Dodge RAM 1500 Classic Crew Cab Truck -- First Impressions!
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I had a 2012 Ram 1500 w/the 5.7 Hemi. 3 years later I upgraded to the 2500 6.7 Cummins. The 1500 couldn't tow and more importantly, stop my 6500 lb (max) trailer nearly as well as the Cummins. Exhaust brake and capability over 6,000 feet huge advantages over gas powered vehicles.
My 2020 Ram with tow package 3:92 gears and no rev limiter.. No issues with towing
6.2 V8 in the GMs engine break like champs. I tow like 3,000 lbs a lot up and down 7,000 ft mountain. I don’t have to use the breaks at all, except for more specific control of course. Granted that’s way less your weight
We love our Cummins 2500, and hopefully it will be (Like Seemore) the last vehicle we ever own!
I'm a Ford guy. Give me the Diesel sound Everytime.! I want a truck not a Sedan to pull my camper. Great video.
I have a 2014 Ram Laramie Longhorn it has self leveling suspension which I love! Put the trailer on and with in thirty seconds it self levels. It also has exit entry which lowers the truck for easier in and out also raise two more settings for off road. One other thing at 62 mph it lowers for better aero dynamics. The mirrors fold up to a towing position. The gear shifting is done with - + on the steering wheel it will show on your central display. Mine also has fans in the seats for cooling. LOVE MY TRUCK! 😍
Remember that a 1/2T has the suspension of a sedan (smoother), but the 3/4T has tighter suspension for hauling more weight.
We have had 06 Ram 1500, 2016 Ram Big Horn1500, and just purchased a 2021 Ram Rebel…quests you can say we love our Rams… And your right it is very enjoyable to drive.✌️
We have a Ram 1500 and the only problem we face is the overall payload limit.
For us it was all about payload capacity. We started with an F150 and a 26" Airstream. We had plenty of power with the ecoboost v6 but were at our rear axle limit. We upgraded to an F250 7.3 gas and went from 1788lb to 3000lb payload capacity. We also upgraded to a used 2015 Airstream Classic 30'. When initially shopping for the F150, I was amazed at the range of payload capacity... anywhere from about 700lb to about 1800 lb. Worth checking before buying in my opinion.
^^^ this is the key, payload. My F150 has plenty of starting and stopping power. I cannot put anything in the bed while towing.
My F150 Eco was set up from the factory to tow. We pull a 23ft Keystone with zero issues. Super cab, ( rear suicide doors) that make it easier to access directly from your open door. Longest haul so far was 1100 miles. Averaged 13mpg. Truck will get 23-25 mpg non hauling with fully loaded bed.
@@mrrustygray have you weighed the loaded setup?
@@mrrustygray no payload capacity
My 2016 F150 3.6L Ecoboost Supercab with standard bed has a payload capacity of 2078 lbs. We have the tow package, not max tow. I triple tow a 7,000 5th wheel and 2,000 boat with no issues.
There is a + and - on the steering wheel that allows you to drop gears and limit how high it will shift. Love my ram!
My son has a 2017 Ram 3500. I've pulled my camp trailer with it. The place a big truck like that shines is on the hills. I was passing regular vehicles that slowing down on the hills, and his truck still had a lot more left in it. There is nothing like diesel power!!!!
I agree with the previous comment about a 1/2 ton having a limited payload compared to a 3/4 ton. Also, if you are towing, you need the option of changing gears while going up or down steeper grades. I’ll stick with my 5.7 liter 4x4 Tundra, and we are towing a 5,000 pound Arctic Fox trailer. Any more weight, then I would probably move up to a 3/4 ton truck.
I have an 05 dodge ram 3500 6 speed manual 5.9 Cummins. Yeah it's big and rides like a truck. I love it. Towing a 1967 silver streak about 4k lbs.
I pull a Grand Design 297RSTS. Had a 2016 Ford 250 gas extended cab 6.2L 6 speed 3.73 axle 4X4. When changing gears climbing hills or accelerating, the RPM's when so high sounded like the truck was going to blow up and the back seat was very cramped because of the way the rear doors opened. I traded in 02/2021 to a 2019 RAM 2500 gas crew cab 6.4L HEMI 8 speed 3.73 axle 4X2. Best move I ever made for a tow truck. The Ram truck is quite when towing and changing gears. Can't even tell I'm pulling this RV and the crew cab allows for more back seat storage. There's even storage in the floor under the rear floor mats.
