2019 Ram 1500 to 2018 Ram 2500 for new 5th wheel RV... Worth the upgrade?

[Mando Mark]

I have a 2019 Ram Classic (Gen4) Bighorn Quad Cab with a 5.7L Hemi and a trailer-tow package. It's worked fine with two bumper-pull travel trailers, and this spring my wife and I bought a 'half-ton towable' Grand Design Reflection 22RK 5th wheel. The rig pulls it fine, but in going onto a Cat Scale, it's right about at the maximum Combined Gross Vehicle Weight rating.
I have a chance to pick up a 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi, in a Crew Cab. It's a 'Tradesman' model, but has all the trailer-tow features mine does, and most of the 'convenience' features as well. The owner and I each had a 2015 Eco diesel with the myriad problems associated with those, and dumped them and bought our Hemi-powered trucks about the same time in the summer of 2019. (Though he bought the 2018 'on the lot' while I ordered mine as a 2019 model.) He passed away 5 years ago, and his widow (who goes to our church) told me "I haven't driven that beast 3000 miles since he passed away." It's only got 42,000 miles on it, while mine just turned over 97,000 miles.
Everyone is telling me I really should be towing that RV (~ 6500 lbs. dry weight) with a 3/4 ton truck - which I don't disagree with at all. We want to pull the rig to Alaska next year, and I'm not sure my 1500 is up to that kind of towing torture. (Plus the wife just retired, so we're going to travel a lot more.) The gal gave me her VIN and I received a build sheet from Ram on both my truck and the 2500, so can compare every feature. Overall, it's a better truck for towing this larger RV. I know I won't get nearly the overall fuel economy (mine gets 9 mpg towing, but around 20 mpg just driving around empty) - though people told me the 6.4 would not be any worse pulling the RV. The 2018 does have only the 6-speed transmission and 3.73 gears, while mine has an 8-speed and 3.55 gears; so that will likely affect the towing ability and cut down on the fuel economy. (I always tow in 'tow/haul' mode.)
Any 'gotchas' with the 2018 2500 I should be aware of? As mentioned, it is a crew cab, but (according to the dealership I got my fiberglass cap from) since mine is a 'Classic,' the cap will fit fine on the 2500; both have 6'4" boxes with identical dimensions.
If I'm reading the build sheet correctly, it's got the 'puck' trailer tow feature in the box, so I'd have to swap the 5th wheel hitch type I have in mine (heavy brackets bolted to the frame that tie the hitch rails in the box to the frame) for one that matches the pre-installed 5th wheel 'puck' system. (Or maybe I can bolt mine into the 2018 and not switch to a 'puck' hitch.) Other than that, it seems like a good deal; the gal is considering a 'trade' for my 1500 (plus some cash.) She and her late husband are a 'known' quantity and both are meticulous about maintenance and vehicle care.
All comments/concerns are welcome! Thanks! - Mark in Michigan

 

[Gero]

If it was me, I would have to pass on the 2018. I think youre doing yourself a big disservice by not getting the 5th gen 2500 for the zf8hp transmission. With that said, I'd either keep the current truck or get a 5th gen hd. If you do decide to keep the truck, there's a few good upgrades you should consider to help handle he weight.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I have a 2019 Ram Classic (Gen4) Bighorn Quad Cab with a 5.7L Hemi and a trailer-tow package. It's worked fine with two bumper-pull travel trailers, and this spring my wife and I bought a 'half-ton towable' Grand Design Reflection 22RK 5th wheel. The rig pulls it fine, but in going onto a Cat Scale, it's right about at the maximum Combined Gross Vehicle Weight rating.
I have a chance to pick up a 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi, in a Crew Cab. It's a 'Tradesman' model, but has all the trailer-tow features mine does, and most of the 'convenience' features as well. The owner and I each had a 2015 Eco diesel with the myriad problems associated with those, and dumped them and bought our Hemi-powered trucks about the same time in the summer of 2019. (Though he bought the 2018 'on the lot' while I ordered mine as a 2019 model.) He passed away 5 years ago, and his widow (who goes to our church) told me "I haven't driven that beast 3000 miles since he passed away." It's only got 42,000 miles on it, while mine just turned over 97,000 miles.
Everyone is telling me I really should be towing that RV (~ 6500 lbs. dry weight) with a 3/4 ton truck - which I don't disagree with at all. We want to pull the rig to Alaska next year, and I'm not sure my 1500 is up to that kind of towing torture. (Plus the wife just retired, so we're going to travel a lot more.) The gal gave me her VIN and I received a build sheet from Ram on both my truck and the 2500, so can compare every feature. Overall, it's a better truck for towing this larger RV. I know I won't get nearly the overall fuel economy (mine gets 9 mpg towing, but around 20 mpg just driving around empty) - though people told me the 6.4 would not be any worse pulling the RV. The 2018 does have only the 6-speed transmission and 3.73 gears, while mine has an 8-speed and 3.55 gears; so that will likely affect the towing ability and cut down on the fuel economy. (I always tow in 'tow/haul' mode.)
Any 'gotchas' with the 2018 2500 I should be aware of? As mentioned, it is a crew cab, but (according to the dealership I got my fiberglass cap from) since mine is a 'Classic,' the cap will fit fine on the 2500; both have 6'4" boxes with identical dimensions.
If I'm reading the build sheet correctly, it's got the 'puck' trailer tow feature in the box, so I'd have to swap the 5th wheel hitch type I have in mine (heavy brackets bolted to the frame that tie the hitch rails in the box to the frame) for one that matches the pre-installed 5th wheel 'puck' system. (Or maybe I can bolt mine into the 2018 and not switch to a 'puck' hitch.) Other than that, it seems like a good deal; the gal is considering a 'trade' for my 1500 (plus some cash. She and her late husband are a 'known' quantity and both are meticulous about maintenance and vehicle care.
All comments/concerns are welcome! Thanks! - Mark in Michigan

