2012 ram 3500 SRW vs. DRW 3.73 vs. 4.11

[ddivinia]

I have a 2005 3500 SRW 4wd and overall have been very pleased with it. I am looking at a 2012 Longhorn Mega Cab. I would keep my quad cab, but the back seat with growing kids is kinda small.



So, with a Megacab I can only get a shorted which is fine. Most dealers only seem to have DRW version. If you want a SRW they keep trying to sell me a 2500.



I had pretty much convinced myself that a SRW was the way to go. Then I saw the new wheels on the DRW and the towing capacity and thought maybe I should do mega DRW. .



Then I notice pretty much all of them have 3. 73 gears. If I am going to a DRW should I go for DRW also so I get the max tow package?



3. 73 vs. 4. 11 - how bad a mileage hit? The towing capacity increase is pretty large.



Comments, etc?



Thanks,

D.

 

[ILIANBG]

I'm looking at the 3500 SRW myself. If I go for one it'll be 4. 10. I don't think the mileage difference is big. I know the 4. 10 is what I'll want next.
I will drive them both just so I know how they compare, but empty test drive is not much of an accurate comparison.
Good luck and get what it'll serve you best.
Ilian

 

[ddivinia]

I hear ya. The dually part is a big question for me. I drive some in town and I know that can be a headache, but I have other cars to drive also. This is mostly a tow and ranch rig so I could justify the dually part.

Which cab are you looking at getting?

How long does it take to get one if you order one?

D

 

[RustyJC]

The 6-speed 68RFE double overdrive automatic makes a TREMENDOUS difference with the 4. 10 gears. At 60 MPH with the 4. 10s, the engine is only turning 1612 RPM in 6th which means that the 4. 10s don't extract that much of a mileage penalty and are comfortable for highway use when unloaded. For towing, you can see how much they add to the truck's GCWR - e. g. , it's towing capabilities. My truck has the 4. 10s because I ordered it that way specifically as a tow rig for our 5th wheel, but I have no regrets whatsoever about not settling for the 3. 73s in a truck off the lot.



Rusty

 

[ddivinia]

Good info - that is a good way to look at it. Compared to my 4 speed with 3. 73 - it is probably a wash.

Thanks,
D.

 

[AH64ID]

With the auto I wouldn't even consider 3. 73's, 4. 10's are the way to go!

Have you thought about a crew cab? It's a lot more room than the quad you have now, and still comes with a 8' bed.

DRW vs SRW all depends on what you are going to haul. My 3500 SRW is within 600 lbs of being maxed out with my 29' TT and a 4 wheeler in the bed. That's actual maxed out based on tires, not OEM GVWR.

I wouldn't settle for a truck on the lot, order what you want or go elsewhere. Dave Smith in Idaho has a very well established program for out of towners.

 

[ddivinia]

I am going to go look at both the mega and crew. I just really like the looks of the extra storage by the rear seat, etc.

SRW or DRW - I am leaning towards the DRW because I think in some cases I am at the max or over it.

Are you going to a DRW next time?

I will check out Dave Smith.

D.

 

[AH64ID]

Unless I seriously up my trailer or payload I will stick SRW, I do too much hunting/FS road driving to have a DRW. I think I'd rather run 19. 5's in the camping season and 17's in the hunting season than have a DRW. .

Someday I will go DRW thou, but retirement is more than a couple decades off

 

[ddivinia]

I hear ya - the 3500 SRW has served me well - I might just get another one.

D.

 

[BILLUA]

I went through agony deciding whether to order a dually or SRW when I ordered my 2005.

It was my only driver at the time and I had all the same concerns as anyone else.

I bit the bullet, ordered the dually and here, 7 years later don't regret the decision one bit.

Now that I bought a 32 ft toy hauler in February, I am damn glad that I ordered the dually 7 years ago and didn't need to buy a smaller trailer or bigger truck.

My next truck will also be a dually, no doubt about it!

 

[ddivinia]

Here we go!

I guess it is like most things - you get used to it. It is not like I live in San Francisco or something.

D.

 

[morbius]

I drive 3500 dually in SF at times and you get used to that too ! Look at what you need the truck for, not where you plan to drive it. I do lots of nasty 4x4 with ours on our ranch, tow, and drive both in a dense city and rural towns, my dually has become our daily driver and not looking back, next truck will be a dually again.

 

[ddivinia]

I like the idea of a mega cab dually. I don't have a 5th wheel and have no plans to get one. I do have a bunch of trailers. 24' cattle trailer, 24' equipment trailer, 32' hay trailer - all goosenecks. Then a handful of bumper pull trailers.

Hunting, ranching, etc - all good.

I also have a 2000 V-10 Excursion 4wd I use for hunting too.

I should probably go ahead and get a dually - heck, it is a ranch truck.

D.

 

[ILIANBG]

You will like it. I actually think that the 4 gen dually drives so smooth that I would love to get one. I just do not have the use for it. I do like how they look now. Very nice trucks.
Ilian

 

[ddivinia]

I sure like the wheels on the 2012 Longhorn Dually.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

OK - I went and drove some. Megacab Dually is what I am going to get.

All they have is 3. 73. I am not in a hurry - I am thinking of waiting until later in the year.

If i am going to get a dually - why not go with the max tow 4. 10s, etc? heck, adds 4K usable.

D.

 

[Don]

I just turned 5000 miles on my dually and it is my first one. When I first started driving it , those fenders look pretty big in the mirrors, but now it seems quite normal. Get them if you think you will EVER need them.

Don

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Both my 3500s are DRWs and I dont regret that dicision a bit. Stability difference is HUGE when towing a 5er. .

 

[ddivinia]

I hear ya. I have talked myself into a Mega DRW with Max Tow.

D.

 

[Cummings]

I have a 2012 Longhorn dually, and it has the 3:73's. I've had trucks for the last 40 years, and really see no need for the 4:10's in this truck. We pull a 38' living quarters horse trailer that scales 16,000 lbs. , and never have a need for more power. with only 3300 miles on the truck, it is getting about 12 MPG towing this trailer. Love almost everything about the truck, except that when you shut it off, the engine brake and tow haul also shut off, and you have to remember to put them on again when you restart the truck. Will also talk to the dealer about what I think is too much wind noise at the drivers door. Love the truck, though!! Guys with King Ranches drool when they see the interior!!