2011 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Hemi

[CRay87]

Anyone have experience with towing an '04 260 Sundancer with a newer Ram 1500? Rated tow is 10250lbs. I'm currently towing with a '06 Nissan Titan 2WD. Pulls the boat just fine, but tough getting up the ramp with 2WD. The 260 is on an aluminum tandem axle road king trailer. Thanks

 

[firecadet613]

I towed my Four Winns 268...same size as a 260DA with an '04 Durango. Towing on flat land, with a weight distributing hitch wasn't horrible...but it wasn't great either.

I upgraded to a Ram 2500, night and day difference. I'd get a 2500. A 1500 truck drives just like my Durango did. Drive a heavy duty...you won't be sorry.

 

[Scottzzzy]

First, welcome to the site!

You should try a search on here as there have been a lot of posts about tow ratings and appropriate working ranges on vehicles.

That does seem like you would be cutting it close with a trailer and a fully loaded 260 behind a 1500 Dodge. What is the dry weight of your boat?:huh:

 

[CRay87]

Dry weight of boat is 6200 lbs. Trailer, boat, fuel, water...came in at 9200 lbs.

 

[92coupe]

I tow my 85 sundancer 260 with a 09 dodge 1500 2wd. Really a one wheel drive. It's ok but my buddies ford f250 does way better

 

[Scottzzzy]

Dry weight of boat is 6200 lbs. Trailer, boat, fuel, water...came in at 9200 lbs.

Now I am not being a smart A, but once you add in the people in the vehicle itself and any other gear you are getting real close to the max I would think.

I had a '05 220 and I towed it with an F250 and it was fantastic in any weather or on any ramp. I brought the boat home from the shop 1 time with my buddies 1500 Chevy and felt like the boat was pushing me home! I would go a little bigger if budget allows.:huh:

Hey if you like many of us.....you could catch 2 foot itis at any moment and move up to that 280 or 340!:grin::grin::grin:

 

[CRay87]

Ok, how about the Ram 2500 with the HEMI, any body have one or drive one? Since most of our driving is around town, I was looking at gas intead of the diesel. Thanks

 

[92coupe]

like i said i have a 2009 1500. and my mom has a 2010 dodge 3500 diesel. the 1500's come with coil springs in the rear starting in 09. imo i dont think coil springs is the best for towing. my moms 3500 has leaf. i have yet to tow my boat with her truck as shes an hour drive just to pick it up but i will someday. im sure it will be like nothing is behind it. the v-10's have a ton of torque and hp. as for fords, i dont personally like them cause i work on cars for a living and fords are a ***** just to do a tune up on hiding the rear plugs under the cowling. chevys are easy as the plugs are right on the side with plenty of room. the hemis have 2 plugs per cylinder but not to bad to get to. at least not the new ones. if i had the money i would buy a dodge 3500

 

[TexasA&M]

I towed my Four Winns 268...same size as a 260DA with an '04 Durango. Towing on flat land, with a weight distributing hitch wasn't horrible...but it wasn't great either.

I upgraded to a Ram 2500, night and day difference. I'd get a 2500. A 1500 truck drives just like my Durango did. Drive a heavy duty...you won't be sorry.

Comparing a 2011 1/2 ton of any make to a 2004 vehicle is an apples and oranges scenario. Everyone has made great strides in increasing capabilities of all their vehicles. That said, some of the tow ratings may be a bit inflated, but you have to consider what you will be using the vehicle for MOST of the time. Will you be towing every weekend for long distances, or only towing a couple of times a year? Where are you going to keep the truck, and what will you do with it when you aren't towing? Can you afford the extra maintenance that 3/4 tons and up (specifically diesels) usually take? Etc, etc.

Some folks are fortunate to have the money/space to have a dedicated tow vehicle and a commuter car, where as others have to compromise and try to find the best of both worlds. YOU have to figure out what the primary use of the vehicle will be, and then go from there. Don't listen to all of us on a message board that say you need a 3/4 ton truck for anything larger than a single jet ski. Will a 3/4 diesel pull your boat (or any boat) better? Sure it will, but that doesn't mean you can't tow it safely and effectively behind a 1/2 ton gasser. You'll just have to go slower and drive like you're pulling a heavy load.

