2500 or 3500

[dward]

I posted recently about selling my 03 DRW and Lance camper and getting a new 3500 srw, s/b.
After some consideration and research I have added the 2500 into the mix.
I think I prefer "traveling" and sightseeing on my motorcycle hence having the truck and camper isn't required. When "camping" or set up at a RV park having a larger RV is nicer. Also, it seems the only time I use my DRW is to carry the Lance.
I sold my ranch so I lost 5 acres of parking and now pay to store my RV and need to downsize on rolling stock.
So, my current needs are to have a nice smaller truck to tow my 21' Toyhauler as well as make a nice daily driver. In the future I may go with a smaller 5th wheel TH in the 12k lb gvw and also a small Lance in the 2k lb range.
I'm still trying to determine if the coil spring suspension on the 2500 will be up to the task. By reading the posts, it will probably be a smoother ride empty and not break a sweat towing my TH.
I believe the gvw between the 2500 and 3500 is 10k and 11,700 for the s/b, leaving around 2200 lb payload on the 2500.
I know either load will probably exceed this but what is the axle rating for both?
I found a 14 2500 4x4 Tradesman with the chrome package as well as cloth locally that I could probably get for around $41k or less. This is about $7500 off retail which seems ok for a Tradesman.
I'm not big into all the gadgets and don't want leather. Will I be happy with the Tradesman?
I know the Aisin would be great, but don't think I really need it. Is the 68RFE smoother for a DD and how is the ride of the 3500 as opposed to the 2500 coil springs. Realistically, I will probably tow less than 5k mi per yr.
Thanks for the great advice and experience, it's nice to be able to get it before dropping $40k +.
BTW, the new Hemi would also fit my needs, but it's a CTD for me.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'd go with the 3500 SRW.

I test drove a 14 DRW a few days back and the ride was 100% better than my 04.5 DRW I drive now so I'd imagine the 3500 SRW would be even better. Better to have more than not have enough.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I would vote 3500 also......I went to the 3500 instead of the 2500 mainly because of the coil springs, they are new to this truck, I too was concerned if it was up to the task of my trailer's 1700-1800 pin weight plus people, pets, ice chests,firewood etc. Didn't want to get a 2500 home only to find it might need air bags, new shocks, etc. With the 3500, it's not an issue, tried and true leaf springs. Sure, the 2500 more than likely rides better empty, didn't want to do a crap shoot with this much money. The 3500 gives you the opputunity to upgrade in the future to many things, the 2500 not so much.......

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

I will never buy another 250/2500/3.4 ton truck, I see no reason to not spend the few hundred more for a 3500 SRW. If I then want more capacity it will get Rickson 19.5 rims. Resale will be better with a 3500 also, they are as hard to find as hens teeth.

Go find the thread about the 2500 and truck camper!!!!!!!! Guy is in a pickle with RAM over it.

SNOKING

 

[dward]

Thanks for the responses, all good info.
I just checked Dave Smiths site and they have 3 2014 Tradesman 3500, 4x4, s/b with Aisin for $51500.(retail) Waiting for a quote. I'm thinking around $43k. All have chrome appearance and comfort package.
Would there be any advantage the 2500 would give as a daily driver over the 3500 with Aisin?

 

[MJWenrich]

If you think you may go a camper in the future and add a trailer behind that, you really need to go the 3500 and if you go that heavy towing and hauling, get the Aison. I went thru the same thing in my research. I have an enclosed car hauler and want to put a 2000 lb Lance on the truck. The base weight of the 8.5 foot Lance is 2,000 but the real weight with liquids and gear is going to be much, much more. With the 3500 you get more braking ability and stability with load. The unladen ride, despite what some people have posted, is rough. It's a one ton and you should expect that. My 2004.5 2500 is a much better ride but cannot handle the camper weight and the added tongue weight. That is the trade off. The Aison will give you an automatic that is beefed up from the beginning and no worry about whether it will handle the future load.

If, on the other hand, you will NEVER tow or haul heavy at the same time, you might....just might...get away with a 2500. Are you feeling lucky? as Eastwood would say. You can get the Aison in a Tradesman and it's a fine truck. I just like the little perks you can get in a Big Horn or even an SLT with a few select packages. Like a larger EVIC screen and the luxury group. If you can, get the 18 inch wheels over the 17's. Bigger payload with them.

When I bought my 2500 I considered a 3500 but figured I would never need the extra payload. I was wrong but it has now become my grocery getter as the new TD's are not good for that.

Good luck with your selection. It ain't easy but you will like either one.

