1500 vs 2500

[dhay13]

My 2013 1500 QC 4x4 5.7 3.55 gears 6 speed got barely better mileage than my 2018 2500 6.4 CC 4.10's. I had been averaging about 12.5 in town with my 1500 and about 11.9 in my 2500. Granted I used to get closer to 14-15 in my 1500 but the last 10,000 miles or so it dropped quite a bit. Tune-up didn't help it either

 

[Lucy Girl]

a bunch of weight?

Definitely right about that. A whole bunch.

 

[Elkman]

It depends on the tow load planned. I would go with a 1500 truck for loads up to 7500 lbs. that I would be towing long distances and that would include up and down mountain grades. Over 10,000 lbs I would want a 2500 class truck. The 2014 and newer Ram 2500 trucks have a much stronger frame (as good as the GM 2011 and later trucks) and stronger suspension and steering components and a stronger rear axle and wheel bearings. A 13,500 lb. 5th wheel trailer is easily managed by a 2500 but not a prayer with a 1500 pickup.

But is you are doing short trips with a 10,000 lb or lighter load then the 1500 is good enough. A friend used a VW bug to move his sailboat on its trailer some 100 yards to the ramp and for that is was good enough. No way would it have been safe on the freeway.

I currently have an upgraded 2500 diesel truck and I have towed over 13,000 lb trailer loads and routinely had over 3,000 lbs in the bed of the truck, but it also drives like a truck. I no longer have the boat and I have completed all my construction projects and will be selling it to buy a 1500 class truck that will be more comfortable for long trips.

I have owned pickups over the past 50 years and the 1/2 ton trucks of today surpass the load and towing capacity of 3/4 ton trucks of 15 or more years ago and not everyone has gotten the message. The main advantage (or drawback) of a 3500 is that it can be ordered with DRW which some people like.

All the manufactures provide a trailering guide that is updated each year and these are downloadable as PDF files. This is the best place to start.

 

[Ratket]

Every one is different.. My personal preference is
Up to 6k- 1/2 ton
Up to 10k- 3/4 ton gas
Above that likely 1 ton diesel.
If I can afford a towable that weighs over 10k pounds.. than I can afford the 1 ton to pull it. Just my thoughts.

I did the opposite of 90% of people I traded my 14 6.4 mega 2500 for a 18 1500. Dealer offered me way to much for it and I wasn’t going to say no. Plus I’m not pulling anything over 5k pounds.

 

[Dusty]

How much towing do you really do? Love the look of the 2500 but with the with fuel cost. I will be happy with 1500

And that's a good point.

The question is does one really tow enough to justify a 3/4 ton truck? There's no doubt that a 3/4 is a better tow vehicle at any weight within a 1/2 ton vehicle's capability. There's also no doubt that a 3/4 ton is going to consume more fuel, cost a little more in maintenance, and ride not as well (although the Ram 2500s I've been in ride pretty darn good compared to others).

At one time I had a towing requirement of 9600 lbs. And since I only have one vehicle my two 4th gen two-wheel drive Ram 1500s with the 3.92 axle rated at 10,400 lbs. towing was more than adequate for the three or four times a year I needed to tow near the limit. That's roughly 1000 total miles of towing a year.

Frankly, I was surprised how well the 1500s towed at that weight, and when I wasn't towing I was getting better gas mileage than any 3/4 ton. My son has a 3/4 ton and tows less than 6000 lbs., but he does it every day. For him maybe the 3/4 ton is the better choice for his application. Unfortunately, he pays the price in fuel.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 April 2018. Now at 017949 miles.

 

[68 Coronet R/T]

My nephew just bought a 2500 with the 6.4 with 4:10's and his payload and towing capacity is more than my 2012 3500 Limited Diesel. Go with the 2500 6.4 you will be very happy with the towing performance.

 

[spoon059]

Thanks and I was mainly referring to towing , is there a big difference between the two. I'm looking at a 2500 , but wasn't sure if it was worth it or not.

Yes. The reality is that a half ton is designed for comfort and quiet, with the added benefit of being able to haul a small amount of stuff in the bed and occasionally tow.
A 3/4 or 1 ton (essentially the same thing in a single rear wheel configuration) was designed to haul weight and trailers all the time.

If you are planning on towing and haven't bought a truck yet, a 3/4 ton is the minimum where I would start. It is designed to haul weight. A half ton is not. Climb underneath the two trucks and start looking at things like axles, brakes, wheel studs, frame, suspension components, steering arms, cooling equipment, etc. Night and day.

 

[dhay13]

My nephew just bought a 2500 with the 6.4 with 4:10's and his payload and towing capacity is more than my 2012 3500 Limited Diesel. Go with the 2500 6.4 you will be very happy with the towing performance.

Yep. My payload is about 2800lbs with my 2018 2500 6.4. I think the same truck in the diesel version is about 2200lbs.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

And that's a good point.

The question is does one really tow enough to justify a 3/4 ton truck? There's no doubt that a 3/4 is a better tow vehicle at any weight within a 1/2 ton vehicle's capability. There's also no doubt that a 3/4 ton is going to consume more fuel, cost a little more in maintenance, and ride not as well (although the Ram 2500s I've been in ride pretty darn good compared to others).

At one time I had a towing requirement of 9600 lbs. And since I only have one vehicle my two 4th gen two-wheel drive Ram 1500s with the 3.92 axle rated at 10,400 lbs. towing was more than adequate for the three or four times a year I needed to tow near the limit. That's roughly 1000 total miles of towing a year.