All that said, I like the new Dodge 1500s and think they are very capable. You can put air bags or something equivalent in the back to help the sag of the coil springs (this won't increase your capacity, but will help you sit level). For pure performance, I'd take a real close look at what Ford has to offer these days. I test drove one of the EcoBoost trucks and it is definitely the real deal.

 

[MonacoMike]

If you are being "pushed around" the trailer may have inadequate brakes if GCWR is within range.

 

[firecadet613]

Ok, how about the Ram 2500 with the HEMI, any body have one or drive one? Since most of our driving is around town, I was looking at gas instead of the diesel. Thanks

I should have added more details. My '04 Durango and '06 2500 are both Hemi. I love the Hemi. Would I have preferred a Cummins in my 2500? Sure...but for the premium, not thanks! It would have been 3k more for me to get a Cummins, but with 100k more miles on it and the truck not as loaded. MPG in town is 10-11, with my boat in tow about 8. The difference in MPG between gas and diesel and the costs aspect will buy a LOT of gas.

Comparing a 2011 1/2 ton of any make to a 2004 vehicle is an apples and oranges scenario. Everyone has made great strides in increasing capabilities of all their vehicles. That said, some of the tow ratings may be a bit inflated, but you have to consider what you will be using the vehicle for MOST of the time. Will you be towing every weekend for long distances, or only towing a couple of times a year? Where are you going to keep the truck, and what will you do with it when you aren't towing? Can you afford the extra maintenance that 3/4 tons and up (specifically diesels) usually take? Etc, etc.

Some folks are fortunate to have the money/space to have a dedicated tow vehicle and a commuter car, where as others have to compromise and try to find the best of both worlds. YOU have to figure out what the primary use of the vehicle will be, and then go from there. Don't listen to all of us on a message board that say you need a 3/4 ton truck for anything larger than a single jet ski. Will a 3/4 diesel pull your boat (or any boat) better? Sure it will, but that doesn't mean you can't tow it safely and effectively behind a 1/2 ton gasser. You'll just have to go slower and drive like you're pulling a heavy load.

All that said, I like the new Dodge 1500s and think they are very capable. You can put air bags or something equivalent in the back to help the sag of the coil springs (this won't increase your capacity, but will help you sit level). For pure performance, I'd take a real close look at what Ford has to offer these days. I test drove one of the EcoBoost trucks and it is definitely the real deal.

As stated above, should have been more specific. '04 Durango to a '06 Ram 2500. I've driven an '09 Ram 1500, and it seemed fairly similar to my Durango. You cannot beat the heavy duty build of any 2500 truck. The tow ratings are very overinflated. I've towed many miles with my '04 Durango. Started with a 23' cuddy cabin and then my cruiser. Bought the cuddy in PA and it was quite a trip. To and from the local lakes no problem, but a PITA up to Lake Michigan, but no equalizer hitch. Got an equalizer hitch when I bought the cruiser...and it helped, but didn't make the long trek up to Lake Michigan until I bought the 2500.

Go drive a 1500 and a 2500 of any make, back to back. You will feel the difference during the drive. As far as maintenance, I'm not sure their is any greater cost in maintaining as gas 2500 vs. a 1500. The 2500 is my daily driver, and I love it. A bit expensive, and she won't fit in parking garages so I have to swap with the wife for the day if I'm headed downtown.

I do miss trailering my old 185 though....with my '04 Durango you could barely tell it was back there. Those were the days!

 

[CRay87]

Update, yesterday my local Dodge dealer let me test drive a new Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 with the boat in tow. Took it on the freeway, and up a 7% grade which lasts for 3 miles. No problem hauling it at 55 up the grade. Braking was very good, and no swaying coming back down the grade. Had 4 people in the truck, with full load of fuel, water and equipment in the boat. No comparison to my Titan, way out performed the Nissan. The trailer does have disc brakes on all 4 wheels. Just thought I'd let every one know.

 

[TexasA&M]

Good deal! That's awesome that the dealer let you take the boat on a test drive. That's truly the only way you can know how the truck will handle the load.

So after the test drive, are you leaning toward bringing the new Ram home????

 

[Vince_nj1]

You don't need a full size truck for that boat. Look what this guy is using :grin::

 

[firecadet613]

LMAO. Fwiw, see how much more it'd be for a gas 2500. It may not be as much as you think. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes towing your boat.

