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.
I've had a 5th gen 1500, 2500 CC, and a 3500 MC. I'll say now, given the way Ram has their models setup, I'm not a fan of the 2500. That 10k GVWR (now 10.1, I think) is just a killer, especially with the MC, and there's very few reasons not to jump to the 3500. The 2 HD models don't cost significantly different and have all the same options for the most part. I'll stipulate that I'm a fan of the air suspension and haven't had the steal options in any of my ram trucks, which could be big difference in ride quality, but even then I'd prefer to have the capability of the 3500.
So you know, the 1500 crewcab has more rear passenger space than a mega cab and it also has reclining rear seats, plus rear seats can be optioned to be cooled, which is nice when the kids are big enough that they're not on boosters. MC has space behind the seats, which the 1500 does not.
The 1500 is a much cheaper and more family friendly vehicle than an HD, even a mega cab. 1500 has a better turning radius, smoother ride, more space... I LOVE my 3500 MC, but if we weren't towing, I'd switch back to a 1500 gasser and never look back. heck, there are plenty of half-ton campers out there; we did that for a few years and it worked really well.
When we decided to upgrade our camper we jumped to a 2500, but hit the ceiling with that pretty quick. 2500 will have about +800-1,500 lbs of payload over a half-ton, when optioned with the diesel, and you'll run into the payload limits when you start towing or hauling with a family in the truck. 800-1200 pounds of people, dogs, all their stuff, AND towing a trailer... it adds up quick
consider too that an oil and fuel filter change on a diesel can cost $700 US or more at a dealership... I mean, everything is more expensive for the HDs. And while I used to do maintenance myself, with kids, and work, and extracurriculars, I'm always looking for opportunities to reclaim my time. I expect most parents feel that way, but not all of us have the cash to buy our time back.
I think it really comes down to money and towing... if cost isn't a concern and they might want to tow, just go straight to the 3500 diesel. If they've got no interest in towing or won't be towing heavy or often, a 1500 would be far easier to live with. Obviously you should ask your son what he wants.
I'm trying to think what a 2500 is good for, in my opinion of course... probably as a work truck and probably best as a gasser. If there's just 1 or 2 guys in the cab, there's some payload for tools, equipment, a trailer for getting around town. 2500 makes a killer HD overland truck too, but that's niche.