2500 or 3500 Ride difference???

[Tomscreek]

Does the 3500 (srw) ride much different than the 2500? I have to go test drive them but I was wondering if any one has some experience with both.

 

[AMink]

When we got our 2006, the difference was not really noticeable. We got the 3500 not because we "needed" it at that time, but in case we would in the future. The price difference wasn't much. I'm not sure, but I think the spring rate is the same until it hits the overloads. Can't tell you about the newer ones. I don't want to look!:-laf

 

[Simplysmn]

comparing my 08 2500 to the 11 3500 I would say The 11 rides better and Tow's better

 

[TexasCat.]

I have had both. I just purchased an 11 3500 srw lwb. It does not ride like a town car, but it is not bad. I would say very similar to the 2500 I have owned in the past.

 

[gtoli]

We went with the 3500 just in case we upgrade to a heavier trailer one day. Plus some of the features that are standard on the 3500 are options on the 2500 and it made it a litle easier to shop without having to scrutinize each window sticker to make sure all the options I wanted were there.

 

[SnoKing]

A few weeks back I was on the lot looking at 3500's. They no longer have overloads with additional spring stops on the frame. Just different spring packs. The 3500 actually has one less leaf in the spring pack, however the leafs are much thicker in the 3500 springs. So I would say that one will notice the ride difference in the 3500 more now than when they had true overloads that only came into play with "loaded"!



SNOKNG

 

[Alan Reagan]

Just traded my 3500 for a 2500. The ride in both was good but I wouldn't pick one over the other. My 3500 was long bed, crew and the 2500 is the short bed crew.



I know the 3500 was a lot stiffer/rougher over railroad tracks and on interstate bridges where you get that evenly spaced lope that gets worse the further you go on the bridge. The shorter wheelbase on the 2500 somewhat negates that.



I like the ride of both.

 

[tpicard]

I traded a '06 3500 QC SRW LB 4x4 for a '11 3500 CC SRW LB 4x4.

The '11 rides like a tank empty, very simular to a Ford, the rear axel hops at every expansion joint on the highway. The heavy springs and lack of over loads is the only explanation. I wish I would have got a 2500. My '06 road like a dream. This is my only disappointment of '11. Well mileage too, but knew that going in.

Drive them both before you buy.

 

[SnoKing]

Looks to me like they cheapen up on the cost of the rear setup, at the cost of ride quality. NO spring stops to install on the frame for the overloads!!! 2500 emblems and springs or 3500 emblems and springs. Two different placards and prices!!!



Bad on you Dodge!!!!



Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks might help!



Looks like the 2500 plus a set of air bags might be a better deal as long as the weight police on RV.net do not give you a ticket!!!



SNOKING

 

[Don]

Any solution on the wheel hop? I presume that the truck is empty when the hope occurs. I drove a 3500 DRW Long bed the other day and thought I noticed the same thing. I am waiting to order a 2012 to get the tow max and high output engine and would like to have any add on items installed shortly after truck arrives. If any one has ideas on how to solve wheel hop issue I would appreciate you input.
Thanks,
Don

 

[Regcabguy]

Thuren

. : THUREN FABRICATION :. . Don's got a 2010 and should have a minipak for you guys which will soften up the back without sacrificing load capacity much. It replaces the bottom solid bar with a multileaf soft rate pack.

 

[Alan Reagan]

My 2010 would "lope" more than hop and would only do it on bridges. It rode pretty good but on long bridges, it would be bumping up and down pretty good. It actually rode better than my 2500 which is pretty stiff. Of course the 3500 was a long bed crew cab so it was stretched out pretty good.



One thing I didn't like about the 3500 was that without a load, the headlights are aimed way to low. I would have to run my fog lights at night to see. If I put a load on, it was fine but empty sucked. I don't like to run the fog lights all the time because I know how irritating that can be when I'm being followed by someone running them.