We have a 2015 Ram 1500 optioned for towing (~9800lb towing, 1400lb payload, 3.92 gear etc.) and pull our 28' ~7000lb TT. We recently drove from Michigan out to Tetons / Yellowstone with it and didnt have a problem, it pulled how we expected it too. Once you get to a higher elevation it lives around 3k-3.5k rpm to maintain 70mph. Gas mileage over the 3800mi trip was 7.7MPG. For us pulling only on weekends / vacation (and the truck being my daily), it is a great fit. If we were pulling as often as you do, we would probably step into a 3/4 ton. Hope that helps
Rebuild your current one! (If it's not rusted out) It's less expensive and much less complicated than the newer ones. You'll be disappointed if you don't get another diesel with torque for towing. Fuel consumption on the 5.7 hemi is significant.
This. If the primary purpose for your truck is towing, the available torque (not the horsepower) is the prime consideration. I think if you towed your Airstream with the Ram you’d be amazed how far short of Seemore it falls. Also keep in mind the Hemi will not have engine braking.
I have a 2000 V10 Excursion with about 200k.
It’s been a very good truck and still runs great.
As I have taken good care of it, the drive train would easily last 300k.
But it’s all the little things that are going bad that make me look for a new tow vehicle.
Things like a fuel pump, door locks,
aged cracked plastics, and the latest, HVAC system with no heat.
The cost and down time starts to add up.
If I could buy the exact same truck new today I would.
I had a 2008 ram till last week 2024, only issues was lots of rust. Never had any issues with this truck except the norm brakes , rad etc. Great truck so just replaced it with a ram classic express, hopefully it is great like my old one.
There should be transmission controls on the right side of the steering wheel. + and - for up and down shifts
Yeah same that's how mine is
Yes, don't use it often, but is there when you need it.
Thanks 🙏 I was wondering about that…
@@LongLongHoneymoon pulling our 8000 lbs camper I keep my 1500 locked out in 5 or 6th gear in hilly driving and 4th or 5th in flat driving. The controls are on your steering wheel Gear -, gear +. The onscreen display if you toggle through you can display transmission temps and oil temps, which is what I normally have on screen when towing. We added the OEM electric brake control on the center cluster near the tow haul button.
I was surprised by the comment about the truck not having up/down shift controls- they are on the steering wheel right side as they are in the truck in the video
I havea 09 Dodge 3500 diesel and love it! All the trucks come in crew cab in 3/4 and 1 ton. 1/2 tons do drive better: they just don't have the capacity for larger rv's. Stay safe.
I am the proud owner of the Ram 1500 Bighorn 5.7 Hemi. This truck pulls and handles my 2021 Grand Design 2670 MK with ease (7,100 lbs dry - 33'4" overall length). The horsepower is incredible.
The downshift is on the steering wheel. I use mine all the time. The 8 speed transmission is awesome. I typically run 5th to 6th gear when on flat ground, I may need to down shift to 4th or 3rd gear depending on how steep the hills might get.
As for comfort, my truck is SO comfortable, I do not want to get out of it. I think you need to get away from the classic and move up to the Bighorn or Longhorn version.
As for the cloth seats, they are very durable and very easy to clean.
I am a Mopar man all the way.
Thank you Sean & Kristy for the review. We bought a 2021 Ram 1500 (new body style) with the 3.0 L diesel engine to pull our rig which is a 2006 25' Safari Airstream. We absolutely love it. Last spring we went 5000 miles in it over 40 days. My wife loved it because it was so comfortable to ride in. She now wants to take it all the time and not drive her Lexus GX460. Going up and down the mountain roads was not a problem at all. We were passing others on a 6% grade.
***There is a way to manually shift the transmission on the Ram pickup you were driving. On the steering controls, there is a shift+ and Shift- button.
Happy traveling and we love your videos, advice and experiences.
Love our RAM 1500, Laramie crew cab! Drives smooth, tows our camper, hauls when needed. We really enjoy the look as well.
We love our RAM. Very similar to this one. Except we have the 4x4, added air bags, and a few other things. Good review. The rear seat is our dog’s domain. I like the crew cab for groceries etc….
LOL ... You obviously AREN'T TOWING a heavy RV with yours ........ No comparison here !!!
My point was, good truck. RAMs are solid and comfortable.
31 foot TT. Not a huge camper. But a good match.
