Do I need to get a RAM 2500?

[vasi]

I have a 2019 RAM 1500 limited with a 5.7 HEMI.

It has done quite well towing a trailer with a weight of about 4000 pounds.

I exchanged that trailer for a toy hauler that has a dry weight of 7000 pounds. I will carry my motorcycle which has a weight of 594 pounds.

Thus, the operating weight of the toy hauler could end up being 8500 to 9000 pounds. While this is below the towing capacity of the 1500 it is near the limit.

When towing the lighter trailer the truck was stable and steady. With the new trailer it seems to have more movement. It does not sway, because I have sway bars, however, there movement in pitch.

As we know, the 2500 is an expensive truck, I don’t want to put out the expense if I don’t need to.

1. Am I putting my truck, and myself, in a dangerous situation by towing near the maximum limit?

2. What do you think is causing the pitch movement? Could this be related to the hitch?

3. The 2500 comes standard with a 6.2 hemi, as I recall. Although this engine would result in less towing capacity, it would be adequate for my purposes. What is your opinion on the HEMI verses the diesel?

 

[Travelin Ram]

No.

Have you measured the actual hitch weight as loaded and do your spring bars match?

Only somewhat, if your WD system is the cause.

Only buy a diesel if you need one.

 

[vasi]

I have not yet weighed the trailer because I have not yet picked up my motorcycle. When I do so, where can I get the trailer weighed?

I appreciate your response to the diesel. I don’t like dealing with diesel fuel. If I get a 2500 I’ll get one with the HEMI

 

[CG2742]

Head to a cat scale. Should be able to find one near you.

 

[JimmyA]

the 2500 is your calling but before you give on a Diesel, test drive both! If you go diesel you will never go back to gas, JMHO!

 

[mtnrider]

If you are getting up around 9000lbs you are getting into 2500 territory. Don't care what the piece of paper says a 1500 "can" tow a 2500 will do it much easier and safer. Now if you are just towing that weight 5 miles down the road twice a year, sure stick with the 1500.

As far as gas/diesel? I'll never own another HD truck with a gas engine but that's me. Lots of fear/hate/false information for diesels on here so not going to go down that rabbit hole....

.

 

[Sandevino]

1. Am I putting my truck, and myself, in a dangerous situation by towing near the maximum limit?

2. What do you think is causing the pitch movement? Could this be related to the hitch?

3. The 2500 comes standard with a 6.2 hemi, as I recall. Although this engine would result in less towing capacity, it would be adequate for my purposes.

4. What is your opinion on the HEMI verses the diesel?

Fixed the questions.. now for my answers.

1. Yes and No. But I have found the towing limit to be an it depends proposition. It depends on several factors but the biggest ones are weight (vehicle weight, trailer weight and total weight) and your surroundings. Sure, you could tow at or near maximum weight all day long in perfect conditions, but how often do you get those? If you're towing up and down hills, in traffic, at night, in wind (head / tail / cross) the weight and capability of the vehicle change substantially.

2. The pitch is coming from the rear suspension not being able to handle the weight. A weight distribution hitch will help, but will not assist in handling the weight (force) pushing down on the rear suspension.

3. The 2500 comes standard with a 6.4L HEMI (410hp / 429tq).

4. My $.02.. I went with the HEMI for several reasons over the diesel.

Reason #1 - First and foremost, I don't intend to pull more than 5 tons (10,000#) at any given time. My truck is rated for 7 tons (14,000#) - 4x4 crew cab short bed with the HEMI. If I do pull anything heavier than 5 tons, it will not be far and will likely be during the day (Home Depot, dump run, etc..).

Reason #2 - Cost. The option for a Diesel engine is $9,100. That is 140 tanks of fuel (31 gallons at $2.00 / gallon). Add to it the higher cost of diesel fuel, added expense of DEF fluid and higher maintenance costs. In every way I ran the number, the Gas powered engine came out on top for my use case.

Reason #3 - 8 speed transmission - It used to be an even split - gas had a 6 speed and diesel had a 6 speed. The 8 speed is a game changer.

Reason #4 - Payload - I have a 2020 2500 Tradesman CC 4x4 with the HEMI 6.4. The payload is 3300# in this configuration. The same truck with a Diesel engine gets its payload cut to 2300#.

Again, just my $.02...

 

[Sandevino]

the 2500 is your calling but before you give on a Diesel, test drive both! If you go diesel you will never go back to gas, JMHO!

I used to think the same way. Diesel or nothing... BUT... with the regulations and added taxes it's becoming cost prohibitive for a weekend vehicle. If I was back rolling heavy coast to coast, diesel all the way, but for what I'm doing gas won out.

With this said, if I were to pick up a diesel, it would be an older 90's model 2500 or 3500 srw.

 

[mtofell]

8500-9000# is firmly in 2500 territory.

Hemi with the new 8spd would be perfect for that load.

 

[vasi]

I intend to travel full-time. My trailer is a Lance 2212 toy hauler and I’ll be carrying a 600 pound motorcycle.

my goal is to visit all the national parks, so I’ll be traveling all over the country, if my plan works .

I test towed the trailer with my 1500 and it worked fine, however that was before it was loaded. This toy hauler can carry 100 gallons of water and 40 gallons of unleaded fuel. So starting with an empty weight of 7000 pounds, the total weight is over 9000 pounds.

So, it seems the 2500 is needed. I bought the 1500 last November.

 

[vasi]

Well, it seems I used the wrong data to determine the towing weight of my 1500

8253 is its max

 

[vasi]

Fixed the questions.. now for my answers.

