1500 vs. 2500 (any maker) road manners

[aro]

I have zero experience towing above 3000 lbs with my 1500. My heavy towing experience is with a CDL, but that was a different animal.

Based on all the various numbers, I can tow 9000 lbs with my 1500 and still be under the max. My question is: would anything feel "better" towing that weight with a 2500 vs. the 1500? Leaving aside the fact that the 2500 will have more power, what about road manners? Would a 2500 feel any different towing 9000 lbs, more stable, more controllable, etc etc?

I'm very tempted to get a new 6.6 Silverado gasser, but only if it makes a difference. I'm really very happy with my 1500 and I would like to stick with it if it can pull that weight totally safely.

 

[Slutzk]

Will your 1500 tow 9k? Sure but youll defiantly feel it, going to REALLY work your truck (if your even equip for it) and your pockets will hurt on MPG.

Would a 2500 feel any different towing 9000 lbs, more stable, more controllable, etc etc?

absolutely it will feel different, and better in everyway, youll forget its back there compared to the 1500. Stable, Yes. Controllable, Yes. As far as manners go as long as you have driven a truck and towed before it wouldn't be any different that what you have done. Just in a big boy truck where itll be much easier to pull. Cheers!

 

[Davidbt]

I'm a ex CDL holder and fortunate to have pulled several different travel trailers and a 36' 5th wheel. This is my first 1500 Ram and I have a 26' 5,500lb travel trailer. I'm very happy with this set up. This is my opinion only, but if I had to pull anything over 28' and 7,500lbs, I'd go with a 3/4 ton or bigger. I personally really miss my 2018 3500 CTD.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Huge difference. 3/4 ton trucks have engine, transmission, suspension and brakes all made specifically for towing / hauling very heavy weight. 1500, not so much. As said above, most heavy loads will hardly be noticed with a 3/4 ton. I miss my 2500 too. It was a very sad day when I lost it in a wreck.

 

[aro]

Thanks everyone! I figured that would be a difference, but it's more that I thought.

Well... it's either a 2500 or towing a max of 7500 lbs. I've seen posts here saying it handles 7500 just fine.

 

[Wire4money]

A 1500 will max out on payload well before max trailer weight. What’s the available payload of your truck on the tire information sticker?

 

[aro]

A 1500 will max out on payload well before max trailer weight. What’s the available payload of your truck on the tire information sticker?

Payload is 1767 lbs. Cargo weight, including me and one passenger is about 600 lbs. As long as I keep the cargo at or below that, I could theoretically tow max trailer weight... but that's definitely not something I want to do.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I've seen posts here saying it handles 7500 just fine.

We're traveling full time in a 7500 lb trailer. We towed it with our previous Ram, and the truck was at GVWR. I don't know that I'd agree that it handled it "just fine."

It'll do it, but that's still a lot of trailer for a Ram 1500. Start adding in unfavorable weather and road conditions, and you'll quickly wish you had more truck.

We're now in a diesel F-350, and it obviously has no issues with that much weight.

 

[aro]

Well, problem solved... Ram 1500 is out, in is a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 SLE double cab 6.6 gasser. Towing 14500 and 5 wheel 18200. Now i don't have to worry about 9000 lbs.

As expected, the 2500 rides a little rougher. My 1500 was very smooth, fun to drive. The 2500 is nice, but I wouldn't say "fun". I already miss the Ram... it's been flawless (except water coming in through the rear window). It was my 3rd CDJR vehicle and they've all been absolutely great. Never had a GMC, so let's hope for the best.

 

[jrp267]

I think people have unrealistic expectations of towing 9000 lbs. I have towed multiple trailers with both a half and 3/4 ton. But these terms are so outdated. A modern 1500 series has larger and better brakes, better frames, and more power than say a 90’s 3500. Yet no one would bat an eye at towing 9000 lbs with one. The largest factor in road manners towing is tires. 1500 series has p rated or lt tires with a max 40 psi. A 2500 series has load range e tires with an 80 psi max. Upgrade the tires and you’ll be a lot happier.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I think people have unrealistic expectations of towing 9000 lbs. I have towed multiple trailers with both a half and 3/4 ton. But these terms are so outdated. A modern 1500 series has larger and better brakes, better frames, and more power than say a 90’s 3500. Yet no one would bat an eye at towing 9000 lbs with one. The largest factor in road manners towing is tires. 1500 series has p rated or lt tires with a max 40 psi. A 2500 series has load range e tires with an 80 psi max. Upgrade the tires and you’ll be a lot happier.

