Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesbford
Hello everyone.. I know a larger truck would be better, but will my '14 Ram Ecodiesel suffice hauling the Classic? Or would it be too much wear and tear on the transmission, drive train, and engine?
FYI I do have the GDE ECU upgrade.
Thanks for any insight you might offer.
Jim Ford
2017 26U
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FWIW......... I also had a 2014 Ram
1500 Ecodiesel CrewCab 4WD with four-wheel air suspension until two months ago. Only had 61,000 miles on it and loved it. I didn’t have the GDE tune, but that is a great add-on.
We purchased a 2020 Globetrotter 27 FBT last August and used the truck to tow the GT on two trips last Fall to Idaho and Moab UT. We live where there are mountain passes and elevations range from valley floors of ~4,500 to highway mountain summits ~9,000 feet. The engine and 1/2 ton frame pulled the TT without a problem most of the time. Higher mountain passes (highway, not off-road) we’re just OK.
Two months ago we traded the
1500 in for a 2020 Ram 2500 CrewCab with the Cummins 6.7L diesel. Why, if the 1500 was OK most of the time?
Payload capacity concerns and safety. Key points that helped me choose the 3/4 ton for your consideration:
- payload capacity on 1500 was 984 lbs. TT tongue weight is nearly 1,100 lbs. with two 30 lb propane tanks and batteries and empty water/waste tanks. Weighed old truck and TT at CAT scales and front axle was 3,240 lbs. and rear “drive” axle was 4,560 lbs while TT was 6,100 lbs. And, this was with an Equalizer WDH. We were overweight with the TT alone and no passengers or gear in the truck. Four-wheel air suspension helped mask the problem. Aside from the potential legal consequences, that exceeded my level of comfort for safety of people and equipment for us and others on the road.
- new truck has 2,184 payload capacity. No issues whatsoever. Same CAT scale numbers on new truck are 4,600 lbs front axle, 4,840 lbs on rear “drive” axle and same TT weight. And, that was without the Equalizer WDH ........ new truck has 2.5” hitch receiver size and I don’t like the using the adapter sleeve so I use a standard Gen-Y ball mount with 2 5/16 ball. I will get the WDH at some point.
- the new truck is 20 inches longer and the 3/4 ton chassis does have a more comfortable ride pulling the TT. Just came back from a trip to Grand Junction CO and it was a breeze. No trailer sway without WDH and the Cummins is probably overkill for 6,100 lbs. Traveling at elevation passing semi-trailers in the interstate was very easy.
There are other less critical points for choosing the 3/4 ton TV but these were the key factors for me.
Waiting for GDE to make a tune for the Cummins now.
Good luck........