Hemi Power wrote: I had a 04 1500 QC, now have an 2008 1500 Megacab, Hemi. More stable towing, better transmission. My 5th wheel is 28ft and total combined weight towing is right at 15,000lbs, with 1500lbs pin weight. I was definately overloaded on the rear axle weight with my QC, but was under my total combined weight. Diesel would have been nice, but I don't tow enough to justify the extra cost of the diesel option. As I have said in another post, the only half ton that can really handle a light 5th wheel is the new Ford F150 with the HD towing option with the 3.5 Eco motor. Payload that rivals most 3/4 tons and easy on fuel when not towing
Just a quick FYI, the Megacabs have a 3/4 ton frame.
The early megacabs were available in the 1500. I know they were ailable in '06 and '07 and I think they were still avaialable in '08. Beyond that I think they were discontinued but someone else can put verify that.
As for it being close to a 2500, it is powered with the same 5.7 hemi as the gas powered trucks but the rear suspension is a coil spring (read "soft") rear suspension.
I thinks that the feeling that a 1500 mega cab is close to a 2500/3500 is misleading.
"08 2500 HD MC 4X4 CTD, 6 speed Auto, 6 inch revtek w/ 35" toyo MTs. 4.56 gears. Buckstop Bumper w/PIAA Lights and a warn - 28TB Tahoe Toy Hauler, Utility quads 2 kids and one awesome (and patient) wife. Priorities not listed in order of importance
Hemi Power wrote: I had a 04 1500 QC, now have an 2008 1500 Megacab, Hemi. More stable towing, better transmission. My 5th wheel is 28ft and total combined weight towing is right at 15,000lbs, with 1500lbs pin weight. I was definately overloaded on the rear axle weight with my QC, but was under my total combined weight. Diesel would have been nice, but I don't tow enough to justify the extra cost of the diesel option. As I have said in another post, the only half ton that can really handle a light 5th wheel is the new Ford F150 with the HD towing option with the 3.5 Eco motor. Payload that rivals most 3/4 tons and easy on fuel when not towing
Just a quick FYI, the Megacabs have a 3/4 ton frame.
The early megacabs were available in the 1500. I know they were ailable in '06 and '07 and I think they were still avaialable in '08. Beyond that I think they were discontinued but someone else can put verify that.
As for it being close to a 2500, it is powered with the same 5.7 hemi as the gas powered trucks but the rear suspension is a coil spring (read "soft") rear suspension.
I thinks that the feeling that a 1500 mega cab is close to a 2500/3500 is misleading.
You are incorrect. The ram 1500 MegaCab IS INDEED a softly sprung 2500 truck with leaf springs, not coils. Same frame, same brakes, same 8 lugs as the 2500. The 09 and newer Ram Megacabs are only 2500/3500. The 1500 MegaCab was discontinued with the all new 09 Ram 1500 introduction.
Hemi Power wrote: I had a 04 1500 QC, now have an 2008 1500 Megacab, Hemi. More stable towing, better transmission. My 5th wheel is 28ft and total combined weight towing is right at 15,000lbs, with 1500lbs pin weight. I was definately overloaded on the rear axle weight with my QC, but was under my total combined weight. Diesel would have been nice, but I don't tow enough to justify the extra cost of the diesel option. As I have said in another post, the only half ton that can really handle a light 5th wheel is the new Ford F150 with the HD towing option with the 3.5 Eco motor. Payload that rivals most 3/4 tons and easy on fuel when not towing
Just a quick FYI, the Megacabs have a 3/4 ton frame.
The early megacabs were available in the 1500. I know they were ailable in '06 and '07 and I think they were still avaialable in '08. Beyond that I think they were discontinued but someone else can put verify that.
As for it being close to a 2500, it is powered with the same 5.7 hemi as the gas powered trucks but the rear suspension is a coil spring (read "soft") rear suspension.
I thinks that the feeling that a 1500 mega cab is close to a 2500/3500 is misleading.
Thats not what I said. In 2008, the Ram was still the old body style with leaf spring suspension, and the Megacab 1500 had a 2500 frame.
You are incorrect. The ram 1500 MegaCab IS INDEED a softly sprung 2500 truck with leaf springs, not coils. Same frame, same brakes, same 8 lugs as the 2500. The 09 and newer Ram Megacabs are only 2500/3500. The 1500 MegaCab was discontinued with the all new 09 Ram 1500 introduction.
Correct.....VERY SOFTLY SPRUNG leafs!!!! Ask me how I know.
Mav
"A fifth wheel trailer is a bi-level towable mobile home."
I have the 2008 Megacab, which is the old body style, and does sit on a 2500 frame. The only difference between a 1500 Megacab (2006-2008) and a real 2500 is the GVWR. The 1500 is 8510lbs while the 2500 is 8800lbs. I drove both, the 2500 is definately a stiffer ride when unloaded, so I chose the better ride, after all I was only giving up 290lbs. The only real difference is is the rear ends, you get a 11.5 inch gear with the diesel, 10.5 inch with the Hemi. GM did the same marketing gimmick with their 1500HD. I think it all comes down to certain states having mandated saftey checks every 6-12 months on trucks over a certian GVWR or 3/4 ton designation. With the 1500 Megacab, you got out of a whole lot of red tape, but you end up with a 3/4 ton truck
2006 Puma 249 Fifth Wheel
2008 Dodge 1500 HEMI Mega Cab
Reese 16K Signature Series Slider Hitch
Used to have an 04 1500 QC 4x4 4.7L. Towing a Wildwood T19xlt (24ft length total). On the scales, with 1/3tank water and empty waste tanks 4400lbs (7000 max rated). Also with a Yamaha Kodiak 400 ATV in the box on occasion (6-700lbs). Without the ATV, towed fine. Was an ok match. Truck did ok provided there was no strong head wind to buck or big hills. I live in the mountains, so the highway climbs were slow (50km/h or 30mph at best). Had to watch the temp guage as it worked hard and did go up in the summer heat. With the ATV, the back end sagged too much. The tires and suspension were close to capacity. Still did ok, maybe with 17inch rather than 20inch wheels and some airbags would still be ok for the occasional towing and short trips I usually made.
I decided I wanted the extra capacity/safety/peace of mind and less long term headaches so moved to a 2500 megacab Hemi.
I had a 2003 Ram QuadCab 4.7L that I started towing a pop-up. For a pup, the 4.7L was acceptable, but when I upgraded to the Kodiak, things got ugly. I upgraded to the E350 in my signature and have since bought a 5.7L Durango that also tows the Kodiak nicely.
If you use a 1500, make sure its a Hemi...
* This post was
edited 07/23/11 09:12pm by PershingD *
David Pershing
Gayle-DW
Alex-DS
Jesse-DS
Nikki-DD
1999 Ford E-350 Super Duty 6.8L V-10
2004 Dodge Durango SLT Hemi
2005 Kodiak 23TT - Mods: Dual 12v batteries
Mine's a 2011 1500 QuadCab, with towing package, 5.7L and 3.92 rear ratio.
I'm slightly under the max tow capacity, and right at the limit of GCWR (this according to CAT scales).
Here's a snapshot of everything together.
Seems to average about 8.3 mpg when towing tandem, 14.0 when towing just the boat, and 11-12 when just the camper. (I get ~21 mpg freeway with no load).
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