How much better is a 2500 for towing?

tron67j · Jan 14, 2024

ppine said:
A lot better. A 2500 diesel is all you need for everything. I love my truck.

I can't tell if there is some humor in your statement. I also love my 2500, current and last one are all I ever needed. A 2500 is almost everything except payload capacity and stability for heavy up loads like a big 5th wheel. Only going to do that with a 3500 or bigger with dual wheels.

Don't get me wrong, 2500 diesels have a job to do, but well short of everything.

CanRebel · Jan 14, 2024

brny67 said:
All this info is awesome. Wondering if someone can chime in for me?

I have a 2020 Bighorn 1500 geared with 3.92 I checked the Ram site and shows that I can tow 11,200 with a hitch weight of about 1100lbs… we are looking at TT’s dry weight between 5500lbs and 6900 lbs with hitch weights from 500-750lbs, will we be fine with a nice WD setup? Thanks for any advice.

V/r,

Bill

Pulling that should be ok. But the payload is issue. You could be at or over it. I've pulled 10k with my Rebel without any issues and still within the payload limit.
Add up how many people, and/or animals, 'stuff' in truck, etc... Some trailers are "built" for 1500's, usually by moving weight on trailer axles.

CanRebel · Jan 14, 2024

miketx said:
Bill, check your payload rating (yellow/white sticker in the drivers door frame area)....it varies depending on the options on your truck. That will change what your hitch weight can be...plus whatever you load into the truck (you have to include people, tools, etc etc.....every piece of weight lowers your payload). Tow capacity is pretty much a non-factor, as payload gets exceeded way before tow capacity, in my experience. And camper hitch weights are listed "dry" (ie nothing in the camper). My camper's dry hitch weight is 680, but with my gear in the camper, I'm pretty sure I'm closer to 900.

The camper you are looking at sounds similar to ours, weight-wise. We're at the edge, as I hinted in the original post. I can feel the weight. I use an Andersen WDH.

You might be ok.....Rebel's tend to have a lower payload rating. But even with a WDH, you'll feel the trailer. I'm ok towing ours, but when the side winds kick in, it's a little spooky....thus my discussion about a 2500.

The comment about Rebel's have lower payload rating isn't exactly true. Older ones maybe. But not for new ones. My 21 Rebel 5th Gen is near top for Towing and Payload.

miketx · Jan 14, 2024

CanRebel said:
The comment about Rebel's have lower payload rating isn't exactly true. Older ones maybe. But not for new ones. My 21 Rebel 5th Gen is near top for Towing and Payload.

Fair...I have no idea about new ones. I just know that my loaded '16 (has every option) is about 983 lbs....which is low.

nuts4hotwheels · Jan 15, 2024

I went from a 2006 Ram 1500 Lonestar Edition with 5.7 to a new 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4x4 with 6.4L Hemi and 8’ bed and it feels so much better towing my camper. I feel like I have more control and more comfortable ride.

David Langford · Jan 15, 2024

miketx said:
My scenario: We currently have a '16 Rebel with 5.7 and 3.92 gears, and is fully loaded with ALL options that year. We just upgraded to a new camper, which is 5500 lbs dry....probably 6500+ loaded. But.....it's heavy on tongue weight (probably close to 900 lbs loaded). So I'm at the limit on payload.....more than likely I'm above payload with a 900 lb trailer tongue weight, and then factoring stuff in the bed (firewood, tools) and 2 people, plus a dog in the cab. Since our Rebel is loaded with options, the payload rating is a horrible 983 lbs.

So, my main question is: how much better does it feel to tow with a 2500? I'd like to hear from people who have switched. I just towed the camper on a 700 mile round trip, and the 5.7 has plenty of power, but the Rebel does feel a little "floaty" on the road, which I'm pretty sure is due to the heavy tongue weight. Heavy side winds get a little concerning. I do have a great weight distribution setup and it is configured as good as it gets, plus the Rebel has E-rated tires (OEM)....so there is nothing more to do to the truck to improve it.

Will a 2500 feel more "solid"? I'd like to know before I plunk down $50-80k on a new/used 2500. Also...diesel versus gasser? I know it's a toss up (mpg versus price of diesel, etc). So it's back to "how does it feel" question. And please, no statements about stopping power/safety...I know the 2500 will do a better job of that.

