Years to avoid/buy - 2500 for towing

[Lojoma2]

We bought a 2018 1500 Laramie last year to tow a 23 foot vintage airstream and, you guessed it, the payload capacity is tight when you figure in pets, people and cargo. Upgrading to a 2500 Laramie and open to going a little older for cost savings. Leather seats and a crew cab are essential for me with A/C seats being nice but not a deal breaker. Gas over diesel for now: it’s a daily driver and our towing is limited to monthly trips of 200-400 miles around the Southeast. We’ve looked at 2016 trucks and earlier but there’s not a real price break in this crazy market. Plus, I’ve heard there are some years to avoid due to reliability issues. What do you think is the best year for an preowned 2500 that balances depreciation and still a good ride, leather seats, and payload capacity? Thanks!

 

[buckeyexx]

If sticking with a gas motor I would definitely go 2014 and up and get the 6.4 hemi. I personally haven’t heard of any bad years in the heavy duty trucks. The 5.7 is available I think up to 2017 but the 6.4 pulls better. You didn’t mention the weight of your airstream but I know they can be pretty heavy for a travel trailer. The higher the trim you go usually will have a lower payload so pay attention to that. But going to a 2500 in any of the trim levels your going to greatly improve your payload and towing ability over a 1500.

 

[crash68]

Your not going to like the answer but since your looking to tow and the 66RFE that is behind the HD gassers sorta leaves a lot to be desired while towing, take the plunge an go for a '19 or newer with the ZF 8 spd transmission behind the 6.4l.
Your probably better off moving weight out of your current truck redistributing around in the trailer. Then set up your WDH via a CAT scale. Possibly upgrade your tires to XL or better load rated. Don't let the ranting of people who don't know your real numbers sway your decision to buy an HD truck.

 

[jvbuttex]

I too had your issue

We bought a 2018 1500 Laramie last year to tow a 23 foot vintage airstream and, you guessed it, the payload capacity is tight when you figure in pets, people and cargo.

Yup, i had same issue with my 2015 1500. Had the truck, decided on a TT. Only issue is i was at the limits of tow especially tongue weight. As you mentioned, add the add on's that go in bed, wood, dogs, bikes, etc. It would pull but not comfortable. Especially when i considered wind sway driving down the road. We picked up a 2018 2500 CTD. I love it. Yes cost more as daily driver when you consider filter changes. Fuel cost is similar per gallon, add the extra mpgs i get ( 18 CTD vs 14 w/5.7), I am happy with it. It defiantly is a Truck, rides like a truck. Its not the cushy Cadillac we had w/1500. I'm ok with that. Yup its a daily driver.

 

[mtnrider]

If you dead set on the Hemi, definitely go for a newer truck with the 6.4 and 8 speed transmission.


.

 

[dhay13]

I agree, with not knowing the weight of your trailer it's hard to give advice but with a 23'er I'd think you could move some stuff around to get it comfortable with a 1500. But if a 2500 is your next truck I wouldn't shy away from the 6 speed. If you have a choice then sure, go for the newer 8 speed but you won't be anywhere near pushing the limits with that setup and the 6 speed will be perfectly fine. I have a 2018 with the 6 speed and tow my 9000lb boat, albeit only a few hundred miles a year but my son also had a 2018 and towed his 8100lb TT all over the country for 2 years with his 6 speed and it was fine. In 2 years he put 95,000 miles on it and 9000 of that was towing his TT and that truck had never been back to the dealer since the day it was bought. That 6 speed will be fine. What do you think they did before the 8 speed came out? Not tow anything cause it was only a 6 speed?

 

[buckeyexx]

I agree from what I have heard the 8 speed is a better option in the 19 and up. They will hold the gears better. I do know the 6 speed is more than capable of doing the job. Its all about knowing the behavior of your trans and finding that sweet spot. I like to put mine in 4th gear and let it do it’s thing from there. The rpms will stay up but that’s where these 6.4 hemi make the power anyway. And I actually find it doesn’t hurt the fuel milage doing it. Seems to help actually. It doesn’t hunt for gears quite as often. I can not compare the two as I have never drove one with the 8 speed but have heard great things about it. Good luck with what ever you find.

 

[quickster2]

The 8 speed is definitely nicer. I have had 2500's since 1998. They had different transmissions & I towed them all with 5th wheels and Goosenecks. My 2015 serves me fine & I'm over 12K towing the tractor and near payload maxed out with the truck camper and trailer behind it. The vented seats are definitely nice as you mentioned. I would concentrate more on your budget and finding the truck that meets your needs. The rear air suspension is also essential IMO. You'll get various responses on this but mine has been trouble free. I did add a Hellwig HD rear sway bar mainly for the truck camper. Otherwise stock with Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires 4:10 LSD rear.

 

[stembridge]

I had a '15 2500 5.7 Tradesman 4x4 RCLB that towed tractors, livestock and hay when we lived on a small farm in The Middle West. Toward the end of my ownership, it towed a heavily-loaded 25' enclosed trailer over seven 1,000 mile round trips when I retired and we moved back South.

