I bought a new 30 foot camper and brought it home this weekend. My 2004 Ram 1500 QC, 5.7L 4x4, SLT seemed to be having a little trouble with it. So, I thought I'd look into the 2500 Quad Cab similarly equiped as my 1500. Off I went to my dealer. Lo and behold he tells me my 2004 is worth $22,558.00. Maybe I don't understand economics but this seems LOW for a truck with a MSRP in the mid 30s less than a year ago.

He then told me that the same truck, except in 2500 clothing, would only pull 200 pounds more than my 1500. He said the 10,800 lbs in the brochure/online only applied to a truck with a 4.10 rear end (which by the way is only available in the 3500 according to him).

I looked at a '03 2500 SLT w hemi priced at 27,000. It lacked some of the options I currently have but would probably do in a pinch. I also looked at purchasing a '05 2500 SLT (Thunderoad I think, 3.73 ratio) thinking if I got a deal like I got when I bought the '04 I'd be ahead, but with only 22,558 (can you say upside down?) for my '04 I just couldn't/wouldn't accept that deal even with the $4500 rebates. Basically, the rebates were wiped out by my payoff.

Anyway, whining about the deal they offered isn't my real issue. I can't believe a 2500 is only rated to pull 200 pounds more than a 1500. Aside from the fact that these people want me to give them my truck what can the experts here tell me about the 2500s towing capability?

I'm still considering the slide back to the '03 2500 since for that they'll give me $25,000.00 in trade (3.73 Axle ratio, 9.25 front axle, 10.50 rear axle) if it can pull more than 8,800 lbs. I have the Vehicle Summary report if more info is needed. I can't figure out why they'll give me $25,000 in trade for a used truck but only 22,500.00 for a new one? Maybe I caught them on a bad day.

Sorry about the rambling diatribe.....its been a long day.....

Thanks!

 

30ft camper? Why are you even subjecting a gas engine to that abuse? A cummins would be able to handle that trailer and still beg for more. Just about the only difference between a 1500 and a 2500 with a hemi is IFS vs a solid front axle and much stiffer suspension for payload. The only way your going to see a significant increase in towing capacity would be to trade up for a cummins.

 

I should of mentioned the MAX weight on this particular camper is 7100 lbs. It's a so-called ultra light.

Thanks!

 

I have 4.10s in my '05 2500 (w/ Hemi). Comes with the Off-Road Package.

Sticker on my truck was $37,200. Paid $29,000 cash after rebates. There is no way that I would pay $27,000 for a 2003...

Unless you plan on towing that thing more than 3-times per month, I would keep your 1500.

 

yea, the extra 200 pounds is made up for by the suspension being stiffer. I think most dodges have a 3.73 except for 3500's and the off road package.

What I think you can do is find some springs of a similar year and swap them in, that would probably be cheaper than swapping for a new truck.the 2500 frame might be a bit different, but in a bind I would just see if the springs and maybe shocks can be swapped out of a 2500 into a 1500. And maybe swap the gears out or something.

 

Install the 3/4 - 1T Road master active suspension kit - gapped to 1mm for 1/2 T application.

This will reduce the stress on the axle and maye the load handle a lot better. If you don't have a 5th - get a good equalizer and anti-sway system.

Run 89 octane in the Hemi for sure (don't try to tow with 87 because "it works"). You will lose up to 15HP - and may ping.

Use Royal Purple or M1 synthetic oil. Keep your speed down - 55MPH if you can. Change diff fluid every 20,000 miles at least.

Dave

 

He's giving you bad information from what I can see. With both trucks quipped basically the same, except for the inherent differences between the 1500 and 2500 series trucks, the 2500 should pull 2200 lbs. more than the 1500. I'm referencing the 04 Ram brochure.

 

When I looked into an '05 2500 with 3.73 gear ratio - the limit was something like 8,800lbs.

You can definitely order a Hemi 2500 with a 4.10 ratio (~10,800lbs) - but I'm betting your unloaded hwy MPG will not be very good.

You are looking at probably an average of 7-8 mpg towing your trailer vs. about 13-15mpg with a CTD.

Do the math on 2500 CTDvs. 2500 Hemi vs. 1500 Hemi considering the following:

- maintenance on a diesel is about 50% more per year...
- ...but you'll get more miles before a rebuild
- diesel can be more expensive than gas
- the engine is noisier - and emissions a bit more stinky (would not matter to me - but this bothers some...).
- thes same half-ton Hemi engine and tranny is used in a 2500.
- **and most of all** - the reaming the dealer will give you on the trade-in.

Dave

 

Maintenance on a CTD 50% more per year? Please, even if your towing on a CTD you can push your oil changes out to 5000 to 7500 miles compared to 3000 with a hemi. At a quick lube its going to cost $30 to have your oil changed in a hemi vs $60 in a CTD. You'll be changing oil twice as often for the same price as a CTD. Or perform maintenance yourself, for a lot cheaper!

 

If you do it yourself - not a big deal...

Check out the difference on maintenance schedules - and the price differences charged by the stealerships.

Sure - you can do it all yourself - but then you are risking your warranty. Yes - you can fight it - but they have more lawyers...

I bring my own oil and filter - they change it (on the record) for about 12 bucks.

Anyways - on the cost for maintenance thing - that's just what many of the diesel owners have told me. They don't mind because they use their truck for business use.

If they would put a nice ~ 4.x L diesel in a 1500 - probably no question then (as long as it did not add $7,000 to the price).

Dave