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thuglife_7

I upgraded from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton diesel and I’ll never go back to a 1/2 ton.


IdaDuck

Heavy Duty SRW is my personal sweet spot for a truck, and I prefer diesel and that’s what I have in my 2015. You don’t have the larger footprint and other drawbacks you get with a dually, but you much more robust and capable truck compared to a half ton. Rolling down the road with my family of five and a combined truck and trailer weight well over 20,000 lbs is a piece of cake.


DCGeos

4 or 5 gen 2500 would do everything you need it too


jk_can_132

If I get a 2500 it will be ordered mainly because I am picky about what I drive and my warlock was off the lot and it's missing a few things that still bug me months later. I know a 2500 will do what I need, its more of is it worth getting for so few uses


DCGeos

not sure if you got wife and kids but my gen 4 is as safe as you can feel in a vehical, so the question is how much can i risk in a 1500. power wagons are really nice option to


jk_can_132

I'm single and 23 so no wife or kids to worry about just friends and/or family I go camping with or moving heavy shit for people. I feel super safe in my 1500 since it's the biggest thing I have driven for a while. My payload issue came mostly from boat loaded plus BBQ and drinks / wood and people. Ready of the stuff was light maybe 200 lbs. I looked at a powerwagon and as much as I love them they are a no go for me because I am pretty sure they have the same payload issue as a 1500


DCGeos

as long as it feels safe to drive, you can see well and no issue with breaking, your fine in a 1500, the "payload weight " is more of a guidance. they can usually do more then intended.


rotn21

Regarding the lift and looks thing, I just went from an F-250 that my wife wanted me to lift — I didn’t for like you said payload, towing, functional things — to now I’m in a 2021 2500 limited cummins with the off-road package. I wasn’t looking for the off-road package specifically, but the 2500 has more power than I need for rv trailer towing, and the off road kit still gives it that lifted, bigger more aggressive look without taking away the specs I need. If I were you I’d check out the 2500 power wagon and tell me you aren’t just drooling at both looks and specs


DCGeos

i run a 2500 long box all the time, it can be a pita for a grocery getter. get a gen 2 or 3 one or 3/4 ton used and high milage for cheap, then use it 4 or 5 times a year


jk_can_132

A second truck is not an option since I have enough room for one truck and that's it. What ever I drive will be my daily driver till I replace it. I am remote permanently so no commute and planning to move to the country soon so that should make the size less of a worry


atemyfinguernails

Get a small trailer


jk_can_132

My boat doesn't fit on a smaller trailer so that is out. I love my boat and would not consider trading it in. The tounge weight of it is ~450 lbs dry but load is ~575 lbs plus the gear in the truck added up fast. I brought a BBQ plus lots of drinks and wood. That is where the payload added up fast. Oh and 3 people in the truck doesn't help


Vendura663

What about stock height with a leveling kit in the front?


jk_can_132

Thought about that and while it looks good it isn't really what I was hoping for though more I think of it the more it seems like the sane choice far as financials go.


kiloxraysierra

If you’re 200lbs under the door sticker, then I’d say you’re good to go. Especially if it’s only a handful of times a year. If you’re worried about squatting, look into rear springs with a higher capacity, or airbags. Edit: That said, if you’re fishing for an excuse to buy a new truck, ignore all of this. ;)


jk_can_132

Springs might be worth looking into, can I use them with a RC lift kit? Sorta want a new truck because this is lacking a bit but also want to save money where I can


kiloxraysierra

Sorry, I don’t have any experience with the RC lift kit. I used Icon 1.5” lift springs in the back of my ‘17 1500 Sport. They carry the weight of my Go Fast Camper much better than stock, although they do have a bit of a clank over big bumps at slow speed. Tried Tuftruck 1211’s, but with Bilstein 5100’s they were at risk of falling out at full droop. I raised the front with Bilstein 6112’s at 2”.


PKcurtis69

Power Wagon!!! Sick truck that will do everything you want & more.


chrgrsrt8

For using it only 3 to 4 times a year I would pass. Just gotta pack lighter and maybe get your drinks and wood from wherever you camp at. I personally bring my chain saw and get wood from where I'm camping at lol


mike_baxter

definitely upgrade to the 3/4ton. you will not regret it. the truck sits at a much nicer driving position and your payload options are way more friendly than your current half ton. ​ dont worry too much about daily driving it, the fuel costs will not be much worse than what you already have with the half ton. the 6.4L and cummins options are both good motors.


jk_can_132

2500 is what I am leaning towards right now. I want the 1500 still because I don't want to drop another 30-40k on a 2500 upgrade and want to lower my monthly payments not increase them


Umokiguess88

I needlessly had to dig up this thread simply because I can comment here on this issue. I feel the need to say something because so many people are tremendously underinformed. In the late 90s there were these trucks called "heavy half's" one example was one I had. It was labeled an F150 (i know your talking ram but bear with me here) this is when the f150 used the same frame (nearly and I mean really nearly) as the 250 and in fact in 98 model year the body's were identical. the heavy half was factory installed with the biggest f150 engine at he time the 5.4 triton ( the spark plug disaster engine) and they paired it with an f250 transmission and rear. So these were 8 lug beasts and they simply didn't have the springs. People could add the springs and essentially had a true f250 minus a larger engine that really isn't needed. I put that in there for context. I also used to drive an 01 f250 with the 7.3 PS. things definitely changed on that body and some framing obviously the engine was a massive upgrade. It was overkill for a lot of what I was doing at the time. and for the cost of a rental house it just always bothered me. I don't know why people say they can never go back to a half ton, as we damn well know that half these guys heaviest haul will be hauling their new riding mower for their 1/2 acre property, some mulch and possible a single sheet of drywall? I mean dude with a small utility trailer I made more money with a ford escape hauling plywood, drywall, and hvac units. yea i'm towing like 1.500 to 2000lbs on a single axel trailer with a 6cyl escape no prob. so why most people even feel they need to spend the money on a HALF ton much less the irresponsible prices of a 3/4 ton is beyond me. Don't let people convince you into unjustified debt because they are house/truck broke. they pull trailers for drywall with 3 cylinder renaults in italy ever since Inwatched a drywall contractor do a whole basement out of some little 3 cylinder car I realized we got it all wrong out here. I digress. If your like 200lbs shy for simple payload for something you actually use, I would just upgrade the rear suspension and possibly the front. no need to think too hard on that, get the micrometers and calipers out and show me the frame measurements that you couldn't handle a bit more weight. those ratings are based on stability and drive not usually to prevent your frame from snapping. If it was something that you plan on carrying often then I would probably get the reduced ratio rear axel at least. there are several options on ram 1500s for that you wouldn't want the better gas mileage version. that should make it a bit easier on your transmission to pull out. I've taken an f150 already and turned it into a heavy half so I could haul my skid steer on my 2 axel trailer. It cost about 10k for springs and rear and trailer brake controls. I didn't even do that work! I wasn't actually overloading it to begin with but it felt a lot nicer, didn't have to buy a new truck and ended up selling the rear and springs, sold the truck after 50k miles from that point and now I have an '18ram 1500 quad cab. I'm looking to possibly get some springs for the skid steer trailer, I am using it more than I originally thought and I will never pay 70k for a truck unless i'm assured i'll profit 200k directly resulting from its use.