The 5.7 had plenty power to suit me, but I agree with everyone's comments above about the 6sp auto transmission - it was easily the worst thing about the truck (I otherwise loved the truck). Horrible shift points.



The '21 Classic that replaced the 2500 has the 3.6/8sp, which are very well matched to each other. I still tow my old 8N Ford tractor, and it does fine with that.

es

 

[2003F350]

If sticking with a gas motor I would definitely go 2014 and up and get the 6.4 hemi. I personally haven’t heard of any bad years in the heavy duty trucks. The 5.7 is available I think up to 2017 but the 6.4 pulls better. You didn’t mention the weight of your airstream but I know they can be pretty heavy for a travel trailer. The higher the trim you go usually will have a lower payload so pay attention to that. But going to a 2500 in any of the trim levels your going to greatly improve your payload and towing ability over a 1500.

One exception - the Power Wagon. It's a 2500 but the payload and tow ratings are significantly reduced due to the softer springs.

That said, I pull a 35', 7k-ish lb TT with mine and have no issues. Sure, the 6 speed hunts a little bit but not too bad...not like the old 4 speeds.

 

[JerryETX]

I'm disappointed in my 6.4 Hemi with 6 speed and 3:73. Doesn't have the towing power that my F150 did. Definitely 8 speed and 4:10 rear diff. I like my payload though (3000lbs)

 

[HEMIMANN]

I have the 6 speed 66RFE transmission. It's plenty good enough, if pricing were equal I'd get the 8 speed ZF, of course. It's better.

I'd try to stay with 2017 model year up, that is supposedly when FCA changed sources and designs on the infamous roller valve lifters to reduce failures. That's what I have. No problems to date, knock on wood!

In a better market I might have upgraded to a newer model, but looks like I'll stick with this one for the long term. Better than any other truck I've owned, at least.

 

[SKS 800]

I had a 2016 3500 5.7 w/ the 6 speed and 3.73's, a 2018 3500, 6.4 w/ 6 speed and 4.10's and now I have a 2021 3500, 6.4 w/ 8 speed and 4.10's. I tow a 33' 5th wheel that is 12,000 lb's wet. The 8 speed is definately better than the 6 speed, but before I got the 8 speed I had no complaints or issues with the 6 speed. For sure get the 4.10's, you will notice the difference pulling. I never pulled the 5th wheel with the 2016, but I regularly pulled a 7,000lb cargo trailer with it. Also, the fuel mileage between the 6 speed and the 8 speed empty is barely noticable, and loaded there is no difference. The only thing I do not like about the 8 speed is the shift knob, I've had the truck 10 months now and I am still not used to it.

 

[tron67j]

Have a 2018 2500 6.4 4wd with 3.73, haven't towed an awful lot yet but more than enough for trailers at max end of my limits with 2900 lbs payload and 12k trailer. That is up mountains in PA and MD. Came off 16 years with 2003 2500 5.7 and towing 5th wheels and TTs near 90% of max numbers in mountains all over the country. Based on my experience you keep weights correct and don't try to maintain 75 up hills, you won't be disappointed with an older truck with 6sp. I have never felt like I needed more truck and drive fairly aggressively, but again within limits. Good luck.

 

[ggrimm01]

Hello

I will give my .02 cents. I own both worlds in a diesel (all stock)
and gas trucks. 2011 3500 longhorn and 2018 2500 6.4l gas. Both have the 3.73s. The 68rfe gets a bad rap due too tuners. Both are all stock on mine and they are pulling machines. I hear many good things on the ZF. I have changed the fluids on both trans and have seen normal wear on both. I replace filters with the wix brands for the trans and use oem atf fluids. 2014 and up trucks will be perfect for you application. More options mean less payload. Good luck on your choice

 

[Crazyro]

Agreed with what's been already said. With all that, I'll echo a couple of the comments. The 8 speed would be better but my '17 with 6 speed and 3.73 rears has been absolutely amazing even when towing our latest camper (8000#, 37' overall). Have been up in NC mountains and she's done exactly what she was built to do. No, you won't win any speed races up a hill but she'll pull just right. I've been very happy with our setup. '17 2500 6.4

 

[HEMIMANN]

Agreed with what's been already said. With all that, I'll echo a couple of the comments. The 8 speed would be better but my '17 with 6 speed and 3.73 rears has been absolutely amazing even when towing our latest camper (8000#, 37' overall). Have been up in NC mountains and she's done exactly what she was built to do. No, you won't win any speed races up a hill but she'll pull just right. I've been very happy with our setup. '17 2500 6.4

View attachment 485845

Wow that's a cool, wild green color!

 

[runamuck]

get the 8 speed. it smoothly runs thru the gears when getting up to speed and in any kind of terrain it seems to always be in the right gear.

 

[Crazyro]

Wow that's a cool, wild green color!

Hills Green. It's factory color. I love it! It is bright, obnoxious to some, but I'm digging it.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Hills Green. It's factory color. I love it! It is bright, obnoxious to some, but I'm digging it.

Well, I like it. I liked the vivid blue they offered a while back, and the military olive green - even though I'm ex-Navy!