I need advice.

[BarbinLA]

I’m an older widowed female who pulls a 8900 lb camper with my 2018 Ram 1500 4wd, 3.92 rear end Ram. I am considering trading trucks (I consider my trucks my fun thing and trade every couple of years) and am wondering if I should consider the 2500, due to the weight of my camper. I pull sometimes nearly 1000 miles ( at a reasonable speed) but know I am close to the top end of my towing capacity. I also use my truck for pleasure driving and other trips. It’s much more comfortable than my RAV4! Should I consider a 2500 or does the 1500 sound adequate for what I’m doing? Do I really need more truck? Have I been pressing my luck pulling this much with a 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi?

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[sbarron]

I’m an older widowed female who pulls a 8900 lb camper with my 2018 Ram 1500 4wd, 3.92 rear end Ram. I am considering trading trucks (I consider my trucks my fun thing and trade every couple of years) and am wondering if I should consider the 2500, due to the weight of my camper. I pull sometimes nearly 1000 miles ( at a reasonable speed) but know I am close to the top end of my towing capacity. I also use my truck for pleasure driving and other trips. It’s much more comfortable than my RAV4! Should I consider a 2500 or does the 1500 sound adequate for what I’m doing? Do I really need more truck? Have I been pressing my luck pulling this much with a 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi?

IMHO, the answer to towing or hauling is always a 2500 or larger.

 

[Graygoose]

agreed, to be "safe" Id get the 2500, either gas or diesel would suffice...better to have too much truck, than not enough.

 

[Jerrybob]

agreed, to be "safe" Id get the 2500, either gas or diesel would suffice...better to have too much truck, than not enough.

I agree.....more truck is better. Price will be more...especially if you go diesel but.....a 2500 will haul that trailer much better.

 

[Graygoose]

agreed, and with deals now, a 2500 is a steal

 

[rule18]

Although I agree in principle with all the responses here so far (and welcome to the forum!), you mentioned comfort and pleasure driving as well. The 2500 will certainly have a beefier suspension resulting in a more rugged feel to the ride. If that's ok, then by all means a 2500 is a good choice.

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome

 

[dexter]

I’m an older widowed female who pulls a 8900 lb camper with my 2018 Ram 1500 4wd, 3.92 rear end Ram. I am considering trading trucks (I consider my trucks my fun thing and trade every couple of years) and am wondering if I should consider the 2500, due to the weight of my camper. I pull sometimes nearly 1000 miles ( at a reasonable speed) but know I am close to the top end of my towing capacity. I also use my truck for pleasure driving and other trips. It’s much more comfortable than my RAV4! Should I consider a 2500 or does the 1500 sound adequate for what I’m doing? Do I really need more truck? Have I been pressing my luck pulling this much with a 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi?

Is that 1,000 for a year?

If not how many miles do you tow a year?

 

[dexter]

IMHO, the answer to towing or hauling is always a 2500 or larger.

Why don't you own one?

 

[MikeG71]

to the Forum!

I have a 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. Although it is a beefier suspension the rid isn’t as bad as I was expecting. I would say take one out for a long extended test drive to see how you like the ride. We also pull a 7400+ pound camper, and my truck which isn’t the most impressive at towing. I have talked to quite a few people with the 6.7 Hemi and 8 speed transmission and it sounds like those do extremely well. Unless you want to lay out the money for a Diesel, then you will have no worries.

 

[sbarron]

Why don't you own one?

Very rarely tow or haul!! I basically have an SUV that I can hose the back out on. lol

 

[BarbinLA]

I tow a max of around 1500 miles a year, some years much less, some more. I live near the beach so that’s my favorite destination. I’ve avoided the 2500 because of price and ride, but see your point on more truck being better than less. My truck seems to haul my camper fine, and being retired I’ve cringed a little at the price of the 2500’s. Now may be the time to go looking though. My 1500 is perfect for most things and seems to haul my camper pretty easily, which is why I was dithering. I wondered if I was pushing my transmission.

 

[dexter]

I tow a max of around 1500 miles a year, some years much less, some more. I live near the beach so that’s my favorite destination. I’ve avoided the 2500 because of price and ride, but see your point on more truck being better than less. My truck seems to haul my camper fine, and being retired I’ve cringed a little at the price of the 2500’s. Now may be the time to go looking though. My 1500 is perfect for most things and seems to haul my camper pretty easily, which is why I was dithering. I wondered if I was pushing my transmission.

For your current situation the 1500 is fine and you know what you are doing. Just change your fluids regularly.

If concerned about weight leave your tanks empty until you get near or to your destination.

I'm guessing you go to RV parks with full hook ups so water and dumping shouldn't be an issue.

If you plan to go with a larger RV when you retire then you might go to a 2500.

 

[tron67j]

I agree with Dexter, leave tanks empty or almost empty. Plus watch the weight you put in the bed of the truck. You appear to be fine with weight, although distribution balance in trailer will help as you could go over on hitch weight. Make sure weight distribution hitch is properly set up and you should be fine. FYI the 2020s 1500 appear to have up to 12500 towing capacity so you could keep the nice ride and maybe get a good deal. Enjoy, and good luck

 

[BarbinLA]

Thank you for your thoughtful and reassuring replies. I think I will keep staying with the 1500 based on this. I am already retired and this camper is “grandchildren friendly” so I’m thinking this is my last camper. It’s a Grand Design and pretty much my favorite. My 1500 pulls it well, and I’m with you, never pull with fluids in the tanks, ever.