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Freedomrider · 08-14-2012, 05:12 AM

Flying Gypsies,

What is your "Gear Ratio" on your 2500 and what is your gas milage towing and not towing. BTW, I feel very comfortable with the 2500 after all the research I done.

JFScheck · 08-14-2012, 05:36 AM

The 2500/250 models of truck will beat the Airstream up as much as a 3500/350 would as the extra capacity of the 3500/350 only comes into play when the helper springs are in play (as in there is enough weight compressing the rear springs that they are engaged).

I don't buy into this Super Duty / Heavy Duty trucks beat up on the Airstreams more than a 1500/150 idealogy - but if you so desire to believe that, know that a 2500/250 will have the same impact as a 3500/350 on your Airstream.

As for purchasing a new truck - take a Ford Super Duty 250/350 out for a spin, when I was shopping for trucks I looked unbiasly at all three brands and found for me, the Ford Super Duty was the hands down winner...

JFScheck · 08-14-2012, 05:40 AM

Oh, and one more thing...

At the end of the day - all three manufacturer's trucks are pretty damn nice, just find the one that you like the best as you really can't go wrong with the recent releases from the manufacturers - the modern diesel truck has evolved quite nicely, especially over the past few recent years....

crispyboy · 08-14-2012, 09:10 AM

My brother just purchased a 2012 Dodge Laramie 2500, crew cab, long bed with the diesel engine to tow his boat. One tow with my truck and he was ready to get rid of his old money pit.
He test drove the 2500 vs the SRW 3500 and there was a difference in the ride. The only differences between the trucks is the spring pack. I tow a 30' Classic with my 2009 Dodge 2500 and the ride is smooth. There are no issues with the trailer popping rivets. The 2500 is plenty of truck for towing and whatever you want to throw in the bed.
The shortbed has a 34 fuel gallon tank.
The longbed has a 35 fuel gallon tank.
Axle options are 3.42, 3:73 and 4:10. Each ratio has a different towing capacity. All will work with any Airstream. The 3:73 is what you will typically see.
The manual transmission only has 650 lbs of torque. The automatic has 800 lbs of torque. My 2009 has the 6 speed automatic and only 650 lbs of torque and pulls the trailer with EASE! This upgrade was more than just a software change. I believe the harmonic balancer and torque converter was also changed for the torque upgrade.
You will love the integrated exhaust brake and transmission braking.
The integrated brake controller was upgraded in 2011 to handle Electric over Hydraulic brakes along with more precise control between light/heavy towing.
The reason why Dodge is slow on the 2013 roll out is because the emission system will change Jan 1, 2013. The 2500 and 3500 trucks will get the DEF fluid system that is used in the 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab and chassis trucks. The 2013 could possibly get 1 or 2 mpg more than the 2012 due to this change. Dodge has used this DEF system since 2007.5 so it works pretty well. It is a good time to buy a 2012 as my brother did pretty good on his deal.
I also agree with JFScheck - all three manufactures are putting out a nice product.

MegaWonder · 08-14-2012, 04:30 PM

Nicely explained.

Flying Gypsies · 08-15-2012, 04:37 AM

When we are towing, we get about 14mpg- we always use the "jake brake" as were recommended to do this to keep exhaust system clean- we have an aluminum rack on the truck and most of the time have canoe on rack so this eats into gas mileage. BTW- this mileage is by EVIC and actual math. We have the middle gear ratio and we drive 65 or under- if over65, mpg decreases.

slowmover · 08-15-2012, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedomrider

REDNAX,

I think you are on to something. When I was looking at the 12 Ford 150 EcoBoost, it had a paylood almost equal to the Ram 2500. Experience from this forum states the the 2500 is a excellent match for the 30' classic and I have noticed that the price for the Ram 3500 is the same as the Ram 2500.

I just don't know what to think. I would like to explore this option to cover all bases, even if I eliminate it. We are looking at the 30' Classic @ 10,000 lbs. I like the idea of more towing capacity, but I read about concerns of the Ram 3500 may rough-up the Airstream because of the rigid frame and what about poor gas milage?

I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks

Stick with the 1T. The towing capacity is the same for conventionally hitched trailers, the question is then about payload capacity. As to increasing the wear on an A/S I have no opinion (I don't own one), but one should have the hitch rigging dialled in as closely as possible for any trailer brand/spec.

Fuel mileage is what you make of it. One can do better if one is serious. My year of Dodge has outstanding fuel mileage and I bettered that, first, by reducing the number of miles driven to achieve the same ends (trip planning), and, second, did a better job of driving the reduced miles (never idle and never stop). A pickup is not a car. Not as fast off the line, nor does it stop as easily. Don't drive it like a car. Or a half-ton (which is a car). I can pretty well pay for the fuel on a 5000-mile vacation in this manner due to savings the rest of the year.

Fuel mileage is a very good reason to have other than a pickup as a TV.

.

2 Cowboys · 03-18-2013, 02:01 AM

Hey Gang,

We are about to close the deal on a 2011 Ram 3500 Lariat we found 3 days ago. As always, we've been doing all the research we can to learn & make an educated move. Although I'm late in joining this thread, I also would like to say Thanx to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge & experience here.
It'll be a massive upgrade from our '98 Chevy 1500 (money pit) & we agree, it'll most likely be the last truck we buy. We are mid-transition, becoming Full Timers May 15, 2013. Currently selling off various cars, bricks & sticks. YaY!!
Thanx again y'all!!

