Truck recommendations for new Ultra Lite?

[rdantz]

My daughter just purchased a new Rockwood Ultra Lite 2891BH and she is now looking for a truck to pull it. She wants a used Dodge Ram 2500, any input or thoughts on whether she should get a gas or diesel or anything else we should be aware of?
Thank you!

[mmartin_tdc]

I suspect that is going to have a real world hitch weight near 2100#'s based on my last 2 5th wheels running right near 22-23% of "dry weight" on the hitch once loaded and ready to camp. A diesel, which I have, would pull and stop it without much effort. A gas rig would give you a little more payload capacity, thus a little more of a buffer.

Will this be pulled on short or long trips?
Used once in a while, or frequently?

Short hauls, once in a while, I would opt for gas.
anything else, I would, and did opt for a RAM 2500 with a cummins.

all of course, just my opinion.

[rdantz]

Appreciate your input. She works remotely so she will be traveling from northern Florida to North Carolina and back every 3 months. From your input it seems that the gas version might be best?
Thanks

[tomkatb]

We tow a slightly larger fiver with a Ram 2500 diesel.

Before delivery of the rv I installed Timbren overload springs, just in case.

My DW drives the truck daily. We get 10-11 mpg towing. Close to 20 mpg not towing. The 6.4 motor likely is 7 mpg on the towing and 10-11 mpg not towing. You want the 6.4.

Mileage is better on the diesel. Fuel today is more expensive.

Unfortunately an oil change and fuel filter change is about $600 per year. If you do the fuel filters DIY they are $35. Dealer charges $500 to change them.

Oil changes on the gas motor are cheaper.

Diesel trucks are $10,000 more new than gas. However, resale is normally most of the initial cost higher.

Gas trucks can be tricky to refill with the rv on. Diesel can be obtained from the truck pumps. You must be very careful pulling in and out obtaining gas. Not so easy. The gas truck has about 100 less mile per tank.

Diesel truck do mountains better. The exhaust brake is a treat.

[FrankH35]

I have a somewhat larger travel trailer and pull it with a 2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman gasser. I get about 13-14 miles to the gallon on the highway in daily driving and around 8 or 9 when towing the camper. I opted for the gas engine due to the lower cost of the vehicle itself plus the fuel. It does, as others have said, offer more payload and plenty of towing for my setup. Sometimes pulling into gas stations can be a little tricky. That is one advantage a diesel will have--you can use the truck lanes.

Trucks (like everything else) have gotten crazy expensive. If you're willing to opt for the Tradesman package and are willing to avoid a lot of fancy options found on higher trim packages you can save some money.

One downside is using as your daily driver. It is not the smoothest ride compared to half ton trucks, but it's a necessary evil if you want to tow a large camper.

I have had good luck with Ram trucks. There are many on the site that swear by other manufacturers as well.

[acadianbob]

Dodge can low on payload capacity. Check the yellow payload sticker before buying one. You are going to need a good 3,000 pounds Plus.

[FrankH35]

I must add that I was assuming (I think incorrectly) that you were towing a travel trailer. This appears to be a fifth wheel? That would, in my opinion, make a diesel the more optimal choice--maybe even a 3500.

[Greenhound386]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

We tow a slightly larger fiver with a Ram 2500 diesel.

Before delivery of the rv I installed Timbren overload springs, just in case.

My DW drives the truck daily. We get 10-11 mpg towing. Close to 20 mpg not towing. The 6.4 motor likely is 7 mpg on the towing and 10-11 mpg not towing. You want the 6.4.

Mileage is better on the diesel. Fuel today is more expensive.

Unfortunately an oil change and fuel filter change is about $600 per year. If you do the fuel filters DIY they are $35. Dealer charges $500 to change them.

Oil changes on the gas motor are cheaper.

Diesel trucks are $10,000 more new than gas. However, resale is normally most of the initial cost higher.

Gas trucks can be tricky to refill with the rv on. Diesel can be obtained from the truck pumps. You must be very careful pulling in and out obtaining gas. Not so easy. The gas truck has about 100 less mile per tank.

Diesel truck do mountains better. The exhaust brake is a treat.

^ This is a great reply.

If money isn't as much of a concern, then the diesel is the obvious choice. Capability-wise, though, the gasser will have no issue with that load. They are generally going to be a less expensive purchase and less to maintain.

If it's a newer diesel (~2011+), then it will need diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) as well. Not a huge expenditure - get it from the pump at a truck stop instead of buying it in a box at a store to save a bit - but it's just another thing to monitor and another potential failure point. Some folks have had nightmares with this, and it's not a big deal for others. My 2017 Duramax has been fine and needs its 7-gallon DEF tank filled a few times per year.