We have been pulling our 27’ Airstream Globetrotter with our Quad Cab Long (8’) Bed (just Remember to Always go with the Longest Wheel Base available for your, Towing Vehicle for Safety) 2018 Super Duty F350 Power Stroke, with “Sulastic’s Spring Shackles” installed on the aft end of the F/350s leaf spring mounts. Now this Super Duty when, unladen rides like a late model F150 with out sacrificing any hauling or towing capabilities.
Adaptive Steering, and Adaptive Cruise Control transforms these Trucks into a Luxury Automobile driving experience.
Once your educated on the reliability for the entire platform you’ll soon see the Ford Trucks are far superior to Ram and GM Trucks.
Residual Values are also best in class.
Period. This is not an opinion, but facts plain and true.
Best selling Trucks for a reason folks.
Plus once your towing your “Home” with a new (or late model) Super Duty Power Stroke, you will never second guess your choice to pass by GM & RAM.
Owning your late model Ford Super Duty Power Stroke, You will also be supporting the only US Trucking Manufacturer which never took a dime of our Tax Dollars.
Hemi powered throne. I hope to see you test it like a rental with the damage waiver. Seemore, without a thirst for DEF, and being bulletproof, will keep going until diesel is all gone. The cloth seats in my 2006 ram were good for ten years. Surprisingly a matching seat cover replacement was found on Amazon. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
And storage under rear floor mats. We love our Ram Warlock. Pulling our 2531KDS minni winnebago. 8500 no problems
The main plus for a diesel 250/350 is the engine break. Going down the Rockies and Blue Mountains without it is a white knuckle experience.
Brake.
@@michaeldoherty2289 Engine brake, yes. I also drive a school bus and it's an exhaust brake on that. I sometimes get them reversed.
@@duckiegirl58 Hi Candie. Of course. Hydraulic brakes on the wheels and the engine or exhaust brake are spelled the same. Originally you wrote "break". You can break a dish, but you can't stop a vehicle with breaks. You need brakes. I am a language snob I guess. Sorry for that.
@@michaeldoherty2289 Thank you!
@@duckiegirl58 Where do you drive a school bus in the Blues? Such a nice area. I am in Spokane area. Raining cats and dogs today.
Had a truck with a tonneau cover, bought a new/used truck that came with a full fibreglass cap. Years later bought new truck and immediately put a cap on it. LOVE THE CAP! Nothing beats the storage space for RVing.
Great video as usual. We have a '16 Ram Longhorn with about 46k so far, towed most of east coast. The Outback Ultra Light (6000 lbs unladen) follows us. We added rear air bags to even the stance and an Equalizer hitch to move weight to the front. For me this truck is outstanding in creature comforts on the road, awesome ride, 21.2 mpg highway and 10-11 mpg towing the RV. My biggest purchase disappointment was not paying more attention to the rear axle ratio, (3.21) which has limited our RV upgrade potential. This model maxes out at 8250 lbs, and I am reluctant to head west to see the great parks / mountains as a result.
I read a lot of the forums, specs, with the You Tube vids, and am still undecided as to whether we go with another 1500 with the 3.73 axle ratio, or upgrade to the 2500 6.4 gas or Cummins diesel (once the absurd price gouging retreats). I get 50/50 pro/com feedback on the diesel re: mechanical issues, but all pro on the tow capability. Especially the exhaust brake on hills. IMO it is a no brainer to rebuild/ refurb your Ford 250, a lot less expensive than upgrading to a new, and still has miles to go.......
I tow a 2017 Jayco Jayflight SLX 287BHSW 34' with a 2016 Ford F150 crew cab 4x4 with the 5.0L V8. I have my weight distribution hitch set so the trailer sits level and the rear suspension on the truck doesnt sag. Whole rigs rides smooth. Couldn't be happier with my setup.
I got the 2020 1500 4x4 Ram new body with tow package 3:92 gears and no rev limiter.. And it rips!.. I tow a 24 foot Jaco travel trailer and it pulls it with no issues what so ever with a quality tow hitch..
Bought a 2017 fully loaded RAM 1500 Bighorn as a tow vehicle for my first ever travel trailer. Driven it to Yellowstone in 2018, Yosemite in 2019, & Glacier in 2021 with my teenagers. It’s been a perfect tow vehicle.
We have a 2017 RAM 2500 Diesel, towing a 40’ 5th wheel and love it!
I have a 2013 Ford F-350 lariat. Duelly. Love it! Heated and ac leather seats crew cab with 8 ft box. 206,000 mi still runs like new.
