Need help deciding on a diesel

CabinDweller · 01-03-2015, 05:52 PM

Hello. I am looking to upgrade to a diesel in the next few weeks. I am not a Ford guy so I am trying to decide between a 2015 Ram 2500 Laramie and a 2015 Silverado 2500HD LTZ. I seem to bounce between Ram and Chevy each time I buy a truck. I've had multiple of both (all 1500s). I currently have a Ram (1500) and think I would prefer the Ram 2500 but am concerned about the payload. If I am reading the specs correctly, the Chevy's payload is around 3000lbs. and the Ram's is about 2200lbs. While either one will laugh at my current TT, the fifth wheel that my wife would like to upgrade to sometime has a dry hitch weight of just over 2000lbs. Am I not understanding something about fifth wheel impact on payload? I appreciate any help. Thanks.

anaro · 01-03-2015, 08:48 PM

Knowing you are looking to upgrade to a fiver I would suggest you look at 3500 SRW trucks. My 3500 silverado duramax SRW has a door sticker payload of 4000 lbs. After family, hitch, dog, gear etc my available payload dropped to just over 3200 lbs. Remember the loaded pin weight will increase from the dry pin weight. Expect the loaded pin weight to potentially be 20-25% of the loaded fiver weight. Also allow approximately 150 lbs for your hitch. We almost bought a ram but got an amazing deal on our silverado.

sleepyT · 01-03-2015, 11:02 PM

I have to agree with Aileen...If you are looking to buy a TV and then look at 5ers, it might benefit you to go to a 3500...That way you would be covered for any size 5er...

Dayle1 · 01-04-2015, 07:21 AM

I can't comment directly on Ram vs. GM other than due to sales volume there is usually a bigger selection with GM and maybe greater opportunity for a better deal. But indirectly, it somewhat depends on how you feel about potentially exceeding the truck's GVWR and therefore 2500HD vs. 3500HD decision. All light duty trucks have GVWR that is less than the combined front and rear GAWRs. Yet since a fifth wheels pin weight is like 98% on the rear axle, the real technical concern is to not exceed the rear GAWR.

Also, technically with today's diesels, what limits rear GAWR is the tires/wheels, not the frame, suspension or axle. For all three brands, in most cases the technical difference between a 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW is just tires/wheels and an extra leaf spring in the spring pack. So, a 2500HD could be upgraded by changing tires/wheels and adding a leaf spring or air bags, technically not legally.

Tires on both the Ram and GM 2500HDs are most likely rated for 6084 lbs and both will have a rear GAWR very near that number. Dry rear axle weight for both will also be close to 3000 lbs, but a little less if the Ram is a Mega cab. Anyway, available rear axle capacity on the Ram is most likely NOT 800 lbs worse than the Chevy. But you would have to weigh each truck to determine actual available capacity. I suspect that many diesel 2500HDs that tow fifth wheels are exceeding their GVWRs but most are still under their rear GAWRs. That was my situation for 10 yrs.

Finally, a 3500HD SRW will have a rear axle GAWR that is tire/wheel limited at around 7000 lbs.

**DavisK** · 01-04-2015, 08:26 AM

Dodge puts coil springs under the 2500s now like the 1500s. Because of that, if you go with a 3/4 ton truck, I would go with GM, which uses leaf springs. Dodge still uses leaf springs on its 3500s.

Rhizoo · 01-04-2015, 07:02 PM

Well, I can't speak about the Dodge, but I have a new 2500HD Z71 diesel, and it has, in these few weeks, become the favorite truck I have ever owned. And I have driven pickups for 30 years. It is quiet, smooth and very well appointed. It also does what I need, which is pull our new fiver, which is a 2015 Cruiser Aire CAF27RL. The only difference between our situation and yours is pin weight. I knew going in that even loaded, our Cruiser Aire would not approach the 2800 lb payload of the 2500. So I was content with that. If we had not intentionally planned on selecting a 5er with a light pin, then I would have likely gone with the 3500. And if you plan to stay even remotely close to the payload limit of your vehicle, you will probably need to consider the 3500. But as far as the brand goes, I test drove both the Ram and the Chevy and it took a nanosecond for me to make my choice. Of course, that is all that it really is...a choice. And I am sure that there are many who are just as happy that they chose they Ram. But you wanted opinions, and my choice was the Chevy, and I am far from regretting it.
Congrats on the new rig, whichever way you go.