All those words, and you still can't get around the fact that physics is undefeated.

 

[Rickyrocket]

well I'm glad that's over.I tow a 26' travel trailer that weighs about 6000 and could carry 2000 lb of cargo. My 2020 1500 5.7 doesn't feel like it is comfortable pu this trailer. I've upgraded my tires and I don't think the soft suspension is up to the task. I'll be upgrading to a big boy truck in the future.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

well I'm glad that's over.I tow a 26' travel trailer that weighs about 6000 and could carry 2000 lb of cargo. My 2020 1500 5.7 doesn't feel like it is comfortable pu this trailer. I've upgraded my tires and I don't think the soft suspension is up to the task. I'll be upgrading to a big boy truck in the future.

Good call. Sometimes you just don't know what you don't know, and it's easy to buy into "it's within the numbers." We see people all over the country who are overloading their trucks.

I loved my Ram and the Sierra I had before it, but there's no comparison to towing with a heavy duty truck. I spent time upgrading the Ram to make it better suited to towing our travel trailer and hauling everything we packed in it, but at the end of the day, it's still a half-ton and it just wasn't enough truck for our setup.

 

[Arth]

well I'm glad that's over.I tow a 26' travel trailer that weighs about 6000 and could carry 2000 lb of cargo. My 2020 1500 5.7 doesn't feel like it is comfortable pu this trailer. I've upgraded my tires and I don't think the soft suspension is up to the task. I'll be upgrading to a big boy truck in the future.

This.

I had a 23 1500 and I held onto a 36 ft enclosed trailer. Empty weight is 5500. Generally pulling it empty wasn't to bad. Throw in some high winds through Arizona or any weight inside and the 1500 really was working to keep me moving. Didn't feel comfortable at all.

Went back to a 3500 and as expect it's a night and day difference.

 

[67RTvert]

I am so sick of people saying you need to get a real truck, meaning a 3/4or 1 ton. The Ram 1500 is a real truck and quite capable. I would like to give some tips to people who aren't experienced in towing. You need an adjustable height hitch to get the right level for your trailer. I see too often trailers hitched too high and not loading the truck properly. I also see trailers hitched too low and overloading the truck and having the front of the truck too high which affects your braking, turning. If you attach your trailer and rear is sagging, you need to add some air bags to raise the rear of the truck back to level or even a little higher. (air bags do NOT increase capacity though, make sure you are still in spec with your truck and trailer). When your truck is level or slightly higher (raked) it makes a huge difference when towing. ***Make sure your trailer brakes are working and in excellent condition*** At heavier trailer weights, your truck isn't slowing down the trailer, the trailer should be slowing down the truck. Also, check your truck tire pressure and trailer tire pressure.

If you tow heavy trailers or high profile trailers you should get a 3/4 or 1 ton.. That being said, if you like the size of your 1500 and the way it drives, you can tow regularly with your 1500 as long as it is within specs and you have it hitched up properly. You don't need a 3/4 ton truck that is rated to pull somewhere between 15k lb and 18k lb to tow an 8k lb trailer. Your 1500 hemi and 3.92 gears will put it no problem and it will handle it no problem and you will be safe. I think a lot of people are new to towing and aren't experienced at towing and they have a couple of scary moments either because they are driving too fast, not giving themselves enough room to stop, and/or their trailer and hitch setup isn't correct and automatically assume they need a "real" truck like a 3/4 or 1 ton. If you are going to be towing a boat I recommend 4x4 for slippery or wet ramps. In 4x4 low, your 1500 will walk right up that steep wet ramp.

 

[1791]

another CDL holder here. to me a 1500 is just a big car with a bed.

