2500/3500 gasser and towing
#11
RE: 2500/3500 gasser and towing
You'll probably be fine with the setup you've described. I've not pulled anything that heavy yet, but did something similar for similar reasons. My truck is "occasional" use, kinda weekend warrior with the fishing or camping and hauling stuff. Given that, I didn't go with a CTD because I'd never make up the cost differential and my oil burner buddies told me the same thing (diesels don't like to sit unused for a long long time). I would suggest the taller gears rather than the 3.73's if you can find 'em.
#12
#13
#14
RE: 2500/3500 gasser and towing
I've heard that some of the '03's had more issues initialy, likely due to being early production with the Hemi, but mind you I have no data or first hand knowledge of that (so tdmopar's probably right). The rest is more personal preference and cost. I personaly prefer the '03 - '05 headlights a little more, but have heard that the '06's put out better light (the only complaint I have about my '05 is the headlights aren't that great in terms of light output...yes I've tried many different bulbs, just not that well designed I guess)....
If you end up pricing a 4X4 you may want to consider things like electric vs. manual 4wd drive engagement. A few of my pals have the electric and say it works fine, but I've always prefered the manual version (less stuff to break when you really need it)...Other than that, just the normal stuff...i.e. was it maintained well ? The service interval on things like axles is only 15K miles so you'll want to make sure whoever owned it before took care of the truck. Personaly I avoid rentals like the plague...Most people (I'm guilty of this myself) drive rentals like they stole 'em...so they may look nice but usually have had the hell beat outta them...
If you end up pricing a 4X4 you may want to consider things like electric vs. manual 4wd drive engagement. A few of my pals have the electric and say it works fine, but I've always prefered the manual version (less stuff to break when you really need it)...Other than that, just the normal stuff...i.e. was it maintained well ? The service interval on things like axles is only 15K miles so you'll want to make sure whoever owned it before took care of the truck. Personaly I avoid rentals like the plague...Most people (I'm guilty of this myself) drive rentals like they stole 'em...so they may look nice but usually have had the hell beat outta them...
#15
#16
RE: 2500/3500 gasser and towing
We Have A 2001 Dodge2500 Extra Cab With a V-10 4X2 with 373 rear gears and we hook our 35 Foot fifth wheel to it it weights 13000 empty and loaded about 15000,
This truck also sits most of the time and we most of the time drive a couple times am year.
The truck sucks it wont pull very well We are going to put some 456 gears in with any luck this will make a good towing truck not a over rated gas hog.
Oh yea I compairing it to my Old 1997 Ford 7.3 Power Stroke with 410 gears.
Dont get me wrong The Dodge is a great truck just not for towing heavy loads.
It's a great truck but for pulling heavy loads not the best plus it gets 4 MPG pulling we pulled out Fifth wheel from NC to CA it cost alot of cash never again 3000 miles divide by 4 lets see 750 gallons of gas at $3.00 a gallon it cost us $2250.00 to move our fifth wheel sure glad this was a one way trip.
Oh yea we get about 10 MGP empty.
I don't know about the Hemi how it will do with a heavy load behide it for the long haul but beware, I going to trade my 2006 Dodge Q-Cab 1500iV-6 n for a new Dodge 2500 Q-Cab Hemi in a couple years my self but not for heavy towing, The sad thing the Hemi seems like they are getting about or better MPG as my under powered V-6 getting.
Don't laugh It was a good Idea at the time thinking the V-6 would of gotten better MPG never agin V-6 in a full size truck.
This truck also sits most of the time and we most of the time drive a couple times am year.
The truck sucks it wont pull very well We are going to put some 456 gears in with any luck this will make a good towing truck not a over rated gas hog.
Oh yea I compairing it to my Old 1997 Ford 7.3 Power Stroke with 410 gears.
Dont get me wrong The Dodge is a great truck just not for towing heavy loads.
It's a great truck but for pulling heavy loads not the best plus it gets 4 MPG pulling we pulled out Fifth wheel from NC to CA it cost alot of cash never again 3000 miles divide by 4 lets see 750 gallons of gas at $3.00 a gallon it cost us $2250.00 to move our fifth wheel sure glad this was a one way trip.
Oh yea we get about 10 MGP empty.
I don't know about the Hemi how it will do with a heavy load behide it for the long haul but beware, I going to trade my 2006 Dodge Q-Cab 1500iV-6 n for a new Dodge 2500 Q-Cab Hemi in a couple years my self but not for heavy towing, The sad thing the Hemi seems like they are getting about or better MPG as my under powered V-6 getting.
Don't laugh It was a good Idea at the time thinking the V-6 would of gotten better MPG never agin V-6 in a full size truck.
#17
RE: 2500/3500 gasser and towing
I know you don't really want to go with a cummins due to their attitude with sitting still for a while... but I'd get one... even a 2002/2003 5.9L. You'll get better economy when you do tow that trailer, and a HEMI would be strained but if you want to go with gas, get a V10; decent horsepower and torque for the longhaul.
#18
RE: 2500/3500 gasser and towing
ORIGINAL: 97Ram2500
I am looking for a truck to replace my 3/4 ton v8. I don't drive the truck very much at all, I only drive it when I need to, maybe once a month. My truck has seen about 400 miles this year. I am planning on getting a 3rd gen with a hemi or a v10. I also don't know if I should go for the 2500 or the 3500. I will be towing a 16ft cargo trailer probably loaded to about 10,000lbs and have 2 motorcycles in the bed at around 1000lbs for both. The hitch weight will be around 1000-1500lbs. I am going to pull this load once from WV to AZ and that will probably be all the major towing I will do for a long time. Will the 2500 with the hemi be enough for this job or should I look at the 3500 or a v10? How about the transmissions which setup will be better and what gearing would be best? Thanks.
I am looking for a truck to replace my 3/4 ton v8. I don't drive the truck very much at all, I only drive it when I need to, maybe once a month. My truck has seen about 400 miles this year. I am planning on getting a 3rd gen with a hemi or a v10. I also don't know if I should go for the 2500 or the 3500. I will be towing a 16ft cargo trailer probably loaded to about 10,000lbs and have 2 motorcycles in the bed at around 1000lbs for both. The hitch weight will be around 1000-1500lbs. I am going to pull this load once from WV to AZ and that will probably be all the major towing I will do for a long time. Will the 2500 with the hemi be enough for this job or should I look at the 3500 or a v10? How about the transmissions which setup will be better and what gearing would be best? Thanks.
good luck
#19