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I got a 2011 8 foot long bed 2500 diesel ram crew cab for towing. Very basic model. Diesel and Uconnect. Its a beast for towing, but its also a beast for parking or any regular use. I can't even park in most corporate parking lots. Parking lines are too narrow and lanes make turning it to even try to park painful. Then it sticks a couple of feet out past every other car.
Was thinking of getting a 2018 6 foot short bed crew cab 2500 Diesel laramie (with larger tank option) and a many, many more creature comforts. I bought the long bed because I was told that it was better for towing. Thats certainly true, only time I noticed the very heavy trailer behind me was in a hurricane. But when not towing its just a monster. And a 2500 6 foot bed can be a more regular vehicle.
Two vehicles is not an option. I have to park in NYC. So I either stay with my Dirk Diggler long bed 2500 or ride in luxury with a smaller 2500 with only the nice options.
Trailer is very heavy and I don't want to kill myself trying to tow with an F150 even if they claim it can pull close to 14K
Opinions on towing with a short bed would be very welcome
I've got a short bed 2500 Crew Cab. Tows my 24-foot without a problem. I do not use a weight distribution or anti-sway hitch and it is not an issue with 18 wheelers passing by.
Long bed comes in handy if you're pulling a gooseneck, you can do it with a short bed but the trailer needs to have the overhang angled. Also, does your 2011 require DEF? That's another thing to consider with a newer diesel. Non DEF diesels are going for a premium BTW. Don't envy you having to drive any truck in NYC.
A short bed will be fine for a bumper-pull car trailer, and you’re well within the limits of a 3/4 ton. Your trailer would have to be pretty heavy before you start getting into payload concerns.
DEF isn’t really an issue. Truck stops have it at the pump for about the same price as a gallon of diesel, or just put a couple of 2.5 gallons jugs in at each oil change. I think the systems have come a long ways since they were first introduced (Fords anyway, can’t really speak to Dodge)
A new shortbed Ram 2500 is rated to pull 17k lbs, the long bed is rated at 16k lbs. IMO the only reason to go with the longbed is if you plan on upgrading to a gooseneck/5th wheel trailer. The 2018s are way nicer inside than the 2010-2012s, you won't be disappointed.
i just sold my diesel 3500 dualie. it was a beast, rated to like 30k lbs which was useful when i had the gooseneck, but now ihave a bumper pull which i tow mainly with my motorhome.
o i sold the 3500 and went with a 2500 hemi 6.4, it can low like 14000lbs gcwr
i had a massive headache with sthe diesel thi spast winter which on the east coast was a hellish winter. i had 911diesel antifreeze in there, still froze up once and was rendered unusable for 2 days till it warmed. i had put it on the engine block warmer but the outlet strip had tripped.
and those diesel with a lot of torque dont have very responsive "fun" engines when you're not hauling. but the 2500 lets me pull the trailer, do all my other stuff, without the headaches, plus i pocketed a bunch of change.
unless you're going to haul all the time and go dually, id go with the hemi. diesel and dually sure. but the hemi has just about as much hp and tq as the diesels these days. atleast for me that last 2k lbs of towing isnt relevant.
Yes comfort is a factor since this is really my car. I don't drive in the city but frequently drive out and i can take any of the parkways. I know the 18 will be way more comfortable.
The 2011 doesn't need the blue. But i think they jumped through all sorts of hoops to comply with emissions because they gave up after 2012.
The mileage i get is really awful. I assume it's better with 2018 because they have it sorted out. ( am i right?)
I am planning on putting a cap on so i can avoid having commercial plates and be able to take the parkways. So no near term plans for a gooseneck.
I mostly tow, but I am driving to suburbs more often as a consultant. I do use a WDH.
Originally Posted by ExMB
Is that with a diesel and the base model? That wouldn't give you the lux features you want.
Yes - All the bells and whistles. Thats part of the reason.
HEMI???
Hmmmm - Thats an interesting point. My trailer is fairly heavy at 12-13K. If you are towing that much with the Hemi, is it screaming all the time? My tows are always very long and that wouldn't be fun for 800-1000 miles or more.
Originally Posted by spg993tt
unless you're going to haul all the time and go dually, id go with the hemi. diesel and dually sure. but the hemi has just about as much hp and tq as the diesels these days. atleast for me that last 2k lbs of towing isnt relevant.
If you’re towing 13k, I take back my comment about not needing to worry about payload. If you have 15% of that weight on the tongue, things might start to get tight on 3/4 ton. For not much more money just get a full ton and don’t worry about it.
HEMI???
Hmmmm - Thats an interesting point. My trailer is fairly heavy at 12-13K. If you are towing that much with the Hemi, is it screaming all the time? My tows are always very long and that wouldn't be fun for 800-1000 miles or more.
If you're towing that much weight, I'd go with the diesel. The 6.4 Hemi is an awesome engine but gas engines are thirsty pulling that kind of weight. My 2500 5.7 gets around 8.5mpg per the dash computer towing, and that's mostly flat going from DE to NJMP and only pulling around 6k lbs.
If you're towing that much weight, I'd go with the diesel. The 6.4 Hemi is an awesome engine but gas engines are thirsty pulling that kind of weight. My 2500 5.7 gets around 8.5mpg per the dash computer towing, and that's mostly flat going from DE to NJMP and only pulling around 6k lbs.
2017 cummins diesel 2500 from Rockland County to Njmp got 13.5 mpg at 70 mph towing 7k lbs.
The 2011 doesn't need the blue. But i think they jumped through all sorts of hoops to comply with emissions because they gave up after 2012.
The mileage i get is really awful. I assume it's better with 2018 because they have it sorted out. ( am i right?)
I am planning on putting a cap on so i can avoid having commercial plates and be able to take the parkways. So no near term plans for a gooseneck.
The switch to DEF in '13 was due to cost and the tier 4 final mandate on Jan 1st, 2014. SCR (selective catalytic reduction aka urea) is cheaper than the precious metals in the DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst).
You'll see 2-3 MPG improvement on a '13+ truck as compared to a 10-12 (I have an '11, my father has a '13)
Keep in mind, a cap alone does not make you a legal passenger vehicle in NYS. You either need a 3rd row of seats (our route) or permanently mounted camping equipment in the bed (mattress or fridge).
Thanks for the tip. I am working with a dealer who knows what I need to add into the bed. I'll add some cabinet and nets anyway. That can't hurt, but I'll double check that I am doing all of the right things
Originally Posted by Cacciatore
The switch to DEF in '13 was due to cost and the tier 4 final mandate on Jan 1st, 2014. SCR (selective catalytic reduction aka urea) is cheaper than the precious metals in the DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst).
You'll see 2-3 MPG improvement on a '13+ truck as compared to a 10-12 (I have an '11, my father has a '13)
Keep in mind, a cap alone does not make you a legal passenger vehicle in NYS. You either need a 3rd row of seats (our route) or permanently mounted camping equipment in the bed (mattress or fridge).
07-02-2018, 11:55 AM
short bed for hauling
