Ram Megacab 1500?

[xtremetreeling420]

I'm thinking of buying one of these to replace my F150. Does anyone own one of these and have any feedback? I've been looking at an 08 with the hemi engine. What kind of fuel economy can I expect with the hemi? I've also heard that it's a heavy half ton, so has a little bit more payload capacity. Not sure if that's true or not.

Thanks

 

[skywagon]

Don't know about the 08, I bought a new 4th generation 09 Larmie CC hemi. last year. traded in my 06 150 CC 5.4. The Ram is so much better. The 150 with my 2 place enclosed would get down to 30-35 mph on a long pull up a pass such as Fremont Pass between Frisco and Leadville, CO. The Ram will do 60-70 up the same pass with trailer. The 150 always let me know I had a trailer behind it, more so at 65 or more. The Ram doesn't even know it has a trailer behind it. I pulled my son's 4 place flatbed with 4 sleds and it handled it great. I towed my jeep wrangler to Moab last spring on a tandam axle flat bed and it did great at 85 on the Interstate. Ford always bragged how good a 150 was for towing, they need to go drive a Ram. Ford got around 18-20 on milage empty, and around 10 with the trailer. The Dodge gets 19-21 empty and 12-13 with the trailer. The hemi is one great engine with power to spare. Guess you can tell I'm super happy with the Ram. It's got a lifetime warranty on the drive train.
Ron

 

[Sledson]

The 1500 Mega cabs are heavy trucks. Way heavier than a regular 1500 cc. I have a '06 Mega diesel(apples to oranges I know) but but the point I'll make is that when the body style changed, they made major changes besides appearance alone. The old style doors were heavier, everything was heavier. I would personally never have a truck this heavy without a diesel to get it moving and keep it moving. Also, the front axles have quite the appetite for ball joints. If you need to replace one, do them all with Carli or Dynatrac ball joints

 

[xtremetreeling420]

Sounds like maybe I should look for a good used diesel megacab instead. They seem to be far more expensive though, and I'm not quite sure if I would save money in the end.

 

[ndC7M8]

1500 megacabs aren't really worth it in my eyes. Heavy half tons with light truck motors don't really make much sense.....You REEAAALLy dont need a diesel to pull a trailer or haul sleds. You'd be better off with just a quad cab or whatever they are in a half ton. Or upgrade to a 3/4 ton gas pickup. Idk it all depends on how much you're gonna use it. Most guys that drive diesels dont need them all the time, its more of a Want VS. Need. I'd say the 1500 Megacab is just a grocery-getter on steroids

 

[xtremetreeling420]

I started looking at diesels and they're out of my price range. I can get a heavy half ton in good shape for way less than a diesel. I would be putting a deck on with air bags and that would be it. Also probably tow a two place open trailer. I just like the gigantic cab and need the room for my dog and GF! Anyone own one?

 

[Mafesto]

You answered it when you said sled deck.
Get a 3/4 ton and you will have the truck you want.

 

[ndC7M8]

but he did say he was installing airbags so 3/4 ton doesnt matter, but as previously mentioned, your front end is where you're gonna run into problems

 

[Faceplant]

Have you considered a Toyota?

I don't know if you would consider this, but look at the Toyota Tundra Mega cab. I had a 2004 Ford F-150 and bought his 2008 Tundra mega cab, and the power difference is amazing, like night and day. The Toyota has the same power as the Dodge Hemi, but it has a 6 speed transmission versus a 5 speed in the Dodge, that makes a lot of difference pulling. It gets the same, or slightly better gas mileage than the Ford, but the power difference is amazing.

 

[Coldfinger]

If considering sled deck, depending how much/how far you are hauling, I'd suggest 3/4 ton truck. The weight adds up quickly and though air bags will maintain the height you must also consider load capacity of the truck as manufactured which considers the axle/bearing capacity, etc.

Deck 300#
2 sleds 1100#
2 guys 400#
Gear, misc 100#
Tools 50#

This is almost 2,000# already.

In addition, if you pull a 2 place and add 2 more guys and gear you can easily add another 500# to that.

 

[Mafesto]

If considering sled deck, depending how much/how far you are hauling, I'd suggest 3/4 ton truck. The weight adds up quickly and though air bags will maintain the height you must also consider load capacity of the truck as manufactured which considers the axle/bearing capacity, etc.

Deck 300#
2 sleds 1100#
2 guys 400#
Gear, misc 100#
Tools 50#

This is almost 2,000# already.

That doesn't take into account the freakishly high center of gravity.

Consider a 2000# load inside the box of a pickup.
Consider the weight shift to the outside wheel on a corner.
Now consider that same 2000# loaded on top of the box hanging over the sides & the extreme increase in weight shift to the outside wheel on every corner & manuver.

Seems like common sense, but we have guys on here that would assume they can pull the same as a semi by simply installing air horns & a CB radio!

 

[2manytoys11]

This truck would work fine in Minnisota If you don't mind taking a little time to get up to 65mph. Think about how steep and how long the grades you normally drive with your snowmobiles. This truck would be very slow up mountain Grades in Idaho 40-45 mph and -6 to 8 mpg towing.

 

[xtremetreeling420]

Drove a couple and wasn't really that impressed with the 5.7 hemi or the steering. The 1500 mega does have 8 bolt front and rear axles though. I'll probably just hold onto my truck until it dies. Maybe by that time I'll be able to afford a diesel. I have looked at Tundra's, they're the most expensive used truck on the market. The big cab has a short box and costs even more. No doubt the quality is very good on it though.