2500 or 3500 up bread. What should I get

[Toddbigboytruck]

I am looking into upgrade my 18 1500 larime, to a 2500 6.4 bed larime diesel or 3500 larime diesel the issue

I am having is the payload 1500 5.7 6.4 bed and 3:21 rear end 4x4 crew cap. This truck is only allowing me 1240lbs pay load. When I add the kids wife and dogs cooler and pull my 5800 maxed out hybrid travel trailer (it is never maxed out ) I am pretty much maxed out on the payload. I am trying to see if my leer cap 4th gem will fit on the 19 or 20 bed. ( want to keep the cap payed enough for it and I love the cap and it is where I keep the dogs strapped down in their crates.

So I do not want a dualy I will only be towing 15% and I will be using this for my daily driver and I need to park in the city time to time

cost well I found new 2500 7000$ less to the new 3500 but if I go big well I can tow almost anything
Yes 7000$ is a lot of Money will most likely drive it till it or I die. So any input would be very appreciated


I have included a pic with my 18 1500 and trailer

 

[dexter]

Get a truck like mine - see sig line. It has all you want. Also, notice I have the 5th wheel package. Take care of your truck and you probably want a 5th for when you retire.

I find a tonnue cover works very well except for the dogs.

Take a look at: https://www.softopper.com/

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

Yes I was thinking if I was to get the 3500 I would have like to have the fifth wheel/goose neck package as well

 

[dexter]

Yes I was thinking if I was to get the 3500 I would have like to have the fifth wheel/goose neck package as well

the goose neck fits in the 5th prep package.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

One of the dealers has a single axle with one I look into it


And I am sorry about the typo on the title. It was supposed to say

2500 or 3500 up grade what should I get.

 

[Travelin Ram]

If a fifth wheel is in your future then 3500.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

If a fifth wheel is in your future then 3500.

I would have to say no to a fifth wheel being in my future but I was in the mind set if I was going to go big get everything.

 

[WY-Dave]

Go big as you can, Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Everyone thought I was nuts for getting the 2500CTD for a lil 8000# 5th wheel camper. The only time I regret it is every 15k miles for the fuel filter changes that I do hahah.

 

[TMyers]

I have a 2500 CTD and a 5th wheel camper. I'm well within my payload and axle weights. It all depends on what your future holds if you want a 5ver.

There are some toy haulers out there with 4K pound plus pin weight. Something like this and a 3500 dually is the only way to go. But, if you're looking at towing a 10K pound 5th wheel, the pin weight would likely be within a 2500's payload range.

 

[dexter]

I have a 2500 CTD and a 5th wheel camper. I'm well within my payload and axle weights. It all depends on what your future holds if you want a 5ver.

There are some toy haulers out there with 4K pound plus pin weight. Something like this and a 3500 dually is the only way to go. But, if you're looking at towing a 10K pound 5th wheel, the pin weight would likely be within a 2500's payload range.

My truck's payload is 3072 -it could handle most 5ths.

 

[TMyers]

My truck's payload is 3072 -it could handle most 5ths.

Sadly, our Cummins 2500's don't share the same payloads.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

Ok so I still don’t know what to do. Lol. BIG or practical

On a side know if you tow a travel trailer that isn’t close to your capacities do you still use a weight to distribute hitch.

My tongue weight is 600 lbs and total weight of the trailer is 5800 lbs I would believe that the weight distribution hitch any pivoting in the hitch ball making it a better ride for the trailer

 

[ddown]

I went with new 3500 last week 4431 Payload bring on anything to tow w/6.4

Transmission Summary

8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV Transmission

Max Payload

4431 lb (2009.93 kg)

Max Towing

17031 lb (7725.2 kg)

 

[Poolman Marshall]

ddown

I went with new 3500 last week 4431 Payload bring on anything to tow w/6.4

Transmission Summary

8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV Transmission

Max Payload

4431 lb (2009.93 kg)

Max Towing

17031 lb (7725.2 kg)

How do you like your truck? Are you happy with your choice of engine?

 

[TWILLIAMS9]

My vote goes to a 2500 6.4L Hemi. Absolutely no need for a diesel. Waste of money for your needs.

 

[HDGoose]

Enjoy the new truck. I think you willbe happy should you decide to upgrade to a new camper. The 3500 will allow more options should that occur.

 

[NH RAM]

I got a 2500 and 6.4 for plowing and towing our TT more comfortably. I soon realized that a smaller 5w might be a better fit and it is. I had a Blue Ox swaypro and while it controlled the sway, the truck still wanted to move as a unit with the trailer when it was windy, so driving past the great lakes sucked. No where near my max payload of 3100# with the TT and it was pretty much maxed out and 31.5' long.
For your purpose, the 6.4 will easily tow what you want and the 8 speed transmission works really well. I don't see a need to upgrade to the CTD, but that's up to you. My TT was about 7500# and I only hit 4k rpm's once on a 4800 mile trip from NH to SD and back. I would give yourself room to change your mind though- you may decide to get a larger trailer and appreciate the CTD humming along at low rpms rather than the hemi at 2000 rpms. Or, maybe you know that a 30+ foot trailer isn't in your future and be happy with saving $9,000 on a 6.4.
Good luck.

 

[Fake-Account27]

I have a 2500 Cummins and I tow a 33 ft travel trailer with a gross weight of around 7k. With 3 young kids, wife, gear etc I am only about 200 lbs below the GVWR on the truck. So I guess I could safely tow a 9k travel trailer, maybe a 10k one if I do a better job loading the truck and kept the bed empty. Of course as the kids get older I am sure I will go over my GVWR. Towing experience is amazing though so I am not worried.

I bought this truck because its what I could afford used, 3500 trucks are hard to find at a good price used. Maybe the next truck...

 

[GEM1N1998]

Been in your shoes. Had a 3500 in 2018. Could tow anything but hated the dry ride. Going with a 2500 this time. I don’t see a 5th wheel in my future and i don’t see me ever using the 19,000 tow capacity.

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers but I’m choosing a little more comfortable ride this time instead of dreaming about what i might need to tow in the distant future. I think the 2500 will handle anything i want to throw at it.

And if not... AIRBAGS. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtofell]

My truck's payload is 3072 -it could handle most 5ths.

My truck has a 3040# payload and I'm at or over that with my 9K dry 5th wheel by the time I load up the trailer and truck with gear.

OP, the main difference between Ram 2500/3500 SRW trucks is the rear suspension - 2500 has coils, 3500 has leaf spring. Back in 2014 when I test drove I noticed a pretty big difference and went for the 2500. If you're mainly daily driving and if you really aren't thinking 5th wheel, the 2500 would probably be a good fit. Of course, nothing wrong with too much truck so if you find a 3500 and are okay with the ride, go for it.