**DKB_SATX** · 03-18-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Cowboys

Hey Gang,

We are about to close the deal on a 2011 Ram 3500 Lariat we found 3 days ago. As always, we've been doing all the research we can to learn & make an educated move. Although I'm late in joining this thread, I also would like to say Thanx to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge & experience here.
It'll be a massive upgrade from our '98 Chevy 1500 (money pit) & we agree, it'll most likely be the last truck we buy. We are mid-transition, becoming Full Timers May 15, 2013. Currently selling off various cars, bricks & sticks. YaY!!
Thanx again y'all!!

I'm guessing it's a Laramie, as Lariat is Ford branding. This is just an assumption on my part, but with a one-ton you may want to consider an AirSafe hitch. One-tons tend to be a bit stiff-legged, but if you're full timing there may be enough weight on the rear to balance some of that out.

2 Cowboys · 03-18-2013, 07:09 AM

Oops, yes... Laramie, not Lariat. I can only blame my late night insomnia on that one. As for the hitch, we'll have to do some research, before I can speak on that one. Our old '79 AS came with a very rugged hitch & bar assembly, but I'm not sure what exact kind it is. Just know it's HEAVY!!

Bob4x4 · 03-18-2013, 04:46 PM

I have used both my 94 and o5 ram 2500's to tow my Safari-no popped rivits in over 10 years of towing it. I am guessing bs on that myth. The 6.7 makes an awesome tow rig just remember it was not designed to be used as a grocery getter and contrary to general belief they should not be left idling for extended periods. Only long enough to cool down the turbo after a pull and it is also not good to warm it up at idle

**DKB_SATX** · 03-18-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob4x4

I have used both my 94 and o5 ram 2500's to tow my Safari-no popped rivits in over 10 years of towing it. I am guessing bs on that myth. The 6.7 makes an awesome tow rig just remember it was not designed to be used as a grocery getter and contrary to general belief they should not be left idling for extended periods. Only long enough to cool down the turbo after a pull and it is also not good to warm it up at idle

2500 is not sprung the same as 3500. I wouldn't worry much about a well-loaded 2500, but some one-tons are extremely stiff when there's not a gooseneck or a bed full of rocks loading them down.

2 Cowboys · 03-19-2013, 07:16 AM

Well, we Got-R-Done!! And are very appreciative of everyone's wisdom, thoughts & advice. It's bound to be a HUGE step up from our old '98 Chevy 1500.

Jared129 · 03-23-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Cowboys

Well, we Got-R-Done!! And are very appreciative of everyone's wisdom, thoughts & advice. It's bound to be a HUGE step up from our old '98 Chevy 1500.

Congrats! Nice looking truck.

2 Cowboys · 03-23-2013, 01:17 PM

Thanx!!

2 Cowboys · 05-11-2013, 04:01 AM

Well, Thanx to some of the info we gathered here, we made a few upgrade/adjustments to the 2011 Ram 3500 Turbo Cummings Diesel 4x4 (w/8' box) we bought 2 months ago. Along w/a camper shell & a few cosmetics, we had an airbag system installed, which really seems to smooth out the ride. We also cruise @ 65mph & LUV the exhaust brake feature. We've been boning up on maintenance requirements, in regards to this being our 1st diesel. After some research, we also upgraded to a "Blue Ox" anti-sway towing system. It seems to be much easier to use. Of course we bought our 1979, 31' AS International Sovereign privately, and weren't really educated on proper towing procedures. But I think we've progressed leaps & bounds in our 14 months of ownership.
We've sold off just about everything we wanted & start "Full time" living in our AS in one week from today. Will continue to study/learn as we go. Once again, Thanx for the info on this thread.

JFScheck · 05-13-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFScheck

As for purchasing a new truck - take a Ford Super Duty 250/350 out for a spin, when I was shopping for trucks I looked unbiasly at all three brands and found for me, the Ford Super Duty was the hands down winner...

I take that back as this is now 2013 - my 2013 Cummins Ram 2500 is now better than my older 2011 F-350 was and beats the 2013 F-250 I compared it too.

All a game of leapfrog - but I always did want a Cummins I-6 like the big boys, and the 2013 interior/ride/handling just can't be beat!

slowmover · 05-14-2013, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFScheck

" . . All a game of leapfrog - but I always did want a Cummins I-6 like the big boys . . !

You mean you spec'd the truck with the man trans? There is no substitute for the the big boy sound of that turbo spool up as you ease your way onto a highway under a load with the correct transmission behind a CTD.

An automatic is nice, but it's sort of like driving a Penske or U-Haul straight truck in comparison to a longhood Class 8.

The exaggeration isn't serious, but for closed-eyes daydreaming it works quite well.

The V8 diesels are nice enough, car-like enough, but not the same experience, no question.

2013 marks the point where there have been enough significant changes that I would want to trade based on those parameters from my 2004 CTD. I won't, but I would in no way settle for anything earlier. And I'd spec a 3500 today. No good reason not to.

And, 2 Cowboys, get the WDH set up on a certified scale. THere is a recent discussion on WOODALLS about the Blue Ox. The airbags are as much (potentially more) interference as they are help for best steering & braking. So far as ride quality is concerned there are better ways to address that which won't (again, potentially) interfere with a WDH. Tongue weight and and a similar weight in the bed do not equate (is the short version).

.