1/2 ton to 3/4 ton towing.....worth it?

[Pickles]

QUESTION - Should I buy the new truck?

We've been trying to sell our travel trailer for a month now, and no one is biting. We're selling it for a list of reasons, but a big one is that it basically maxes out my 2015 1500 on both payload and towing capacity, and it's a beast to drive with (it just acts as a big sail). I'm tired of white knuckling long drives.

So now the wife tempts me with "why don't we just get a bigger truck"?

I nearly fainted. I think I said "giggity" out loud, involuntarily.

We JUST paid the 1500 off. But since it's her idea.....

I start looking at 2500s, and we can definitely afford it.

Now the real question - will upgrading to a 3/4 really be that different when pulling a travel trailer? For those of you who have trailed the same stuff with both 1/2 and 3/4, what were your experiences?

 

[Ricktara]

I have a 32ft trailer with 1 slide. It is a northtrail 25lrss for reference. I have only towed it with a 2012 F250 and a 2019 ram BigHorn 2500. Neither times have I felt anything uncomfortable and have been up and down easy coast repeatedly.

 

[crash68]

Going with a 2500 to tow a trailer will give you more "wiggle" room when it comes to capacity. If the weight distribution of the trailer isn't correct it still won't pull smooth with a 2500, the laws of physics still applies to 2500.
When the trailer is set up and loaded correctly, there isn't a problem towing it. I tow a 28' (32' overall) that's usually over 8K lbs depending on what's loaded, I can drive with one hand on the steering wheel with the cruise set behind my EcoD.

If the Mrs is giving you the go ahead to buy a new truck, go for it especially since there is the 8spd behind the 6.4 now... and does she have a sister? ... LOL!

 

[Pickles]

Going with a 2500 to tow a trailer will give you more "wiggle" room when it comes to capacity. If the weight distribution of the trailer isn't correct it still won't pull smooth with a 2500, the laws of physics still applies to 2500.
When the trailer is set up and loaded correctly, there isn't a problem towing it. I tow a 28' (32' overall) that's usually over 8K lbs depending on what's loaded, I can drive with one hand on the steering wheel with the cruise set behind my EcoD.

If the Mrs is giving you the go ahead to buy a new truck, go for it especially since there is the 8spd behind the 6.4 now... and does she have a sister? ... LOL!

It's not a weight problem (no bounce on the tail), it's a sway problem. It's 32ft long and the wind just grabs it and whips my tail end around. Not sure if it's the 1500's non-traditional coil spring rear suspension or what.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Hard to say without some specific information about the trailer and hitch setup. In general more truck is always better but proper hitch setup means as much with trailers. As an example I pull a 8.5 x 24 that’s about 30’ overall, with just a trailer ball and it’s fine. A friend has an identical trailer he pulls with a 1500 and an Equalizer WD hitch, and it’s fine too.

Post up the particulars of what you tow and you’ll get better feedback.

 

[crash68]

It's not a weight problem (no bounce on the tail), it's a sway problem. It's 32ft long and the wind just grabs it and whips my tail end around. Not sure if it's the 1500's non-traditional coil spring rear suspension or what.

It's possible due to the suspension type, but the 2500 uses the same. One member corrected his rear end wiggle: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/core-control-arms-and-towing.162722/
Have you checked your WDH set up with CAT scales? I'm guessing you have some form of sway control bar(s)?

 

[Pickles]

Hard to say without some specific information about the trailer and hitch setup. In general more truck is always better but proper hitch setup means as much with trailers. As an example I pull a 8.5 x 24 that’s about 30’ overall, with just a trailer ball and it’s fine. A friend has an identical trailer he pulls with a 1500 and an Equalizer WD hitch, and it’s fine too.

Post up the particulars of what you tow and you’ll get better feedback.

Cruiser RV Viewfinder Signature. 32' tip to tail. Running an EAZ-lift WHD with sway control. 6500 lbs dry, about 700lbs tongue weight.

 

[Motoman501]

There's a YouTube video where a guy talks about his upgrade from an F150 to a F250 with a 32ish foot travel trailer. He claimed the F150 did a good job, until he got the F250. According to him he was surprised how much more stable the F250 felt especially on rough roads and in the wind.

I really wanted a half ton when I sold my Cummins last year but my wife packs heavy when camping and I have three kids and a lab. Pack the truck with everything she thinks we need and I would be over most half ton trucks payloads quickly. My 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 has a 3200lb payload so no more worries, pack away.

