I am considering getting a 2500 over a 1500 primarily so I am not limited to what travel trailer I get. While I am not planning on getting anything much over 30', even in the 25'-30' range the tongue weights can be at around 1,000 pounds and I just think I would be pushing it on payload capacity with a 1500 once it is loaded up with my family and some equipment. I saw where the 2500 has coil springs and the 3500 has leaf springs so I am wondering if the ride is more similar to a 1500. I would get the gas engine too because I wouldn't be towing that often and never plan on towing a huge 14k pound trailer or anything like that. If it rides pretty similar to a 1500, and it looks like it has the same dimensions, then I don't really see any downside to a 2500 except maybe a few MPG.
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What is the ride like of a 2500 vs 1500?
- Thread starter jm888
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LateToTheParty
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The ride is VERY different. I'd recommend taking the time to take a test drive and feel it for yourself.
I have no complaints with it, but it is noticeably different.
I have no complaints with it, but it is noticeably different.
I have a Hemi 2500 after coming from an air suspension 1500 that rode great. The 2500 rides very well but not as nice as the 1500 in my opinion. My wife says she can't tell the difference and that's probably more important. I'm very pleased with the ride on my 2500 but I don't keep my tires overinflated and I run 18" wheels.
LateToTheParty
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Great point. Many of us received our orders with 90+ PSI in the tires, which provides for a terrible ride. If taking one for a test drive, check out the TPMS to be sure you don't get artificially dissuaded.
That is another thing I should ask. Since I will have to order this, would you say 18" wheels would be the ideal size? And does anyone know how the Ram 2500 ride compares to Ford or GM 2500s?
If your after the best ride, GMC and Chevrolet are hands down best in my opinion. There is no wrong choice with new HD trucks. They're all good and you just have to decide from a pro / con perspective which things are most important to you. While I loved the General Motors ride, I personally dis-liked their interiors. Test drive them all - you'll be spending a lot of money on whichever you end up purchasing!
I have been having trouble finding HD trucks in stock with a gas engine. They are either the lowest stripped down versions or high end ones that have diesel. I guess a gas engine in a mid level trim is not very popular. But I guess if I find a lower end trim one, it should still have the same ride, right? I probably should avoid driving a diesel though as that won't tell me much. I did drive a Power Wagon because they had a bunch of those in stock but that is probably not a good example with those tires and suspension it has on it. I know what you mean about the GM interior though. Sitting in one, a lot of it reminds me of my 20 yo GM interior. It is not really a bad thing but once I saw the inside of a Ram, it just look so much more modern. Back
Thats a good point about different models riding different. When I did my test drives (and when I put my order together) I avoided off road packages. I live in the Midwest and also avoided snow plow packages as they often have heavier front springs. I'm thinking that diesel vs. gas should ride similar. Its basically the rear end that rides different in these HD trucks. The rears are sprung stiffer to accommodate the higher loads that the buyer might put in them.
When my wife and I test drove, we asked to go alone and after the first corner I'd pull over and air down rear tires to 50 lbs so I could compare apples to apples. I'll also caution about test driving a diesel - you might just fall in love with it!
I ordered mine with 18" wheels and they're ideal for me. Softer ride and better for offroad conditions. If you're not in love with the look of 20's, get the 18's and save some money to boot. To me, big wheels on trucks are like high heels in women's shoes. I'm glad I'm not a woman.
Highcountry
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I wouldn't assume that gas and diesel trucks will ride the same. The diesel engine is way heavier and I would assume they must have different front springs to account for this. My CCLB 4WD weighs 4900 pounds on the front tires ans 3040 on the rear
jdefoe0424
Active Member
I had a 2019 Laramie 1500 previously (non-air suspension) and I agree that while the ride is stiffer, it is not overly harsh and you will get used to it. I do believe the 8' bed rides better than the 6'4" bed though.
I'm sure the diesel will ride differently being that the engine/trans is about 1,000lbs heavier.
I've been driving with 60-65 psi in the tires and it's liveable. The HT's are not the greatest in the snow without the anti-spin, but 4x4 will get you where you need to go.
