GreyGhost85 Report post Posted June 23, 2020 I had a 2016 2500 cummins (wrecked it) and now have a 2018 2500 cummins. Went with the tradesman model on both of them because they still have shifters for both the transmission and 4WD. The tradesman model is not fancy but still has everything i need (power windows, power mirrors, carpet, backup camera) and i won't have to worry so much about the interior falling apart down the road as i plan on keeping it for a long time. I also saved nearly 20k between this model and the laramie longhorn. It still has the same mechanical features, just not a fancy interior. My 2018 has the offroad package which was only like a $500 option and came with Bilstein shocks, fender flares, sits slightly higher and has a downhill assist button/feature. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted June 23, 2020 My 2018 dodge ram 3500 single , just turned 20, 000 None hauling. I get 21 average around town.best so far open freeway in n woods wisc. 24.5 I get 10 to 14 depending on grade.hauling 13k 5th wheel.It really likes 70 -75 on open highway , basically idling at 1600 rpm. Got no problem passing anyone if I step on the pedal. I did get the newer 8 speed iason tranny I'd rather be Cummin, than power stroking Not crazy about this def crap but not willing to spend 2500 to get rid of it and void all warranties. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted June 23, 2020 9 minutes ago, Non-Typical Solutions said: I drove my 79 F150 up until 2015 then got the eco boost.....my biggest concern is according to the books the ecoboost is rated at 13,200lbs and the Ram at 12,750lbs. I don't do enough pulling to know the difference, I pull my camp trail 20' like crazy in that ecoboost and no real issues! As for that shifter............when I first saw it I thought.....who in their right mind puts that thing right there..........and I still scratch my head but with the electronics these new trucks have before you know it they'll have us all driving driverless cars...............................wait......................now you see how far behind the curve I am!!!! Thanks for your input!!! I highly doubt you'll notice a difference between the two tow ratings. That's less than 500 lbs difference. I was originally going to get a Powerwagon, but the towing capacity was the same as my 2005 1500, at 9,000 lbs. The Powerwagons are built to go anywhere, but they aren't set up to tow and we were talking about getting a bigger camper, so towing was key. My 2500 Laramie Longhorn is rated at 15,000 with the 6.4L Hemi. 2 minutes ago, GreyGhost85 said: I had a 2016 2500 cummins (wrecked it) and now have a 2018 2500 cummins. Went with the tradesman model on both of them because they still have shifters for both the transmission and 4WD. The tradesman model is not fancy but still has everything i need (power windows, power mirrors, carpet, backup camera) and i won't have to worry so much about the interior falling apart down the road as i plan on keeping it for a long time. I also saved nearly 20k between this model and the laramie longhorn. It still has the same mechanical features, just not a fancy interior. My 2018 has the offroad package which was only like a $500 option and came with Bilstein shocks, fender flares, sits slightly higher and has a downhill assist button/feature. I don't know why I originally called mine a Laramie Bighorn. Its a Laramie Longhorn, so thanks for that clarification and reminder! I looked at the tradesman, but didn't want to lose bed space with the side panel storage, if memory serves me correctly. The cooled seats sure are nice when we're down in Phoenix in the summer! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AverageJoe Report post Posted June 23, 2020 No offense to the Ram guys, but you’ll hate the Ram coming from a Ford. The Ford is a far superior vehicle. There is a reason the Rams are soo much cheaper. Ive had both. If you do get a Ram, get the bare bones model as GreyGhost said. Its the only one worth the money. The electronics of the bighorn or Laramie are junk, and will fail or just shutoff at random times. The rest of the higher end models turn into rattle traps over time. Never had a vehicle that rattled as much as a ram. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted June 23, 2020 Just now, IA Born said: I highly doubt you'll notice a difference between the two tow ratings. That's less than 500 lbs difference. I was originally going to get a Powerwagon, but the towing capacity was the same as my 2005 1500, at 9,000 lbs. The Powerwagons are built to go anywhere, but they aren't set up to tow and we were talking about getting a bigger camper, so towing was key. My 2500 Laramie Longhorn is rated at 15,000 with the 6.4L Hemi. I don't know why I originally called mine a Laramie Bighorn. Its a Laramie Longhorn, so thanks for that clarification and reminder! I looked at the tradesman, but didn't want to lose bed space with the side panel storage, if memory serves me correctly. The cooled seats sure are nice when we're down in Phoenix in the summer! i don't like the side storage boxes. Mine does not have them. i don't think they are an option in a tradesman? I could be wrong though. Sometimes i wish i would have gone with a fancier model but i just couldn't gut 10-20k extra for added comfort. Maybe if i drove enough i would. I've had my 2018 for 2 and a half years and it just rolled over 15k miles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted June 23, 2020 45 minutes ago, IA Born said: That's great. 