A 1500 rides,handles and manuvers better especially if this is daily driver. Normal wear maintenance items like brakes, tires, etc are more money for HD truck.

 

The only reasons I went with a 1/2 ton was Ride quality and price. Although I didn't drive the 2500 so I can't say if the ride quality is much stiffer.
At the time when I bought mine I was already experiencing major sticker shock, so the extra $ 5-7k for a 3/4 ton was out for me. My last NEW truck was only $25K.

Next time around I would definitely consider the Cummins.

 

No reason not to other than firmer ride and a bit higher operating costs. As a plus, you have a lot more suspension to work with.

 

How much do you tow?

How much do you load into the bed?

Now those two questions are paramount for the necessity or usefulness of any opinions to your question. There are other lesser points of interest. If normal driving is a lot, the Cummins normally gives less fuel mileage. If money is an issue, that is important along with the probably increased cost of buying the 2500. Factor in the increase cost of registration, insurance, some parts (larger, beefier and more expensive), higher profile for garage and operation, parking, overall weight gain etc. Some just like the feeling of "manlyhood" they get from a bigger, higher more prominent vehicle. That's a positive to some who literally have no use for the bigger truck. You can more easily fit in with the horsey crowd and stand out in the bar parking lot. Get some stickers and vertical exhaust pipes when you are doing that.

I had both a Duramax and a Cummins. My Duramax was more Duro-junk. The Cummins was wonderful for near 200,000 miles then it started to cause me expensive trouble the next 40K plus. The modern Cummins has the same emissions crap as the Ecodiesel. Do a full delete and it really is designed to go 300K or more. Now if you keep it that long - miles and years - get the Cummins and do a full delete.

Sure the ride is a bit rougher than a little 1500. Sure you need some kind of steps, running boards or a ladder to get in and out. It is better to look down at stopped traffic next to you and see what you can see. Might be just what you want?

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Wat the Captain said. $$$$$$ factor, but the key thing else: Do U tow enough and enough weight to justify. But get and do WHAT works for U.....

 

I don’t often tow much over 8k and fuel economy is paramount for me so the ED works well. I also like the quietness & ride quality as its my daily driver including taking her out to eat or as in today dressing up a bit going to a viewing to pay respects. If it was solely a work truck for heavier hauling & bigger tows I’d have an HD.

 

From what I understand the 2020 ED may have a more comparable towing capacity.

 

Shouldn’t buy a 2500 cause you don’t need one. If you did, you would’ve bought one in the first place.

BUT, if it gives you piece of mind and you want it, by all means go for it. Can’t take that moldy money with you!


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Because it is more truck than you need and it has its share of troubles too and they are more expensive to fix. Unless you tow virtully all the time you can go 5 or 10 mph slower with an ecodiesel in certain situations and have a much more economical and nicer truck to use when you are not towing. If you are selling your house and moving to a mobile life with a big trailer then get the 2500.

And, because you are asking you really don't wan't one/

 

As others have stated. Higher purchase price, increased fuel usage, more expensive fuel filters (Canada is a ripoff), rough ride, has no turning radius to speak of, higher ingress height, As69rc shifts like a big rig but.......... probably the easiest diesel truck to work on, reliable emissions system (have to disagree with Cap on this one), the megacab is amazing, insurance up here is actually cheaper than my 2011 1500 was and if you two heavy, there is no comparison. None. The ISB6.7 is an absolute beast. Not a racecar but with a trailer it is unfrickenstoppable.

I don't like daily driving mine for short trips in town. It is a beaut on the open highway. With the horse trailer weighing in at 7k I just lock it in 5th and set the cruise at 110km/h and it never shifts in the rolling hills.

Edit: what you also get is probably the industries best exhaust brake. You really need to test it out. To get the most, put it in tow/haul and let her rip. You wont be disappointed.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

As it turns out my 2500 shopping spree has come to an end for now.

My garage door is 79" tall and the three 2500's I looked at were all taller than that, measuring between 79" and 82" tall. All were stock, two tradesman's and one Big Horn sport.