Own a Ram 2500 HD 6.4 Hemi. I opted for the Tradesman with a few options such as nicer seats carpet and larger info screen. Price was same as the 1500 in your video payload is 3150#. Great truck
For towing a rig your size and weight . And the distance and places you tow . The 2500 Cummins is a great choice. Love my 2019 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins for comfort and power towing our 35ft 5th wheel . 2 trips to Yellowstone, Utah and no issues from SC
They don’t have the need for a 2500 or Cummins.
You don't talk about tow capacity or payload capacity. Both of which are very important when towing. I'm running a 2006 F-350, 6.0 diesel, Crewcab, longbed 4x4. Love it. Owned it since new. Yes, the 6.0 diesel is troublesome. I've been pretty lucky with mine. I think I would go with the 7.3 gas if I were to change to a newer Ford truck. We only drive the truck now to tow our travel trailer My Berner likes having the back seat to himself when we travel. We love watching you guys on youtube. Thanks for the review.
I love my 2016 RAM 1500 - Its not been in the shop for repair work at all. I keep it serviced and it just RUNS. My friend is on his second Ford in three years and had so many problems with his F250 Super Duty diesel it makes me wonder why he bought another Ford. Although, the F150 super charged six cylinder he has now does very well pulling his 39 foot trailer.
I have a 2017 RAM 1500 that I tow a Cougar 29RKS and it tows fine. I added airbags in the back and a tuner on the engine which has its own tow/haul mode. It gives me smoother shifting and ups the HP to 425. Tows well at about 62 mph and has plenty of power to pass. Mileage daily without the trailer is 19-21 towing the trailer 10-12. I was going to upgrade the truck until the prices went nuts so for now she will do. I keep about 15 gallons of water in the trailer on the road for the bathroom although when I picked up the trailer initially the dealer filled it to 60 gallons and we made it home with no issues. Love the channel!
Ram 1500 have coil springs instead of leaf so the pay load is only depending on options between 1100 and 1500 so if your trailer has a tongue weight is around 700 pounds which I would think your Air Stream is probably more, plus husband and wife combined weight of around 300 pounds its real easy to exceed you payload limit in a Ram 1500 and that's not even counting cargo yet. IMO if you want the hemi and a little pay load go for the Ram 2500
With the bigger hemi. IMO
@@eugeneenslow8563 yes your right, with the 2500 you would have to get the 6.4 Hemi
The Ram 2500 has coils as well. The leafs are only on the 3500.
@@hfd413 yes but the payload is 500 to 800 pounds more depending on options especially if you get the hemi instead of the diesel. The coils on the 2500 is much more robust
I have a 2019 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi and tow a 28 foot bunk house and love our truck.
I'll keep my 2011 F250 xlt crew cab 6.7L 400hp 800 lb ft torgue. Got enough bells a whistles and love the comfort of the ride. Sitting high in the cab is great. We have a 35' 5th wheel and it tows it almost like ti's not there. Drove to San Diego from close to Wilmington NC with no hiccups or problems. Was a couple of time it down shifted to 4th gear on a hill climb. Love it, love it, love it still. No major problems. Oh, yeah I forgot it's a 4x4. Fuel mileage can be as much as 24.5 hwy and 15-18 round town. Have 157,000 miles on it. Had a 4.7L Ram 1500 and it was useless for towing. Blew the engine on our way to Montana (wasn't even out of NC yet). When we got back traded it for the Ford. Best decision ever. I know the Cumings diesel is a good one but don't think I would change my two vehicle. Loved out Charger, so we aren't Dodge haters. Long response, sorry, I can roll along. Safe travels, y'all.
7.3 Gas F250. Great engine choice for your trailer size.
We tow with a 2018 RAM 3500 Limited full size bed / crew cab and the back seat fold down is where our 90lb puppy travels with us. It's a smart design!
Gear selection while in "D" is on the right side steering wheel bar at the top of the side panel. Press the required button and the trans will shift up or down and show the gear selection at the bottom of the center screen behind the steering wheel.
Best part about a diesel is you can fuel up with the big boys in the truck lanes. Essential with our 37 foot travel trailer.
based on your feedback and others we went with the retrax and couldn't be happier! Hope Seemore gets fixed right!
I love this vehicle review. Lumbar support to other features.
We tow with A 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Megacab which is actually built on the 2500 frame with 10 lug wheels and 10 ply tires. Our 5.7 gas Hemi engine does not have MDS or VVT but my understanding is that those systems cause excessive wear on the engine and are bound to fail with expensive repair. We were towing an 8000 lb travel trailer and it got crap gas mileage. We changed to a 4000 lb hybrid trailer and still getting pretty poor gas mileage but better and towing is more pleasant with the lighter trailer. We would upgrade to a newer truck but damn it is nice not having payments. Gas engine repairs are cheaper than diesel engine repairs too. But in 125,000 miles all we have needed to repair was the water pump.
