Last truck question

[Jmort1754]

I know I'm going with dodge---

1500 5.7 big horn
2500 6.4 Laramie

Within 2500 of each other price wise

I know 1500 will ride smoother but how much smoother?

Won't be a daily but weekends and hauling trailers up to 10 k or so.

Long trips depends on wifeys vacation but more than a few a year pulling sxs.

Any input ? Mileage I know goes to the 5.7 but by how much ?

 

[Rob5589]

10k trailer is 2500 territory.

 

[Elk botherer]

My past experience with regular driving in the 1500 with the 5.7 was anywhere from 15 to 20 depending how I drove it and my 2500 with the 6.4 with the 3:73 gearing was about 11-12 but occasionally 14-15 on the highway with no headwinds. Towing a 7,000lb travel trailer was about 8-9 with the 1500 5.7 and 6-8 with the 2500 6.4. The trailer control was significantly better with the 2500, couldn’t even feel it behind me when towing. Definitely knew it was there in the 1500 on bumpy and curvy roads, especially with a cross wind. The fuel economy hit was worth it for the towing stability of the 2500. By the way, this is in Idaho with mix of flats and hills.

 

[Elk botherer]

I know I'm going with dodge---

1500 5.7 big horn
2500 6.4 Laramie

Within 2500 of each other price wise

I know 1500 will ride smoother but how much smoother?

Won't be a daily but weekends and hauling trailers up to 10 k or so.

Long trips depends on wifeys vacation but more than a few a year pulling sxs.

Any input ? Mileage I know goes to the 5.7 but by how much ?

And the ride is much smoother in the 1500, but with a white knuckle tax when towing in less than optimal conditions. The 2500 was a bit rough empty, but rode quite well when towing.

 

[Wrench]

10k behind a 1/2 ton is going to need bags or timbrens to feel like you can tow without fear.

The 3/4 ton will require closing the trailer coupler and rocking on.

 

[goathunter]

Without a doubt get the HD towing 10k. You'll never wish you had less capability

 

[tdhanses]

2500

 

[Centralcoastca]

Smart going with a gas truck especially if you’re looking at the new dodges. I work for a towing company and have towed a ton of the new dodge diesels. The smaller eco diesels are usually grenaded motors, the big ones have injection pump and tranny issues. The last one I towed was a 2 day old 2500 with 400miles with engine issues, I told the service writer this must be a new record. He laughed and said they had one with a blown transmission the day before with barely over 100miles on it. I’d research the heck out of anything new anymore even a brand you’ve had good luck with in the past. Look for whatever model and year known issues/problems on the web before you spend new truck money.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

I have put 110k on a 5.7 1500 and 70k on a 6.4 2500. I have hauled a 14ft enclosed trailer with gear and a utv. I’ve crammed an entire elk camp’s worth of gear for a family of 4 into every free square inch of space in the truck.
6.4 2500 without a doubt.

 

[h2so4]

You can get the mega cab on the 2500.

 

[coloradodrifter]

I just put 700 miles on a new 22 ram 2500 6.4 that I picked up for my work, I was pleasantly surprised about the ride. It rides better then my 08 2500 duramax. I got 16mpg with the cruise set at 80 most of the way.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Towing a big trailer with a small engine will shorten the life of the engine a lot IMO.

 

[wyosteve]

Go with the 2500. Since they did away with the leaf springs in the 2500's they ride very well. I have a 2500 Power Wagon w/ the 6.4 and 8 speed tranny and will get 17 mpg. regularly on the highway. In town 13-14. I wouldn't want to tow 10k with a 1500.

 

[SaltyUte]

Go with the 2500. Since they did away with the leaf springs in the 2500's they ride very well. I have a 2500 Power Wagon w/ the 6.4 and 8 speed tranny and will get 17 mpg. regularly on the highway. In town 13-14. I wouldn't want to tow 10k with a 1500.

Power Wagons are very overlooked! Awesome rigs.

 

[blackbantam]

I have a 2011 Ram 1500 4 door, with a 4.7l motor and now have a 2021 Ram 2500 tradesman 4 door with the 6.4l. I like the Tradesman A LOT more because of the vinyl floors and it has an 8ft bed(neither probably apply to your truck). I drove the 6.4l out to Colorado last year, from Ohio and I think I got about 17-18 mpg. Right now I have at minimum 1000lbs in the bed all the time and tow a good bit and get about 13mpg around town.

 

[Jethro]

10,000 lbs is really going to squat the back of a 1500. I have an 18. Rides great, but 2 bags of groceries in the bed and can start to see it. Load it with firewood and its really nose high.

As far as mpg. I can get 20-21 running out a full tank on highway. Run any errands around town and its 15-16. Towing 16x7 v nose, got 9.

I've gone cross county in a 2500 w/6.4 pulling 16x8 flat nose and it got 8-9.

 

[jimh406]

I have no idea why you’d consider a Ram gasoline motor, but in any case, my previous experience with GMs says you’ll loose about 4-5 mpg stepping up to the heavier 2500. I don’t think the Rams ride very well. If you want best ride, look to GM because they have independent front suspensions. If you want the best truck look to Ford. Both the GM and Ford larger gasoline engines with more transmission speeds are better choices as far as I’m concerned. YMMV.

 

[Super tag]

I’ve got two buddies both with Dodge gas 2500 less than 1 yr old, both are on their second transmission, other buddy is a concrete Contractor, had 3 trucks down at the same time

Ford

 

[tdhanses]

The GM and Ford gas 2500 are pretty much bullet proof.

 

[Like2hunt]

Didn’t read the other posts but my grandpa has a newer 1500 and he uses it as his get around truck. That truck doesn’t touch a trailer. If we pull a trailer we always use the bigger trucks like one of the duramax’s or Cummins. If your pulling a 10k trailer then I’d say go with a 2500 every time.
The newer 3/4 tons honestly don’t ride bad at all. I was driving a 21 2500 Cummins last weekend pulling a gooseneck and it rode better then my older half ton. You’ll never wish you had less power or stopping ability, especially while pulling a trailer.