2018 was the last year the 2500s/3500s had standard column shifters. I was nervous enough with the transfer case shifter being on the dashboard... Agree. I’m still paranoid I’m going to shift mine into 4wd on the freeway when I reach over to adjust the AC. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted June 23, 2020 That would suck.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted June 23, 2020 At one point I owned all 3 at once 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted June 23, 2020 19k would make me consider selling my unicorn... 2007 with the 5.9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOTAGS Report post Posted June 23, 2020 To answer the original question, with the Bighorn you should be getting bucket front seats, with a power driver. More options standard as stated earlier. The Hemi will out pull the Ecoboost without breaking a sweat, nor be dependent on twin turbos. Just make sure you get the right rear end. If buying new, I would ask for the keyless entry with remote start, dang nice here in the summer to have the truck cool when you climb in. I've got 77K on my 2014, zero mechanical issues. A couple recalls. 17mpg in town and 21-22 highway and my foot is heavy on the Hemi. It's like having a sports car for a truck. To the guy who claims you'll hate it coming from a Ford. Bull. Ram seats are much more comfortable. I traded my 2017 F250 Superduty with 9000 miles back in for a Ram 2500 after 8 months because it had the infamous Ford Death Wobble and I was reminded how lousy Ford's warranty service is after swearing them off in 2001. Plus the seats sucked. Like sitting on a leather covered park bench. Never should have dipped my toes into the water again. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wish2hunt Report post Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, My Rights As An American said: Wow, you are coming onto a public forum and admitting you own a Ford? Ouch, that is just inviting trouble!😂 And thinking about a Dodge. 🤦🏼♂️ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted June 23, 2020 4 minutes ago, NOTAGS said: To answer the original question, with the Bighorn you should be getting bucket front seats, with a power driver. More options standard as stated earlier. The Hemi will out pull the Ecoboost without breaking a sweat, nor be dependent on twin turbos. Just make sure you get the right rear end. If buying new, I would ask for the keyless entry with remote start, dang nice here in the summer to have the truck cool when you climb in. I've got 77K on my 2014, zero mechanical issues. A couple recalls. 17mpg in town and 21-22 highway and my foot is heavy on the Hemi. It's like having a sports car for a truck. To the guy who claims you'll hate it coming from a Ford. Bull. Ram seats are much more comfortable. I traded my 2017 F250 Superduty with 9000 miles back in for a Ram 2500 after 8 months because it had the infamous Ford Death Wobble and I was reminded how lousy Ford's warranty service is after swearing them off in 2001. Plus the seats sucked. Like sitting on a leather covered park bench. Never should have dipped my toes into the water again. Thanks for the input......I know nothing about rearends.......what is the right one??? Hope this doesn't get sent to the dungeon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted June 23, 2020 Better not, brothers helping brothers.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, GreyGhost85 said: I had a 2016 2500 cummins (wrecked it) and now have a 2018 2500 cummins. Went with the tradesman model on both of them because they still have shifters for both the transmission and 4WD. The tradesman model is not fancy but still has everything i need (power windows, power mirrors, carpet, backup camera) and i won't have to worry so much about the interior falling apart down the road as i plan on keeping it for a long time. I also saved nearly 20k between this model and the laramie longhorn. It still has the same mechanical features, just not a fancy interior. My 2018 has the offroad package which was only like a $500 option and came with Bilstein shocks, fender flares, sits slightly higher and has a downhill assist button/feature. 👆👆👆 this right here, I have a 2015 tradesman with a cummings and been very happy with no issues. I paid $46,500 out the door tax title etc with a 100k warranty. The truck was $42k before all that. I have a person that is legit, one price, no hassle that’s a finance manager at one of the top Dodge dealers here in The Valley. Let me know and I can get you Victoria’s number. Others on CW can testify that she’s that good. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roosevelt Mark Report post Posted June 23, 2020 I was out the door for 47k 2018 ram 2500 tradesmen. I tow 13k lb camper and I am very pleased with it so far. I think I have about 15k miles on it. I also have a Ford f250 and a chevy truck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites