1/2 ton tow vehicle fo 25?

C

cdory25

New member
Wondering if any one has specifically used a Ram 1500 Hemi for a tow vehicle to tow a C-Dory25 comfortably? I'm thinking of selling my Dakota 4x4 and moving up to a full size pick-up. I know its a gas hog but with the $15,000 I save over a comperable 3/4 ton deisel I can buy a lot of gas.

In another thread, most people told me to go 3/4 ton but we're trying to avoid 3/4 ton trucks as we don't tow 'Blues Cruiser' (lives in the water) a lot but would like to have the option available should we decide to investigate elsewhere. Karen doesn't like to drive a big truck and the Dakota was hers. I don't need two trucks to feed. The 1500 would be a good compromise?
 
Can't speak for the Ram truck, but the 5.7L hemi will tow it. I just went from a Ram 3500 diesel to a Jeep GC with the hemi. My boat weighs in at ~7200 on the trailer and the hemi moves it along no problem.

You might look at the tow rating between the 1500 and 2500. The price difference similarly equipped shouldn't be much and it may get you looking better. The Jeep owner's manual states that a weight distributing hitch is requried if the trailer weight is greater than half the Jeep's weight, and I suspect the half ton truck might have some requirements too. Even though the Jeep is rated to tow the load, insurance coverage probably wouldn't be there if I had a wreck towing without it.

Keep in mind that I don't advocate pulling a big boat with a little rig even though the book says it will do it. My towing in the last three years totaled about 20 miles, and until the kids are both out of school in three more years I probably wont be towing much more than that. It was time to unload the big Dodge and the color of the Jeep matched the boat so I had to do it. :lol:

Also, I do not want to start any fights with B~C but you might be wise to pass on a new diesel right now. I work out of the Cat shop at the mill and we deal with a lot of folks in the diesel truck industry. Most all of them say that until they get the latest round of EPA required changes worked out the new diesels are potential nightmares. The only reason I am in the Cat shop is so I can drive the big mobile crane - I don't know much about diesels. I am real good at handing the filters to the kid mechanics when they service the rigs, though. But I had four weeks of vacation before either of them were born so I shouldn't have to crawl under the equipment.
 
TyBoo":37gz3cj3 said:
... just went from a Ram 3500 diesel to a Jeep GC with the hemi...
Click to expand...

Didn't I see a thread where someone said that a new Jeep tried to roll over and die less than 50 miles after leaving the dealer's lot??? OK, inquiring minds (or mindless in my case) need to know.
 
It was 20 miles and it succeeded in dying. New Jeep spent its first week in the shop getting a new throttle body and a new main computer. Brought it back to life and not a problem since.

I was trying to remain upbeat for the gentleman. I did not want to say that even though the Dodge is a great truck and the Jeep is the nicest vehicle I have ever driven, I will not buy another new Chrysler product because they all but told me they do not care about me as a customer. Neither would I buy anything from Rairdon's Dodge in Bellingham because they made it clear they care even less. It was the worst buying experience of my life.

But that Jeep is nice. It is disgustingly nice. It has a heated steering wheel and a stitched leather dashboard for crying out loud. Nothing I would have asked for, but it was one of only three in the northwest that was the right color and they don't have that color this year. Plus I got the only deal I would consider great on a new vehicle. I bought it for $6k under sticker and they gave me $1k over high NADA tradein value for the old truck. That is because even though the Jeep was new it was last year's model and they had a buyer for my truck. Maybe in a couple years when I am ready to tow around the country again I will get another truck. Maybe even a Dodge if they are still the best all around value.
 
Our Dakota is the 2nd one bought and has been bullet proof for seven years. I can now get a loaded Dodge 1500 Hemi sport for $25k. Hate to pass up a good deal but guess I need a 2500. Hate to let the little guy (Dakota) go. Has been tow vehicle and MC carrier all over the country for years but nothing towed as big as a CD. Also 1st to blast out of our road in WV through 3' virgin snow in 09. I can't knock Dodge if you can afford the gas.
 
I still can't give you a specific answer about the RAM, but what I was trying to say before is that I have no problem pulling at the max rating.

The key is to set up the trailer properly... it needs its own brakes, and needs to support the load of the boat.

All the truck needs to be able to do is handle the heat. Proper radiator, trans cooler, etc.

And even though I have had no problems with my diesel, TyBoo is quite right about avoiding the last ten years worth of diesels. The EPA has set variable fuel targets that have proved very difficult for manufacturers to deal with...
 
