Payload issue resolved: Swapped Ram 1500 for 2500

[jeffmc306]

Just want to say "thanks" to all the Airstream Forum members who shared their experience and advice with us!

Short version: Back in January I posted the payload of our 2019 Ram 1500 (factory stated 1840#) Gypsydad and others politely suggested I check the door sticker. The "real" number on the sticker was 1220# - big difference and not enough for our new 2019 27' Globetrotter's actual 1000# tongue wt.

I contacted the dealer who couldn't believe the difference. He used the Ram Configuration Tools to build the truck based on our trailer's requirements.

After 7 months of back and forth with the dealer & FCA they agreed to take the 1500 back and sold us a 2019 Ram 2500 with 2940# payload.

Again, I can't thank the Forum members enough for your advice and support. We'd still be stuck with a marginal payload otherwise.

We're leave for a two week trip to Colorado next month so have to get the 500 mile break-in done quick!

[crispyboy]

Glad you were able to get this problem resolved. Nice looking rig BTW.

[Hans627]

Jeff,

So Happy you got the "issue" resolved and you have your new TV. Looks great and I would think you never need to be concerned about payload again.

Enjoy the ride!

Bob

PS My new 2500 arrived in MD yesterday and I'll get it next week. Three months for date of order. And I choose the same color as your new truck. Looks pretty!

[kmayer]

I’ll be getting the ram 2500 in a few months. Let us know how the first trip Goes! Looks terrific!

Kevin

[JonDNC]

Congrats. Glad they resolved the issue.

[Ray Eklund]

Jeff... great victory and being persistent!

Colorado. Four days ago in the vicinity of Ouray, Colorado... wet, high humidity, cool days, cold evenings, did I say wet...enough?, bring bug spray.

For the ultimate test of tow vehicle and trailer... Ouray and south on Highway 550. We did it towing several times and THE PASSENGER will not forget this trip, coming from the town or to town. This would be the extreme ultimate experience of a lifetime for anyone who has not been in this beautiful 'scenic tour'.

Even just in the tow vehicle, with the trailer parked... you will not forget this climb into the still, snow capped, peaks!

The area was packed with tourists. The Boondocking area along Highway 550 was packed with RV's, Buses and Trailers. But everyone manage to fit where a space was available.

Bring several cans of bug spray. Rain jackets. Several layers of clothing. From the high country of Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado... it was the beginning of Monsoon and some were warned about camping too close to the small creeks in the area.

We finally dried out in Arizona to Nevada. We both have 'curly hair'.

Enjoy the 2500... you will have a great time! Did I say... Bug Spray?

[Trnpk Crsr]

Handsome truck. I like the color.

[poodlegals]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Just want to say "thanks" to all the Airstream Forum members who shared their experience and advice with us!

Short version: Back in January I posted the payload of our 2019 Ram 1500 (factory stated 1840#) Gypsydad and others politely suggested I check the door sticker. The "real" number on the sticker was 1220# - big difference and not enough for our new 2019 27' Globetrotter's actual 1000# tongue wt.

I contacted the dealer who couldn't believe the difference. He used the Ram Configuration Tools to build the truck based on our trailer's requirements.

After 7 months of back and forth with the dealer & FCA they agreed to take the 1500 back and sold us a 2019 Ram 2500 with 2940# payload.

Again, I can't thank the Forum members enough for your advice and support. We'd still be stuck with a marginal payload otherwise.

We're leave for a two week trip to Colorado next month so have to get the 500 mile break-in done quick!

gas or diesel? We have been looking at the ram 1500 quite seriously also. Have 25 ft front bed safari.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by poodlegals

gas or diesel? We have been looking at the ram 1500 quite seriously also. Have 25 ft front bed safari.

Went with gas for two reasons: $$$ and payload. The 6.4 Hemi is a truck engine, not a car engine in a truck. It’s reliable and will pull anything Airstream makes today. While tempting, the Cummins option is almost $10K more and more expensive to maintain. Not terrible but for us, this combo is fine. Plus, you’ll loose almost 900# payload with the diesel vs gas.

The Ram 1500 is a great truck, handles like a sports car compared to the 2500. We didn’t have any trouble pulling the 27’ GT with the 1500’s 3.92 axle and 32 gallon gas tank. If you go that route, watch the door stickers. Check out the 5th Gen Ram Forums Towing sub Forum where owners post their door stickers. You can find some with over 1500#. You’ll be close as the 25’ AS will be almost 1,000# tongue wt.

Good luck!

[oldenavy]

Congrats! I'm impressed that FCA was finally willing to buy back your 1500. Great looking truck! I'm sure you'll be happy with it, we love ours. Especially like the color you chose...

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Jeff,

So Happy you got the "issue" resolved and you have your new TV. Looks great and I would think you never need to be concerned about payload again.

Enjoy the ride!

Bob

PS My new 2500 arrived in MD yesterday and I'll get it next week. Three months for date of order. And I choose the same color as your new truck. Looks pretty!

Thanks Bob and congratulations that your new truck arrived. Post some photos when you get it. Where’s your first trip?

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Jeff... great victory and being persistent!

Colorado. Four days ago in the vicinity of Ouray, Colorado... wet, high humidity, cool days, cold evenings, did I say wet...enough?, bring bug spray.