Frankly, I was surprised how well the 1500s towed at that weight, and when I wasn't towing I was getting better gas mileage than any 3/4 ton. My son has a 3/4 ton and tows less than 6000 lbs., but he does it every day. For him maybe the 3/4 ton is the better choice for his application. Unfortunately, he pays the price in fuel.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 April 2018. Now at 017949 miles.

Well put.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

Does any one have the extra large gas tank mine is 1500 with the stock 25? Gallon 90 litre gas tank.

 

[dhay13]

My step-father has a 2017 Laramie Longhorn with the larger tank. Either 31 or 32 gallon, not sure which but it is the larger one

 

[VernDiesel]

And that's a good point.

The question is does one really tow enough to justify a 3/4 ton truck? There's no doubt that a 3/4 is a better tow vehicle at any weight within a 1/2 ton vehicle's capability. There's also no doubt that a 3/4 ton is going to consume more fuel, cost a little more in maintenance, and ride not as well (although the Ram 2500s I've been in ride pretty darn good compared to others).

At one time I had a towing requirement of 9600 lbs. And since I only have one vehicle my two 4th gen two-wheel drive Ram 1500s with the 3.92 axle rated at 10,400 lbs. towing was more than adequate for the three or four times a year I needed to tow near the limit. That's roughly 1000 total miles of towing a year.

Frankly, I was surprised how well the 1500s towed at that weight, and when I wasn't towing I was getting better gas mileage than any 3/4 ton. My son has a 3/4 ton and tows less than 6000 lbs., but he does it every day. For him maybe the 3/4 ton is the better choice for his application. Unfortunately, he pays the price in fuel.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 April 2018. Now at 017949 miles.

Well said. I tow TTs & boats commercially with an Ecodiesel to 9k but seldom over 8k. 580,000 miles on my 14. This is pretty much the practical limit for the 1500 platform. The Hemi is also fine if you don’t put on say 50k plus annually as it takes a lot more fuel.

8 to 12k and not putting on big miles annually the 6.4 with 8 speed would be the choice.

8k & up especially putting on lots of miles the Cummins.

 

[GsRAM]

Well said. I tow TTs & boats commercially with an Ecodiesel to 9k but seldom over 8k. 580,000 miles on my 14. This is pretty much the practical limit for the 1500 platform. The Hemi is also fine if you don’t put on say 50k plus annually as it takes a lot more fuel.

8 to 12k and not putting on big miles annually the 6.4 with 8 speed would be the choice.

8k & up especially putting on lots of miles the Cummins.

100% correct. Well said Sir.

 

[madweazl]

Does any one have the extra large gas tank mine is 1500 with the stock 25? Gallon 90 litre gas tank.

We have a '13 1500 with the 32g tank.

 

[slacadjuster]

I have a 2014 ram 1500 5.7 hemi 8speed with 3.92 axle. I was wondering is there much difference between mine and ram 2500 6.4 hemi 6speed 3.73 axle .

A higher curb weight

 

[Fitz-0518]

As always the OP got some great advice. In our truck group of 32 we have found that in addition to all of the differences stated above, the most important difference is the ride. For those that expect or must have a smooth comfortable car like ride,,,stay with the 1500. All 2500 ride like a truck. Not horrible, just firm and bumpy on some roads. Would not tow with anything but a 3/4 ton today.

 

[Killerb]

At the moment I'm pulling a 20ft open trailer with 2 sxs and looking at a toy hauler or camper and curious between my truck now vs the 6.4 gas (cause I'm looking a one at a great deal) , or just wait and get a diesel.

That all depends on the weight and length of the camper/ toy hauler. Your pwr train will handle the load with some limitations.

Pulled my racecar trailer setup which was about 8500lbs with a 06' laraime 3.92's, air bags and equalizer bars and will say I'm still here. Probably the limit when it comes to 1/2 ton trucks imo.

Seems all the new 1/2 tons on the market are rated to pull upwards of 12-13k which is amazing on paper however I personally would never attempt.
On my 2nd CTD to handle work loads now, you have to consider the cost of ownership and the amount of towing for a 3/4ton upgrade, gas or diesel.

 

[Snyd]

All this talk about 1500 vs 2500 towing and I don't see anyone mention PAYLOAD! A 1500 with 500-750lbs of tongue weight and a few passengers leaves squat for payload. You can haul some bikes, a cooler and the dog in the bed and thats about it. I only tow a 5000lb TT with my 6.4 2500 but I can haul my 800lb atv in the bed at the same time and am not over payload. 1500 cannot do it. Maybe with a 2wd standard cab but not a 4dr 1/2 truck.

 

[HvyDuty]

I went from a 5.7L 8spd 3.21 4x2 1500 5'7" bed CC to a 6.4L 6spd 3.73 4x4 2500 6'4" bed CC to now a 5.7L 8spd 3.92 4x4 5' 7" bed CC.

Towed the same 30ft 7000 lbs, 1000 lbs tongue weight travel trailer with all. They all did the job. The 2500 was obviously least bothered with the load and felt the most secure, but performance (acceleration and mpg) is actually better with the 5.7L 3.92. I towed this combo from Houston to Toledo without a glitch.

I missed the 8spd so much I went back to 1500. And with 3.92 I'm smiling 90% of the time when not towing. IMO as stated before it depends on your usage. If I was towing it 90% of the time I'd still have the 2500.

 

[Snyd]

Back to payload, it's good to see the 2019 1/2's have increased quite a bit.