2015 1500 vs 2500

[chiefgoodman]

Hello everyone,

I just joined the forum. I belong to other forums and find it is a great way to get accurate opinions. I am on my second Dodge. I have a 1500 2007 with 157k. Tired of the repairs and horrible ride being an older truck. My first Dodge was a 2500 2003 that got 9 mpg. Hence why I got rid of it. Looking at a 2015 or 2014. My real concerns are the ride, fuel economy, and being too much truck. Sounds crazy I know.

Mike

 

[AirborneRGR]

I just got rid of my 2013 ram 2500 cummins for this truck. The ride comfort for my 1500 is WAY better than my 2500. I don't pay attention to fuel mileage so I can't comment in that.

 

[loveracing1988]

Why are you looking at 2500's? Do you tow anything or plan on toeing anything that would justify it over a 1500? There is no way around a 2500 being worse on fuel and a more punishing ride, but the payload on the 1500's is pitiful hence why I ended up stepping up to a 2500. Going from a 1500 hemi 8 speed 3.55 gears to a 2500 6.4 3.73 gears I dropped about 3.5 miles per gallon. I averaged around 16 with my 1500 and I'm at around 12.5 now. Winter I was solidly in the 10 mpg range. I'm hoping that once it warms up I can average upper 13's but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[chiefgoodman]

I just got rid of my 2013 ram 2500 cummins for this truck. The ride comfort for my 1500 is WAY better than my 2500. I don't pay attention to fuel mileage so I can't comment in that.

I test drove both trucks and the 1500 is definitely a better ride.

 

[chiefgoodman]

Why are you looking at 2500's? Do you tow anything or plan on toeing anything that would justify it over a 1500? There is no way around a 2500 being worse on fuel and a more punishing ride, but the payload on the 1500's is pitiful hence why I ended up stepping up to a 2500. Going from a 1500 hemi 8 speed 3.55 gears to a 2500 6.4 3.73 gears I dropped about 3.5 miles per gallon. I averaged around 16 with my 1500 and I'm at around 12.5 now. Winter I was solidly in the 10 mpg range. I'm hoping that once it warms up I can average upper 13's but I'm not holding my breath.

I don't tow anything big or that often for that matter. I have a bass boat but would only be using the truck to put it in and take it out. There is a possibility of towing a 6x12 enclosed trailer but only from job to job and not everyday. Funny enough my wife liked the 2500 better because it's higher and looks more like truck.

 

[chiefgoodman]

Also I'm averaging 12.5 on my current ram.

 

[mtofell]

Loveracing pretty much nails it. If you tow and need the increased payload go for the 2500. If not, the 1500 is a much more suitable daily driver. I have the exact same 6.4 2500 with 3.73 gears and my mpg are basically identical. I'm not going to lie - the ride is harsh compared to a 1500 but the 3000# payload is nice to have when I need it. Like everything, I've gotten use to it. The main time I notice just how big and bumpy this truck is, is when I get back in it at the airport after going somewhere and getting rental. Overall, I love the truck and would buy the exact same thing over again in an instant.

 

[loveracing1988]

Loveracing pretty much nails it. If you tow and need the increased payload go for the 2500. If not, the 1500 is a much more suitable daily driver. I have the exact same 6.4 2500 with 3.73 gears and my mpg are basically identical. I'm not going to lie - the ride is harsh compared to a 1500 but the 3000# payload is nice to have when I need it. Like everything, I've gotten use to it. The main time I notice just how big and bumpy this truck is, is when I get back in it at the airport after going somewhere and getting rental. Overall, I love the truck and would buy the exact same thing over again in an instant.

If I had to do it over again I would get a high enough trim to get the split bench rear seat and 8.4 standard along with foglights, and I would step up to a cummins, that 10.5 miles per gallon winter kills me to look at. Other than that I love driving my truck because as much as I love the soft ride of the 1500 I never felt I could use it as a truck, any time I out anything in the bed I would sigh as even the lightest weights would squat the rear end.

 

[chiefgoodman]

If I did a leveling kit on a 1500, would it void the warranty?

 

[14hemiexpress]

If I did a leveling kit on a 1500, would it void the warranty?

The deal with warranties is the manufactures have to prove that the part you put on caused the damage. If you put a level kit on and your radiator blew they would still have to cover it. Now you level it and you blow a ball joint they can say the level kit changed the angle and caused the ball joints to work outside the designed parameters and cause the damage so we won't warranty it

 

[lonewolf2873]

The deal with warranties is the manufactures have to prove that the part you put on caused the damage. If you put a level kit on and your radiator blew they would still have to cover it. Now you level it and you blow a ball joint they can say the level kit changed the angle and caused the ball joints to work outside the designed parameters and cause the damage so we won't warranty it

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My 2014 express rode good from factory, very comfortable.
I leveled (see wife liking ride height ) with Bilsteins and ride got even better. It's a worthwhile investment, along with Hellwig rear swaybar, as an occasional tower it really takes away any rolling feeling.
1500 is IMHO the best choice for you, I know it is for me.

 

[chiefgoodman]

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My 2014 express rode good from factory, very comfortable.
I leveled (see wife liking ride height ) with Bilsteins and ride got even better. It's a worthwhile investment, along with Hellwig rear swaybar, as an occasional tower it really takes away any rolling feeling.
1500 is IMHO the best choice for you, I know it is for me.

Thank you for the info. My wife likes the height as well. I measured my 07 1500 compared to the new 2015 and the 2015 is about 3 inches lower at the front fender.

 

[chiefgoodman]

Update:

Looks like I'm going to get a 2500.....should I be concerned about any "rolling" feelings when driving on curvy roads? I see the Laramie HD has options for the sway bar to be engaged or not.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

Update:

Looks like I'm going to get a 2500.....should I be concerned about any "rolling" feelings when driving on curvy roads? I see the Laramie HD has options for the sway bar to be engaged or not.

How does that even work with the sway bar?

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Update:

Looks like I'm going to get a 2500.....should I be concerned about any "rolling" feelings when driving on curvy roads? I see the Laramie HD has options for the sway bar to be engaged or not.

You looking at a Power Wagon?

 

[loveracing1988]

Update:

Looks like I'm going to get a 2500.....should I be concerned about any "rolling" feelings when driving on curvy roads? I see the Laramie HD has options for the sway bar to be engaged or not.

The only one with a sway bar disconnect is the power wagon. It will only disengage below 25 mph. The springs are so stiff in the 2500's I'm not sure a sway bar is really even required for an empty truck.

 

[Jerry1984]

Looks like you may be set on a 2500 but for no towing and everyday driving the 1500 is way more practical. Level and rear bags will be cheap to add and give the height you're looking for.

 

[chiefgoodman]

The only one with a sway bar disconnect is the power wagon. It will only disengage below 25 mph. The springs are so stiff in the 2500's I'm not sure a sway bar is really even required for an empty truck.

Must have been a Powerwagon. I saw a picture of the buttons for it on this forum somewhere.

 

[chiefgoodman]

Looks like you may be set on a 2500 but for no towing and everyday driving the 1500 is way more practical. Level and rear bags will be cheap to add and give the height you're looking for.

I do tow occasionally(snowmobile trailer, and bass boat) but might be getting a enclosed trailer for my company. So I might be towing that every few weeks from one job to the next.

 

[Jerry1984]

I do tow occasionally(snowmobile trailer, and bass boat) but might be getting a enclosed trailer for my company. So I might be towing that every few weeks from one job to the next.

The 1500 hemi 8 speed combo will tow that no problem. But if you want the 2500 go for it!