We have a Dodge ram 1500 2018. We don't have the heated seats or searing wheel or the large front screen. My husband put on towing mirrors. The gear shifter in on the steering wheel for individual gears. Our rear end is a 3.23 rated to 8,000 lbs. We tow our 24ft Passport trailer across country including in Colorado without any issues.
If you're going gas; I'd strongly recommend going to a 3/4T; if diesel, a 1T. On a Ford the cost difference is only $1700 between a 3/4 vs 1T. 3/4T diesel cargo capacity may be equal or lower than a 1/2T in some configurations. I tow a trailer pretty simular in weight to yours for 5 years with a 1/2t (i've towed other combo's for over 40+) . My "Heavy Tow" F150 did fine but cross winds and semi's passing did cause a bit of action. I recently upgraded to a F350 7.3l gas. Day & night difference towing. Pure physics of a 2k pounds heavier truck, heavier rated springs, & bigger brakes. It was bought to tow so mpg's are not that much different until you compare empty on the freeway. Yes; the ride is stiffer vs a 1/2t. If you're using it for a 'car' and just towing occasionally a 1/2T its a good route to go though. I ordered mine with the extended cab for the same reasons as you, ~ 1x a year is anyone in the back seat, plus I can park it in the garage. Thats my 2 cents.
Since they're not going to tow a 5er a diesel 3/4 is plenty, the Airstream was designed to be towed behind a V8 body on frame sedan.
@@andrewfidel2220 maybe? but they'll be pushing the max load capacity. I came within ~200# by the time I add some gear to the bed & cab with two adults. At the cost of a new truck now a days , $1700 more for the 1T you increase the load cap another 1k + . Well worth the difference to not even have to think about it IMHO.
@@herb7877 on the 2020+ F250 at least the diesel only adds 106 pounds to the 2x4 or 176 pounds to the 4x4 over the 6.2 gas engine. That's not really enough to worry about, I'd be much more worried about platinum vs XLT or if it has the right options codes. Properly equipped XLT diesel can have >2,600 pounds of payload, plenty for pretty much any bumper puller trailer, and especially plenty for an Airstream. With GM going to 11,150 max pounds on the 2500 for 2021+ there are also plenty of the GM 3/4 with plenty of payload. Basically it's only RAM with the old 10k GVWR where you might still have an issue with a diesel 3/4 and payload rating.
@@andrewfidel2220 I ordered mine in Feb 21' a F350 gas xlt. My load cap is 4484 per door sticker. If I had ordered the diesel it dropped ~1k. I considered ordering the F250 to begin with. I looked at gas vs diesel was ~1000# difference in payloads with same options. Most diesel F250's were + / - 2100-2400# that I saw. My gas F150 was ~2150#. Not enough difference for me. Same findings with the Ram. I did not look at any GMC products. Numerous You tube's , & BTBRV have several videos with the same results.
We have had 3 Ram trucks, a 2500 & two 3500's all Cummins and towing with a Cummins with exhaust brake will convince you its worth it.
You can select the gear from the right side of the steering wheel. By selecting gear down then up to 8, you can see what the transmission is doing on the dash. Also, if you turn it off while in drive, the transmission will automatically shift itself to park.
Hello Sean & Kristie....my wife & I have been following you two for about 4 years now. Thank you for all you put into your presentations.
We picked up a used 2014 Ram 1500, 4X4, Laramie Edition. Truly enjoy this truck. Have driven each of the other brands (Ford, Chevy, GMC, Toyota and Nissan). For us this was the cream of the crop.
To answer a statement you made about no way to control the gear you are in (which u may already have figured out or been told)...the control for this is conveniently located on the right spoke of your steering wheel, just above your cruise control (Gear- & Gear+). We found that putting our Baby in tow mode, there has not been a need to utilize this....
Enjoying reading other people's inputs as well.
Timothy & Dana
Great review. Y'all know how I feel about my 2500 6.4 HEMI. 😁 Oddly enough, she's a daily driver for me and is not rough at all. As far as the heated seats and steering wheel, I love those options, even here in the South. It's nice to remote crank the truck 10 minutes before I leave for work and it automatically defrost windshield, side windows, mirrors, warm up wheel and seats and be ready for me... Hope you get Seemore back soon!