1. Yes and No. But I have found the towing limit to be an it depends proposition. It depends on several factors but the biggest ones are weight (vehicle weight, trailer weight and total weight) and your surroundings. Sure, you could tow at or near maximum weight all day long in perfect conditions, but how often do you get those? If you're towing up and down hills, in traffic, at night, in wind (head / tail / cross) the weight and capability of the vehicle change substantially.

2. The pitch is coming from the rear suspension not being able to handle the weight. A weight distribution hitch will help, but will not assist in handling the weight (force) pushing down on the rear suspension.

3. The 2500 comes standard with a 6.4L HEMI (410hp / 429tq).

4. My $.02.. I went with the HEMI for several reasons over the diesel.

Reason #1 - First and foremost, I don't intend to pull more than 5 tons (10,000#) at any given time. My truck is rated for 7 tons (14,000#) - 4x4 crew cab short bed with the HEMI. If I do pull anything heavier than 5 tons, it will not be far and will likely be during the day (Home Depot, dump run, etc..).

Reason #2 - Cost. The option for a Diesel engine is $9,100. That is 140 tanks of fuel (31 gallons at $2.00 / gallon). Add to it the higher cost of diesel fuel, added expense of DEF fluid and higher maintenance costs. In every way I ran the number, the Gas powered engine came out on top for my use case.

Reason #3 - 8 speed transmission - It used to be an even split - gas had a 6 speed and diesel had a 6 speed. The 8 speed is a game changer.

Reason #4 - Payload - I have a 2020 2500 Tradesman CC 4x4 with the HEMI 6.4. The payload is 3300# in this configuration. The same truck with a Diesel engine gets its payload cut to 2300#.

Again, just my $.02...

I bought 2500 with the hemi engine. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. I’ll pick the truck up on Friday. The towing capacity of the 2500 that I bought is 14,383 pounds. The maximum weight on my trailer is 9950 pounds.

I am quite stressed about this because I don’t want to make another expensive mistake.

 

[Sandevino]

I bought 2500 with the hemi engine. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. I’ll pick the truck up on Friday. The towing capacity of the 2500 that I bought is 14,383 pounds. The maximum weight on my trailer is 9950 pounds.

I am quite stressed about this because I don’t want to make another expensive mistake.

Congratulations and I think you’ll be pleased with your purchase. You are well under the maximum tow rating and keeping your trailer under its minimum rating will serve you well.

 

[vasi]

The 6.4 hemi is only 12% larger than the 5.7. And the horsepower increase is 10. So, how is the 6.4 able to tow 14,300 pounds while the 5.7 tows 8200?

 

[slim chance]

i had a Ram 2500Hd diesel... would NEVER go back to a diesel ... i had a 2019 Ram 1500 Larime 3.92 rear, payload 1520#, towed a 25' TT, cat scaled total TT @ 7800#, ok towing till about 60mph then started to sway, classic tail wagging the dog, 6 mo. old, traded it on 2019 Ram 2500 6.4L, 3.73 rear, 8'bed, and payload 2820#s .... traded TT for 5er that tows like a charm at any speed ... the 5.7 hemi towing the TT got 10.5 mpg and the 6.4L gets 10.5 mpg with the 5er ... love the 2500

 

[Firetruck41]

The 6.4 hemi is only 12% larger than the 5.7. And the horsepower increase is 10. So, how is the 6.4 able to tow 14,300 pounds while the 5.7 tows 8200?

Engine doesn't have a whole lot to do with tow capacity. Transmission, cooling, axle, differentials, frame... have more to do with it.

You should be looking at payload capacity, not just tow capacity, when deciding what truck meets your needs. You will frequently run out of payload before tow capacity. Everything in the truck (you, passengers, cargo, etc) AND the tongue weight are part of payload. That can add up real quick.

 

[2018 Hemi]

I made the mistake of buying the 6.4 over the diesel. My last to Rams we’re Cummins and I’m so sorry I didn’t do the same on this truck but to late to go back. No comparison at all.

 

[dbctmc]

Agree with the recommendations for 2500 with 6.4. My 2019 tradesman 4 x 4 cc sb pulls my 9000 lbs, 36 ft travel trailer just fine, including up and down mountains. The 8 sp makes a tremendous difference vs previous years. The problem with "tow ratings" is that it's just a number. All trailers are not equal. Trailers with high profiles like ours are much more affected by the wind. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I agree with Sandevino’s post. Well stated.

In my opinion and my own experience (I went from a 2017 1500 to a 2019 2500 both gassers), your new trailer put you firmly in 2500 territory. Even with a load leveling hitch, you still have a 1500. Frame, axles, suspension, brakes, engine, trans are all much more up to this task in a 2500. Instead of pushing the limits of safety and pushing your truck to max capabilities, upgrade your truck to match.

 

[tron67j]

I bought 2500 with the hemi engine. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. I’ll pick the truck up on Friday. The towing capacity of the 2500 that I bought is 14,383 pounds. The maximum weight on my trailer is 9950 pounds.

I am quite stressed about this because I don’t want to make another expensive mistake.

I have a 2018 6.4 2500 and have been very happy. I came off a 2003 5.7 2500 and enjoyed it the entire time. Agree with other posters, it is more than just engine and horsepower. A safe rule of thumb, which varies, is to have a trailer at a percentage less than max to account for all the stuff we add at the last minute. With the proper weight distribution hitch and other required materials you will, if nothing else, never sweat the entire trip wondering if you are as safe as you could be. Good luck, and enjoy.