I don't want to oversimplify, but here are the big pros / cons for each motor type (which most has already been noted above).

Diesel pros: more torque and will pull a little easier, has the exhaust brake option in a lot of cases, better overall MPG (but this can be offset by diesel vs unleaded prices in your area), better resale, sounds cool (very subjective).

Diesel cons: higher procurement cost, nominally higher maintenance costs, can be a little harder to find a reputable mechanic that knows diesels well, monitoring and purchasing DEF, potential of filling with the wrong fuel, can be more challenging to find stations that sell diesel (very location dependent).

The gas truck is pretty much the opposite of above.

Gas pros: less expensive to procure and maintain, generally easier to find a mechanic, can fill-up at any gas station (as long as your rig will fit), generally a higher payload than a diesel (can be a big deal depending on your 5th wheel pin weight).

Gas cons: poorer MPG (but again, your local diesel vs unleaded prices may nullify this), less torque (might not be a big deal on East Coast without large mountain passes).

I'd summarize by saying the diesel is worth it if you will really benefit from the added torque. If my 5th wheel was a little smaller, I'd have been happy to get a gas motor instead. The extra 1-2MPG that I get out of the diesel will basically never offset the higher purchase price for the diesel motor and the fact that diesel is appreciably more expensive here in California. But, I wanted the extra capability for the steep grades around here.

[timm9]

We just went thru this process recently and did purchase a 2020 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7 Cummins to replace our 2011 2500 6.7 Cummins. I spent a year trying to find and purchase a Ram 2500 but ultimately gave up due to pricing, availability, and the major CP4 Recall and risk of a catastrophic failure. The final straw was being told that if I purchase a new Ram 2500 I would be signing a statement telling me that if the missing emissions chips were not available at the time of my DMV Renewal I would have to park the Truck.

After giving up I found a very low milage 2020 Ram 2500 6.7 Laramie with tow package and a brand new CP3.3 installed at a very reasonable price. I still have to deal with DEF (which the 2011 did not have) but I don't have to worry about missing chips and a destroyed truck from a CP4 failure. I thought long and hard about going Gas but I'm pulling over 10,000 pounds and frequently travel over (and live in the Sierras) high mountain passes. The power and e-Brake of the Cummins is hard to give up. Just my 2 cents...

[pilotpip]

I was looking at HD rams and 2500 diesels had around 1900lbs payload in a well equipped Laramie. Nowhere near enough for a family (assuming a family because she's looking at a bunkhouse) riding in the cab, and towing the camper. The 1700lb pin weight listed on the website is only bare bones. The reality is you're looking at over 2000lbs on the pin with stuff for full timing.

The ram 2500s ride great, but the great ride is because they have coil springs on the rear instead of leafs and it kills payload. A gas 3/4 ton may be ok, but you're really in 1 ton territory if you're traveling with a family worth of stuff.

[moose074]

I have owned a 2011 Ram 2500 2016 F 350 2018 Ram tradesman 3500 DWD 2021 Ram 3500 Laramie DWD currently own a 2019 F 250 gasser 6.2 . Hands down diesel has more torque and power Ram is a smoother ride. That said they have all been daily drivers and my short trips I worried about def issues. I had one with my ford but happened on long trip took 20 minutes to fix. My 2018 always said low battery in winter if I didn’t cruise at least 20 minute drive a week. My 2021 didn’t have that issue but after two weeks without an out of town trip it took 60 miles to regenerate. A rectangular trip down I 20 diesel on the interstate averaged $1.30 higher easy.
My gas truck has done everything asked no emissions, on average tow day get 8 ish in mpg got 9.5 mpg with the diesel. Just my experience

[Touch racing]

I have a similar size 5th wheel and would not bother looking at 3/4 ton trucks. I currently tow with a diesel dually and wouldn’t have it any other way. When it comes to tow rigs I’d rather have too much than just enough.

[badger5301]

rdantz,
We were in the same boat as your daughter a few years back. Traded in a Ford diesel for a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi gas motor.
We have over 3,000 pounds payload with this truck and pull a Rockwood 8289WS fifth wheel. Many times with a 3500 pound fish and ski boat behind the fifth wheel.
Have taken the truck and rv to Key West Florida from Iowa a few times and have been impressed with the trucks performance.
I have cat scale numbers, if you're interested in those shoot me a PM.
With the cost difference all of this winter of $1.00 between diesel and gas we are very happy to have a gas truck.
As far as fueling up, we have never had a major issue not being able to get to the pumps. Just have to do a bit of scouting before pulling in.

