Take a look at this if you're basing you decision on towing/hauling.[/align][/align]http://www-5.dodge.com/towing5/D/home.html[/align]

 

A2008 1500 Max towing capacityis 9100lbs based on this dodge website (non Mega Cab) the above linkis for 2006

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/ram_150...oad/index.html

A 2008 2500Max towing capacityis 15,650

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/ram_250...oad/index.html

Now that says max, and would depend on setup.... Pretty sure my 08 MegaCab is at leastthe 9100lbs

 

The 2500 is just a bigger heavier duty truck.The 2500can plow snow,..the 1500 cant. The truck is beefier in every way.

 

Thanks for all the information on this HEMI. In response I went to the web site here for the towing. It will show 9100 for the HEMI but if you do the specific entry it gives the info for the 2006 while I entered for 2008. But it still shows I can tow 7800 pounds. I went to the dealership today and got the service manager. We looked in the 08 Dodge Ram booklet and it shows under towing, maximum loaded trailer, 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.73 axle, 1500 4x2 MEGA CAB - 7,900. And with the gas gauge going down as it is, the mileage is going to be MUCH worst. Someone said 11 city and 13 highway and that is what it looks like it's going to be for me also - and I use Shell (that toptier stuff)As stated above, the mega cab must be eating it up. This is without doubt the WORST machine I have ever owned. After seeing how this is NOT going to preform, drink gas, I can safely say - DO NOT buy the Dodge Mega Cab in anything other than the diesel 2500. The cost of diesel is far less per mile. I'll be paying for at least another half tank fuel at 3.06 a gallon for what I would have gotten in diesel for just 80 cents more per gallon. 500 miles with the 34 gallon diesel opposed to about 340 miles on the gas 34 gallon tank - and I got that in my 04 Big Horn with it's 25 gallon tank. 1) 2500 diesel if pulling. 2) NO MegaCab unless as diesel 2500. 3) can't get power train warranty on Cummins as it's warranted by Cummins - not Dodge. 4) 1500 is NOT a 2500 even if it is a mega cab - as I was told. I bit and have a real mess here with only a big back seat and POOR mileage. Don't make the same mistake.

 

I had a 2004 2500 CTD and I would not buy a 2500 Hemi before I bought my 07 Hemi 1500. They were both 4x4 and I don't much other than a 19 ft Bayliner. The 2004 CTD got about 17-18 regardless of city or higway. My 1500 Hemi onlygets 14-15 and that is a 1/2 ton, I would not want to buy a 3/4 ton Hemi, mpg has got to be bad.

 

Lots of good points in here.

The only way I would buy a 2500 is if it had a diesel, the Hemi 3/4 we have at work can tow but you can definitely feel the load behind you when it comes to hills, take off, passing, etc. The Hemi just doesnt have it, in my opinion.

Like almost everyone has said, the ride quality of a 1500 vs 2500 is night and day. If you dont have to worry about towing very often or very heavy I would take a 1500 hands down. Even some occasional towing with the 1500 is just fine, it performs well actually. Last weekend I towed my buddys mustang on a trailer that weighed like 3k lbs. Could hardly tell it was back there, pulled like a dream.

 

Too bad you didn't post here before you switched...everyone would've told you to keep the CTD.

 

Hmmmm,

I find all the arguments for the 1500 may be good, but I plan on keeping mine until the wheels fall off, and aside from the stiffer ride-----its much better when you change the air pressure from the factory shipped 80 psi to 40 (recommended empty inflation) and you give the suspension a little time to settle in, I wouldn't trade my 2500 for a 1500. One of the biggest reasons I bought my 2500 instead of a 1500 was the ultra cheap/ weak/ Lc 9 1/2" rear end. I owned a dakota and didn't much care for the Independent front axles. While they may be good for articulation in off roading, the solid front axle is a hell of a lot beefier, even though it is a 9 1/2".

If you have the need for any snow driving like I do, the 3/4 ton is an animal, and I would choose it above the fords or chevies too!!!!!!!!!!!

I've had very few issues with this vehicle since day one, and they've all been stupid little things like the door weather stripping, (an original design flaw) and were change under warranty.

I guess it all really depends on what you plan to do with your truck.

Just my .02---thought you should hear from an owner of one.

Personally, I wouldn't give you 2 plugged nickels for MDS.
It only operates a very small portion of the time, and its just another computer controlled GIZMO for the computer to screw with and screw up your valve train. If you really want good gas mileage, then drive it like you want good gas mileage. If you really don't care, then stomp on it and drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

P.S.-----my average running MPG for the last 4 or 5 tanks of gas is currently 14.9 by the overhead, If I drive REALLY conservative, and I'm using summer gas, I've seen as high as 18 highway--but that's at55 mph, no hard acceleration. And I've got just under 500 lbs in the bed, with a 400lb fiberglass cap on back.

I think my sig will tell the rest

 

I'd have to say that everyone has an opinion. I just jetted home at 80-85mph and my overhead got 13-13.5. I can baby it and get the 16-17 on the gorge and 17-18 in flat traveling. I'll pass any oil burner anytime at any speed, though I don't cary a 10T load either... if I did I would have a diesel....

To say like stated above sounds like you didn't research what you spent 30K on.... HEMI'S RULE ON THE TRACK TEST.........