Looking at two used trucks right now, and am I right that the 2500 SLT would have better tow capacity than a 1500 mega cab laramie.

I know the laramie has the 2500 chassis and axles, but doesn't it stop there?

The two I am looking at are

1. 2007 1500 Mega Cab Laramie
Hemi 5.7L
Leather
Great in and out condition
(I paid for the carfax on this one, no issues)
91,056 miles
$19,620 price tag

2. 2006 2500 Big Horn quad cab
Hemi 5.7L
Cloth Interior
Satellite radio
carfax included (all clean as well)
Great inside and out - not quite as pristine as number 1, but nothing bad.
110,000 miles
15,995 price tag

This seems simple to me - isn't the 2500 a true 2500 versus the 1500 still having some LD truck parts? Or are these the same truck with different badges?

Here's the Mega Cab 1500
https://www.desertmotorsales.com/200...Z_11448689.veh

and the Quad Cab 2500
http://thecarconnectionllc.com/produ...horn_slt_2013/

Which one is better for towing my 3 horse trailer? It's a dual axle 3850lbs empty, 6000lbs with all three of my horses loaded plus tack.

Thanks for the help and advice!

 

 

It's really worth the $4,000 upcharge over the 2500?

 

Either will pull your trailer just fine.
I tend to first be more interested in the specifics of what is on the underside of the flashy glossy panels and fenders and chrome trim. What are the nuts and bolts mechanical differences between the two. They both have the Ram cab and sheet metalwork. However, they are completely different trucks under the surface eye candy.
2500 vs 1500 -- year to year there may be other diffs, in general the 2500 has difference from the 1500:
. - leaf springs vs coil springs, more stable rear end
. - different transmission, more HD to handle the diesel
. - more HP engine options, up to the diesel
. - no MDS
. - larger axles, bearings, differentials, brake components
. - LT rated tires, no P tires to be found on any 2500
. - heavier curbside truck, equates to higher towing capacity yet lower overall fuel economy

The 1500 is a 1500. (a hd car/suv with a box of general purpose consumer grade)
The 2500 is a 3500/4500/5500 with a few lightened components. (a truck of work commercial grade)

My point is other than the cabs and sheeting ... they are not in the same class/grade of vehicle. Not saying one is better than the other either. It is the end use that has to be the main factor.

*. Have a busy active family. Group road trips. Occasional towing (40% of time or less). Looking for comfort to last on long treks. Need to squeeze fuel economy. Using the truck like a car/SUv to run around town? Get the 1500
*. Few passengers, just need a truck to get the job done. Tow more frequently (60% of the time or more). Get the 2500
*. What have you for cab passengers. There is quite a difference between the quad cab and the mega cab. Huge difference. The rear seat riders will really appreciate the leg room of the mega cab.

It is a tough choice. You cannot decide by looking at the two truck specs, mileage, prices.
You have to decide by getting real with yourself on what your actual end use is, what you need "most" of the time. One of the two will fit the niche better than the other.

imho .... Hope any of that helps!

Let us know what you decide!

******* PS: Just looking at the pictures of the trucks at the links you provided, I have to point out that the truck that is listed as a 1500 is very likely not. Reason is the 8 bolt rims. 1500 is 5 bolt rims. 2500/3500 is 8 bolt. You will need to have a closer look at that 1500 Megacab, get into the door sticker and glove box sticker. I suspect you will find it is a 2500 or even a 3500. I could be wrong of course. Something to check to be sure of what you are looking at.

 

 

 

Excellent. Thanks for clarifying the Mega cab question. Great info!

 

I went and looked at both trucks yesterday and drove the 2500.

I didn't drive the mega cab, as I was pretty sure I didn't want to have to upgrade the springs, but it was in OK shape. All the rubber underneath was dried like raisins however, and looking at the ball joints (even though I couldn't hoist the vehicle and check it positive) it sure looks like I would need to do a front suspension job on it. The shocks were shot too. I did all this waiting for the salesguy to come out, and he never did so I left. On other note... the seats had mismatched leather - so "pristine" it was not. But it wasn't bad, and other than the usual rusted exhaust there was no other rust or damage underneath.

So I went to the 2500 where they were waiting for me, and it was, to be frank, a janky piece of crap. The carfax was 100% wrong - if ever there was a car that was a salvage this was it. I hooked up my flashpaq and the list of codes was enormous, including power bus voltage and transmission solenoid errors. I stopped even paying attention down at the 9th code. I cleared them all and started it up. I did drive it, just right around the block, and the steering box was shot. Driving it was like herding cats, as every bump on their crappy street set it wandering all over the rode. So when we got out, my wife walked around and asked me to come look at something - namely the grill stuck on with silicone. I just gave it a good pull and the silicone peeled up - it was fresh - I guess that was part of the detail work they were doing when I arrived and couldn't see the truck yet. Also the badge was missing on the steering wheel, and it really looked like overlays were in there. In the engine compartment the firewall looked like it had been beaten to death. When I reran the diagnostics after parking it, the code list was even higher, listing out all kinds of power module failures CAN b- power, just an enormous list of crap.

It was pretty disheartening. I think a good HD truck would be about 30K, and I can't do that..

I have a pretty incredible, well maintained, never abused, well serviced, 2004 ram 1500. 4wd laramie. Since the dry weight of my trailer is 3850 lbs, max GVWR of the trailer being 8000 lbs, but I don't have 4,150 lbs of horses and gear, more like 3400 lbs including tack, feed, and the water tank full, I am going to just do whatever I can to beef up my 1500.

 

As a data point, for consideration: My '04 Ram 1500 4x4x quad pulls around our 7000 lb box trailer of power toys. 60%-70% of the time it is on the road it is towing that trailer. I've done some upgrades which I can share if you are interested. Modest stuff, incremental, not expensive yet make a difference to the reliability and longevity of components. For about 2,500 of refreshing driveline components and a few suspension sturdiness upgrades your 1500 should be able to what you need it to.

 

My new best friend

That's exactly what I am looking for. Please share!