We have a 2019 RAM 3500 Crew Cab long bed, diesel 4x4 to tow our 25' A/S Globetrotter. Took it from Cocoa Beach, FL to Coos Bay, OR last year - absolutely love the combination! Options we added were factory trailer brake, Deck'd drawer system and ARE cargo cap.
Probably just model difference but my 2021 has a soft drop tailgate and center front seat that is a console with the back down! I love the crew cab to hold my dogs large kennel making muddy dog cleanup easy! They installed the trailer brake system for free as my old (2004) Ram had one! And mine is keyless with a fob! 392 gears will give you 10K towing! I was never dumb enough to haul a trailer heavier than my truck so I have a 21’ Flagstaff 21DS single slide that weighed at the scales 3035lbs good to know I won’t be bulldozed down the road if the trailer brakes can’t handle it!
I think the reason white is the most "popular" color is due to all of the fleet sales of pickups. Most companies buy them white because it’s not a premium up charged color and it’s easy to paint / sticker them up with company logos.
Originally pulled our 2010 Jayco Featherlight exp 213 (our baby) with a 2006 Durango with the 5.7 Hemi automatic trans, plenty of power but found out very fast the trans when pulling a trailer with the Tow package. driving to ( Arkansas From Illinois) up and down the hill, was not really designed for towing. Bought my Tank a Ford 2006 F250 with the 6.0 and towing the trailer Baby Is no issue at all Yes installed the Bullet proof system oil cooler and filter and asp studs and Ford head gasket had the heads reworked and all new Ford Injectors and a new coolant reservoir.. 200K Miles plus installed at 170K miles when we connect my Tank to Baby ( the Trailer ) we call them Hitched thanks for doing the review on the dodge ram excellent review as always!
With respect to towing: we bought a 26’ Outback Ultra-Lite (unloaded vehicle weight 5260) that we tow with a 2918 GMC Sierra (1500) Z71 with the SLT package. It’s got the 8 speed AT and a 5.3L V8 w MDS. When we’re not towing it’ll get 25 MPG and 10-12 MPG when towing. Took a trip from Alabama to Cali and back (6500 miles) and the truck ran GREAT - 65 mph on the highway and no hesitation on the hills.
Love the LOLOHO - keep the videos coming!!
Ooops - time warp??? No - it’s a 2018 truck 😳
We love our 2020 Ram 1500 4x4 Limited with the new updated Ecodiesel it pulls our little 26 ft 7000 lb travel trailer great even over the Eisenhower pass and the Douglas’s pass this pass November
I traded my 2017 Ram 1500 in march 2021 and it had 202,000 miles. It was a great truck. Ended up buying a 21 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71. Its also been a good one so far.
"Anything motorized is going to fail". I used to feel the same way about power windows. give me a hand crank, I'm fine. Now, my current truck is manual windows and locks and I hate it. I helped a friend replace his window regulator and it was cheap and easy - well worth it for the 10+ years of service.
For a tow vehicle, your F250 is better for your Airstream TT, than that Ram rental that you’re driving. I love the Diesel sound. Our son has a 2002 F350 CC dually with the 7.3L Diesel, it’s has a great diesel sound, especially with straight exhaust. Buy the way don’t forget that those luxuries that when they wear out it’ll cost you more $$$$. ❤️ your sound effects
We have a 1500 Ram, we tow with it regularly, Now our trailer is a 28' did have a 35' still towed it fine. On our 4x4 the tow capacity is 10,500lbs, which our current trailer is about 6,000 unloaded so I figure we are pulling 7500, have been out west, through the mountains, no problems what so ever. I guess if you had a trailer or 5th wheel that was 9 or 10k, then you would want to probably look at a 2500. For our use, and we are not full timers, we are NOT pulling most of the time so the 1500 hemi is perfect. By the way Sean, the manual shift for gears is on the steering wheel, upper right. Also where the digital speed is showing, there are lots of other info screens that you can pick from.
I agree with you re: drive
No option: Hi Low drive selector
I agree with everyone saying a 3/4 ton is really the minimum for what you guys do. Towing frequently the 3/4 ton will be much more stable and hold up to that stress better. I'm a fan of the Ram's though, a 3/4 ton ram with a cummins would be a great option IMO.
