NEW RAM 2500 ADVISE

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I’m looking to buy a new Ram 2500 in the under $50,000 range. I would like a crew cab but right now cost is the biggest factor. I have a 2019 Ram Bighorn Night addition, 13,000 miles, that’s not even capable of towing my Rockwood 2104s travel trailer because of payload capacity. I would like to move up to a 30 foot or so 5th wheel so the need for the 2500. Absolutely no diesels!

What rear axle ratio should I go with the 3.73 or 4.10?
What is the minimum payload capacity should I not go below?
Tire size I like the ride of my 18” tires on my Bighorn.
What size truck bed?
The above are the mistakes I made in picking out two trucks.

I know nothing about trucks except I’m tired of making mistakes purchasing them. Thought I made the right decisions about my present Ram but alas no. So any helpful advise would truly be appreciated.
 

crash68

ACME product engineer
Staff member
Administrator
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Posts
10,704
Reaction score
16,710
Ram Year
2015
Engine
3.0 EcoDiesel
Since diesel is off the table, keep the trailer to about 12K GVWR. If your going new and your not planning on traveling the mountains you can get away with 3.73 but you can't go wrong with 4.10.
As for bed length you can use a slider hitch if you go the fiver route and want the 6.4' bed. In some areas 8' crew cab trucks are cheaper than the 6.4' models but with the extra 1.5' of bed makes maneuvering interesting. If your ordering the truck get the fifth wheel prep.
 

dhay13

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Posts
3,212
Reaction score
2,792
Ram Year
2018
Engine
2500 6.4L Hemi 4.10's 'Off-Road'
How big of a 5th wheel do you think you will be goin to? If it's going to be over about 10,000lbs then I would go with 4.10's but I have the 6 speed so maybe the 3.73's will be fine? A typical 2500 with a 6.4 will have about 3000-3300lbs of payload. Add up everything that will be in your truck and subtract that from your payload number and stay under that for pin weight on the 5th wheel. I'd say 2000-2300lbs will be reasonable range to stay in with the pin weight.

I know you said no diesels but if you do decide to do not get the 2500. You will be way over payload with a 2500 diesel with almost any 5th wheel. If you go diesel then go to a 3500.

My truck pulls an 8100lb bumper pull camper perfectly with 4.10's. Never at a loss for power. I have also towed my 9500lb boat and no problem there either. I'd think if I was going up to about 11,000-12,000 I would be ok.

Something to consider, the 3.73s only have about 13,500lb towing capacity where the 4.10's have almost 16,000. These numbers may be different on the newer ones but just mentioning it as something to be aware of.
 

tron67j

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Posts
2,798
Reaction score
2,830
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4 Hemi
My $.02, sticking with 2 wd makes a huge difference in payload capacity and is a better ride, that is what I used when towing a 5th wheel with past 2500. 8' bed was a must for me as it allowed more covered storage when camping and I could also put bikes and ladder in the bed when traveling. Of course the better the gearing, the less you engine works. I always buy lowest trim to save weight and have been happy with comfort. Again, all my personal opinion. Good luck
 
OP
OP
D

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
Great advise so far. I was wondering about the 4x4 if it’s needed. I do travel up north a bit but never in the winter anymore. Won’t be doing much off roading with a fifth wheel. Kind of spoiled with my Bighorn options but could do without some of them.
 

dhay13

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Posts
3,212
Reaction score
2,792
Ram Year
2018
Engine
2500 6.4L Hemi 4.10's 'Off-Road'
Up to you. For me I wouldn't go without 4x4 but I'm in western PA and need it. Heck my junk Firestones spin in wet grass in 2WD. Any type of a slope at all in wet grass with a 10,000lb trailer and you might have issues in 2WD. But I know many that do it and are happy with it.
 

RandomRam

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Posts
314
Reaction score
217
Location
On the Oregon Trail
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I’d go with a 3500 if I was considering a fifth wheel only because the leaf springs will handle the weight better. There are enough people towing at maximum with the 6.4 I wouldn’t worry about it. Get the 4.10 gears.
 

McBroom

U.S.Marine Veteran Retired 88-2000
Military
Joined
May 25, 2017
Posts
5,860
Reaction score
7,392
Location
Denison Tx
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 6.4L
My input is this:
Having had both trucks that you view as mistakes.
I recommend getting a 2500/3500 single wheel(not a dually)6.4 gas 8' bed 4.10 gears, since you want a 5er. Crew cab is a must. The overall wheel base length of the truck will give you a better ride. I also recommend it be a 4x4.
So in a nutshell this is how I'd spec the truck
Crew cab
8' bed
BW gooseneck/5th wheel prep pkg
(factory/ dealer imstalled)
4x4 with 4.10 gears
Bighorn or better trim level (creature comforts)


Black 20 Ram
 
OP
OP
D

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
It’s a tough market everything is over $60,000 and nobody’s dealing. They drop their prices only a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. My 2019 ram I was able to get for over $9000 from sticker. No deals like that now. Guess I’ll just have to wait awhile.
 

foolishpride

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
4
Location
Southwest Ohio
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi
It’s a tough market everything is over $60,000 and nobody’s dealing. They drop their prices only a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. My 2019 ram I was able to get for over $9000 from sticker. No deals like that now. Guess I’ll just have to wait awhile.