I for sure can't wait to get our camper hooked up this spring to see the difference in towing. I never scaled it with the 1500(I had 1650lb payload) but I guessed that when we had the bicycles in the back of the truck we were somewhere around, or maybe a little over, GVWR. I certainly plan to get it to the scales this year, now we really have the ability to take a generator with us and we will be able to take more stuff in the bed of the truck.
I'm sure the diesel will ride differently being that the engine/trans is about 1,000lbs heavier.
I've been driving with 60-65 psi in the tires and it's liveable. The HT's are not the greatest in the snow without the anti-spin, but 4x4 will get you where you need to go.
I for sure can't wait to get our camper hooked up this spring to see the difference in towing. I never scaled it with the 1500(I had 1650lb payload) but I guessed that when we had the bicycles in the back of the truck we were somewhere around, or maybe a little over, GVWR. I certainly plan to get it to the scales this year, now we really have the ability to take a generator with us and we will be able to take more stuff in the bed of the truck.
Your question is very subjective. I think the 2500 rides great but I have been driving HD trucks for years. I know many that come form 1500's (that drive like cars) and complain every second about the ride.
If you need a truck to tow, get a 2500/3500 and don't worry about the ride, if you are concerned about ride quality stick with a 1500.
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If you need a truck to tow, get a 2500/3500 and don't worry about the ride, if you are concerned about ride quality stick with a 1500.
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LossPrev
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I have a 2019 1500 with coils(not air) and a 2019 2500 also with coils(no air in the rear). The 1500 rides much better, it is significantly different to me. It is literally a nice SUV with a truck bed. Now with that said, the 2500 isn't punishing or terrible and I actually prefer to drive my 2500 for every day use.
For a 25' trailer I'd consider using a half ton but as you get to the 30' size or go over 30' I would definitely go with a 2500/3500. I also have personal experience with that and is the the reason we bought the 2500.
Also, we went with the diesel because I have a 30 min commute each way to work. 95% of it highway. I get 20+mpg in any conditions with the Cummins where as the Hemi would probably get 16-17 with no wind. So while the towing performance is a major factor the unloaded mpg were just as important to me.
For a 25' trailer I'd consider using a half ton but as you get to the 30' size or go over 30' I would definitely go with a 2500/3500. I also have personal experience with that and is the the reason we bought the 2500.
Also, we went with the diesel because I have a 30 min commute each way to work. 95% of it highway. I get 20+mpg in any conditions with the Cummins where as the Hemi would probably get 16-17 with no wind. So while the towing performance is a major factor the unloaded mpg were just as important to me.
I think the trailer we get would be right on the border of either which is making it difficult. If I go by the fully loaded weight of the trailers we have been looking at, they are in the 7,000 pound range. Now, is it likely they are going to be fully loaded? Probably not, but I should probably factor that in. Let's even factor off of it being 6,500 pounds. 15% of that is 975 so the tongue weight could be that much and with a WDH, another 100 pounds. So at 1,075, plus 600 pounds for passengers and a dog, you are up to almost 1,700 pounds without anything else in the truck. The few 1500's I looked at had payload capacities in the 1600-1700 range. Maybe I am being too precise or too safe or too conservative in my calculations but then seeing that price difference is not that much, I am leaning toward the 2500 just to be safe and to allow myself to put a topper on someday if I want, or throw a generator, or boat, or a bunch of wood, etc. in the truck. The MPG on the diesel sounds great unloaded, but I won't need to commute anywhere with this and won't be driving it that often. It will just be a secondary vehicle for when the other one is in use, and my wife and I are rarely out at the same time very often.
jdefoe0424
Active Member
Exactly. The 2500 6.4 Hemi will allow you to bring that extra stuff along, the reason I made the change.
FYI, getting a 2500 Cummins will land you in almost the same predicament as the 1500 vs 2500. They will only have 2-300 lbs more payload than a 1500, about 1,000lbs less payload than a similar Hemi 2500.
IMO...If getting a Cummins to tow, then a 3500 SRW is a must at the minimum. But the ride will definitely be rough unloaded.