Our 2001 2500 4x4 dodge diesel still is doing great for us . Out for a week camping now 29 this morning, do some videos on fans and heaters to move air around in a trailer lol
I have a gmc 1500 with 9,100 towing capacity on a gas engine. While it pulls our 29’ travel trailer without too much trouble, I’m still looking to upgrade to a 3/4 ton of some sort. Haven’t nailed down a make yet, the F-250 Lariat is really nice, but I’ve never owned a Ford truck so I’m uncertain of the unknown.
I have a F-250 Lariat. Great for towing, but they are pricey!
That 1/2 ton 1500 isn't enough truck to tow your trailer, I tow a loaded 6500 lb travel trailer and I am right on the upper levels of my legal weights...my max trlr gvwr is 7200lbs. Another thing to remember is that when the 1500 is towing 6500lbs it is a gas guzzler! The only time the engine is in ECO mode is going down hill when towing, LOL. You need a RAM 3500 with a Cummins, they are just about as quiet as the hemi.
We have a 2020 Ram bighorn crew cab 6.4 hemi and love it. There’s no going from a 3/4 4x4 to a 1/2 ton truck. Especially for towing a camper. Enjoy the RAM while you have it.
We have towed our Airstream 26 Rb all over the west with a 2016 Ram 1500 Laramie crew cab and ecodiesel. We have average 16-17 mpg on our trips. The Ram is very smooth and comfortable to drive daily and on long trips with Airstream. The newer 5th Generation Ram 1500 takes that comfort to new level, with improved payload and towing capacity.
Can’t wait til you get into a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel. You’ll really see a night and day change and won’t want to go back.
Mine is a 2011 Ram 1500 Quad cab SLT 4X4 which a 4.7L and we did pull a 26' KZ Spree which has been parked at a local campground since Covid started. Truck has been great for an every day truck.
I pull my 2013 Flagstaff hybrid with a 2016 Ram Express 5.7 Hemi- the Express is not a fancy truck but it sure gets the job done.......Camper Bruce
Hey Sean. You can change gears in “Drive” on the steering wheel on your right hand side. It should read “gear + or -“.
Thanks Matt, I should've caught that! I had been thinking that cluster of buttons was dedicated to cruis control functions only -- now I see the gear + and - signs!
I love it,. You have a Ford, you are reviewing a Dodge and commercial for Chevy.
That covers it all
I love my RAM 1500!
My husband and I cracked up everytime you said Rrrrram.
Good video. We upgraded last year from an F150 to an F250 primarily for the towing capacity. The Ford crew cab has a flat floor in the back and the seats fold up nicely providing a huge amount of storage, one of the features we really like.
We have a 2019 Ram 1500 w/5.7 Hemi. We also have the knob shifter and can manually shift up or down with buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. We tow our Airstream 25’ International Serenity with this truck and it does fine.
On the Ram, the control for the transmission gears is the 2 buttons about the cruise control buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.
I went from a 2007 F350 6.0 diesel to a 2019 Ram 2500 with the 6.2L Hemi. No regrets. Better ride, better fuel economy, and a hell of a lot quieter. It pulls my 10,500 lb 5th wheel just as well, if not better, than my F350 did.
My t-boned a Hyundai a few years ago with our f250. We were also given a ram truck as a rental. The only thing I liked about the ram was the picture quality was a little better on the backup camera. It was nice to get our truck back.
I had a 2004 F250 6.0L Diesel for 15 years. Never failed me and performed awesome stock but did worry me. I retooled with a 2019 6.2L gas with the 6 speed trans. Very happy. If you had a 3/4 ton do not go to a 1/2 ton. The 2019 is way better ride and comfort then the 2004. I steer clear of new 7.3 gas and feel way better with proven 6.2L 6 speed. Love it!!!
My 2017 F150 supercrew has a flat floorboard in the back which can load alot with seats folded up.
We LOVE our 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi Crew Cab!! Tows our little trailer perfect!!
There is a real reason FORD trucks are still the number one selling truck. I have a F350 Turbo Diesel Super Duty SRW. I tow a Fiver at 13,500 lbs.
I traded in my 2004 F250 diesel for a Ram 2500 Cummins, Crew cab. We just traveled 11,000 miles pulling our TT through 22 states. Fuel milage was far superior to most gas rigs we spoke with. Power was never an issue. We crossed the Cascades, the Rockies, and the Smokey Mountains and then all the way to So. Oregon. Never owned a Dodge before, never will be without one again. And you can't believe what the exhaust brake does, especially when towing in the mountains.
Yes, our F250 has an exhaust brake -- we have found it a critical part of the towing package!
