2500 / 3500

[BerylPugh]

will a 2500 with airbags handle a load similar to a 3500 assuming the only difference stock is the helper springs on the one ton?

2500 vs 3500 SRW

 

[dtrevathan]

I don't know that the only difference is helper springs. But what really matters is the ratings. The 3500 has 900# more GVWR and 1000# GCWR.



Air bags will not change the ratings. They only give you something else to worry about.



2003 Ram Truck 2500 SLT, Quad Cab, 4x4, Short Bed, Manual 6-Speed, 5. 9L 24V Turbo Diesel High Output engine:



With 3. 73 Axle Ratio You Can Tow 12850 lbs2

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 9000 lbs

Payload = 1990 lbs1

Curb Weight = 7012 lbs

Curb Weight Front/Rear = 4269 / 2744 lbs

GAWR Front/Rear = 5200 / 6000 lbs

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 20000 lbs



2003 Ram Truck 3500 SLT, Quad Cab, 4x4, Short Bed, Manual 6-Speed, 5. 9L 24V Turbo Diesel High Output engine:



With 3. 73 Axle Ratio You Can Tow 13750 lbs2

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 9900 lbs

Payload = 2820 lbs1

Curb Weight = 7080 lbs

Curb Weight Front/Rear = 4277 / 2804 lbs

GAWR Front/Rear = 5200 / 6150 lbs

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 21000 lbs

 

[PatrickCampbell]

The differences between a SRW 3500 and a 2500 for 2003 are a set of helper springs and a few badgess. But, I don't know how air bags handle. I would say if they hold up the load, you are golden.

 

[y-knot]

It is a shame that there are so many people on here that pretend to know so much. Why not read a little and educate yourself before handing out advice? There are many more differences between a 3500 and a 2500 then just springs and badges, It this was true, why even have the two series? There are several good articles available that go over the differences, read up.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

If you could tell me I'd be happy to read but from what I've researched, for 2003, those are the only differences. I can't speak for other years.



If you get into things like a SO and an automatic, then you'll get a 10. 5" rear instead of an 11. 5" rear. But I'd guess based on members profiles, 90% of the people who get these trucks get HOs so they automatically get an 11. 5" rear. And obviously a 3500 DRW has 2 more wheels and clearance lamps and other things that are either blatantly obvious or unrelated to his question.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by y-knot

There are many more differences between a 3500 and a 2500 then just springs and badges, It this was true, why even have the two series?

Marketing.



At the 2002 TDR Nationals in Columbus, I asked one of the Dodge reps what the difference was between the '03 2500 and 3500 SRW. The only difference he could come up with was the springs and badges. I left there thinking that the only reason they made the SRW 3500 was because Ford makes one and it would be a new gimmick to sell more trucks. The biggest difference, however, is the payload/tow ratings. But as far as I could see, a 2500 with the camper package was identical to the 3500 SRW for 2003. The Dodge rep admitted that to me. That doesn't mean it's 100% accurate, but that's what I was told by him.

 

[klenger]

A 3/4 ton truck is usually cheaper to register and insure than a 1 ton. Although I ordered a 1 ton for the higher ratings, I believe that the 3/4 ton is made because of the politics of trucks over 8800/9000 lbs.

 

[RustyJC]

At the end of the day, the only numbers that matter to a judge and jury are the manufacturer's ratings. If these numbers are exceeded, a plaintiff's attorney will present that in civil court as prima facie evidence of (as a minimum) contributory negligence or (worst case) reckless endangerment. At that point, it's up to the jury to decide on the merits of that argument.



On the advice of our attorney and financial advisor, we choose not to run overloaded. Each individual has to make up his/her own mind, but the decision should be an informed one.



Rusty

 

[Dean Upson]

Some towns are zoned so that you cannot have a commercial vehicle or a vehicle that has a GVW of 10K (in CT if you are over 10K you must register commercial) parked in a residential area. The SRW gives these folks as much GVW as possible without going over the limit.



Dean

 

[DPelletier]

Well, one thing that we got going for us up north is that 1 tons are exempt from the provincial luxury tax (applicable to vehicles over $40,000. 00, I believe). Dealers barely even stock 3/4 tons.

Saved me a few thousand dollars buying a 3500 instead of a 2500.





Dave



Y-knot, perhaps in your enlighted state, you'd share with everyone the exact differences between a 3rd gen 3500 SRW and 2500 with the 11. 5" axle, other than the lights, overload springs, badges and door tags.

 

[boonsur]

If buying new...

If you're going to tow big, and can park it, then you should consider getting a dually for the extra stability (it's night & day, with a big load), and the safety factor of an extra wheel if one blows out.

 

[zari]

I'm with RustyJC. If you can tow what you want to tow with a 2500 without exceeding the legal ratings, great. Otherwise, go with the 3500.



<b>Personally</b>, I don't want to guess <em>why</em> the ratings are different between the 2500 and ther 3500SRW; they <b>are</b> and that does it for me.

 

[Boomer II]

I thought a 2500 has a Dana 70 and the 3500 has an 80.

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: If buying new...

Originally posted by boonsur

If you're going to tow big, and can park it, then you should consider getting a dually for the extra stability (it's night & day, with a big load), and the safety factor of an extra wheel if one blows out.

I'll second that. I have had duallies since 1986 and in my opinion, you cannot beat them for a truck camper or a heavy fiver.



Dean

 

[DPelletier]

Boomer II,

You are correct, 2nd gen 2500 with autos came with Dana 70's. Seeing as how the original question was 3500 SRW vs. 2500 and they only started making 3500 SRW's in 2003, I was talking about 3rd gens.

Dave

 

[jimnance]

Like a lot of guys I ended up getting a heavier rig after I had purchased the truck. If I could do it again I'd get the 3500 SRW. However, I don't want to take a beating on the trade in so I work with what I've got.



I'm going to put a set of Timbrens on to help keep things level. Otherwise the truck does great.



Point well taken on an accident. A jury would not look kindly upon an overloaded vehicle. It may be reasonably safe to overload somewhat ( I would never exceed GAWR), but I use great caution with respect to following distance. None of these trucks is going to stop real quick at 21,000 lbs.

 

[GeneralMachine]

Dulley

If you ever pull a heavy camper with a dulley you won't like the way a single wheel truck handels. The extra tire's on the rear really makes it nice for pease of mind on the road. Just Ride & guide. Harv

 

[JRG]

At the end of the day, the only numbers that matter to a judge and jury are the manufacturer's ratings. If these numbers are exceeded, a plaintiff's attorney will present that in civil court as prima facie evidence of (as a minimum) contributory negligence or (worst case) reckless endangerment. At that point, it's up to the jury to decide on the merits of that argument.

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER!



This is exactly why I opted for the 3500. Now I have heard that the 3500 rides BETTER because the main spring pack is a little softer, and my fleet manager also said that the frame was thicker walled(I don't know). But for the money you spend on the upgrades to a 2500 you could almost have a 3500 with that little sticker that just might, just might save your A$$. No joke.



Just my . 35



JRG

 

[DPelletier]

JRG,

FWIW I agree with the gist of your post, but your fleet manager is full of ****! No big surprise, I guess I've yet to meet any employee of any dealer that knows even a small fraction of the info that the average TDR member does. And my understanding as far as the springs go is that the main pack is the same, but the 3500 has the overloads. Should ride the exact same, empty.



Cheers

Dave