Mike

 

[Scott Hibbard]

All things equal, the difference in payload between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is approx. 1,000 pounds. See the links below.
I did look at 2500's and 3500 SRW's this weekend. I can tell you the back end of the 2500 is very stiff - it felt much more substantial than the leaf sprung trucks of last year. Ironically, the rear end of the 2500 looked to be an inch higher than the 3500 SRW. I know that has nothing at all to do with payload, but I was surprised to see the difference between the top of the wheel and the wheel arch to be greater on the 2500. The springs on the 3500 SRW are massive however, very thick and wide, so I am pretty sure they would laugh at a 3,000 pound load.

I too was concerned to see the 2500's go to coils, but I'm pretty sure RAM over engineered them. I've already seen 3 local guys with 2014 2500's with rear coils and the trucks sit up high - and apparently take a load quite well. One guy has his loaded up with construction debris and there was barely any squat.

Good luck - links below.


2500 - http://www.rambodybuilder.com/iph/ip...ammlup2500.pdf

3500 - http://www.rambodybuilder.com/iph/ip...ammlup3500.pdf

 

[DDevers]

Thanks for the responses, all good info.
I just checked Dave Smiths site and they have 3 2014 Tradesman 3500, 4x4, s/b with Aisin for $51500.(retail) Waiting for a quote. I'm thinking around $43k. All have chrome appearance and comfort package.
Would there be any advantage the 2500 would give as a daily driver over the 3500 with Aisin?

I bought a 3500 Tradesman from Dave Smith and find it to ride much stiffer than my 05. After purchasing it, I came across this sight, dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com in Caldwell, Id. They have much better prices and a larger selection. If we had gone there we would have spent more as I know I would've been won over by the glitz of the Fancier versions. All said, the Tradesman is just fine for us, although I really would like to have the back up camera for safety's sake. I have really come to love the one in my Jeep. Volunteer at a grade school and tose little tots are very big behind that rear of a truck.

Happy shopping!

 

[dward]

Tough decision as I would like a smoother ride for a DD, but don't want to buy another truck for a long time.
Just got off the phone with DS.
2014 Tradesman 3500, SRW, CC, SB, Aisin
Options:
Customer Package 28A
Cold Weather Group
Chrome Appearance Group
Popular Equip Group
Smoker Group
DS installed spray in bed liner
With all rebates their price is $43,728 Add about $4k for Calif tax and reg and I'm looking at close to $48k OTD.
What do you think about this price?

 

[russellmarine]

Well I am at 15,000 miles on my 2500 crew cab. I realize that their is no history with the coil spring set up to fall back on, but I have had no issues with it to date. While everyone seems to dislike the setup, it is one of the main reasons I bought the truck. I mean people once frowned on fiberglass boats or automatic transmissions..... Progress is inevitable...

In fact I hit some frost heaved road in the upper peninsula this winter towing a 24 foot boat at 55 mph that launched the whole kit and caboodle airborn, with sunglasses on the front dash ending up in the rear seat. Broke all 4 leaf spring bundles on the boat trailer (they were older....) Truck took it like a champ and besides for all being airborn, never felt out of control nor did it bottom out at all. The one thing I have noticed is that it seems to swallow up bumps with no rebound or bouncing at all. Very impressed so far. I had over 350k on a 2005 duramax and same on 93 250 diesel ex cab 4x4. This truck is far and away the cream of the bunch, time will tell if it has the legs....

 

[MJWenrich]

It's really hard to tell how good that deal is compared to my deal because I bought a truck with more options and therefore, they had a little more wiggle room off MSRP. In Ca., I got a Big Horn with the Aison and high output engine and a lot of options that ran the MSRP up to 58K. On an internet special, the truck was priced at 48K with the 3K ram rebate. So 10K off on a truck they had previously offered their best deal for 5K more than I paid by waiting. Out the door after paying Ca. tax, it was 53K. Long list of options that I won't go into here and I added a few more goodies after I took delivery. But it would seem with all the other things I got from the factory you are probably getting a good quote. You might see if you can do the same deal in Ca. to save the drive though. I heard a couple stories that DS did not have the truck when out of state customers had travelled there but I have also seen his advertising on trucks in this state. Some folks are getting them there. Good luck. With some of the gremlins the new trucks have, I have been holding my breath that these are going to be better than my 10 year old truck, which I am keeping until I know more.

