I don't look at it that way at all. A strong car? There's a lot of variation in cars, do you think a Ram 1500 CC is just a strong Toyota Camry, or Honda CRV? Today's 1500's are a lot of capability in a vehicle that is super comfortable and safe.
A family can load up a CC 1500 with all their luggage, maybe a few bikes and kayaks, plus tow a trailer with a boat or some 4 wheelers and other toys, and not be over payload numbers. I know we're on a HD truck forum so not surprising that most of us lean toward 2500's or heavier, but in this case, of course unless they plan to pull a camper in the near future, I'd go 1500 CC and save A LOT on the cost of maintenance and fuel. Not even a question in my mind.
Here is my logic. If you you are on long trip, you want the kids to be able to sleep in the back seat, same as if you have older children.
Sleeping is a lot easier if the back seat can lean back, and that just is not possible in a normal crew cab truck. Any vehicle that makes you sit full upright is just long term uncomfortable to be back there.
So that pushes the decision to the 10 inch longer megacab.
Now put 4 full size adults in the megacab or 2 parents / 2 kids and all of the stuff that families carry along when they go anywhere - it isn't a small amount, it is easy to hit 1 000 lbs in the cab.
Add a topper to the back, some camping trip supplies, maybe some accessories for power when on the road - now there is 1 000 - 1 500 lbs in the bed.
Decide to pull along a 5K lb trailer or boat, which is not really that heavy, and well within the "rated tow capability" of both 1500s and 2500s.
Go add it up and run the numbers for:
- The weight on the front axle
- The weight on the back axle
- All of the tow related numbers and payload numbers
A 2500 will struggle to stay within the listed ratings if you go straight by the official ratings.
Obviously a 1500 is better than one of those baby SUVs, but those do provide a way to lean back, and I consider that to be a key feature in any vehicle.
Is the maintenance cost on a 2025 2500 really that much more than a 1500 run with those same loads ? One is working really hard, the other is just loping. Especially a tough environment like Canada can be ? Maybe, maybe not. Flat land areas, perhaps it doesn't matter, but western Canada has real mountains.
Climbing real mountains with a real load, and wanting to be able to not overheat but keep up with traffic - 1500 just is not going to do it.