Are Ram 2500’s any good?

[Jimmy N.]

Those who feel that a '14-up Ram 2500 doesn't ride well must be either extremely delicate, or used to driving a '64 Buick Electra with original shocks.

I also don't understand why a 2500 would be harder to park than a 1500. Yes, they can have longer beds, but the width is the same. By that logic, a 3500 must be impossible to park, despite identical measurements, just because it starts with a "3" instead of a "2".

I think you'll really like the superior towing characteristics of the 2500, 2nd.

 

[SilverBillet]

They are big...

Aren’t they the same dimensions as a 1500? Same size interior and truck beds. Little stiffer suspension but makes a great tow vehicle. What size engine? I had a 2915 6.4 Tradesman 2500 4x4 and it was truly a gas hog. No more than 14 mpg at best. Rented a 5.7 4x4 and it got 17 mpg and felt peppier. Of course, the Cummins is the ultimate Ram2500 but expensive.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Aren’t they the same dimensions as a 1500? Same size interior and truck beds.

I think the Gen 5 1500s might be a little wider than the current Gen 4 2500/3500. At least they claim a roomier interior.

But then again, something that starts with only a "1" must be easier to park than a "2" or a "3". That's just logical, right?

 

[2ndAmend]

It's a 6.4 MDS, which I think has been in use for about 15 years but looks like it is a recent addition to the 2500's.

The width is about the same as the 1/2t (except for the huge mirrors), the crew cab adds about a foot over the shorter ext cab, and it is about 3" taller. I'll have to modify my garage to fit it through the door.

The 2500 steering and brakes feel a little heavier, and you notice the loss of ride quality from solid front axle.

The 1/2t is a car that can do some truck things, the 2500 1s a real truck and can do real truck things!

 

[Jimmy N.]

It's a 6.4 MDS, which I think has been in use for about 15 years but looks like it is a recent addition to the 2500's.

Not all that recent. I had two '14 2500s with the 6.4. Mileage was no worse than towing the same trailer with the prior 2500 that had a 5.7.

Not sure how she does it, but I've hopped in her '20 3500 with a 6.4 after unhooking the horse trailer and seen about 15 mpg on the Lie-O-Meter.

Of course, she drives a lot slower because of the critters in the trailer, but still has to deal with gaining some 3,000 feet in elevation.

 

[Marc W]

Factory pads will last forever it seems

I just changed mine because using the brakes on a downhill grade with the trailer, I could feel it starting to shudder. It had 98,000 miles on them and I was getting ready to haul the car to Florida (2500 miles). The front pads were just about gone but the rotors looked good. The rears were still good but I replaced everything (including rotors) front and rear just to be done with it. Whole thing was less than $1000 using the good stuff and doing it myself.

 

[Jimmy N.]

A friend of mine tows for a living, first with 3500s, then a 4500, now a 5500, sometimes over 40,000 lbs. GCVW.

He generally trades them in a little before reaching 500,000 miles, and have yet to replace any brake components.
Of course, his are diesels with the great Cummins exhaust brake, which helps a lot.

When my girlfriend traded in her 2500 Cummins for a 3500 6.4, I was worried that she'd miss having the exhaust brake. No, it holds the speed quite well down the grades she claimed, just by down shifting.

 

[2ndAmend]

Of course, she drives a lot slower because of the critters in the trailer, but still has to deal with gaining some 3,000 feet in elevation.

I get the feeling everyone drives a lot slower than you!

 

[MikeD1]

Make sure they do the recalls before you take delivery, at least the '24's don't have the relay issue that causes them to catch fire while unattended !!

https://www.cars.com/research/ram-2500-2024/recalls/

 

[SilverBillet]

It's a 6.4 MDS, which I think has been in use for about 15 years but looks like it is a recent addition to the 2500's.

The width is about the same as the 1/2t (except for the huge mirrors), the crew cab adds about a foot over the shorter ext cab, and it is about 3" taller. I'll have to modify my garage to fit it through the door.

The 2500 steering and brakes feel a little heavier, and you notice the loss of ride quality from solid front axle.

The 1/2t is a car that can do some truck things, the 2500 1s a real truck and can do real truck things!

Gas mileage for daily driving will be atrocious!

 

[Jimmy N.]

Gas mileage will be atrocious!

What's that in mpg?

 

[2ndAmend]

Gas mileage will be atrocious!

True, but I figure the gas milage pulling a 7k trailer should be about the same as the ½ ton, which is about 50% (or more) of the 3500mi/year. 1750mi @ 13mpg = 135g, @ $3.30/gal = $444. The 1/2t @ 19mpg = $303, so the annual difference in gas cost would be about $140, 1.5 tank fulls. I think I can live with that.

 

[Jimmy N.]

True, but I figure the gas milage pulling a 7k trailer should be about the same as the ½ ton, which is about 50% (or more) of the 3500mi/year. 1750mi @ 13mpg = 135g, @ $3.30/gal = $444. The 1/2t @ 19mpg = $303, so the annual difference in gas cost would be about $140, 1.5 tank fulls. I think I can live with that.

The gearing has a lot to do with what the mileage is.

My 1500 had 3.55s (I think, lower than standard) and it wasn't until putting 17" wheels and shorter tires on it that 8th gear was usable. Not towing, by the way.

Standard gearing on the 2500 6.4 was also too tall to be efficient, especially for towing. But it's easy enough to put smaller wheels and shorter tires on those, too.

 

[covidcommander]

I was unknowingly standing next to one yesterday and commented how large this truck was. My friend said yep its a 2500. I liked the white trx better.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I liked the white trx better.

Even though it's even wider, and probably also taller?

 

[2ndAmend]

The gearing has a lot to do with what the mileage is.

My 1500 had 3.55s (I think, lower than standard) and it wasn't until putting 17" wheels and shorter tires on it that 8th gear was usable. Not towing, by the way.

Standard gearing on the 2500 6.4 was also too tall to be efficient, especially for towing. But it's easy enough to put smaller wheels and shorter tires on those, too.

This 2500 has 3.73, same as my F150 and Silverado, seems like a good middle ground.

 

[SilverBillet]

What's that in mpg?

11 mpg but nothing to worry about if you are not putting a lot of miles on it. I felt my 6.4 Tradesman did not have good enough power or torque despite the factory rating. It was a slug. I bought it with 15,000 miles on it and only kept it 4 months. Maybe it was just had a bad one?

 

[2ndAmend]

This dealer is selling 2500's with 6.7 Cummings for $51k, less if you are military or first responder.

 

[1971demon]

A friend of mine tows for a living, first with 3500s, then a 4500, now a 5500, sometimes over 40,000 lbs. GCVW.

He generally trades them in a little before reaching 500,000 miles, and have yet to replace any brake components.
Of course, his are diesels with the great Cummins exhaust brake, which helps a lot.

When my girlfriend traded in her 2500 Cummins for a 3500 6.4, I was worried that she'd miss having the exhaust brake. No, it holds the speed quite well down the grades she claimed, just by down shifting.

she's hot...she can cook..and a good earner..and now we know she knows her way around trucks...it begs the question..(are ya ready..all together now)...WTF IS SHE DOIN WITH YOU.

 

[Jimmy N.]

This 2500 has 3.73, same as my F150 and Silverado, seems like a good middle ground.

I'd have to dig up the log book for that one. Can't remember if I ordered 4.10s or not.

But I did use 17" inch wheels and the same smaller size tires as the '10 I had came with. I had done all my calculations based on those, but the '14 showed up with larger wheels and taller tires. Of course, that was with a 6-speed so the ratios might be more favorable with the 8-speed. Even if it means towing in 7th gear.