]

2500 coil suspension is a great daily driver. This coming from a LONG time f150 owner.

Key tip - be mindful of your tire air pressure. On the dealer lot they’ll have around 80 pounds in the. I’m driving with 55 front and 50 rear. Much smoother.


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[MikeG]

MikeXM, thanks for the feedback sir! Payload is definitely an important consideration. A lot of folks talk about hauling some pretty big campers with their 1/2 ton trucks and it makes me cringe. They think just because it says a truck can tow 10,000lbs then they can buy a 10,000lb trailer. They never seem to realize they will almost always, if not always, run out of payload before they hit that max tow weight. If I understand correctly, I would go from around 3100lbs of payload on a 2500 to about 3800lbs of payload on a 3500 for the truck config I would be looking at (2019 crew cab, big horn, 4x4, 6.4 with a 3.73).

 

[MikeG]

2500 coil suspension is a great daily driver. This coming from a LONG time f150 owner.

Key tip - be mindful of your tire air pressure. On the dealer lot they’ll have around 80 pounds in the. I’m driving with 55 front and 50 rear. Much smoother.


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Thanks! Yea, 80 PSI would probably have you bouncing around pretty good.

 

[CodyB]

2500 coil suspension is a great daily driver. This coming from a LONG time f150 owner.

Key tip - be mindful of your tire air pressure. On the dealer lot they’ll have around 80 pounds in the. I’m driving with 55 front and 50 rear. Much smoother.


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Not trying to hijack this thread but after reading your post I went and checked mine (2020 drove off the lot last Friday) and sure enough the door sticker says 65 psi and the TPMS shows 85-88 psi. I have the 6.7 2500 and while I know it’s got the torque, the tire pressure would explain why she hops like a mf’er giving her throttle around a corner.


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[Rich]

I can only speak to my experience with the 16 2500 I had, but it had the 6.7. Absolutely loved that truck. I was in the same situation as you back then. Weakened warrior rver but drove 100+ miles a day as a daily commuter. Very easy to get around in, not to big to maneuver parking lots. My 6.7 with rfe tranny got awesome fuel millage, 20-28 mpg. My fiver is 35', 13 k with 2500 in pin weight. It handled it with the greatest of ease, never squatted, never struggled, plenty left in the bank for more capability. I can't speak for the hemi, but i would highly suggest the Cummins. The only reason i went up to tank size truck was were going to be doubling the size of our rv. All in all, i would never go with the other 2 brands after my experience, and all i had was a plain Jane tradesman. So if you got something more current, you'd be rolling in style. No regrets with any of my rams. Happy shopping

 

[MikeG]

Not trying to hijack this thread but after reading your post I went and checked mine (2020 drove off the lot last Friday) and sure enough the door sticker says 65 psi and the TPMS shows 85-88 psi. I have the 6.7 2500 and while I know it’s got the torque, the tire pressure would explain why she hops like a mf’er giving her throttle around a corner.


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How are you liking the diesel? I have considered it, but I don't really need the diesel and the cost of repair scares the crap out of me.

 

[GEM1N1998]

Not trying to hijack this thread but after reading your post I went and checked mine (2020 drove off the lot last Friday) and sure enough the door sticker says 65 psi and the TPMS shows 85-88 psi. I have the 6.7 2500 and while I know it’s got the torque, the tire pressure would explain why she hops like a mf’er giving her throttle around a corner.


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Yup. I have the 6.7 as well. It made a significant difference when i lowered my pressure. Good luck.


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[GEM1N1998]

How are you liking the diesel? I have considered it, but I don't really need the diesel and the cost of repair scares the crap out of me.

If you can budget the diesel do it and don’t look back.

Power for days.
Quiet smooth ride.
Truck never feels like it’s struggling.
Resale value.

The main repair scares are covered for 100k miles. Oil changes are a bit more but at longer intervals so kind of wash out.


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[CodyB]

How are you liking the diesel? I have considered it, but I don't really need the diesel and the cost of repair scares the crap out of me.