 

[tdappleman]

like i said i have a 2009 1500. and my mom has a 2010 dodge 3500 diesel. the 1500's come with coil springs in the rear starting in 09. imo i dont think coil springs is the best for towing. my moms 3500 has leaf. i have yet to tow my boat with her truck as shes an hour drive just to pick it up but i will someday. im sure it will be like nothing is behind it. the v-10's have a ton of torque and hp. as for fords, i dont personally like them cause i work on cars for a living and fords are a ***** just to do a tune up on hiding the rear plugs under the cowling. chevys are easy as the plugs are right on the side with plenty of room. the hemis have 2 plugs per cylinder but not to bad to get to. at least not the new ones. if i had the money i would buy a dodge 3500

I've heard mixed results towing heavy loads with the new coil springs. It sounds like you've already sold yourself on the 1500 but I'd go with a HD truck to avoid being at the max every time you tow. I've worked on a few 1500 Rams and the brakes are not the best - actually just had one in yesterday to my shop and it had a trans leak and the rear diff was leaking (21k miles... no towing).

Chevy's are easy to work on - good thing as they need quite a bit of maintenance and repairs. Weak front ends, brakes, etc. I'll gladly spend an extra 20-30 mins on the rear Ford plugs to drive a better vehicle. What's 20 mins every 75-100k miles?

 

[CRay87]

Update, went ahead and bought the Ram 1500 Quad cab 4X4. I tow the boat about 10 times a year up to the Lake which is about 30 miles away, otherwise it's a 5 mile trip to the launching ramp at the bay, the rest of the time it's a commuter vehicle. The performance towing duirng the test drive with the boat was way more than satisfactory. I realize if we go to a larger boat, ie 280 :grin: that we will have to move up to the 3/4 diesel. I will update my experience with the Ram as the season progresses. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[firecadet613]

Smart move. Had I known the tow was so short, 1500 is a no brainer. I'm looking into getting a bigger, slipped boat, just so I can get rid of a 2500 as a daily driver. At least thats the story the wifes getting!

 

[floriduramax1]

I've heard mixed results towing heavy loads with the new coil springs. It sounds like you've already sold yourself on the 1500 but I'd go with a HD truck to avoid being at the max every time you tow. I've worked on a few 1500 Rams and the brakes are not the best - actually just had one in yesterday to my shop and it had a trans leak and the rear diff was leaking (21k miles... no towing).

Chevy's are easy to work on - good thing as they need quite a bit of maintenance and repairs. Weak front ends, brakes, etc. I'll gladly spend an extra 20-30 mins on the rear Ford plugs to drive a better vehicle. What's 20 mins every 75-100k miles?

:smt021:huh:

Give me a break! Just go walk the service departments parking lots at any Ford dealer ship and count the Power junks in for service and ball joints! That is a blanket statement and you know it! The 7.3 was the last good motor Ford used. 99k miles of some of the hardest driving and I have replaced the right front wheel bearing assy. I replaced the factory brakes at 12k and haven't touched them since. I did however just install a stage 3 kit in the tranny along with a ATS 5 Star triple disc converter:grin::grin: to hold the power when I tow the boat! For the front end, a pair of 100.00 SD tie rod sleeves takes care of those boosted 4 wheel drive launches:grin: I would be more than happy to pull beside your ford and see how we perform loaded and empty. I have this truck set up for pulling and I can tell you, a properly set up Duramax/ Ally combination is a pleasure to drive and quite the workhorse. You can pick the good and bad in all brands, but my Dmax is less likely to leave me sitting on the side of the road with engine (egr,head gasket, turbo oil rings, cam sensor:smt021) troubles than a Ford! Whats funny is how Dodge an GM (and yes I'm pissed about "obama motors") has been improving their engines over the years and Ford went backwards:huh:

 

[tdappleman]

I knew I could get a reaction - but you can say the same thing about Chevy dealerships. Aluminum heads warping on the duracraps, bad injectors, poor transmissions - Allisons included. I'm not just making blanket statements or repeating things I hear. These are actual trucks coming through my shop on a weekly basis. I didn't say anything about all of the Powerstrokes being good - the 6.0 was the worst thing Ford put out! The 6.4 had a few cooling issues but I would certainly drive one over the GM /Isuzu offerings. On the light duty level - a 2008 GMC Sonoma came in yesterday - has a blown head gasket!