I think we have lived parallel lives. I had a 2000 Dakota and it was a great truck but it didnt have the mass to hold my 7k# Searay on the ramp. I bought a 2004 Ram with the 5.7 hemi and it was an ok truck but not for towing. Brakes were not strong enough and wore out at 30k miles. I flushed the trans at 26k dropped pan and changed oil and filters at 45k and it still developed trans problems. It was a gas hog and weak in the hills. Now I have a 2011 F150 ecoboost with the basic tow pkg rated to pull 9600# . I added a firestone airbag kit and will add a deep trans pan. I expect it will do fine towing the 25 and it ia awesome to drive. Ill keep you posted
 
I think we have lived parallel lives. I had a 2000 Dakota and it was a great truck but it didnt have the mass to hold my 7k# Searay on the ramp. I bought a 2004 Ram with the 5.7 hemi and it was an ok truck but not for towing. Brakes were not strong enough and wore out at 30k miles. I flushed the trans at 26k dropped pan and changed oil and filters at 45k and it still developed trans problems. It was a gas hog and weak in the hills. Now I have a 2011 F150 ecoboost with the basic tow pkg rated to pull 9600# . I added a firestone airbag kit and will add a deep trans pan. I expect it will do fine towing the 25 and it ia awesome to drive. Ill keep you posted
 
If you are looking for a new truck and paying new truck dollars, you, like I, probably can't handle the bill for new diesel. But, the diesels from all the manufacturers, are good trucks and finding one with up to 100 K on it that has been well maintained will cost a lot less than a new gas product, and will probably get you another 200 thousand miles which it is unlikely for you to get with your new gas guzzler starting with a brand new one. In other words, the diesels are very affordable used, and will outlast a new gas truck in the end. I've been through all the brands, v6's, v8's, v10's, gas and diesel, but my used diesels I can buy for 20 to 25 grand with less than 100 k on the odometer have consistently been the best buy per mile and peace of mind towing.
 
My 1500 Chevy Suburban isn't a Chrysler/Dodge, and it doesn't have a Hemi, :D but it pulls my 26 Venture just fine. In my case, the difference in the ride of a 2500 for a daily driver led me to the decision to go with the 1500. I don't trail a lot--probably 10K to 15K miles in the last three years--and mostly around the Florida area. I think the Suburban is rated to tow 10,500. I get around 10 MPG when towing, 15 when not. I'm good with my 1500.
 
When my 2002 Dodge/Cummins dies I will just buy it a new heart, or whatever else goes. 200,000 miles so far and a total of $200 in repairs. I bought an extended warranty and never used it.
 
no argument here Mike, the emission requirements implemented the last few years have made the economical, dependable diesel engine into a fuel sucking temperamental gamble. Manufacturers are starting to figure out how to better meet the emissions requirements but they've also figured out how to get more out of the gas engine so it's almost a"singles verses twins" decision.

If buying a 1/2 ton for towing, pay close attention to the build specs, some are built to loaf down the road and return good milage (with very little load & tow capacity) while the same model with the right specs will out haul many older 3/4 ton rigs. fer instance, a new f150 can be spec out to tow ~11300# while 1996 GMC K3500's are rated to tow between 7500 to 10,000#

I think for an occasional towing, daily driver rig, that 1500 would be the cats pajamas.....or......you could buy a jeep if you're trailerphobic :)
 
If your not towing very often the 1/2 ton will do the trick but if you tow very much the half ton is not enough truck. I have pull the 25 both ways and the bigger the tow vehicle the nicer the experience. get in a heavy cross wind the half ton can be a white knuckle experiece but it can be done.
 
that's a right fine looking trailer, does it have a 12v hyd power unit or a manual jack ?.......I would imagine if it had a manual jack it could be called a jackwagon

for the record, Mike & I have been giving each other s%&$ for many years
 
I know its been a while, but I was cleaning out my in box and came across this. Wanted to thank all those who chimed in about their rides. I ended up with a new Silverado Z71 4WD 4Dr with the 5.3 auto. Its rated to tow 9200 lbs as is or 9400 if i put a tranny cooler on it. Seems ample for a 4000 lb boat w/2000 lb trailer. We've had it a while and haven't pulled the boat yet (trip tom Key West is being planned) and it gets 17.6 mpg around town. Road trip coming this week so we'll see what Hwy mpg is.
 
Most all of the relative threads on this site by 25 owners indicate that the 25 plus trailer plus stuff is going to be way closer to the max your truck is rated for. And perhaps more than you may be expecting. In any case, go 65 on the flat and use the lower gears a lot more than you may be use too.

Good luck.
 
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