Upgrade to a diesel HD for towing a RV?

[Scott SK]

RAM 2500 or F250? Which one do you prefer?

 

[rzr6-4]

Not nearly enough info to say if a diesel is the right choice. As far as ram 2500 vs F250, this is a ram forum, so that overall answer there should be obvious.

Anyways....
1) do you already have a truck and this is an upgrade or are you starting from scratch?
2) do you already have a camper or are you looking to get one?
a) bumper/gooseneck/5th wheel?
b) pin and gross weights
3) how often do you plan to pull?
4) when not pulling, will this be a daily driver?
5) do you live in a flatter area or closer to mountains?

 

[Daw14]

RAM 2500 or F250? Which one do you prefer?

From your question, you definitely need to get the ford.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Too many variables and not enough information given by OP to give an informed opinion.

 

[18CrewDually]

Show us a picture of the "RV". It matters. Alot.
Or atleast the specs of the RV.

 

[truck2014]

Just depends . A fifth wheel I would stay clear of a 2500 Ram , because of the coil rear suspension , definitely would go ford . A small fifth wheel with a lighter pin weight you can get away with a 2500 Ram ,but they just don't have a great payload . Bumper pull well then I suppose a 2500 Ram would work .

I have always wondered if someone is wanting to haul or tow fairly heavy why even bother with a 3/4 ton ,just get the 1 ton ,and be done . Your towing options are so much better , and you don't have to be asking what I should do . Plus the cost is minimal .

 

[truck2014]

Show us a picture of the "RV". It matters. Alot.
Or atleast the specs of the RV.

Or as said , up your options on towing , and just go 1 ton .

 

[stevenP]

With the furd having leaf springs, it will have a lot more payload than the RAM 2500 by at least 1k pounds or more. I love the styling of the RAMs, but if you need any payload get a 3500.
Either way you go.... the diesel exhaust brake is the single most important thing to me when towing my RVs. Its very effective and works great. But that diesel option is $10k, no matter what make it is. But they hold their resale better too.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I had an F-250 Superduty with a gooseneck mount and it was everything I wanted. I have no experience towing with a Ram 2500 since I don't tow anything any longer, but I can tell you the back is squirrely easier with just a big load of firewood.

 

[Scott SK]

Show us a picture of the "RV". It matters. Alot.
Or atleast the specs of the RV.

Thanks for the input, folks. To clarify the setup: I’m looking to haul a Slide-in Camper with a dry weight of 1,500kg (approx 3,300 lbs), plus a front-mounted bike rack.

 

[Scott SK]

Or as said , up your options on towing , and just go 1 ton .

Is it time to just skip the 3/4 ton and go straight to a 3500/F-350 SRW? The cost difference in Ontario is minimal, but the peace of mind for a 1,500kg camper seems worth it.

 

[18CrewDually]

Thanks for the input, folks. To clarify the setup: I’m looking to haul a Slide-in Camper with a dry weight of 1,500kg (approx 3,300 lbs), plus a front-mounted bike rack.

Ok, plain and simple, Ram 3500 NOT a 2500. They have inboard mounted coil springs on the rear making them more prone to instability when you raise the center of gravity.
Do a search. Quite a few threads I've contributed to with pics and all explaining this.
And to add, personally it would be a dually for me. By the time you outfit that camper you'll need the higher cargo capacity to be comfortable. That's my take.

 

[Scott SK]

Not nearly enough info to say if a diesel is the right choice. As far as ram 2500 vs F250, this is a ram forum, so that overall answer there should be obvious.

Anyways....
1) do you already have a truck and this is an upgrade or are you starting from scratch?
2) do you already have a camper or are you looking to get one?
a) bumper/gooseneck/5th wheel?
b) pin and gross weights
3) how often do you plan to pull?
4) when not pulling, will this be a daily driver?
5) do you live in a flatter area or closer to mountains?

Thanks for the input, rzr6-4. To clarify the setup: I’m looking to haul a Slide-in Camper with a dry weight of 1,500kg (approx 3,300 lbs), plus a front-mounted bike rack.

This is exactly why I'm torn. If I go with a Diesel 2500, the heavy engine eats up so much payload that a 3,300 lb camper (plus gear, water, and me) will almost certainly put me over the sticker GVWR.

 

[tron67j]

Your answer is very easy, 1 ton no matter what you buy. Doesn't matter what the brochure or the sales rep says that is not appropriate for a 2500, and doubly so with a diesel engine.

 

[Daw14]

3500 dually for that camper .
You want to enjoy your time on the road , not white knuckle driving.

 

[truck2014]

Thanks for the input, rzr6-4. To clarify the setup: I’m looking to haul a Slide-in Camper with a dry weight of 1,500kg (approx 3,300 lbs), plus a front-mounted bike rack.

This is exactly why I'm torn. If I go with a Diesel 2500, the heavy engine eats up so much payload that a 3,300 lb camper (plus gear, water, and me) will almost certainly put me over the sticker GVWR.

I see no reason to be torn . My very first diesel was a 1 ton , didn’t even consider a 3/4 . I guess I have to ask what’s the problem being uncertain ?

At the time I bought that first diesel I was towing a small bumper pull travel trailer with a 1/2 ton gas truck with no issues . I towed that trailer with my new 1 ton diesel . Later we decided we wanted a fifth wheel, guess what , had the truck for it .

Having the option for a 3/4 or 1 ton has never made a lot of sense to me . Marketing is the only thing that makes sense, for towing or hauling why even mess with 3/4 ton , 1 ton gives you much more options.

 

[HEMIMANN]

3/4 ton is for us gassers that only use heavier capacity than half ton part time. It's perfect for my use. Not for OP's.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Thanks for the input, folks. To clarify the setup: I’m looking to haul a Slide-in Camper with a dry weight of 1,500kg (approx 3,300 lbs), plus a front-mounted bike rack.

Definitely 1 ton dually territory with that. It’s a no brained for me.

 

[MADDOG]

Seems to me that your load and capacity requirements dictate the need for a 3500.

A gasser 2500 won't have the torque you need to move that load very well from a stop. And with that much GCVW that 6.4L HEMI won't pass any fueling stations without needing to stop.

The Cummins will be a better choice for your use case, IMHO.