 

[MADDOG]

I've got experience towing the same trailer with a 1500 & a 2500. The 2500 towed it with no drama at all. The 1500 did sway a bit due to tongue weight I believe even though I used a WDH on both occasions. Crosswinds where the worst but headwinds seemed to really wear down the 5.7L

A 6.4L powered 2500 would be indicated in your case. I hesitate to recommend a Cummins as you won't need it for that load...but...if the wife ever wants to upgrade to a roomier (heavier) trailer or even a fifth wheel, having that extra diesel power would be a good thing.

 

[gofishn]

Cruiser RV Viewfinder Signature. 32' tip to tail. Running an EAZ-lift WHD with sway control. 6500 lbs dry, about 700lbs tongue weight.

Need a 3/4 ton, for sure, minimum.
Can be done with a 1/2 ton, but nto wise.

 

[dhay13]

I towed my sons 6500lb dry 32' camper (26' model) 200 miles with my 2013 1500 using his Husky TS WDH. It towed good but did get some sway when being passed by a larger vehicle. Son bought a 2018 2500 Ram and towed it 1500 miles a week later and said it towed fine. He didn't have much experience towing prior to that and said he was never nervous at any point.

 

[AFMoulton]

Do it, 1500 to 2500 is a different game. The weight of the truck alone compensated for so much. Not to mention better axles, brakes, engine, gearing, payload, springs, etc etc.

Especially new 2500’s with the 8sp! Good lord!






2018 Ram 2500 6.4L 4x4
Amsoil SS 0W-40

 

[Sandevino]

Once you go heavy duty....you never go back. I picked up a 2020 2500 Tradesman CC 4x4 with the Hemi and love it.

These are the payload, GAWR and GVWR stickers from my 2020 2500 Tradesman 4x4 with the 6.4 Hemi.

3100# payload is amazing. Max towing is 14,280#

The GCVWR is 24,280#

 

[RandomRam]

2500 will make a huge difference and be a lot easier on the driver when towing. If you are happy with your 5.7 Hemi, you will be more than happy with the 6.4 Hemi. Heavier, longer truck with better brakes, stronger axles, and higher payload will make for a significantly better driving experience.

 

[Travelin Ram]

I’d be wanting the HD truck. That trailer is probably heavier than you think, the dry weights are deceptively low. That’s not much tongue weight either; is that measured or taken from the literature?

I’d start with a visit to a scale and get accurate trailer and tongue weight if you haven’t yet, and adjust contents load for 15% on the tongue.

You might also want to check out @Loudram ’s thread on the trailer weight OBD gadget he’s using.

 

[Loudram]

Cruiser RV Viewfinder Signature. 32' tip to tail. Running an EAZ-lift WHD with sway control. 6500 lbs dry, about 700lbs tongue weight.

My trailer is 33' 6500 dry and 650 tongue according to the brochure. I figured it would weigh 7200 to 7500 when loaded with a tongue of around 900. Liked mentioned above I bought the Better Weigh mobile scale and I was surprised at how heavy my trailer was. It's almost 8500 loaded and 1000 tongue. We are loaded light so the listed dry weight was very low. I use an Equalizer hitch and it tows fine for me but I wouldn't go any heavier or longer.

I say this so you realize that your trailer is probably much heavier than you think. Should you get a HD? Wouldn't hurt. I know I'm up there near my max but right now it works. I also have the 3:92 rear so I can tow 10600lbs but that doesn't help with the payload.

 

[AFMoulton]

My trailer shown above is 8500# dry and 850# tongue.

After it’s loaded and set up it’s 9998# and 1400# tongue. 2500 with 6.4 was the way to go.


2018 Ram 2500 6.4L 4x4
Amsoil SS 0W-40

 

[Orlando70]

I would do this...
Get your camper loaded with stuff, take it with your truck to a dealer and hook it up to a 2500 and then get on a highway for a real test drive. I will blow your mind!

 

[Firetruck41]

I have a 25' long all aluminum travel trailer, about 5k lbs loaded. So not heavy by any means, but my previous truck was a Titan (very equivalent to 1500 hemi crew cab short bed), it towed fine except getting pushed around in heavy winds, or when getting passed by a semi. Now I have a 2500 mega cab with a 5.7, it's a much more pleasant towing experience. It probably is a combination of the heavier truck, and the longer wheelbase.

 

[14hemiexpress]

My dads set up. He made the mistake of going to big on the trailer. It's about 35ft bumper to ball, it's a toy hauler witch killed that 1500 with a 1300lb hitch weight, he got air bags thinking it would fix it whitch it didnt. I finally talked him into a 2500 and hes glad he did he said going down the freeway barely even knows it's back there. Empty that trailer is close to 8k empty. A Heavy duty is a completely differnt league than a 1500 when it comes to towing.