[tucson]

I was at my mechanics yesterday for an alignment and they were towing a 2016 dodge eco diesel out, going to dodge for recall, high pressure fuel pump blew up, the entire fuel system has to be replaced, good thing it is covered under the recall estimate $15K, bad thing is dodge doesn't have the parts, may be several months. diesels are nice for lots of reasons but this one thing to consider. when they fail can be expensive. remember the 6.0 ford debacle!

[BOO-BOO-IS-IN-CAMP]

Originally Posted by rdantz

My daughter just purchased a new Rockwood Ultra Lite 2891BH and she is now looking for a truck to pull it. She wants a used Dodge Ram 2500, any input or thoughts on whether she should get a gas or diesel or anything else we should be aware of?
Thank you!

going new or old
2014 dodge 6.7 there pritty good trucks have to pay attation to wether some one has done the DELET to it and big injectors and wether or not some one has got it hot and replaced the head gasket all that said if you find one that no one has monkeyed with your good..
2017 newer ford 6.7 had radiator waterpump issues and that caused head failure so if you find one some one fixed witch im sure thats easy enouf the 6.7 are great truck..the 6.0 Ford is a SCREEMER BUT THAT HAD EGR EXH & Head stud failure BUT BUT FORD DID stand be hind that all the way......
ford all so made a 7.9 i thing older diesel and its BULLET PROOF
these are all diesel they are very reliable i do not know about gasser's iv seen a lot of hemme 's and have hurd a lot of good stuff about them all so..
i would not buy a chevy my own personal feeling's i had a 5.9 chevy and chevy would not stand behind there PDM box's that were mounted on the injector pump causing it to shut off the engine unexpectdly at any time 70 mph on the highway and shut's off verry BAD up hill down hill REAL BAD and they took a hand out...
i was a die hard chevy but not any more never buy a chevy again...all gassers alll have bad trannies

2000 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 3500 4x4 Dully customized
2014 2608WS Rock Wood UL full of customizes work
2 side kicks Cre & Zoie
Cub Lo Boy 1972 3 point & Grannie ,deverter valve
Massey Ferguson 196? 65 gasser industrial loader

[BOO-BOO-IS-IN-CAMP]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

We tow a slightly larger fiver with a Ram 2500 diesel.

Before delivery of the rv I installed Timbren overload springs, just in case.

My DW drives the truck daily. We get 10-11 mpg towing. Close to 20 mpg not towing. The 6.4 motor likely is 7 mpg on the towing and 10-11 mpg not towing. You want the 6.4.

Mileage is better on the diesel. Fuel today is more expensive.

Unfortunately an oil change and fuel filter change is about $600 per year. If you do the fuel filters DIY they are $35. Dealer charges $500 to change them.

Oil changes on the gas motor are cheaper.

Diesel trucks are $10,000 more new than gas. However, resale is normally most of the initial cost higher.

Gas trucks can be tricky to refill with the rv on. Diesel can be obtained from the truck pumps. You must be very careful pulling in and out obtaining gas. Not so easy. The gas truck has about 100 less mile per tank.

Diesel truck do mountains better. The exhaust brake is a treat.

love my Diesel and do my own oil & fuel changes and im 68 on the floor or on a tire step
i should start doing oil changes i could make some money even at half the cost of what they get holy I Chee Waa Waa mucho mucho capital
at least i know what oil im using ...

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Duly 5.9 cummins 20+ mhp towing.lots of mod's
2014 Rock Wood 2608 WS UL lots of mod's empty less 5000
2 side kick's Cre & Zoie
1972 Cub Lo Boy 3 point & Creper
196? Massey Ferguson 65 Gasser Industrial

[wmtire]

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[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by BOO-BOO-IS-IN-CAMP

love my Diesel and do my own oil & fuel changes and im 68 on the floor or on a tire step
i should start doing oil changes i could make some money even at half the cost of what they get holy I Chee Waa Waa mucho mucho capital
at least i know what oil im using ...

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Duly 5.9 cummins 20+ mhp towing.lots of mod's
2014 Rock Wood 2608 WS UL lots of mod's empty less 5000
2 side kick's Cre & Zoie
1972 Cub Lo Boy 3 point & Creper
196? Massey Ferguson 65 Gasser Industrial

I also do my own fuel changes - but they're semi-automatic.

[tuckerdog1]

Me thinks you should be looking at a 3500.

[JSolomon]

I'm a Ram Cummins diesel gal. I have 2014 3500, previously a 2001 2500. If Ram is her choice, go diesel. If she may go with a bigger RV in the future, make sure the 2500 will tow/haul it. Otherwise go straight to the 3500. There are so many lease returns out there too.

Good luck!
Jenny