1500 vs 2500

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mtofell

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Up to 6k- 1/2 ton
Up to 10k- 3/4 ton gas
Above that likely 1 ton diesel.

This has pretty much been my guideline as well. However, the newer HD Ram 8spd tranny might allow me to bump up that middle group to 12-13K. Guys are reporting going up to 15K and beyond but that seems a bit excessive.
 

Ratket

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This has pretty much been my guideline as well. However, the newer HD Ram 8spd tranny might allow me to bump up that middle group to 12-13K. Guys are reporting going up to 15K and beyond but that seems a bit excessive.


Ya I say that because towing over 10k I’d want the exhaust break for stopping.
 

billyw

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Here are things to consider: A 1500 will fit in most garages. A 2500 not so much, especially if we're talking about public parking garages. A 1500 will get better mileage no matter what others say . It's physics. A 1500 will have a superior ride. A 1500 can tow quite a bit as already mentioned, and it's payload is respectable. The new 2500s now come with an 8 speed that will improve mileage and especially improve towing performance. They also offer variable rate springs which should improve the unloaded ride, which IMHO was pretty harsh in previous years. If you're looking used, the 6.4 combined with 3.73 gears is not a popular towing platform, especially in the mountains.
 

RoadRamblerNJ

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Agree with all you say above but finding a 2500 6.4 with 4.10s like my truck is not hard to do. 4.10s are better towing gears IMHO.
 

dhay13

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yep. i know where there are 5 2018s close to here with 4.10's up for sale (4 are within 10 miles of my house) and I have one sitting in my driveway:). my son is supposed to be getting one of them Saturday
 

SOKY_RAM

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One factor I rarely see mentioned is bed size with the crew cab. Most 1500 crew cabs have the smaller bed. I wanted crew cab with the 6-1/2' bed. I do a lot of finish carpentry for people after my day job and on weekends. I can barely get all my tools in the 6-1/2' bed so going smaller was not an option. I also am a father of three so the crew cab was a definite must. I know 1500's exist with CC and 6' bed but they are hard to find in this area. When I did find one it was in rough shape or had 200k miles.
 

GsRAM

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Here are things to consider: A 1500 will fit in most garages. A 2500 not so much, especially if we're talking about public parking garages. A 1500 will get better mileage no matter what others say . It's physics. A 1500 will have a superior ride. A 1500 can tow quite a bit as already mentioned, and it's payload is respectable. The new 2500s now come with an 8 speed that will improve mileage and especially improve towing performance. They also offer variable rate springs which should improve the unloaded ride, which IMHO was pretty harsh in previous years. If you're looking used, the 6.4 combined with 3.73 gears is not a popular towing platform, especially in the mountains.


Yet again.....it depends. My 6.4 3.73 geared truck pulls like a freight train. If your trailer is 10k or less the 73s are fine. North of 10k I'd want the 10s.

But there is very little difference between the two in all actuality.

A real gear for these trucks is 4.56 or 88s. That would make a substantial difference over the 73s
 

RoadRamblerNJ

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"[But there is very little difference between the two in all actuality.

A real gear for these trucks is 4.56 or 88s. That would make a substantial difference over the 73s]"


GSRam is Correct. Difference is only 4/10ths of one rotation of your wheel. For this reason, I won't even consider bumping my 4.10s to "only 4.56. When I grow a pair and tell my wife we "need" new gears, they will likely be 5.13s. Since (a) I can't work and (b) I my 2500 CCLB is a 4x4, I'm gonna have to really, really "need" these gears, LOL!
 

billyw

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Reading complaints on towing forums, it sounds like when combined with the 6 speed, the difference between the 3.73 and 4.10 gears makes a significant difference in the towing experience. The 3.73 gears get the job done, but lots of time spent in 2nd gear with really high RPMs because it can't hold 3rd gear. Just quoting what I've read "many" times.
 

GsRAM

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Reading complaints on towing forums, it sounds like when combined with the 6 speed, the difference between the 3.73 and 4.10 gears makes a significant difference in the towing experience. The 3.73 gears get the job done, but lots of time spent in 2nd gear with really high RPMs because it can't hold 3rd gear. Just quoting what I've read "many" times.

