Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins engine for a 2+1 Gooseneck horse trailer... Love it, hate it?

[jsydney5]

We are upgrading to a gooseneck 2+1 horse trailer (from a 2H BP) . We’re leaning towards the 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins engine and a 3.42 axle ratio. Does anyone pull a 3 horse gooseneck (around ~6k lbs) with this truck, and if so, do you love it? Hate it? Wish you got something different? Any feature that you DIDN’T get, that you wish you did get with it?

Is the 3.42 axle ratio big enough for towing? Of course the dealer will probably tell us everything we want to hear to get the truck sold, so I would love your honest CHRON feedback before we buy! ?

Note: We are definitely NOT going with a dually, because this will be my only vehicle and I have no interest in driving a dually to the grocery store. I would never be able to park it!

As far as the 2+1 horse trailers go, does anyone have one they love? I’m considering a new Shadow (~$21k) or a new 4 Star (~$25k). Any other brands that are more affordable but still great quality? I’d prefer to get something lightweight and BIG for large warmbloods. Must have an 8ft box or bigger for the +1.

Thanks!!!

[Mtn_trails]

I love my 2500. I have a 3 horse gooseneck Triton and it hauls just fine it also hauls my trail - et living quarters 3 horse just as easily. It’s a little slow pulling the passes but not badly. You shouldn’t have any problems.
Forgot to add that my truck is a 2002 with over 250k miles on it. I’ve had the tranny overhauled last year and it’s getting a brake job this week. Never had any problems.

[Hawks_Nest]

We have that pretty much that same set-up (no dressing room on our 2+1) and love it for 2 horses and all of their stuff. We haven’t ever done three horses with but I don’t think it would be a problem.

[copper1]

LOVE our new 4Star 2+1 with dressing room! Worth the money! We pull it with a Silverado 3500 dually but that is that trucks only job! Your right about taking that to the store!

[tabula_rashah]

My Dodge is older- 2005 with an inline 6. I have a 3 horse trailer that I’ve pulled all up and down the east coast with it. Love, love, love my truck!

[clint]

We have a 2004 Dodge 2500 with a Cummings diesel and pull a three horse gooseneck. I love it; we have had that combination for years with no issues. When we bought our truck I didn’t consider a dually for the same reason you give.

[arlosmine]

I’m on my third dodge with a cummins. I LOVE them. I never worry about hills. Ever.
Watch out for the transmission, though. The one in my truck pooped out at very early. Big bucks to replace.

[airhorse]

Unless it is filled with helium, 6,000lbs is pretty light. It will be much closer to 10K with horses in it.

[jsydney5]

[QUOTE=airhorse;8274481]
Unless it is filled with helium, 6,000lbs is pretty light. It will be much closer to 10K with horses in it.[/QUOTE]

Right, understood…probably worded wrong. Since 2+1’s vary in size/weight, i was just pointing out the trailer weight that I was considering purchasing.

Thanks everyone for the tips! Has anyone heard of Shadow trailers and if so, do they hold up well?

[csaper58]

What is the wheel base on these tow vehicles? Short bed or long? I’m told that makes a big difference.

[ilmjumper]

Out of all the trucks I’ve hauled with, the 2500 cummins is still my fav no matter the year. Will agree about the transmission tho-Dream truck would be a 2500 cummins with an allison transmission and a ford interior!

[jsydney5]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8275643]
Out of all the trucks I’ve hauled with, the 2500 cummins is still my fav no matter the year. Will agree about the transmission tho-Dream truck would be a 2500 cummins with an allison transmission and a ford interior![/QUOTE]

I’ve heard the same thing!! The Allison transmission is supposed to be top of the line.

Can you guys advise me on the gooseneck installation part of this? The dealership quoted me ~$1100 for that, and I feel like that’s really pricey. It already has the hole in the bed of the truck, so that part is taken care of. How did you all get your gooseneck installed, did you use the dealer or take it to an independent place? How much did that cost?

Thanks!!

[Paks]

I wouldn’t get the wimpy axle. 4.10 is better. It must be 4x4 I don’t think they sell them without 4x4 as the heavy engine makes rear wheel traction a problem at times. 4x4 solves that fine.

I have a 20 year old one and it is still going strong.

If you get a dodge check out the extended warranty http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?450103-RAM-Warrenty-PSA

It’s a really good deal especially for a truck that you might have for a couple of decades.

[LesleyW]

I love these trucks, especially when equipped with the load-levelling rear suspension. The 2500 also comes with a large Hemi, which I wouldn’t recommend unless you like paying for gas. The 4.10 rear end is less than a $200 upgrade.

I used a 6.4L Hemi 2500 to take my horse and I to my first show in over 15 years

http://driving.ca/ram/2500/reviews/road-test/pickup-review-2015-ram-2500