I have some thinking to do weather or not I want to buy one and keep it out doors or in my un-heated pole barn. My plan was to keep it in my heated garage.

I really liked everything about the 2500, ride, tow capacity, bed capacity, and especially the reputation of the Cummins.

Looks like my ED is going to have to keep me happy for at least one more hunting season.

 

Until then look for a Florida or Texas F250 with the 7.3 (2000-2003). For $4,500 you could upgrade injectors, turbo, tans shift kit, and tune. Another $2k replace the interior and modern Bluetooth/music system.

800tq is more than anyone would need and have an incredibly dependable mule, millions of parts, and cheap to fix. Cold weather is irrelevant for these engines.

 

Now next year there will be the other 1/2 ton options for you to look at. By then we will have read tests on them, know if they can be tuned and deal with pricing issues and towing capacity with more enlightened information.

I am using my Ecodiesel for another hunting season this year. Seems I tend to scratch and beat my truck on trails, mud, power lines and rough areas while hunting. Then I just may damage it again with my trailer or tractor while hauling and working the area for and during hunting season. No garage and washing clean for weeks while at camp.

Best to use the old one until after the season and then deal with both buying and preparing anything new for the battles to come.
IMG_2525 by Larry Malinoski, on Flickr

 

Capt, is that your infamous biting trailer?

I didn't consider the 2500 this time around since I still use it as a daily driver. I wanted something that I could get into and out of the parking spaces in one shot. Maybe when the wife finally lets me retire, I can reconsider.

 

Capt, is that your infamous biting trailer?

.

IMG_1855 by Larry Malinoski, on Flickr

No ... This is the "biting trailer". Did pictures of the latest "bite'. Not done painting so not going there just yet.

 

just got a 2019 2500 6.4 with the 8 speed it quieter then mt 2015 ed at highway speeds get close to 18 mpg on the highway around 14 mpg with 6000 lb trailer on the back deisle is 60 cent a gallon more then gas where im at go the truck for 45 my eg was 50 in 2015.
so way your options 9100$ for the cummins with al the emission junk is not a good pay back to expensive to maintain and fuel less patload and only a few thousand lb more towing capacity go with gas the 8 speed makes a difference just like it dose behind the little 3 l eco.
just drive one you will be surprised

 

Also dont forget the solid front axle 2500s are alot heavier and go thru tires and suspension... axle u joints alot quicker. They are built to haul and thats how they should be used to justify a 3500 tag. Hell you could drive a peterbilt 379 for a daily driver and still not feel manly enough lol.

 

I almost went this route but sold my 3/4 Ton. If I had know early on, this would have been one of the upgrades. A HD CV joint replacement for those pesky U joints on the front axle. https://www.google.com/search?q=ram...LWYmvLjAhURLs0KHQ4MBrUQrnZ6BAgBEBY&biw=1014&bih=861&dpr=1#imgrc=ABofKe7raRSZzM:

 

^ wow.. Never knew these HD axles were available. Pricey but well worh it. I sold my 2003 3500 few years ago.. Went threw 4 sets of axle u joints in 400k. Tried every brand possible but its a shit design to begin with...
Cummins isb 6.7 is a heavy engine.. Ram finally realized this and made the gen 4s little beefier on suspension front.. But I still think the 1500s will be less headache on suspension side of things.

 

I can attest to the tire wear issue on HD trucks. Apparently the factory settings are a big bracket. My tires were feathering in short order. I had the caster/camber nearly zeroed out and it is better.... mostly.

That ISB6.7 is about 1000 pounds dry and that AAM 9.25 front axle is an absolute beast.

 

Mission critical equipment failure had us retreat to base camp. Now a new 2500 CTD sits in the driveway. Can't really say good or bad at this point. Cap has inspired inspired confidence, various forums saying the same thing. Time will tell..m

 

Mission critical equipment failure had us retreat to base camp. Now a new 2500 CTD sits in the driveway. Can't really say good or bad at this point. Cap has inspired confidence, various forums saying the same thing. Time will tell..