Keep or go 2500

[Ohio5pt7]

I have a 18 ram 5.7 crew cab 4x4 with 3.21s. Currently on vacation pulling my ~7500lb loaded camper. Imho the truck did great coming thru the mountains from ohio to south Carolina. I could gain speed going up the mountain if I wanted and the engine break maintained speed perfectly. Now even though it performed well my dilemma is how hard is it on a 5.7 in these conditions on 600 plus miles each way. Will it start to wear quickly or should I upgrade. Also I love my truck so it's hard to consider getting a new one.

 

[Graygoose]

man if it were me, the 2500 is optimal, but how much do you pull the camper, maybe 3 weekends a year? Is it worth the size/motor/payment for 3 weeks a year?
My buddy had a race car, trailer, etc and pulled with a 3rd gen 4.7 all the time. While it screamed up the mountain, didn't hurt the engine at all.

 

[Dinky]

if i were going to tow that much weight on a regular basis. i would look into a 2500 for sure more HP/TQ and rear end. if you hook up to you trailer to a 2500 the difference will surprise you. just from the stability alone and if you wanna be more impressed step up to a 6.7 diesel.

 

[Shiva]

Sounds to me you don't need to change your truck at all
5.7 is a 5.7 1500 or 2500 the same.
See my 1500 in the ' lets see what you are towing' thread page 17.

For about $150 or less drop in a pair of AirLift 1000HD coil air bags and you'll be happy as a pig in sh...t.
The bags are super easy to install without taking the truck apart at all except you can do most of the work sitting on a stool if you take the rear wheels off.
4 zip ties, a pair of small combination wrenches, a pair of pliers and a drill are all you need for tools.
See my thread 'AirLift 1000HD install shortcuts'.
As you are now you aren't beating up on your truck at all.
Just count on buying a lower drop hitch than you probably have because the truck will sit level when hitched up.
You won't lose the comfy daily drive ride.
Enjoy what you have already.

I love my Ryobi 18vOne+ digital air compressor for air-up and air-down. Use it a lot more than I thought I would.

You can see the amount of hitch drop I needed for the truck sitting level towing a trailer with torque suspension axles not leaf springs that ride higher. My trailer has 2 steps that fold out.
If you have 3 steps probably a 6 or 8 hole ball mount will do. Mine uses a 10 hole on my bagged 1500.

 

[Dinky]

View attachment 175176 View attachment 175175 Sounds to me you don't need to change your truck at all
5.7 is a 5.7 1500 or 2500 the same.
See my 1500 in the ' lets see what you are towing' thread page 17.

For about $150 or less drop in a pair of AirLift 1000HD coil air bags and you'll be happy as a pig in sh...t.
The bags are super easy to install without taking the truck apart at all except you can do most of the work sitting on a stool if you take the rear wheels off.
4 zip ties, a pair of small combination wrenches, a pair of pliers and a drill are all you need for tools.
See my thread 'AirLift 1000HD install shortcuts'.
As you are now you aren't beating up on your truck at all.
Just count on buying a lower drop hitch than you probably have because the truck will sit level when hitched up.
You won't lose the comfy daily drive ride.
Enjoy what you have already.

I love my Ryobi 18vOne+ digital air compressor for air-up and air-down. Use it a lot more than I thought I would.

You can see the amount of hitch drop I needed for the truck sitting level towing a trailer with torque suspension axles not leaf springs that ride higher. My trailer has 2 steps that fold out.
If you have 3 steps probably a 6 or 8 hole ball mount will do. Mine uses a 10 hole on my bagged 1500.

View attachment 175175

lol there is a big difference in a 2500 6.4l hemi vs the 1500 5.7hemi. Hp and TQ not so much but what the truck is spec for is a big thing. so are you beating up your truck maybe maybe. the 2500 has better suspension for towing hands down and a better frame.

https://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-ram-hd-towing-chart.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuild...jGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBAvoEbjA+c5q

this is what DOT is going to go off of if there is a wreck or they stop and do a vehicle inspection.