I had a similar situation, I had a '17 1500 with the 5.7 and 3.92 gears. I had a travel trailer that was about the same weight as yours, but not the tongue weight limit that severe. I moved up to a heavier trailer (>9,000 loaded), and fairly quickly moved to an '18 2500 Cummins Limited, most options for that year. It's a huge difference, especially here in the southwest where we do go through (over) a lot of mountains. It reduced my stress load driving to the point that it was almost eliminated, even in gusty cross winds. I get better milage too, was getting ~8 on my 1500 and get 10-11 on my 2500 on the same route with the same trailer. Good luck and happy camping!

Tony Stark · Jan 15, 2024

I had a 2500 with 5.7. It pulled the 27’ travel trailer fine. Went to AK with it, a 6500 mile round trip. No problem. Traded it for a 1500 with 5.7 and all towing options and went back to AK. It was fine until I got to South Dakota. Cross winds and big trucks were a nightmare. Traded for a 2500 with 6.4 in Idaho and finished the trip. The difference was amazing. No more little trucks for me.

letsplay4u · Jan 15, 2024

miketx said:
My scenario: We currently have a '16 Rebel with 5.7 and 3.92 gears, and is fully loaded with ALL options that year. We just upgraded to a new camper, which is 5500 lbs dry....probably 6500+ loaded. But.....it's heavy on tongue weight (probably close to 900 lbs loaded). So I'm at the limit on payload.....more than likely I'm above payload with a 900 lb trailer tongue weight, and then factoring stuff in the bed (firewood, tools) and 2 people, plus a dog in the cab. Since our Rebel is loaded with options, the payload rating is a horrible 983 lbs.

So, my main question is: how much better does it feel to tow with a 2500? I'd like to hear from people who have switched. I just towed the camper on a 700 mile round trip, and the 5.7 has plenty of power, but the Rebel does feel a little "floaty" on the road, which I'm pretty sure is due to the heavy tongue weight. Heavy side winds get a little concerning. I do have a great weight distribution setup and it is configured as good as it gets, plus the Rebel has E-rated tires (OEM)....so there is nothing more to do to the truck to improve it.

Will a 2500 feel more "solid"? I'd like to know before I plunk down $50-80k on a new/used 2500. Also...diesel versus gasser? I know it's a toss up (mpg versus price of diesel, etc). So it's back to "how does it feel" question. And please, no statements about stopping power/safety...I know the 2500 will do a better job of that.

Bill Clune · Jan 15, 2024

we have 28foot heritage glen with the hitch weight claimed at 700lbs. my 2013 1500 is fine BUT we have a weight distribution hitch https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch I would for sure get one of these.

letsplay4u · Jan 15, 2024

I pulled camper with a 1500 chevy. It was a smaller camper but still didn't like the sway of the vehicle. I upgraded to a ram 2500 with 6.7. I pull a 31 ft toy hauler with a side by side and 4 wheeler and it pulls great and I feel I have a lot more control.

HotrodR · Jan 15, 2024

A stabilizer hitch can make a big difference also with heavy trailers. Even with 3/4 and 1 ton trucks you can feel the difference.

wwest · Jan 15, 2024

We had a Laramie gas 1500. Bought a larger trailer (30', 10k gross with 1000# hitch weight) and then bought a longhorn diesel 2500. I have to keep reminding myself the trailer is back there! Only issue is with the tongue weight along with camping "stuff" we almost max out the usable load.

Taifun7 · Jan 15, 2024

I agree with what everyone here has said. I also towed with a 1500 gas 360 cu.in. gas twd
and I switched to a 2500 6.7 turbo diesel twd. Ditch the 1500 gas. you won't be sorry. Towing
a 28 ft trailer with a race car inside and all that goes with it. It was a breeze, there were days you didn't know it was back there. Set the cruise and watch the miles fly by.

Taifun7 · Jan 15, 2024

I will also add the stabilizer hitch as mentioned earlier is a must in my book. Helps keep the trailer level to the truck and help reduce sway. A great investment.