For the ultimate test of tow vehicle and trailer... Ouray and south on Highway 550. We did it towing several times and THE PASSENGER will not forget this trip, coming from the town or to town. This would be the extreme ultimate experience of a lifetime for anyone who has not been in this beautiful 'scenic tour'.

Even just in the tow vehicle, with the trailer parked... you will not forget this climb into the still, snow capped, peaks!

The area was packed with tourists. The Boondocking area along Highway 550 was packed with RV's, Buses and Trailers. But everyone manage to fit where a space was available.

Bring several cans of bug spray. Rain jackets. Several layers of clothing. From the high country of Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado... it was the beginning of Monsoon and some were warned about camping too close to the small creeks in the area.

We finally dried out in Arizona to Nevada. We both have 'curly hair'.

Enjoy the 2500... you will have a great time! Did I say... Bug Spray?

Ray, thanks for the kind words and sharing your Colorado experience and advice (BUG SPRAY!). We'll be packing a case of that plus a can of Bear Spray!

Ouray is a hidden gem in Colorado. We stayed at Country Sunshine B&B just north of Durango with Walter and Jody, two of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We'll miss staying with them but looking forward to camping in our Airstream in the mountains!

Your description of the Ouray area brings back memories of our visit two years ago in a car but we overlooked the boondocking sites because it wasn't on our RADAR back then. I do remember the switchbacks and turns with little between you and the drop-off below. The DW was clutching the door on our Golf AllTrack Wagon back then - I'll have to get her dark shades and a sedative with the Ram 2500 + 27' Airstream!

We'll be on the other side of the state this time in Rocky Mountain National Park and a few state parks. Next year after I retire and the work shackles are off, we'll venture back to the Four Corners and Utah. Would love to camp in Dead Horse State Park and maybe Bryce (my favorite) in the fall.

Thanks again!
Jeff

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by oldenavy

Congrats! I'm impressed that FCA was finally willing to buy back your 1500. Great looking truck! I'm sure you'll be happy with it, we love ours. Especially like the color you chose...

Thanks oldenavy! We fell in love with the Delmonico Red color after seeing photos of Rams with Airstreams just like yours. That color just pops!

I located three trucks with the two "must" options for us all at the same dealership in Oconomowoc, WI - one red, blue and grey. I was hoping the red one was still there once the negotiations were done - and it was!

Hope to see you on the road someday!

-Jeff

[Grace-n-Pup]

Originally Posted by poodlegals

gas or diesel? We have been looking at the ram 1500 quite seriously also. Have 25 ft front bed safari.

We got a 25 Safari SS in January and decided to go with a 2500 diesel Chevy. We had to upgrade from the Tahoe as it didn't haul well but we didn't want to just upgrade to a 1500 as we wanted the extra payload to haul kayaks and such. Not saying for you to go diesel over gas or Chevy over Ram but if you can do it go for the 2500. This way if you decide to upgrade to a bigger trailer you wouldn't have to upgrade your TV at the same time - Which is another way to look at it. You do lose payload with diesel but we decided it was the right choice for us. Reviewing previous posts by doing searches on here really helped us to decide the right truck for us. Good luck on your search!

[MaineStreamer]

With the Ram 1500, it is important to get the v8 rather than v6 due to much greater tow capacity. The V-6 doesn’t have even enough to tow my 20-foot Safari rated at 5,000 pounds.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by MaineStreamer

With the Ram 1500, it is important to get the v8 rather than v6 due to much greater tow capacity. The V-6 doesn’t have even enough to tow my 20-foot Safari rated at 5,000 pounds.

MaineStreamer, good point!

Also, for $95, get the 3.92 axle ratio which bumps the tow capacity to over 11,000 lbs. That gives you peace of mind when towing up steep grades with less strain on the drivetrain.

That said, if you're never going to upgrade from a Bambi, the 2019 Ram 1500's V6 has a pretty respectable tow capacity of 7300 lbs. with the 3.55 axle. See the J-2807 report specs below.

For most of us it comes down to payload, payload, payload! *That 1840 lbs. payload listed was actually 1220 lbs. on my 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie. Replaced it with a Ram 2500 with 2942 lbs. payload.

[logdigital]

I'll chime in and say that I've been really happy with my 2017 RAM 1500 5.7 V8 4x2 3.92. It has a payload of 1,680 lbs., tow rating of 10,220 lbs. I tow a 27' Tommy Bahama. FCA really negotiates on these trucks, it only cost me $31k brand new off the showroom floor.

[Read]

Ray-

Do you recommend a best time of year for Ouray South on 550?

[poodlegals]

We are debating heavily between the ram 1500 and the 2500. With the 25 ft FB it looks like we are marginal with the 1500. Is anyone familiar with Changingears.com and their weight calculation app? It has been revealing to us but we are wondering if it is somewhat weighted towards heavier TV. Would love to see some thoughts on this. Thanks!

[Hans627]

I finally took delivery of my new TV. It is a 2500 with Cummins ordered exactly as I wished it to be (took 3 months to get it).

I had a 2018 2500 with the Cummins and two things I've already noticed about this TV as compared to my old one is that it is considerably quieter and rides a bit better. The interior of this truck is as nice as I've seen in any luxury vehicle.

The added safety features, plus a 10 way adjustable passenger seat, were the primary drivers (no pun intended) for making the switch.