Jerry Pinkard · 01-05-2015, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CabinDweller

Hello. I am looking to upgrade to a diesel in the next few weeks. I am not a Ford guy so I am trying to decide between a 2015 Ram 2500 Laramie and a 2015 Silverado 2500HD LTZ. I seem to bounce between Ram and Chevy each time I buy a truck. I've had multiple of both (all 1500s). I currently have a Ram (1500) and think I would prefer the Ram 2500 but am concerned about the payload. If I am reading the specs correctly, the Chevy's payload is around 3000lbs. and the Ram's is about 2200lbs. While either one will laugh at my current TT, the fifth wheel that my wife would like to upgrade to sometime has a dry hitch weight of just over 2000lbs. Am I not understanding something about fifth wheel impact on payload? I appreciate any help. Thanks.

If you are looking at 5er towing eventually, you should be looking at the 3500's. Also, if you are looking at these 1-ton trucks, you shouldn't summarily dismiss the Fords...

socoguy · 01-05-2015, 03:43 PM

CabinDweller · 01-05-2015, 08:09 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Ford makes s mighty fine truck (especially the SuperDuties), they're just not my cup of tea. To each his own.

I'm actually considering a Sierra Denali now. It's not a whole lot more than the Silverado LTZ. Based on the replies here, I'm going to research some 3500s.

anaro · 01-05-2015, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CabinDweller

Thanks for all the replies. Ford makes s mighty fine truck (especially the SuperDuties), they're just not my cup of tea. To each his own.

I'm actually considering a Sierra Denali now. It's not a whole lot more than the Silverado LTZ. Based on the replies here, I'm going to research some 3500s.

I don't think you'll regret looking into a 3500.... they are a lot of fun to tow with.

Jerry Pinkard · 01-06-2015, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CabinDweller

Thanks for all the replies. Ford makes s mighty fine truck (especially the SuperDuties), they're just not my cup of tea. To each his own.

I'm actually considering a Sierra Denali now. It's not a whole lot more than the Silverado LTZ. Based on the replies here, I'm going to research some 3500s.

I was a die-hard Chevy fan, and always had Chevy trucks. However when I started looking at diesel 1-tons, I tried to keep an open mind....just saying. It turned out, to me, to be a toss-up between Ford and Chevy...Either one is good choice. My tie-breaker had to do more with who took a bail-out and who didn't..

Rhizoo · 01-06-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Pinkard

I was a die-hard Chevy fan, and always had Chevy trucks. However when I started looking at diesel 1-tons, I tried to keep an open mind....just saying. It turned out, to me, to be a toss-up between Ford and Chevy...Either one is good choice. My tie-breaker had to do more with who took a bail-out and who didn't..

Gotta respect that. And it was a consideration for me as well. In my rural community though, we have a great GM dealership (also owns the Dodge/Ram dealership), but our Ford dealership leaves a lot to be desired. But kudos for the decision and reasons for the decision. You get nothing but respect from me.

Coopers_dad · 01-07-2015, 06:54 AM

I love my SD but I borrowed a 3500 Ram DRW last week and it's one of the finest automobiles I've ever been in . It's every bit as nice as my dad 760 BMW.

Each truck is going to drive similarly so pick the one that puts the biggest smile on your face.

FWIW I'd buy a Ram if I was in the market again.

Tim D · 01-07-2015, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Pinkard

I was a die-hard Chevy fan, and always had Chevy trucks. However when I started looking at diesel 1-tons, I tried to keep an open mind....just saying. It turned out, to me, to be a toss-up between Ford and Chevy...Either one is good choice. My tie-breaker had to do more with who took a bail-out and who didn't..

Me too Jerry! I have been saying since my next truck will be a Ford. That being said, if I found a Deal on any of the three used that would fit the bill I would do it.

CabinDweller · 01-10-2015, 05:17 PM

Thanks for all the replies fellas. I picked up my new Ram 3500HD (Cummins and 6speed auto) Laramie today. It's certainly a beast compared to the 1500 Sport I traded in. I am all smiles right now. Can't wait to take a trip with the camper hooked to it.

These are some pics from the dealership... they are the only ones I have so far.

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Tim D · 01-10-2015, 05:40 PM

Very nice!

anaro · 01-10-2015, 07:13 PM

Congrats that is a nice looking truck. Your smile will only get bigger when you tow with it. Careful because once you tow with a diesel you will never want to go back to a gasser.

sleepyT · 01-10-2015, 08:44 PM

Very nice looking truck...

4kids2dogs&RV · 01-11-2015, 11:33 AM

NICE!!!
You're going love driving it and you'll hardly know you have a trailer hooked up.
Just keep an eye on your speedometer.

Enjoy!

coastn · 01-11-2015, 12:09 PM

She's a beauty!!

Traded a Tundra for my '14 2500 Laramie about a year ago. Took it out for the first tow down to Palm Springs and back in Feb. Didn't stop smiling for a week! Obviously improved power and towing capacity, improved mileage and greatly improved range. When Toby Keith's song "I love this bar" came on the radio I substituted "truck" for "bar". I'm sure you'll love yours too.

Congrats!!

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