Too much weight and too far to drive with a 1500. The 2500 suspension will give a much better ride for the haul. Severe duty servicing of the transmission is easier and can be done with relative easy at home. If the transmission needs a rebuild, it can be “rebuilt “ better and beefier. I put Roadmaster Active Suspension in my 2500 trucks to keep the leaf springs arched and not flattened out. You just have to check your rear suspension as Ram went to coils in the rear at some point

 

[Grams]

YES! Go for the ‘18 Ram 2500. It will be a TOTALLY better experience for you.

I have a 1500 with 5.7.. AND a 2500… and I’ve towed my trailers with both… and while the 1500 Will Pull them around…. The 2500 REALLY does.
The Handling differences are Night vs Day.

Plus…the 2500 will STOP the combination SO much better…. and That is a DEAL MAKER.

 

[06 Dodge]

My $0.02 the six speed trans can be serviced for well under $200 in your driveway and no need to have it a a certain temp or back tires jacked up when doing so nor do you need to buy a new tans pan to get new filters and you can buy 2 gallons of ATF for $70 compared to the goldened 8 speed ATF Ram thinks you need to use, also the 2500 will handle what you tow much better than your 1500 will and IMO makes it safer when towing, you can put a price on safety, as for mpg difference I've seen many get better mpg from a 2500 than a 1500 some of it all depends on your right foot with the 6.4 over the 5.7... Don't forget the 2500 has 52K less miles then your current truck, the bottom line its your choice, good luck with what ever choice you make

 

[Zoe Saldana]

6.4L all day

 

[RodeoRam]

I tow a heavier 5th wheel with only a 5.7, same transmission, and 3.73 rear gear. It does alright, but I wish I had bought the Tradesman with the 6.4 that I also test drove. The 5.7 is sluggish getting up to speed and only gets 7 mpg through Kansas on I-70. (Whoever said Kansas is flat was lying.) Part of that is the 3.73 because it's a compromise between a dedicated towing gear and a cruising gear for the mpgs.

If you plan to drive the Alcan to AK, you might think about installing a larger or extra gas tank. 35 years ago when the parents and I drove it in an RV, we were advised to stop and fill up at every gas station we saw, and that was good advice. Maybe it's changed since then, plus now it is paved I hear. I would still take more than one spare tire/wheel.

 

[Mando Mark]

If it was me, I would have to pass on the 2018. I think youre doing yourself a big disservice by not getting the 5th gen 2500 for the zf8hp transmission. With that said, I'd either keep the current truck or get a 5th gen hd. If you do decide to keep the truck, there's a few good upgrades you should consider to help handle he weight.

Thanks for the feedback. Not sure I want to spend that kind of coin for a brand-new 2500. Still awaiting a definitive 'Yes' from my widow friend on if she'll part with what had been her late husband's truck.

 

[Mando Mark]

Too much weight and too far to drive with a 1500. The 2500 suspension will give a much better ride for the haul. Severe duty servicing of the transmission is easier and can be done with relative easy at home. If the transmission needs a rebuild, it can be “rebuilt “ better and beefier. I put Roadmaster Active Suspension in my 2500 trucks to keep the leaf springs arched and not flattened out. You just have to check your rear suspension as Ram went to coils in the rear at some point

Thanks for the feedback. I've kept up on all the maintenance on my 1500, and the transmission servicing was indeed spendy for the filter/pan combo and the gold-plated transmission fluid. I have coils on the 1500, but put Air-Lift air bags in them. At 40# (they'll take up to 100#) they keep the truck level with the 5th wheel in place, but still the CGVWR is at max. Not sure if the one I'm looking at is coil or leaf, but probably leaf. A set of Timbren bump-stops might be an option too. Thanks again.

