Waiting for a 1500 with 8' bed. Should I try a 2500?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BigSky

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Montana
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I have a 2015 Big Horn 1500. Reg cab and 8' bed. I have been waiting for several years to get a new one, but as you know they won't make an 8' bed in the 1500.

My 1500, with the 5.7 motor and 3:10 axle, suits me well as far as highway driving, ride comfort, towing, economy, etc. How much of a change would a 2500 Big Horn reg cab, 8' bed or a Larmie with the crew cab be? I would think everything in the 2500 would be over kill for me, such as the bigger motor, axle ratio, heavier suspension and tires, and so on.

Do you think there's a big difference between the "car like" ride and economy of the 1500 vs the more "truck like" ride and economy of a 2500. What would be the negative issues for me in jumping up to the 3/4 ton vehicle.

Thanks.
 

brian42

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Posts
646
Reaction score
666
Location
San Diego, CA
It is a very different ride but it depends on your personal preference.

I am coming from 10+ years in the "HD club" and it was my daily driver. Going from all leaf springs to all coil spring, my RAM 1500 rides like a Mercedes compared to my old F-250 but I didn't mind the truck ride in my 3/4 ton.

You will have to weigh your wants of an 8' bed against the cost of ownership. In addition to higher initial and operating costs (especially if you get a diesel), most parts are pricier due to the beefy nature of the truck.
 

Irishthreeper

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 15, 2021
Posts
548
Reaction score
863
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 6.4
I can’t speak for the 8’ bed but had a ‘19 1500 DT with 3.92’s and now have a ‘21 2500 Hemi with 4.10’s. The 1500 was more nimble and quicker and had a smoother ride. The 2500 is a beast and felt entirely different from the first moment. For my needs I love my 2500 but it is HD and not as polite as the 1500, for lack of a better term
 
OP
OP
B

BigSky

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Montana
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I expected as much, but was wondering if Ram had softened the 2500 a bit as the 1/2 ton market has become almost station wagon like. (which are features I desire like highway comfort and relative economy)
 

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
2,813
Reaction score
3,627
Location
Eastern WA
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
You can get a regular cab long bed (8') if you get the 1500 Classic (DS). But it's only available in the Tradesman trim level. I doubt they'll ever make a RCLB DT.
 

brian42

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Posts
646
Reaction score
666
Location
San Diego, CA
I expected as much, but was wondering if Ram had softened the 2500 a bit as the 1/2 ton market has become almost station wagon like. (which are features I desire like highway comfort and relative economy)
The 2500s are also full coil suspension so should ride pretty soft even though it's an HD truck.

My wife has leafs in the back of her Ranger and it rides way harder than my 1500.
 

Stavinksi

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2022
Posts
334
Reaction score
384
Location
Midwest
Ram Year
2022
Engine
5.7
A crew cab 2500 with an 8’ bed will be a huge truck for a parking lot if it ever has to serve that role. I notice the 6’ bed on a 1500 crew is really big in the grocery store parking lot and it’s only 9” longer than my old truck. oh and the fuel economy will be terrible vs a new 1500 if you can get by with 3.21. if you don’t need that HD truck capacity or absolutely have to have the bed length to haul a 12’ 2x4, I think there a lot of compromises that make it unattractive.
 
OP
OP
B

BigSky

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Montana
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Although I've had (and used) many 3/4 ton trucks over the years, the past couple have been 1/2 tons and they have worked out fine. My reg cab, 8' bed Big Horn has been great but I would like to step up in trim levels. Ford has an XLT level 1/2 ton, reg cab 8' bed and a Lariat super cab w 8' bed. But you are right; Ram's crew cab and Fords super cab add 18" to 20" in length. Which is a lot when trying to fit in my garage or around a parking lot.
 

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
2,719
Reaction score
3,942
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
I buy the 2500, and have for many years, so I can get the 8' bed in a crew cab. I have no problem with the ride, to me they aren't a lot choppier than the 1500s. My latest one has the rear coils, which makes for a very nice ride if you air the tires down to about 50 pounds all round. They are however a very large truck. If you need to City park a lot, get the standard cab and 8' box, it makes a surprisingly large difference in tight quarters.
 

KoboldTaco

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Posts
418
Reaction score
532
Location
Los Angeles
Ram Year
2022
Engine
Cummins 6.7L
Although mine is still on the way, my decision for the 2500 was twofold. First, it fit my future towing needs, and yeah, parking lots will be a bit harder - oh well. I was very surprised how smooth the 2500 was however on the freeway and in town. Yeah, there is no doubt a difference between the 1500 and 2500, but wow - I was impressed how smooth the 2500 was with all coiil springs.

Regardless of your final choice, nothing beats the interior of the new RAMs. Ford and Chevy look a few generations behind.
 

Burla

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Posts
23,115
Reaction score
44,461
Ram Year
2010 Hemi Reg Cab 4x4
Engine
Hemi
Keep your truck, problem solved.
 

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
2,813
Reaction score
3,627
Location
Eastern WA
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
I bought my 2dr 1500 8’ bed in 19. I guess it will be my last ram then.View attachment 493448
I used to only drive regular cab trucks because I hated how the crew cabs of the 70's and 80's looked. This was the case well into the 200's because I was only buying used trucks back then. Now that I buy new, my opinion has done a 180 and I no longer like the looks (or functionality) of a regular cab. Maybe if it wasn't being used primarily as a semi-daily driver.

Buying trends tend to be cyclical. I would be very surprised if Ram never makes a RCLB in a new model. Maybe after the mid-cycle refresh?
 

Firebird

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Posts
1,488
Reaction score
1,460
Ram Year
2019 Ram 2500
Engine
Hemi
I expected as much, but was wondering if Ram had softened the 2500 a bit as the 1/2 ton market has become almost station wagon like. (which are features I desire like highway comfort and relative economy)
They are definitely not soft, and with 20” wheels, they are downright harsh.
 

Dusty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Posts
1,223
Reaction score
1,262
Location
Rochester, New York
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I think someone already mentioned that a regular cab with eight-foot bed is still available in a Tradesmen Classic (DS=4th gen).

I'm guessing that as long as they are still making DS 4th gens there will be a regular cab model available for fleet sales. When they stop producing DSs, then maybe a DT will show up as a regular cab model.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 69829 miles
 
Top