 

[dward]

MJWenrich
Where did you get your truck? I'm on vacation right now so I'm only looking online at the trucks. I guess I'll have to go out and look at a few to compare the options, maybe I'll have to upgrade to the SLT or higher.
Did you find many dealers in Cal that had the Aisin trans in stock? I would have to figure about $1000 and 2 days of my time to get a truck from DS so thats a consideration, and it would be nice for service to buy locally.
I'm in no hurry and won't be home for 2 weeks and still have to sell my 03 and Lance, so it's nice to do my research before buying.

 

[SnoKing]

After purchasing it, I came across this sight, dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com in Caldwell, Id. They have much better prices and a larger selection

Happy shopping!

Man, they have a real good selection of 2014's with Aisin trannys. More 3500's and 2500"s!

Have to keep them on my list. SNOKING

 

[gsbrockman]

I would have to figure about $1000 and 2 days of my time to get a truck from DS so thats a consideration

But one can't put a price tag on the bonding time spent driving one's truck home.... :-laf

 

[dward]

Thats true, nothing like a road trip.
I just spoke to Davediliion Dodge in Caldwell, Id (thanks DDevers) and the same truck with $2k more in options is $1000 less than DS considering they include a spray in bedliner.
They also have a huge inventory so may have to make a detour to Boise before going back to LA.

 

[MJWenrich]

MJWenrich
Where did you get your truck? I'm on vacation right now so I'm only looking online at the trucks. I guess I'll have to go out and look at a few to compare the options, maybe I'll have to upgrade to the SLT or higher.
Did you find many dealers in Cal that had the Aisin trans in stock? I would have to figure about $1000 and 2 days of my time to get a truck from DS so thats a consideration, and it would be nice for service to buy locally.
I'm in no hurry and won't be home for 2 weeks and still have to sell my 03 and Lance, so it's nice to do my research before buying.

I bought mine at Cole in San Luis Obispo. At the time, Dodge was not accepting orders for SRW and the Aison. Mine is a Sept build and was one of several models they had but the only one in a white SRW long bed Big Horn with Aison. My first visit there found them to be nice folks to deal with but the price was not what I could agree with. The internet special was the deal clincher for me. I spoke to two other dealers who post on line specials and asked why I could not order the truck I wanted rather than accept what they had at the internet price. Never got a good answer but I believe that when they have them for more than three months the incentives from Dodge must ramp up allowing them to have a better margin. Or something like that.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Rambodybuilder for 2013 shows a difference of about 2000 lb. load capacity between 2500 AND 3500, IIRC. I would rather have too much truck because when my needs change or something bad happens on the road, too much generally morphs into just barely enough.

 

[DDevers]

Thats true, nothing like a road trip.
I just spoke to Davediliion Dodge in Caldwell, Id (thanks DDevers) and the same truck with $2k more in options is $1000 less than DS considering they include a spray in bedliner.
They also have a huge inventory so may have to make a detour to Boise before going back to LA.

I was impressed by their prices and would have "squandered" more had I went there to replace our truck. I appreciate them putting their prices on line as it shows they haven't anything to hide. If I outlive the reliable life of this truck, I will definitely take a trip there for "research".

We bought our Jeep from a small dealership in Ronan, Mt. for $2600 less than D.S. D.S. told me that we couldn't get one for that price but we did. I like the way D.S. treats you, professionally without any push but one can beat their prices.

Have fun shopping. The seats in the Tradesman are very comfortable for us. The room in the crew cab is much more than we need. For us the Tradesman with a backup camera would be the ideal thing.

 

[dward]

First, I need to correct the name. Its Dennisdilliondodge, had Dave in my head.
I got an e-mail response and spoke to someone. I also like seeing the prices posted as it makes it easier to compare. They also list a price of around $3k lower but he said most people don't qualify for these rebates. I can qualify for the $500 military rebate. The others are current leases, self employed, etc.
Because I'm still not sure between the 2500 and 3500 yet I'm going to stop by and drive both as well as compare the interiors and options.
My biggest concern is that the 3500 will be a much rougher ride than the 2500 coil springs as it will be driven a lot w/o towing or carrying much weight.

 

[DDevers]

My 3500 will jar your teeth out with the air pressure at the prescribed door label pressures. My owners manual says 50 front and 40 rear unloaded and that is a little more bearable. The ride in our 05 3500 was much better. I think they really beefed up the springs for the added tow loads and their resultant tongue weights. I have a mile and half of dirt road from my house to the main drag that suffers from serious erosion at times and you can bet your bruised knickers we travel that VERY slowly. On the highway it isn't too bad but you watch for the speed bumps in the parking lots!