Hi Sean, great video and, as always very entertaining! We recently traded in our F-150 Ecoboost for their hybrid-power boost with the optional 7.2kw power bank/ generator built into the back. Effectively eliminates my need to haul around my generator for boon docking as I can plug my RV directly into my truck with the 30amp plug feature and I got enough torque and payload all day long to haul our 29ft. This thing will punch up to 140 kph (sorry I’m Canadian) on highway onramps (without trailer of course) if I need it and I will get almost 900kms between fill ups on highway drives. Not to mention We’re also now the only house on the street with lights when the power goes down. By the end of this camping season I may be selling off our duel-fuel genny. Fingers crossed🤞. Cheers!
I love your truck and would/will be sad to see him go. My husband always said that he plans to run the wheels off his truck (2002 chevy 1500 with 350k on the odometer.) I have a 2006 TDI beetle that I never willingly given. Old cars rule!
Don't ever think of buying a 1/2 ton truck to replace your 3/4 ton, you will regret your decision for the rest of your life. Buy a 3/4 ton truck with a gasoline engine and never look back.
Very good advice in light of all the newer junk on diesels (DEF DPF ETC). The CP4 fuel pump is another example of a $8,000 repair.
You have to go see the F150 the space in the back seat is HUGE
We will try to get our hands on one!
Enjoyed your really honest assessment of the 1/2 ton RAM truck. Like so many other contributors, I've also owned several 1/2 ton trucks and they did a fine job on all my lighter tows. However, when you live in Colorado , towing over 8,000 pounds and having to deal with the mighty "IKE Gauntlet" (If you don't know what that is watch TFL Truck) you'll be glad you have a heavy truck with the big diesel. Set the cruise, engage the engine brake if the downhill is really steep and the truck takes care of the rest with no drama. In addition, with the 1/2 ton gas trucks, you stop more frequently for fuel, especially when you approach maximum capacity and a head-wind. The heavier diesel trucks are also more stable when towing and you get strong cross-winds or meet a big Semi on a 2-lane road. I could go on-and-on, but the bottom-line I tell my friends is, "the big diesel takes the drama out of towing!."
I had a 2004 Ford Excursion disiel (sp) to tow a 35 foot RV That just loved to cruise at 70. Between 40 and 65 it was sluggish, but at 70 it settled.
May have been mentioned, but the +/- toggle on the wheel gears up and down, effectively locking the topmost hear you want to use as I understand. Also, more storage (can be used as a hidden beer cooler) under rear floormats. :)
I have a 2020 Ram Laramie 4wd crew cab night edition I paid $52,000 new, it has a more modern interior than the classic . 12” screen, heated and ventilation leather seats. LED lights both inside and out. Btw White is the most popular color because that’s what fleets buy.
We own a 2012 RAM 2500 Heavy Duty SLT 4X4 with the 5.7 HEMI. It has the crew cab and an 8 foot box. It measures in at around 22 feet in length. We tow a 30 foot fifth wheel with it. It can be a little tricky to get into tight spots at some campgrounds because of its length but we really love the truck overall. We also have the cloth seats and they have, so far, not had any issues. We bought this truck used 4 years ago and discovered that it was once used as a municipal truck in Ontario, Canada. So you know that the seats have been through a lot. Because this truck is a 2500, and because it is a 4X4, and because it is a heavy duty, it has a rough unloaded ride quality to it. Not to the point of being uncomfortable but you can feel every big bump in the road, but once the weight of the fifth wheel is on it the ride smooths out considerably. Everyone has their favorite brand of truck and they ALL have their good and bad points but like you said, you have to figure out what works for you. I think that if you were to get something like that 1500 but in a 2500 flavor with a long box and with the Cummins diesel, it would fill in all of the check boxes that you might need and you may find that you'll like it a lot. I would like to see what your impressions are of the available trucks for towing your Airstream.
Get a 4X4 and you will have various pulling options. I also got the black out package with “red” paint, 20 inch tires and really like the truck. Pulls my boat and also a smaller Airstream then yours nicely.
I have a 2500 6.7 Ram I love it I pull a 5th wheel. Thank you God Bless
Crew cab absolutely worth it. Even with no passengers.
I recently traded my 2004 ram 1500 4,7 L quad cab for a 2020 ram 1500 classic crew cab 5.7 L hemi. So far I really like it. We have a Forest River Rockwood HW276. The 2004 handled it well, and we are looking forward to hauling it with the 2020 with a little better HP and torque. Right now we are just weekend warriors. I have really enjoyed your channel !