DRam2019 · Jan 15, 2024

The 2500 is going to feel much more planted or in control for 2 main reasons.
1: the longer the wheel base ( the longer the better
2: more weight on/in front of front axle

Nickx86 · Jan 15, 2024

Towed a 2001 28’ travel trailer 8500 gvw. with an older 04 extended cab 6.5 ft box F150, definitely was taxing on the truck on suspension, even with weight distribution hitch, towed the same trailer w my 3/4 ton and no weight distribution system truck (moving it to sell it) since the trailer was tongue heavy, truck did squat a little bit but 100 percent better on handling. 6.4 gasser will yank your size trailer around easily. 8 speed on the 6.4 gasser I’ve gotten

miketx said:
My scenario: We currently have a '16 Rebel with 5.7 and 3.92 gears, and is fully loaded with ALL options that year. We just upgraded to a new camper, which is 5500 lbs dry....probably 6500+ loaded. But.....it's heavy on tongue weight (probably close to 900 lbs loaded). So I'm at the limit on payload.....more than likely I'm above payload with a 900 lb trailer tongue weight, and then factoring stuff in the bed (firewood, tools) and 2 people, plus a dog in the cab. Since our Rebel is loaded with options, the payload rating is a horrible 983 lbs.

So, my main question is: how much better does it feel to tow with a 2500? I'd like to hear from people who have switched. I just towed the camper on a 700 mile round trip, and the 5.7 has plenty of power, but the Rebel does feel a little "floaty" on the road, which I'm pretty sure is due to the heavy tongue weight. Heavy side winds get a little concerning. I do have a great weight distribution setup and it is configured as good as it gets, plus the Rebel has E-rated tires (OEM)....so there is nothing more to do to the truck to improve it.

Will a 2500 feel more "solid"? I'd like to know before I plunk down $50-80k on a new/used 2500. Also...diesel versus gasser? I know it's a toss up (mpg versus price of diesel, etc). So it's back to "how does it feel" question. And please, no statements about stopping power/safety...I know the 2500 will do a better job of that.

2500 gasser for your needs would be the best bang for your buck. I went from a 1/2 ton with leaf suspension ( 2004 f150) to ram 3/4 ton. The half ton It was taxed when I moved a 28’ 8600 gvw trailer with weight distribution. My 3/4 ton ram, I moved it without weight distribution ( got lazy) one day and the truck hardly any different than I had the weight distribution on it.

For comfort on 3/4 trucks, get smaller rims and bigger tires. My first 3/4 ton had 20” rims and my current one has 18” rims, m

my 2016 ram with 20” rims I had to deflate to mid 40’s psi even with 5100 bilsteins shocks

my 2022 ram with 18” rims, I keep it the PSI around 60 and factory shocks

Hobobob · Jan 15, 2024

miketx said:
My scenario: We currently have a '16 Rebel with 5.7 and 3.92 gears, and is fully loaded with ALL options that year. We just upgraded to a new camper, which is 5500 lbs dry....probably 6500+ loaded. But.....it's heavy on tongue weight (probably close to 900 lbs loaded). So I'm at the limit on payload.....more than likely I'm above payload with a 900 lb trailer tongue weight, and then factoring stuff in the bed (firewood, tools) and 2 people, plus a dog in the cab. Since our Rebel is loaded with options, the payload rating is a horrible 983 lbs.

So, my main question is: how much better does it feel to tow with a 2500? I'd like to hear from people who have switched. I just towed the camper on a 700 mile round trip, and the 5.7 has plenty of power, but the Rebel does feel a little "floaty" on the road, which I'm pretty sure is due to the heavy tongue weight. Heavy side winds get a little concerning. I do have a great weight distribution setup and it is configured as good as it gets, plus the Rebel has E-rated tires (OEM)....so there is nothing more to do to the truck to improve it.

Will a 2500 feel more "solid"? I'd like to know before I plunk down $50-80k on a new/used 2500. Also...diesel versus gasser? I know it's a toss up (mpg versus price of diesel, etc). So it's back to "how does it feel" question. And please, no statements about stopping power/safety...I know the 2500 will do a better job of that.

Well, I think you got more than enough good advice to go for the 2500. My experience...bought new a 17 Ram 1500 Bighorn with the 5.7 gas. Then ended up buying a trailer, 2375 Lance Travel trailer. Real tongue weight was pushing 900 lbs. Installed air bags, WDH, and got rid of the P rated car tires by replacing with real truck tires. Hauled the trailer for about 15K miles. Truck handled it ok but I was always fighting to stay below the CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) of 1500 lbs or so on the yellow sticker. What do I leave home versus what comes on a particular trip. Ended up trading the truck in for a new 21 Ram 2500 Bighorn with the 6.4 gas. Even the same color! Ha!