 

[OMW2SKI]

My TT is 7,000 lbs GVWR. I will tow it roughly 3,000 miles/year which is a little over 10% of my total miles. I'm very happy with my 1500. It does have 3.92 gears. Never having towed with the 3.21 gears, honestly not sure how much difference that makes.

Things that improved towing hugely: 1) Property adjusted WD hitch with sway bars; 2) LT tires on truck; 3) Airlift 1000HD bags; 4) Hellwig rear sway bar; 5) Got rid of the china bombs on the trailer.

If I towed 7,500 lbs regularly (like maybe weekly?), I would consider a HD truck. But the 1/2 ton has no issues with my current setup.

 

[Shiva]

lol there is a big difference in a 2500 6.4l hemi vs the 1500 5.7hemi. Hp and TQ not so much but what the truck is spec for is a big thing. so are you beating up your truck maybe maybe. the 2500 has better suspension for towing hands down and a better frame.

https://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-ram-hd-towing-chart.pdf

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP/FqLY5r/est8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBAvoEbjA+c5q

this is what DOT is going to go off of if there is a wreck or they stop and do a vehicle inspection.

I wasn't aware that the 2500 doesn't have the 5.7 available if it does have it they are the same.
The OP is nowhere close to beating up a 5.7.
6.4 is 0.7l larger so about 1/9th the displacement..
We're not talking the difference between a 4.7 and 6.4 towing 7500lb
LOL

 

[Dinky]

I wasn't aware that the 2500 doesn't have the 5.7 available if it does have it they are the same.
The OP is nowhere close to beating up a 5.7.
6.4 is 0.7l larger so about 1/9th the displacement..
We're not talking the difference between a 4.7 and 6.4 towing 7500lb
LOL

Right but there is a lot more to towing then the motor. Most 2500s with have 4:10 gearing
with a little more power with a 8speed. That would out preform the 1500 with 3.92 or 3.21 night and day difference. Plus like I said frame and suspension is way different. If I had a camper at 7500lbs i wouldn't own a 1500.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Right but there is a lot more to towing then the motor. Most 2500s with have 4:10 gearing
with a little more power with a 8speed. That would out preform the 1500 with 3.92 or 3.21 night and day difference. Plus like I said frame and suspension is way different. If I had a camper at 7500lbs i wouldn't own a 1500.

The camper is only 5807 dry loaded to its max I'm saying would be 7500ish btw

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[GsRAM]

Point blank, your maxed out at the present time. I won't say your beating your truck, but your at the upper end of half ton towing in my opinion.

I went up to 2500 and so long as i can afford and maintain it...I'll never have another 1500 series truck.


I had a 1500 series Silverado that was maxed out. It did fine, but knowing how hard i was working it bothered me so i went to 2500. Others dont mind and that's fine.

Just my .02

 

[GsRAM]

I just read your last post. We must have been typing at the same time. Loaded and ready to camp your probably around 7k. Still a lot of weight but no problem with a half ton if you have a good wdh that's set up properly. I'd still want a 2500 but that's just me. Your truck is capable. Your probably over payload limit but as long as your under your grawr your probably ok

Good luck.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

My vote is the 2500 and if you can afford it get it with a Cummins.

 

[Dinky]

The camper is only 5807 dry loaded to its max I'm saying would be 7500ish btw

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Do you have a 8speed and 3.92s or 3.21. I have the quad cab 8speed 3.21 max trailer is 8,200 that's 91% of max. Throw in some extra fire wood and some beer. You can over load real quick. Towing at 91% is working pretty hard on a decent grade and trying to stop all that weight.

 

[grizzstang]

Keep your truck and get a smaller trailer.

When I go camping I spend all my time outside.