To say I love it would be an understatement. I’ve always done my own maintenance on all of my vehicles and know that I’m in for. The biggest thing that scares me is keeping it clean lol. Black on black mega cab. By the time the weekend is over I’ll be over 1k miles and I picked it up with 26 miles on it, 14 of which where from my test drive.


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[MikeG]

I can only speak to my experience with the 16 2500 I had, but it had the 6.7. Absolutely loved that truck. I was in the same situation as you back then. Weakened warrior rver but drove 100+ miles a day as a daily commuter. Very easy to get around in, not to big to maneuver parking lots. My 6.7 with rfe tranny got awesome fuel millage, 20-28 mpg. My fiver is 35', 13 k with 2500 in pin weight. It handled it with the greatest of ease, never squatted, never struggled, plenty left in the bank for more capability. I can't speak for the hemi, but i would highly suggest the Cummins. The only reason i went up to tank size truck was were going to be doubling the size of our rv. All in all, i would never go with the other 2 brands after my experience, and all i had was a plain Jane tradesman. So if you got something more current, you'd be rolling in style. No regrets with any of my rams. Happy shopping

Rich, thanks for the info!! 20-28 mpg is pretty darn good. Another reason I wasn't considering diesel was fuel cost. With diesel being more than unleaded, the mpg advantage is usually outweighed by the cost.

 

[CodyB]

Yup. I have the 6.7 as well. It made a significant difference when i lowered my pressure. Good luck.


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I’ll be airing down tomorrow.


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[MikeXM]

MikeXM, thanks for the feedback sir! Payload is definitely an important consideration. A lot of folks talk about hauling some pretty big campers with their 1/2 ton trucks and it makes me cringe. They think just because it says a truck can tow 10,000lbs then they can buy a 10,000lb trailer. They never seem to realize they will almost always, if not always, run out of payload before they hit that max tow weight. If I understand correctly, I would go from around 3100lbs of payload on a 2500 to about 3800lbs of payload on a 3500 for the truck config I would be looking at (2019 crew cab, big horn, 4x4, 6.4 with a 3.73).

Not sure where you got your numbers. The difference is higher than that.
I looked up two trucks in inventory as per your description and came up with 2900 and 4400lbs respectively. Dually would be about 5200.

Use link below, click "Look up my vehicule" and enter a VIN from online inventory. You'll get exact payload and towing.

Ram Towing | Find the Best Truck for Your Towing Needs

Find everything you need to know about Ram towing capacity, payload & more here. Discover the best Ram truck or van that fits your towing needs today.

www.ramtrucks.com

 

[Rich]

Rich, thanks for the info!! 20-28 mpg is pretty darn good. Another reason I wasn't considering diesel was fuel cost. With diesel being more than unleaded, the mpg advantage is usually outweighed by the cost.

An that was getting after it. Now it dropped down to 13-15 while towing. If I never had to worry about going over 17k towing than I would of kept that 2500 forever

 

[MikeG]

MikeXM, thanks!! That definitely comes in handy

 

[GEM1N1998]

Not sure where you got your numbers. The difference is higher than that.
I looked up two trucks in inventory as per your description and came up with 2900 and 4400lbs respectively. Dually would be about 5200.

Use link below, click "Look up my vehicule" and enter a VIN from online inventory. You'll get exact payload and towing.

Ram Towing | Find the Best Truck for Your Towing Needs

Find everything you need to know about Ram towing capacity, payload & more here. Discover the best Ram truck or van that fits your towing needs today.

www.ramtrucks.com

The ram truck website has some very conflicting information. If you just go through the drop down boxes it has my truck rated at 5,000 pounds less than my vin specific ratings.

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[Xflight29]

the 2500 is a great truck and would most likely be enough truck for your needs. I have the 3500 HO but we tow anywhere from 7000 t0 15000 # with it and drive steep western grades . the biggest problem with mountain driving is the mountain. they are really big and really tall with long grades and with out the 3500 HO I couldn't even imagine what it would be like. If you tow with your truck mainly in the eastern part of the country you'll be just fine with the 2500.