Have towed the trailer about 10K miles so far. Big noticeable difference. Many times, on short trips, I don't even take the WDH. Trailer tracks perfectly. Hardly notice its back there. When I do use the WDH, Wow! It's like one unit. No matter the cross winds or passing semi's, etc. I carry whatever I want in the truck now. BBQ, generator, folding table, air compressor, tools, ebikes, and on and on and on. The 2500 CCC of over 3000 lbs is amazing. Go for the 2500. You will never look back.

NotSoFast · Jan 15, 2024

I had a 1500 ecodiesel. It was pretty good for fuel efficiency, but it always felt a bit underpowered for towing. Slow on hills, onramps, etc. After it threw a rod we upgraded to the 2500 with the Cummins. What a difference. Pass big rigs going up grades. Use the exhaust brake on 8% downgrades with switchbacks and crosswinds. If I put a whole bunch of stuff in the bed I might be close (maybe over) the cargo capacity, but the trailer is always rock solid back there. It isn't as heavy on the tongue as what you have, but I can't believe that it would be a problem, considering how solid it is. And we are often out for weeks and on dirt roads.

lgjhn · Jan 15, 2024

I totally agree with everything Tulecreeper said in post #2. Very good information.
I was in practically in the exact same situation as you, but my truck was a fully optioned-out 2015 ECD Longhorn.
I finally sold it off and bought a '23 2500 Tradesman w/6.4L gasser w/6.5' bed along with a couple nice option packages primarily for towing.
The difference was like day & night when it came to hooking up and towing that heavy trailer.
I didn't opt for the diesel because of the large price increase, decrease in payload as Tulecreeper mentioned and the fact I don't tow everyday.
Do I miss the options on that ECD Longhorn? Sure, but only a couple of em of any consequence, but not enough to warrant "buyer regret" as I needed a HD truck.
Obviously, I miss the fuel mileage the little ECD diesel had, the touch-sense door locks and the radio touchscreen the most, but for the advantages of towing capacity, I can certainly live without em...I love that 2500 as it fits my needs perfectly.

cinja · Jan 15, 2024

miketx said:
My scenario: We currently have a '16 Rebel with 5.7 and 3.92 gears, and is fully loaded with ALL options that year. We just upgraded to a new camper, which is 5500 lbs dry....probably 6500+ loaded. But.....it's heavy on tongue weight (probably close to 900 lbs loaded). So I'm at the limit on payload.....more than likely I'm above payload with a 900 lb trailer tongue weight, and then factoring stuff in the bed (firewood, tools) and 2 people, plus a dog in the cab. Since our Rebel is loaded with options, the payload rating is a horrible 983 lbs.

So, my main question is: how much better does it feel to tow with a 2500? I'd like to hear from people who have switched. I just towed the camper on a 700 mile round trip, and the 5.7 has plenty of power, but the Rebel does feel a little "floaty" on the road, which I'm pretty sure is due to the heavy tongue weight. Heavy side winds get a little concerning. I do have a great weight distribution setup and it is configured as good as it gets, plus the Rebel has E-rated tires (OEM)....so there is nothing more to do to the truck to improve it.

Will a 2500 feel more "solid"? I'd like to know before I plunk down $50-80k on a new/used 2500. Also...diesel versus gasser? I know it's a toss up (mpg versus price of diesel, etc). So it's back to "how does it feel" question. And please, no statements about stopping power/safety...I know the 2500 will do a better job of that.

I didn't switch from a rebel, but I did switch from a 1500 Laramie with 3.92 gears. And my trailer is in the same ballpark as yours. The 2500 CTD is night and day difference, especially the exhaust break. I also daily drive the 2500. Don't exclude 3500s if you're looking for a 2500. Unloaded ride is a little harsher, stock, but they are otherwise very similar trucks and will give you more headroom for future unknowns.

Significantly less floaty/bouncy, much more sure footed *feeling*. It doesn't get blown around as much, and sway less even in high winds and semi wake. Gas milage is actually better when unloaded. I will not go back to a 1500 as long as I need to tow anything more than a small utility trailer, the 2500 is just that much better for towing anything north of 5000 lbs. that being said, as a daily driver on stock suspension, the 1500 is a much more comfortable ride.

When I was shopping for my upgrade, I looked at both and ended up in a 2500 because it's still enough and that was the only inventory at the time that hit my price point and feature mix.

How much better is a 2500 for towing?

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