I've also read others who have test driven both back to back 73 and 10 geared truck and felt no seat of the pants difference. Honestly if i was towing north of 10k with my stock tires id go right to a 4.56 gear and be done.

It's kind of like comparing a 2.73 geared 5.0 mustang and a 3.08 geared car. The 3.08s are better but not night and day so. If you want a noticeable change you go to a 3.55 or 3.73 gear.

Do you own a 6.4/2500 series truck?
 

mtofell

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Reading complaints on towing forums, it sounds like when combined with the 6 speed, the difference between the 3.73 and 4.10 gears makes a significant difference in the towing experience. The 3.73 gears get the job done, but lots of time spent in 2nd gear with really high RPMs because it can't hold 3rd gear. Just quoting what I've read "many" times.

3.73 vs 4.10 is just not that big of a difference. The 66rfe (6spd tranny) is a POS regardless of the gears. The 1-2 gap is a mile and overall behavior downshifting around 2-3-4 is just stupid.... again, regardless of the gearing.

I've been hanging out on this board and others pretty much daily for 5+ years and can't ever recall anyone testing 3.73 and 4.10 back to back with the same trailer and reporting any drastic difference. fwiw, I can't recall anyone even doing more than a test drive with the different gears. Most of the conclusions I come to just have to be pieced together from different people with similar trailers.

4.56 would seem to be the perfect gear for stock tire size but the tranny spacing and shifting would still be poor.... maybe not as poor but still not great. The best fix is just getting a 2019 with the 8spd :) I'm pretty sure that would correct everything.
 

RoadRamblerNJ

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3.73 vs 4.10 is just not that big of a difference. The 66rfe (6spd tranny) is a POS regardless of the gears. The 1-2 gap is a mile and overall behavior downshifting around 2-3-4 is just stupid.... again, regardless of the gearing.

I've been hanging out on this board and others pretty much daily for 5+ years and can't ever recall anyone testing 3.73 and 4.10 back to back with the same trailer and reporting any drastic difference. fwiw, I can't recall anyone even doing more than a test drive with the different gears. Most of the conclusions I come to just have to be pieced together from different people with similar trailers.

4.56 would seem to be the perfect gear for stock tire size but the tranny spacing and shifting would still be poor.... maybe not as poor but still not great. The best fix is just getting a 2019 with the 8spd :) I'm pretty sure that would correct everything.
OP, Read above post 2 or 3 times because everything in it is dead nuts accurate.

I am sitting in my '17 2500 6.4 CCLB 6-speed 4.10s right now heading from NJ to TN for the 4th time, with the biggest trailer U-Haul has. Yes, it's over loaded. Still nothing like a 10k lb trailer, but I absolutely HATE this 6-speed! It SUCKS even worse since having the factory recall flash! It has the most rediculous shift points. I run it in tow/haul mode to eliminate 6th gear and that MDS ECO gremlin that shuts down half my engine. it also holds a gear longer while accelerating. Engine braking is also now usable.

I sit here telling you I would spend the $4k to upgrade my rears to 5.13s on a truck with 4.10s that, because of the 0.625:1 6th gear ratio makes this truck run at only 2200 RPM at 80 mph!. No, I don't tow at 80 but slowing down drops the RPMs even more. I don't want to be towing anything at 1500 RPMs. Just go with a 4.56 or 4.88 gear and ENJOY towing with the feeling of having major balls under your right foot.
 

billyw

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This thread is old, but I can't quite put it to bed. If 3.73 and 4.10 are not different enough to make a difference, why does Ram offer them? 3.55 to 3.73 are very close so, is 3.55 to 4.10 enough of a difference? It made a world of difference in my last tow vehicle.
 

Toddbigboytruck

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Ok I have probably the dumbest question is 1500 have the same frame as a 2500/3500
 

crash68

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Ok I have probably the dumbest question is 1500 have the same frame as a 2500/3500
No the frames are not the same.
If I'm not mistaken when Dodge made the Mega-Cab 1500 it used the same frame
 
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