Finally Pulled the Trigger... From Ram 1500 to 2500 - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 06-04-2013, 11:23 AM   #1
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Finally Pulled the Trigger... From Ram 1500 to 2500

Hey Folks,
Haven't been on here in while with a hectic schedule!

With 3 weekends already under our belt this year and 5-6 last year, I finally decided my 2012 Ram 1500 wasn't quite enough for my Denali BH311 so I made the jump to a Ram 2500 with the 4:10 rear end.... wow, what a difference! I also added a brand end equalizer hitch (14k version) and I cant believe how easy it is to tow now! No more swaying, much better fuel/mileage and I can safely add the golf cart to the truck bed and still have plenty of Payload and Towing left!

Here are a few shot of the truck...I will update with trailering pics asap!

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Old 06-04-2013, 06:54 PM   #2
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Congrats on the new Rig. She looks very nice. I get to pull my trailer tomorow for the first time with my new 3500.... Can't wait.
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Old 06-05-2013, 12:39 PM   #3
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Nice, I looked at the 3500 but I couldn't pass up the deal on the 2500!
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Old 06-30-2013, 03:29 PM   #4
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I'm in the process of doing the same thing,traded in my 2012 1500 Laramie limited for a 2013 2500 Laramie, I loved the 1500 but felt it was marginal to tow my Kodiak 276BHSL
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Old 07-01-2013, 03:33 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Torch View Post
I'm in the process of doing the same thing,traded in my 2012 1500 Laramie limited for a 2013 2500 Laramie, I loved the 1500 but felt it was marginal to tow my Kodiak 276BHSL
Go for the 3500. It gives you the extra Spring in the rear suspension. Apart from that it's the exact same truck & shouldn't cost any more than a 2500....Keep us posted..
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:50 PM   #6
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Okay guys it may be to late for some, but just in time for those on the fence thinking about upgradeing to a new truck or camper. Learn from this, I wish someone had talked to me, besides the camper salesman:

1. The year is 2007. I am newly retired (from everything). Wife and I decide to sell the boat and start land yachting it.

Purchased a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with the HEMI then started to look for a fifth wheel.
Purchased a 27 ft Wildcat fifthwheel. The salesman said I could pull it with my Hemi. Ya I could, and did all the way to Texas for the winter and back for the winter. Gas mileage sucked the gas right from the tank. 8mpg towing our little house aint good. 12 mpg not towing also sucks the gas right out of the tank.

LESSON LEARNED: DONT BELIEVE A SALESMAN, DONT BUY A GAS TOW VEHICLE!!

2009: So we traded in that 1500 Hemi for a 2009 Dodge 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins and started to look for a larger 5th wheel. Found One, a 2010 Heartland Big Horn. 39' and inches from tip to tip. We hauled that rig to Texas that year. The truck towed great, the mileage was great, 11.5 to 12.5 mpg towing and 17 to 18 on the road empty.
Problem: Wife did not feel comfortable driveing it. LOST ANOTHER 5K this time on the trade.

LESSON LEARNED: Sur wish We had gotten something with dual wheels in the back. Only lost about 5K on the trade of the truck.

2010: Got that dual wheel truck. Traded in the 2009, 2500 Ram for a 2008 Ram 3500 dully with the 6.7 cummins. We towed the BIG HORN THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH THAT. However we had to have a new trailer in 2013. The truck was great, but it was still a little tight. (I know how can it be tight in a 39 foot trailer with 4 slides. Fact is she/we had to much "stuff")

2013: Well we went and did it. Found the 5 th wheel of our dreams, traded in the 2010 and signed her life away for the next 12 years for a 2013 Infinity 3750Fl. We lost about 15k on this trade, but, we did not need a new truck. Total loss in 5/6 years: dont even want to think about it, but we are happy and still keeping some folks working, for now that is.

LESSON LEARNED: Buy the biggest baddest truck you can afford and the biggest baddest trailer you cant afford. You will save thousands in the end.
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:20 PM   #7
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Been there done that - I guess it is a learning curve we must go thru! Rick - I feel your pain!
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Old 07-01-2013, 06:59 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Nana & Poppy View Post
Been there done that - I guess it is a learning curve we must go thru! Rick - I feel your pain!
Thanks guys, but not as much as my kids inheritance, er I mean my wallet and future earnings. But then again they are the same thing, right?
Peace, love and tranquility, or something like that.
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Old 07-01-2013, 08:24 PM   #9
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Reason I did not do the 3500 was I didn't want to sacrifice the ride anymore than I had to, I really liked the 1500 Laramie Limiteds ride,looks everything but the 2500 was as far as I could go fund wise. 60k$ truck for 49 and change,think i did good on a new 2013 2500 Laramie with everything,they thru in tinted windows and spray in liner.
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Old 07-02-2013, 05:01 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Torch View Post
Reason I did not do the 3500 was I didn't want to sacrifice the ride anymore than I had to, I really liked the 1500 Laramie Limiteds ride,looks everything but the 2500 was as far as I could go fund wise. 60k$ truck for 49 and change,think i did good on a new 2013 2500 Laramie with everything,they thru in tinted windows and spray in liner.
, you did very well
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Old 07-02-2013, 07:46 PM   #11
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Just came back from a 1800km round trip with the 2500... what a difference, climbing peak of 1800 ft on the 302 were a breeze! I wish I could have sprung for the Cummins, but already taking a loss on the truck, the 10k saved going with the Hemi will cover lots of fuel for years to come!

Also happy with the 8foot box and then crew cab, lots of cargo and people space! Overall I am very very happy with the truck and Denali BH311 combo! Living the camping dream. Still love getting the look from camping folks when pulling up and they see a 30year old guy, 28 year old gal and our 3year old chick let get out of the truck and trailer!
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Old 07-12-2013, 07:26 PM   #12
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Picked up my 2013 Laramie Cummins Ram a couple of days ago,been running around town and playing with all the buttons and I'm liking it so far. Will need probably to adjust my Equalizer4 hitch but I'm looking forward to trying this puppy out....
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Old 07-12-2013, 07:36 PM   #13
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Congrats on the new toy Torch.... I'm sure you wont be disappointed..
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Old 07-12-2013, 07:55 PM   #14
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I took out a 2013 Sierra 2500 (with the 6.2) yesterday, what a difference from my 1500 and the 5.3. I tow a 24' Kodiak weighing 5300 empty. We're pretty flat here (after 3 days we can still see our dog running away from home!) but the truck handled the tow quite nice. It's very tempting but I understand the 2014's have quite a bit more HP and some neat features (110v close to the drivers seat) so I'll probably wait for one of them.
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:39 PM   #15
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Congrats on your truck. By now you must be loving your truck after owning and towing with it for a few months. I love the pulling torque of my diesel Ram and the exhaust brake works great!
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