 

[67RTvert]

Call it whatever you want. I tow my boat with mine (28' express cruiser), tow a muscle car around, haul motorcycles, off road it when camping and use it for work as a general contractor. Seems very truck like. But if your only definition of truck is that needs to be a least 3/4 ton and needs to have an optional $12K diesel engine, well, that is where we disagree. Again, if you need a puller because you have a big trailer or a heavy trailer there is no better truck than the 3/4 or 1 ton with the diesel engine. Nothing else compares for fuel economy, torque, and potential longevity. But you don't need a puller for 5 to 8000 or even higher trailer unless you just want one. I see a ton of 3/4 ton diesels that have never had anything hitched to them, are cleaner than then my garage kept sports car and their permanent hitch ball doesn't have scratch on it or speck of rust but at least there driving a "real" truck.

 

[1791]

Call it whatever you want. I tow my boat with mine (28' express cruiser), tow a muscle car around, haul motorcycles, off road it when camping and use it for work as a general contractor. Seems very truck like. But if your only definition of truck is that needs to be a least 3/4 ton and needs to have an optional $12K diesel engine, well, that is where we disagree. Again, if you need a puller because you have a big trailer or a heavy trailer there is no better truck than the 3/4 or 1 ton with the diesel engine. Nothing else compares for fuel economy, torque, and potential longevity. But you don't need a puller for 5 to 8000 or even higher trailer unless you just want one. I see a ton of 3/4 ton diesels that have never had anything hitched to them, are cleaner than then my garage kept sports car and their permanent hitch ball doesn't have scratch on it or speck of rust but at least there driving a "real" truck.

i agree with the not used a 3/4 ton truck statement. i also agree with todays 1500 is equal to a 3/4 ton from the 90's.
if you have the tong weight right with trailer brakes and a controller you could push it over rated weight. that tow weight is a conservative estimate to keep liability off the manufacturer. my 92c1500 was horrible at towing a honda civc my ram pulled a tahoe on a nice trailer no problem.
they don't make a full frame full size car with a V8 anymore so buy those metrics truck's have become the modern full size sedan.
i'm old i remember when truck dashboards were mostly metal a 5th gen tungsten is such a luxury vehicle to me it's ridiculous. yeah nice but over the top.
67 RT vert i'm glad you use you truck like a truck. i had a friend at work that carpeted his Limited's bed, that's just wacked.

 

[SD Rebel]

We are looking at a bigger center console fishing boat, probably close to 8,700 lbs with fuel and trailer, I am definitely looking at a F250 XL 7.3L gasser, surprisingly good looking and equipped for a base model at just $60,000 MSRP. Honestly a bargain for what your get. The only issue is the outside looks good, but the inside looks low rent with fabric and a small screen, but I'm sure the aftermarket can fix that.

I do plan on keeping the RAM and shipping to my family's home in the Philippines.

 

[67RTvert]

i agree with the not used a 3/4 ton truck statement. i also agree with todays 1500 is equal to a 3/4 ton from the 90's.
if you have the tong weight right with trailer brakes and a controller you could push it over rated weight. that tow weight is a conservative estimate to keep liability off the manufacturer. my 92c1500 was horrible at towing a honda civc my ram pulled a tahoe on a nice trailer no problem.
they don't make a full frame full size car with a V8 anymore so buy those metrics truck's have become the modern full size sedan.
i'm old i remember when truck dashboards were mostly metal a 5th gen tungsten is such a luxury vehicle to me it's ridiculous. yeah nice but over the top.
67 RT vert i'm glad you use you truck like a truck. i had a friend at work that carpeted his Limited's bed, that's just wacked.

Yeah, I see what your saying and its true that everything is pretty much unibody these days. And some of these trucks are so luxurious it is hard to call them a truck. The older I get the more I like these rolling barcaloungers with all the options, pretty much use the heated seats year round for my back. Yes, the HD trucks of yesteryear can't compete with a modern 1500 except for actual payload. Had a 77' HD Chevy with 350, great truck with 2 separate gas tanks that were known to blow up in an accident since they were on the outside of the frame rails. An 81 Ford that we used for construction until the bed started to completely rust through no Berliners back then, and 96 Ford HD with inline 6 gas that was ridiculous underpowered and slow as hell for a HD.