Ram 1500 or 2500

[Smokie possum]

Hello I'm planning on buying a new ram 4x4 for a general purpose truck I drive a lot of dirt roads and do some mild off roading occasionally a 10000 lbs pipe trailer I'm stuck between the 1500 with an ecodiesel and the 2500 with the 6.4 I'm leaning towards the 2500 but don't want another 12mpg truck I have a 2001 ram 2500 with the 5.9 gas so would like the better gas mileage from the ecodiesel but don't know how a half ton would hold up thanks

 

[dhay13]

towing 10,000 you are definitely in 2500 territory there. I'm not real familiar with the eco-diesel but isn't the max tow on that only about 9000-9500?

 

[Firebird]

Easy answer to that question, 2500

 

[Smokie possum]

I'm keeping my 2gen 2500 so not too worried about pulling just don't want to end up with 2 trucks that get crap gas mileage I plan on having this truck for a good wile and was wondering if the light duty truck with the high tech diesel will hold up as good as the 2500 with the simpler hemi I don't baby or abuse trucks

 

[crash68]

Is that trailer actually 10K or is that the GVWR? How much/far do you pull that trailer? I've had over 8K behind my '15 and the new 3rdGen EcoD engine has more torque at a lower rpm and better engine cooling. Yeah it's going to be at the top end of what you'll want behind you but it will tow it better than the 5.7 which has a higher "max tow" rating.
You won't come near the fuel economy or ride quality in a 2500.

 

[Smokie possum]

10k is the max for the trailer that's with 4000ft of 2 3/8 tubing don't tell dot but we've had 18k on the trailer pulled behind a 1990s dodge 1500 rear bumper hit the ground every bump never pulled the trailer mor than 40 mile I was thinking ecodiesel and keep my 01 2500 but haven't heard good things about 1/2 tons but that's oilfield trucks so 50 down the dirt road and beat the crap out of them

 

[Black64]

2500 for that trailer. My 6.4 gets about 15 city and 18ish highway with a 10ft trailer loaded.

 

[mtnrider]

2500 for sure, but with the gas engine you are looking at a ~12mpg truck so you are kind of in a bind. I have seen claims of better but my real world experience was ~12 and if you look at places like fuelly that is pretty much the average across the board of millions of miles of tracked data so don't kid your self thinking it will be much better then that.

.

 

[Smokie possum]

Does anyone know how these 1500s hold up most of my driving is dirt road this will be my personal truck so nothing crazy but can I expect like 140k or 200k without replaceing the front end I'm currently working on my 2017 f150 work truck 160k on odometer on its second motor 5.0 that is missing on 3 cylinders (bad cams) trans slips and grindes and currently the carrier in the rear end exploded I know the problem is circled on the front but how's dodge hold up

 

[Smokie possum]

That's my rock and hard place I know the 2500 is durable and powerful but not best mpg the only 1500 I've been around a 17 or 18 has had problems but the guy that has it could break a deuce and a half I don't drive my personal trucks much so probably wouldn't notice 12 mpg

 

[dhay13]

I am averaging 12.1 MPG hand calculated in my truck. That is with about 1000 miles towing 9000lbs and the other 13,000 miles empty. The best I have got is about 16.5 highway but I have the 2018 with the 6 speed. You will probably see a little better with the 2019 and newer with the 8 speed. Towing 9000lbs I get about 8 MPG but that is a big brick behind my truck. A lower, flatter trailer should get better MPG towing due to less wind resistance.

 

[Smokie possum]

I think I'm going with the 2500 hemi I've never said man I wish I had less power and all the emissions crap on the diesel I would hate to be 500 miles from home and my truck not start because it thinks it's out of def plus don't drive my personal truck enough to worry about mpg I fill my 01 up monthly and if I go on a long trip I can save up a bit plus HEMI

 

[dhay13]

I think I'm going with the 2500 hemi I've never said man I wish I had less power and all the emissions crap on the diesel I would hate to be 500 miles from home and my truck not start because it thinks it's out of def plus don't drive my personal truck enough to worry about mpg I fill my 01 up monthly and if I go on a long trip I can save up a bit plus HEMI

I think that is a good decision. Love my truck. My son has the exact same truck and has about 90,000 on it (yeah it's a 2018 also). The only issues we have had is my touchscreen/nav unit had to be replaced cause my GPS was way off one day. My rear rotors pitted real bad too. The only issue my son had was his refrigerant leaked out and they had to fix that leak. Son has towed his 26' (8100lb) camper about 7000 miles with his.

 

[mikeru]

Does anyone know how these 1500s hold up most of my driving is dirt road this will be my personal truck so nothing crazy but can I expect like 140k or 200k without replaceing the front end I'm currently working on my 2017 f150 work truck 160k on odometer on its second motor 5.0 that is missing on 3 cylinders (bad cams) trans slips and grindes and currently the carrier in the rear end exploded I know the problem is circled on the front but how's dodge hold up

A 1500 will hold up to dirt or gravel roads just as well as a 2500 will. Maintenance will be a bigger determining factor. You'll want to follow the severe service maintenance schedule. Only use quality filters and fluids.

I see you decided on a 2500 with the Hemi. I think that's a good choice. Good luck with your buying experience.

 

[JJEH]

Good decision. This way you can comfortably and safely pull that trailer.

 

[About tree fiddy]

If you're keeping the 2500 as a tow vehicle then get the 1500 a daily driver.

I live off a dirt road that got crazy when it rained with muddy holes and all. My 1500 was 4x4 and handled it beautifully, I even towed my travel trailer through the mud. Trailer is like 6k lbs. Just take it slow through the mud and you'll be fine.

Wanted to add that my 1500 wasn't lifted or had special off-road tires, just regular tires that came from the dealership.

 

[tron67j]

Another 2500 vote, good choice. "I have too much payload" said no one ever. And if the older 2500 gives up you don't want to be stuck with the wrong truck. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Black64]

My pool guy pulled up in a new 2500 a few years back and I asked him why not a 1500. He said for a bit more cash and a little less MPG the 2500s hold up a lot better to daily abuse and use. Makes sense to me and I now drive a 2500. And no one ever said "I have to much truck".

 

[HEMIMANN]

I decided same as you. I get around 12 mpg loaded, 15-18 unloaded. $9,000 more for diesel and transmission buys a helluva lot of gasoline.

 

[JS4024]

Do NOT buy a 1500...... buy more than you need to be safe!