Am I being ridiculous?

[Dark0ctane]

I know I'm entitled to my own opinion but am wanting yours to see if I'm being insane. I have a 2019 chevy colorado zr2 that is paid off but am looking at getting a full size truck for the following reasons, space is first, every trip me and my fiance have gone the truck has been packed to the gills god forbid we bring the dog then it's even worse, second is offroading, this thing does great in mild crawling conditions and higher speed stuff but... I hate doing high speed stuff as I feel like it beats everything up a lot worse and as much as I love offroading I enjoy keeping everything as nice as possible and not broken so I end up doing some exploring with light rock crawling but the IFS on this thing is horrible for that and I've ended up on 3 wheels teeter tottering more times than I'd like, putting 35s on it was an option at one point but I feel like the weak link is the lack of articulation on an IFS and potentially breaking stuff when going to bigger tires than what it was meant for. Lastly is towing, I'd like to tow a side by side within the next year but as you could imagine a 5000 lb towing capacity leaves a lot to be desired. With all that being said I'm looking hard at a RAM 2500hd, it has a solid front axle, crawls way better with upgrades than my zr2 with the solid front axle, has all the space I could need, and can tow. I've seen a lot of videos with these hd trucks with the solid front axles and needless to say I'm pretty impressed. The only thing I'm worried about is will it limit my ability to go on forest roads? or is it just a matter of hitting more branches? Thanks for any of your inputs I appreciate it!

 

[jadmt]

Good move go for it. I have not seen a fs road that I can't go on

 

[billiebob]

I think you have made a good choice given the needs you list and a Ram 2500 is an excellent unit. Have you looked at the Power Wagon version?

 

[Dark0ctane]

Good move go for it. I have not seen a fs road that I can't go on

Really? Okay awesome, some people responded to another post saying that there's trails in colorado and PNW that full sizes can't go on but I'm assuming it's not all of them

 

[Dark0ctane]

I think you have made a good choice given the needs you list and a Ram 2500 is an excellent unit. Have you looked at the Power Wagon version?

I did, but I really like the fuel economy and torque of the diesel along with the towing capability I'm sure they're both great though

 

[1stDeuce]

If you are planning to get a sxs, you might hold off on the Ram until after you do... I can't see using a truck to do any sort of "crawling" when you have a sxs. Just saying...
5000lbs is a LOT of trailer and sxs... I should think you would have a hard time getting over about 3500lbs unless you're towing on way too much trailer...

 

[jadmt]

Really? Okay awesome, some people responded to another post saying that there's trails in colorado and PNW that full sizes can't go on but I'm assuming it's not all of them

A power wagon is maybe 3" wider than a ZR2. Most FS roads I know of are wide enough for FS vehicles to get down. I have done most of the trails in the san juans of Colorado and I would have no issues taking my truck on them. i have done the Rubicon and dusy ershim in California and no I would to try either of those but many moab trails would not be a problem. I have been to Moab many times and last year took my truck and I am taking it back in 2 weeks. the Diesel for sure wins in towing capacity so if you need to tow over 10,000 lbs yes Diesel for sure. If towning 5-8000 lbs a gasser will be fine. Right now with the price of diesel compared to gas and the $9000 lb premium you pay for the diesel on a new truck it would take a lot of driving to make it pay off. I get good mpg in my gasser and a diesel is not going to get but 4 or 5 mpg better so definitely something to take in to consideration.

 

[Rovertrader]

Well, the full size as stated above is marginally bigger footprint but much roomier inside. Personally, I’ld go 3500 SRW vs 2500 (unless considering the PW) as you get considerable increase in payload/trailering for minimal dollars- you never know what the future holds!!

 

[Anti-lander]

I vote keep the Colorado, slow down on trails and enjoy the view. Adapt And learn to pack only what you need. And if solid axle is that big a deal a 65" wide dana axle from a gladiator fits if you know what your doing.
With dual lockers, 4.10 gearing and in 4low you should have no problem crawling at an acceptable pace.

 

[dstefan]

Went from Tacoma to Tundra. Both similarly built out (suspension lift, etc). Have no complaints and can go anywhere I did before, and I am doing some tough rock-crawly trails.

I considered 3/4 ton trucks, partly to haul a heavier camper, but ultimately went lighter Ovrlnd camper to fit the 1/2 ton largely due to the maneuverability (not necessarily size). Tacoma = 40’ turning radius; Tundra =44’; F250/Ram 2500 = 49’ radius. Also I *think* solid axle suspension upgrades can be trickier and more expensive, but never really done one, so dont take my word on that.

Just something to consider depending on how you’re planning to use the rig. Nothing against 3/4 tons and not pushing Toyotas (they’re just what I have mid and FS experience with. Its just horses for courses.

 

[calicamper]

Once you have a side by side thats your trail rig. The truck will have highway long miles comfort, payload/space priority. Which case no doubt full sized is better than mid sized. Also if your going side by side soon your likely going to be happier with stock stuff on the Full sized.
If your going big on the side by side keep in mind EV side by Sides are going to be the way to go in a few yrs which case a full sized with charging capability will offer more options. Example the Tesla 300hp powered Polaris which is now officially a thing, paired with the 7500watt F150 makes for a interesting idea.

Plan ahead with your expensive full sized buy.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Get yourself a Tradesman 2500 Power Wagon for about $50k.

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www.ram-trx.com

 

[jadmt]

Went from Tacoma to Tundra. Both similarly built out (suspension lift! etc). Have no complaints and can go anywhere I did before, and I am doing some tough rock-crawly trails.

I considered 3/4 ton trucks, partly to haul a heavier camper, but ultimately went lighter Ovrlnd camper to fit the 1/2 ton largely due to the maneuverability (not necessarily size). Tacoma = 40’ turning radius; Tundra =44’; F250/Ram 2500 = 49’ radius. Also I *think* solid axle suspension upgrades can be trickier and more expensive, but never really done one, so dont take my word on that.

Just something to consider depending on how you’re planning to use the rig. Nothing against 3/4 tons and not pushing Toyotas (they’re just what I have mid and FS experience with. Its just horses for courses.

Solid axles are much easier to do suspension work on.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

I did, but I really like the fuel economy and torque of the diesel along with the towing capability I'm sure they're both great though

Economical and diesel do not belong in the same sentence. Fuel is 20-25% higher- maintenance is more, it weighs a lot more…I’ve owned a ton of diesels and I’d never have one unless I needed to tow heavy and often over 10k lbs.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I’d suggest a Ram Power Wagon or the new Silverado ZR2.