I'm looking to buy a Mega Cab with in the next few months or so and have a few questions. First off I realize the 1500 Mega Cab is a 2500 with a softer rear spring pack. All the ones I've come across: new, used, Hemi or CTD have 3.73 gears. I'd love a CTD but to get one I could afford, it's going have higher mileage than I'm comfortable with; that leaves the Hemi and the following questions:

1) Does the 1500 and 2500 have the same engine programming? I know there is no MDS in the 1500 Mega.

2) Does the 1500 have the same shift points as the 2500?

3) How would towing performance increase if I put 4.10 or 4.56 gears in a Mega? Towing a 7-10k lb travel trailer.

4) If I put helper springs on a 1500, would it perform like a 2500? Assuming they both have the same gears.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

 

1:The 1500's have MDS the megas and 2500's don't...far as I know the programming is the same except for the added stuff for MDS.

2:yes

3:Lower gears always help with towing and acceleration...i'm not sure what you mean by "how would it increase".

4:No..you'll still have the 1500 chassis and rear.

 

I'm only interested in the Mega Cabs. I was under the impression that the 1500 Mega is on the 2500 chassis, with the only difference being the rear spring pack.

 

yeah I am pretty sure you are right. And if you are towing 7-10k then do
not worry about what gears the truck comes with just amn up and do
4.56's thats 1 hell of a mod and instead of helper leaves I would suggest
airbags that way you get a nice ride unloaded then just air up for towing.

 

Yea it is...for some reason I thought you were comparing a regular 1500 to a mega

 

I have a 2007 2WD Megacab Hemi with 3:73 gears and I tow a 34 foot Airstream travel trailer which weighs about 9000 pounds with no problems at all. I have a Hensley Hitch which removes any sway from passing trucks.
All Mega Cabs do not have MDS as they are deemed a heavy duty truck.
When not towing the 1500 will have a better ride than the 2500. It is still on the 2500 Chasis, with the 14 inch rotors, 8 bolt rims and 10.5 inch rear end. It really is built for the family that like to tow a trailer. I love the truck.
Hope that this helps.

 

Ins.man, thanks for replying with your experiences with your Mega Cab. The Airstream must tow nice with the Hensley. With the Durango, I'm dragging a 20' Jayco hybrid travel trailer. Once I get the Mega and a bigger trailer, I was thinking of getting one of the top line hitches: PullRite, Hensley or Pro-Pride. Anyway, I have a few questions for you:

I believe the 1500 Meag's GVW is 8510, and the 2500's is 8800. Between tongue weight, people and camping "stuff", have you ever exceeded the capacity of the 1500? I know with a rear axle capacity of (I think) 6010, it's going to take alot to approach any dangerous overloading.

What type of terrain have you towed in? Just wondering what your rpm's are and what gear you're in on hill climbs.

Thanks,

Bob

 

Bob,
I tow using the "Tow/Haul" mode and have not yet used the "OD Off" mode. On a hill with a fairly steep or long grade it may downshift to a higher RPM and might go up to about 4000 RPM if needed, but no problems at all.
We have towed across Ohio and New York State, through the Adirondaks, mainly on state highways as opposed to thruways. Didn't run across any problems. Our trip last summer was about 2500 miles and we averaged 10 mpg.
I'm not sure about the tongue weight or other weights. With the weight distributing hitch I know I'm onside. We travel with our 2 teenage kids and all their stuff. I don't like being without my stuff either, so the truck is always loaded.
Let me know if this was helpful.

 

Thanks again Ins.man, any information is helpful and appreciated.

How do the mods in your sig help with towing? Did you tow before they were installed?

 

I also have a 2007 MegaCab 1500 2WD with the 3.73 gears. We tow a 30 foot travel trailer - a Forest River Surveyor SV291 which has a UVW of 5000 lbs and a GVWR of about 7500 lbs. We assume we are at about 6000-6500 lbs. We use an Equalizer brand hitch. I could not ask for a better vehicle for our needs (except a Mega with a Cummins). It tows very well and the room can't be beat with the wife, 2 kids, dog, and sometimes the mother in law and her dog. I also looked for the 4.10 gears and could not find them on any lot within 500 miles. I purchased my truck new in 2/09 (yes it is a 2007) - it was the only Mega HEMI within 300 miles.

We tow mostly flat since we live in Louisiana. Without towing I get about 12-13 in mixed driving and between 8-9 while towing. Great truck. There are most probably some new 2008s out there, but you should be able to find a used 2007 or 2008 in the $14,000-$18,000 range.

Good luck in your search.