Have you tried contacting Aaron Ginsburgh at Mark Dodge Chrysler? He seems to be giving some of the best discounts right now than almost anyone else in the country.

[email protected]
 
OP
OP
D

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
Have you tried contacting Aaron Ginsburgh at Mark Dodge Chrysler? He seems to be giving some of the best discounts right now than almost anyone else in the country.

[email protected]

Yes I checked him out and his prices are good compared to everywhere I checked, not pre COVID, but good. The only thing I my price range were Tradesman which is fine with me but not a lot to pick from. But thanks for the tip.
 

Halligan

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Posts
230
Reaction score
234
Location
Massachusetts
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 6.4
I towed a fiver of my own back in the day. If I was going to do it again I'd go with a 3500srw to get the leaf spring rear suspension. I'd also get the 4.10 gears and add the limited slip option. Bed size is your call. A short bed will require a sliding hitch for tight maneuvering. Eight foot bed will ride a little better towing due to longer wheel base and you won't need a sliding hitch. If it were my truck I'd also go with the 8.4 radio which is available on a Tradesman. You could also consider upgrading to dual alternators for some extra juice.

Go big or go home and good Luck!
 

WoodGuy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Posts
122
Reaction score
147
Location
St George Utah
Ram Year
2020
Engine
6.4
Have you thought about ordering? Last year I ordered my 3500 CC 2wd 6.4 Tradesman with all the things I wanted and a $12k utility body and paid $54k out the door
 
OP
OP
D

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
Have you thought about ordering? Last year I ordered my 3500 CC 2wd 6.4 Tradesman with all the things I wanted and a $12k utility body and paid $54k out the door

I was looking into ordering but have never done that before. There isn’t much incentive for the dealer to give a good deal I would think. If this shortage of trucks continues I may have to go that route. I assume at some point dealers will start getting inventory they have to move. My local Chevrolet dealer doesn’t even have one new truck on the lot to sell.
 

Halligan

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Posts
230
Reaction score
234
Location
Massachusetts
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 6.4
I was looking into ordering but have never done that before. There isn’t much incentive for the dealer to give a good deal I would think. If this shortage of trucks continues I may have to go that route. I assume at some point dealers will start getting inventory they have to move. My local Chevrolet dealer doesn’t even have one new truck on the lot to sell.

I know Covid has screwed some things up but I've ordered several trucks over the years and it's my preferred way to purchase a vehicle. You get exactly what you want and nothing you don't. As for incentives and rebates when I ordered my trucks it was always you locked in the incentive/rebate in in effect at the time the order was placed. However, if the incentive/rebates were better at delivery time you got those instead.
 

WoodGuy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Posts
122
Reaction score
147
Location
St George Utah
Ram Year
2020
Engine
6.4
This truck was the first one I've ordered before . I was looking for 6-8 months at what Ford and Ram had sitting on their lots, but 8 out of 10 were diesel's and that's not what I wanted. I was looking online within a 1k mile radius , but between the truck and the body there were a few things that are must haves for me. Lot trucks consistently missed the mark, so I decided on Ram and went to my local dealer and dealt with the fleet manager. He was within a couple thousand of the best price I'd been quoted for a truck that was not what I want/needed. So far, best/nicest truck I have owned, and if I get 200k+ miles out of her it should take me into my retirement years!
 
OP
OP
D

Dennis2

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
50
Reaction score
27
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I did a build sheet on everything I wanted and it was apparent to several Ram dealers in my area. All tried to sell me what they had on the lot and all refused to give me a price without coming to the dealership. The biggest issue was they want a deposit for and ordered vehicle. Is that normal? Not something I would every do anyway!
 

Papa Red

Papa Red
Joined
Oct 28, 2019
Posts
2,550
Reaction score
932
Location
Nebo, NC.
Ram Year
2020
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Putting a deposit down to order the truck you want is normal business. Figure out what you want on the build sheet and submit it to any and all the dealers you want. Then go from there. Since I only get 8' beds and they are hard to find nowadays I always order my trucks and get just what I want. Do it... you will be a happy camper in 8-10 weeks!

Red
 

thkbaron

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2019
Posts
1,449
Reaction score
802
Location
Minnesota
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Just saw the thread. If you end up ordering a truck don't skimp on the little things. If it's a 200 dollar upgrade and you are thinking about it, just do it. It'll cost way more to add later. Also do 4.10's. Way more expensive later and the mileage difference isn't much. Personally i'd never go without 4x4. You never know when you'll need it. Look down South. Snow all over the damn place. Bet all the 2WD guys wish they had it. Peace of mind. You don't even seen a 2wd truck in MN. Hope you find what you want. Ordering a truck is a cool process. I've never done it, but you get exactly what you want.
 
Top