 

[Mando Mark]

My $0.02 the six speed trans can be serviced for well under $200 in your driveway and no need to have it a a certain temp or back tires jacked up when doing so nor do you need to buy a new tans pan to get new filters and you can buy 2 gallons of ATF for $70 compared to the goldened 8 speed ATF Ram thinks you need to use, also the 2500 will handle what you tow much better than your 1500 will and IMO makes it safer when towing, you can put a price on safety, as for mpg difference I've seen many get better mpg from a 2500 than a 1500 some of it all depends on your right foot with the 6.4 over the 5.7... Don't forget the 2500 has 52K less miles then your current truck, the bottom line its your choice, good luck with what ever choice you make

Thanks for the feedback. Agree on the transmission. I've kept up on all the maintenance on my 1500, and the transmission servicing was indeed spendy for the filter/pan combo and the gold-plated transmission fluid. I don't have a heavy foot (only pull the RV at 65 mph and usually am at or perhaps 5 mph under posted speed limits.) Just got to hope the widow friend from church will agree to sell me her late husband's truck. (Or swap with mine and some cash.)

 

[mdc1990zr1]

Thanks for the feedback. I've kept up on all the maintenance on my 1500, and the transmission servicing was indeed spendy for the filter/pan combo and the gold-plated transmission fluid. I have coils on the 1500, but put Air-Lift air bags in them. At 40# (they'll take up to 100#) they keep the truck level with the 5th wheel in place, but still the CGVWR is at max. Not sure if the one I'm looking at is coil or leaf, but probably leaf. A set of Timbren bump-stops might be an option too. Thanks again.

I put the roadmaster active suspension on all my 2500’s and a 1500. I can vouch for the performance. Before you buy Timbrems, go to the RAS website and watch the videos. E-trailer sells them too. Check out the reviews

 

[Gero]

Thanks for the feedback. Not sure I want to spend that kind of coin for a brand-new 2500. Still awaiting a definitive 'Yes' from my widow friend on if she'll part with what had been her late husband's truck.

It doesnt have to be a new 2500 but 2019 and newer have the zf8spd. Id consider one of those if it were me.

A few good upgrades for your 1500 to handle the weight of the 5th wheel would be timbren ses as mentioned and also a hellwig sway bar 7709. The bar did wonders for us. Also LT tires are a must.

 

[2003F350]

Today's 1500's are NOT the 1500's of the past. They don't have the payload or axle ratings required to pull fifth wheels unless you get a stripped-down model or are comfortable being at or over on all your weights. There are very, VERY few fifth wheels I'd put behind a half-ton truck built after 2000. And I say this as someone who, as a kid, sat on my mom's lap while my dad pulled a fifth wheel behind his '78 regular cab F150 with the 300 straight six, with my older sister sitting between them.

If you want to pull a fifth wheel, get at minimum a 3/4 ton. First off, they're built heavier duty, and share a LOT of parts with the 1-ton of the same OEM. They will often have a larger, more powerful motor than what you can get in a half ton. They'll have bigger brakes and more cooling capacity. They'll have more payload and axle ratings than a half ton (with a few exceptions - Power Wagon comes to mind). It sounds like it's just you and the missus, so you likely won't upgrade to a larger fifth wheel, and you'd be okay sticking with the 2500. If you were looking to go bigger, I'd recommend a 3500.

You're going to lose some unloaded ride comfort, but that's the trade-off going up to an HD truck. You gain a lot more capability than you lose in ride quality.

My suggestion would be to look for a 2017 or later truck, 2019+ would be preferred. The 6-speed is a solid transmission, but it WILL hunt a bit under certain conditions when towing. By 2017, Ram had figured out most of the issues with the lifters on the 6.4 - mine went to 110k miles with zero issues until the MAP sensor went out and didn't throw any code (first thing that was checked was the oil and lifters, and they looked flawless - it took a month to learn it was the MAP). With a 2019+, you get the 8-speed, which has proven to be a pretty solid transmission as well...and nets a bit better mileage than the 6 speed did, at least unloaded. Look for something with minimum 3.73 gears, 4.10s will tow better but will net slightly worse mileage unloaded (towing mileage will be slightly better though).

As for trim...it's up to you, but remember that the higher your trim package, the more the truck weighs unloaded, and the less payload you'll have. Shop around, I'm sure you'll find something you'll like.