2500 Cummins or 2500 Hemi. Hemi has the 3.73s unfortunately.

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RamGuy110

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So I'm trying to decide between two trucks to get out of my dually. Both are black night editions and 2021s. One is a 2500 Big Horn Night Edition, with tech package, LED lights front and back, black cloth buckets, 6.4, off road package. It will need clearance lights added. The dealer has it leveled with a Bilstein 2" level with reservoir shocks and has the wheel/tire package that I want. 20" Fuel Blitz on 295/60/20 Ridge Grapplers. I like how the Hemi performs. I've owned the older 6.4s with the 6-speeds and towed with them and I wasn't impressed. I wish this truck had 4.10s. Payment calculation...my payment would go down at LEAST $500/month.

The other is a 2021 Ram 2500 Laramie, night, level b, spray in liner, 440 amps, tow tech, safety group, snow chief group. Its in stock form. My payment would go down about $300/month.

I've taken some pay cuts with work, so the payment decease is important too. I have a mega cab on order, but I want to get out of this dually while the value is still high.

I like how the HEmi with the 8-speed performs. I'w towing 8k-12k two times per week on average, so roughly 8 days per month and then tow a smaller trailer 2 days per month. It seems like a no brainer, I just worry I'll hate stepping down to a big horn gasser from a limited diesel that I'm used to, but the $$$$ savings its noticeable. That truck is particularly nice because its already leveled and ready to go.

Thoughts on Hemi towing without the 4.10s? How expensive would it be to switch it to 4.10s?
 

HEMIMANN

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I tow with Hemi 6.4L and 3.73 axle, max trailer 7,000 lbs and steep hills in driftless regions (unglaciated) of MN & WI. This setup works well, and maybe would up to 10,000lbs. Then you would need diesel IMO.

2500 is not a good platform for diesel - the heavy Cummins engine takes away too much payload capacity. Most members agree all Cummins diesels should be in 3500 only. Don't know why they offer for 2500. Maybe for high mileage contractors w/0 a lot of load?

Plus - the diesels with all the emissions crap and controls are a royal PITA now. Lots of failures and issues reported in other threads. Consider this before you leap.

I still have 6 speed 66RFE trans. It does ok if you keep the oil changed at shorter intervals (30k miles) and get rid of the stupid thermostat in the oil cooler supply line.
 

Firebird

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The 6.4 will pull those loads just fine
 

dhay13

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I have towed 9300lbs and often tow 8900lbs up hills with ease but I do have the 4.10's. On a side note, I don't think there is a huge difference between the 4.10's and 3.73's but would go 4.10's if given the choice
 

NH RAM

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How far and what terrains are you towing in? I just towed my 5w, which truck and 5w combined was 18,500. The 5w GVWR is 11,000. My trip was from New Hampshire to North Carolina and back, so around 1800-2000 miles. I think the truck did quite well. I'm running 285/75/17's and leveled. You'll need airbags. I towed long grades, but nothing beyond 5% or at any high elevation.
The gearing, IMO, is pretty close between the 3.73 and 4.10 with the 8HP75 in front of it that the rear gear ratio isn't nearly as critical as in the 66rfe with the larger spacing between transmission gears. No gear hunting with the 8HP75.
With that said, I've never owned a diesel but I'm told they do a phenomenal job of pulling and get about 20% better fuel economy. But then there's DEF and the issues that go with it, the up-front cost of the diesel, and the long-term maintenance costs of the diesel. A mega cab Cummins 2500 has crap for payload and towing ratings on the new trucks.
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OC455

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That deck'd out Bighorn will serve you well. Aside from the niceties that the Limited had, the 6.4 and 8 speed will work well for what you want to do.

I wouldn't jump into a 2500 with the diesel, you'd loose payload vs the Hemi.
 

RedneckHippy

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Weird question, but can you refinance your loan for a lower payment? Cause I’d find a way to keep my diesel.
 
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