New Truck! 2500 vs. 3500

[Ereynolds72]

Well, I think I may finally be in the market for a new truck. It's been dark days since I sold my '02. I'm not really interested in a DRW but I was wondering why one would buy a SRW 3500 over a 2500 model. What really is the difference? Thanks for your input.

 

[AMink]

I got the SRW Mega 3500, the main reason being that the Mega is heavier and the load capacity is lower to stay at the same GVW. I went from a 2500 97 that was a LB xcab. I don't necessarily "need" the 3500 for what I do now, but I might someday, so that's what I got. The added weight carrying gives a little legal cusion. As for the physical "what's the difference", I think it's just a little more heavily sprung. The cost difference is negligible, so it was an easy choice. I might put a cap on it someday, and the cap I want weighs about 400 lbs, so I still retain carry capacity.

 

[wyosteve]

On my 04, the main difference was an additional 900 lbs. of gvw. Rated at 9900 vs. 9000. No big deal, but it also included clearance lights on the cab.

 

[AH64ID]

rating... both have the same frame, springs (3500 has overloads), brakes, etc...



Depends on the deal, I got a 3500 because the deal was right... thats it... a 2500 with airbags is probably a better setup than a 3500 w/out bags... . In fact I plan to bag mine and ditch the overloads.

 

[hwebster]

2500 vs 3500

I went for the 3500 SRW vs the 2500 given the extra load and the nominal price difference. Adding the additional springs etc would have cost more aftermarket. .



H

 

[Ereynolds72]

That's kind of what I was thinking. You can find short bed SRW 3500s pretty easy but you don't see many 3500 SRWs with the long bed. I guess you could order one but I kind of wanted to avoid that. I want a quad cab SRW long box. Not a mega cab or a dually.

 

[AH64ID]

The cost difference, usually, is about 1000 bucks more for the 3500 SRW than a comparable 2500. . airbags, better than springs, can be found for 235 bucks... . but thats usually... sometimes the 3500 SRW's can be had for cheaper... but other than paper ratings you don't really gain anything.

 

[Grizzly]

The cost difference, usually, is about 1000 bucks more for the 3500 SRW than a comparable 2500. . airbags, better than springs, can be found for 235 bucks... . but thats usually... sometimes the 3500 SRW's can be had for cheaper... but other than paper ratings you don't really gain anything.

I believe the cost difference between a 3500 and a 2500, everything else being equal, is less then $100.

 

[AH64ID]

I just played with dodge.com and same basic SLT QC LB 4x4 was 43,200 in a 2500 and 44,010 3500... everything was the same... so 810 bucks difference.

 

[Ereynolds72]

But as far as the axles go, there's no difference. The added GVWR is accomplished only in the springs?

 

[happenin-dad]

Depends

When I was in the market (Feb 2007) for a "new" left over 2006 Diesel Dodge Ram 4X4 "MEGA" Cab, I had the same question for the sales person.

Aside from all the bells and whilstles one can buy in each unit, for me the difference between the 2500 & 3500 was 400 lbs. That difference is built into the beefier springs/leafs on the 3500.

The only thing I then needed to determine was the ride quality difference for both vehicles. So I showed up at a dealer that had both the 2006 - 2500 & 3500 and actually test drove them side-by-side. I sat as a driver, front passenger and rear passanger in both. The only difference I could tell was that the 3500 was a slight, slight bit more more stiff in the suspension than the 2500.

I therefore ended up with the 3500 and do not regret the decision.



Mark

 

[AH64ID]

The 3500 will only be stiffer when the overloads are engaged, or when you slap them when articulating. . the base leafs and front coils are the same.

 

[Ereynolds72]

Since we're on the subject, what is the function of the spacer on the front hubs used on DRW trucks. Do they do that only to make those "dually" wheels fit? It seems like that places all the weight bearing further outside of the wheel bearings.

 

[jelag]

Towing - If you tow over 12K lbs you should consider the 3500 dually for the extra stability. We often tow up to 22K and feel the extra safety margin is the key factor for us using a dually... .

BTW - I've changed mine to 19. 5" wheels and tires for the extra safety and lower cost per mile of the 19. 5 over 17 wheel.

 

[AH64ID]

Since we're on the subject, what is the function of the spacer on the front hubs used on DRW trucks. Do they do that only to make those "dually" wheels fit? It seems like that places all the weight bearing further outside of the wheel bearings.

Thats my understanding...

Towing - If you tow over 12K lbs you should consider the 3500 dually for the extra stability. We often tow up to 22K and feel the extra safety margin is the key factor for us using a dually... .



BTW - I've changed mine to 19. 5" wheels and tires for the extra safety and lower cost per mile of the 19. 5 over 17 wheel.

But remember a SRW 3500 has a higher tow rating than a 3500 DRW... .

 

[HBarlow]

I was thinking the tire sizes are different between 2500s and 3500s.



Harvey

 

[AH64ID]

I was thinking the tire sizes are different between 2500s and 3500s.



Harvey

They both have the same options... and when different I would say they are larger on a 2500, which actually affords a greater weight carrying capacity.

 

[happenin-dad]

Overloads?

The 3500 will only be stiffer when the overloads are engaged, or when you slap them when articulating. . the base leafs and front coils are the same.

O. K. Not to sound dumb but what do you mean "when the overloads are engaged"?



Mark

 

[HBarlow]

Your discussion forced me to pull out a handy 2008 Ram brochure.



What I found is here:

2500 GVWR 9,000# 3500 GVWR 10,100#

2500 GCWR 20000# 3500 GCWR 23000#



In every category of payload capacity and loaded trailer weight the 3500 has higher capacities.



I don't see a distinction made in the brochure I have between SRW and DRW and don't understand why but I'm only looking at the '08 models. I have a stack of older brochures and will look at them later.



Unfortunatly, the Dodge brochure is pretty light on actual details and I can't find tire size but just glancing at 2500 trucks next to 3500 SRW trucks I'm thinking the tires are smaller on 2500s. Can't prove that right now.



I think some of you who own 2500s are deceiving yourself when you claim your truck has as much capacity as a 3500. It doesn't make sense.



Harvey

 

[hwebster]

2500 vs 3500

Well I went for the Quad Cab, Long Box, 4x4, 3500 - very happy with it altho it is a bit of a pain when I go to town!!! Some one already dinged the bumper!!!!#@$%! Had I gone with the DRW it would have been even more challenging.



H