We have a 19 foot trailer now and when the time comes my next one will be smaller and lighter.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Do you have a 8speed and 3.92s or 3.21. I have the quad cab 8speed 3.21 max trailer is 8,200 that's 91% of max. Throw in some extra fire wood and some beer. You can over load real quick. Towing at 91% is working pretty hard on a decent grade and trying to stop all that weight.

My truck is 3.21 gears and the trailer weight empty is 2400lbs under rating. Dont get me wrong loaded can add a ton of weight but we dont fill tanks we always do full hook up so that saves on water. The truck didnt struggle at all and was stable with the wdh. My concern is longevity. Long trips will be a max of 4 times a year. I'd love a cummins but I'm in this lease till 2021 so dont want to throw money away if not needed. Smaller trailer also isn't a option with all the kiddos and the fact it's a new trailer and even though its camping we are bougie AF and like the nicer things lol. I'm starting to see I already know the answer which is stick with what i have for now. Hell it even averaged 11.5 mpg on the way here even thru the mountains so I wouldnt gain mpgs moving up and the fact it's also a dd which sees 160mi round trips. It turns 1 on Aug 9th and sitting at 41k and counting.

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[JMod45]

I recently sold my 2012 1500 with a 5.7, 6 speed, and 3.55 gears for a 2500 diesel. This was for my travel trailer. Weighed slightly less than yours, but it is a toy hauler, that when empty, was at my max rear axle rating on the truck before loading the truck fully. The 1500 had more than enough pulling power with the 6 speed, and I hear the 8 speed is a much better transmission. I just ran out of axle capacity.

 

[Dinky]

My truck is 3.21 gears and the trailer weight empty is 2400lbs under rating. Dont get me wrong loaded can add a ton of weight but we dont fill tanks we always do full hook up so that saves on water. The truck didnt struggle at all and was stable with the wdh. My concern is longevity. Long trips will be a max of 4 times a year. I'd love a cummins but I'm in this lease till 2021 so dont want to throw money away if not needed. Smaller trailer also isn't a option with all the kiddos and the fact it's a new trailer and even though its camping we are bougie AF and like the nicer things lol. I'm starting to see I already know the answer which is stick with what i have for now. Hell it even averaged 11.5 mpg on the way here even thru the mountains so I wouldnt gain mpgs moving up and the fact it's also a dd which sees 160mi round trips. It turns 1 on Aug 9th and sitting at 41k and counting.

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Only 4 times a year wont hurt much. Just keep up on your service before you head out.

 

[dhay13]

I just upgraded to a 2500 cause we bought a new boat last fall and it weighs about 9000lbs with trailer. My 2013 1500 was rated to tow 8600lbs and my payload was about 1300. The boat doesn't have a ton of tongue weight but I towed my sons 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK that weighs ~6600lbs dry and I'm sure I was over payload with it, or at least real close. I wouldn't have bought the 2500 just for those reasons but I was ready for a new truck anyway so figured I'd just go with the 2500 and be safe.

 

[68PowerWagon]

It looks like you have already made a decision but I would vote for you keeping what you have. If you were towing that weight often, I would tell you to maybe consider the 2500 w/6.4. Just follow the recommended maintenance for severe duty & you should be just fine. In your future purchases, you need to consider that you pull your TT. So you may want to bump up to the 2500 or at least gear it more appropriately.

 

[McBroom]

I have a 18 ram 5.7 crew cab 4x4 with 3.21s. Currently on vacation pulling my ~7500lb loaded camper. Imho the truck did great coming thru the mountains from ohio to south Carolina. I could gain speed going up the mountain if I wanted and the engine break maintained speed perfectly. Now even though it performed well my dilemma is how hard is it on a 5.7 in these conditions on 600 plus miles each way. Will it start to wear quickly or should I upgrade. Also I love my truck so it's hard to consider getting a new one.

That truck is perfect for what your pulling. I don’t think ya should change or move up to a 2500. A simple regear to 3.92’s and your all set “good to go”
That 5.7 was designed for pulling that weight. It’s not gonna cause any extra/excessive wear.


- The Blue Mule