2500 or 3500 ?

[Stark_Ent9802]

I Have the opportunity to buy a new truck and I'm debating whether to go with a 2500 or 3500. The two trucks I'm looking at are basically the same in terms of their options and packages ( Big Horn - SRW,crew cab , short bed, 4x4, 68rfe) Only difference is the color and the 2500 or 3500. The truck will be used as a pleasure vehicle as i have a service van for my daily. I do own a 34 foot 5th wheel tow hauler that weighs about 11500 , I'm not sure what the pin box weight is. The 2500 with the coil rear spring seems like the logical choice for a more quality of a drive but looking up the payload capacities the 2500 is rated for 2315# and a 3500 has a 4030# payload. I guess my questions to fellow members would be that If I go with the 2500 should I have any reservations about pulling my 5'er? and Does anyone have any opinion on difference in ride quality between the 35's with the leafs and the 25's with the coils.
Thanks.

 

[gsbrockman]

Figuring 20% of the RV weight as pin weight....you're looking at a pin weight of 2,300 lbs. Add some cargo to the trailer---or passengers and supplies to the truck.......and you're legally maxed out in the 2500.

The 3500 SRW is the obvious choice.......IMO.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I wouldn't buy a new 2500 just for the fact that that fancy, trailing arm rear suspension is going to cost more to maintain and problematic when the bushings start to wear.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Go BIG or stay home!!!

 

[TMRoper1669]

I would stick to the 3500, the coils are newer to Ram and will most definitely require more maintenance. I know people who specifically bought a 3500 for the ride. I have had both and I prefer the 3500 because I know I have no isues hauling.

 

[Beast2B]

No TPMS on 3500 to annoy you

 

[mpaulson]

Find a 3500 with the Aisin, you won't regret it, seriously.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Find a 3500 with the Aisin, you won't regret it, seriously.

ZACTLY!!!

Dogpatch was pondering the 68RFE VS Aisin, he went BIG and went Aisin.

 

[LandShark]

Go with the 3500. It's only a few hundred more and it's ride is better than my '95 2500; surprisingly better.

 

[GSykes]

Go with the 3500 SRW for the extra payload, had an 08 2500 prior to this one. Like the ride.

 

[Stark_Ent9802]

Thanks for the responses. Seems pretty one sided. I found out the 3500 i was looking at was sold yesterday. The 2500 is still available. Im going to test drive it on Saturday and ill probably also test drive a 3500 to see if there is any noticeable difference since nobody with a 25 has responded with an opinion. Around here (CT) it seems most of the 3500s are Laramie's with sticker prices 62g to 72g. My price cap is pretty much 60gs anything over that would be cost prohibitive for me. Whatever model i end up liking more and getting the better deal is probably what ill go with. Thanks again for the replies they are valued.

 

[Grizzly]

Find a 3500 with the Aisin, you won't regret it, seriously.

Totally agree. Go with the 3500. For the small difference in price, you'll get much more payload.

 

[Stark_Ent9802]

Okay well here's my issue the 2500 i am looking at has got the right price and it has the options i I wanted ( 5th wheel prep, big horn pack, ,ect) wish it had the auto leveling feature but it doesn't. The truck if i was to purchase will spend 85% time unloaded and the other 15 % will be towing what i hope to be a newer 5th wheel or TT. What about a 2500 with an Aftermarket air lift suspension to even the truck when towing?? My 2010 has 34,000 miles on in the 5.5 years i have owned it. I'm.a 30 yr old HVAC mechanic. Most of time is spent working. Rather than driving.

 

[RVTRKN]

Being an HVAC tech like me, I'm surprised your contemplating a 2500. How many HVAC applications have you worked on that we're boarding on just enough BTU operation. Only to have a need for a higher BTU rating when needed. Go with a DRW 3500, and you won't regret it for towing a large TT, if you get one. Unless your looking for an excuse to buy a newer one in a few years as well.

 

[Stark_Ent9802]

Ha..i've seen that senario a few times. Only reason for contemplating it is the price and the options make sense for what i was looking for. Definitely not in the market for a dually , one of the reasons for trading for new is to get out of an 8ft bed. With no one advocating for the 25s its hard to disagree with anyone that has replied.

 

[TDB67]

I have both a 2500 SRW and a 3500 DRW. I like the 2500 for the suspension. Comparing to my neighbors 3500 SRW empty or towing a 10,000 # horse trailer, to the 2500, I like the ride better than the 3500. This was before I pulled the rear coil springs out of my 2500 and installed the Kelderman rear air bags and added an onboard air system. I like the rear air suspension ride even more and the flexibility that the air bags offer. The truck sits level or can be higher or lower (dump the bags) to hook up the gooseneck trailer.

 

[Tuesdak]

Check with the DMV as 2500's don't have to have "commercial" plates here where 3500's do. License plate and insurance may be different for you.

Towing a 5th wheel with anything less than a 8" bed is generally a bad idea risking damage to the truck and trailer. It's expensive heartbreak when you bend things up despite all the 'sliders' marketing etc... It's far emotionally cheaper to scrape small cars off the rear bumper you back into with the 8" bed. :-laf

 

[Stark_Ent9802]

I have both a 2500 SRW and a 3500 DRW. I like the 2500 for the suspension. Comparing to my neighbors 3500 SRW empty or towing a 10,000 # horse trailer, to the 2500, I like the ride better than the 3500. This was before I pulled the rear coil springs out of my 2500 and installed the Kelderman rear air bags and added an onboard air system. I like the rear air suspension ride even more and the flexibility that the air bags offer. The truck sits level or can be higher or lower (dump the bags) to hook up the gooseneck trailer.

Interesting. I will look into the kelderman system.

 

[LHarper]

Just purchased 2016, 3500, srw, Limited, sb, with Aisin. Very pleased with the truck. I have said it before and will say it again, going with the 3500 to get the Aisin is worth every cent. I can tell no difference in ride from a 2500 Ram, long box that I borrowed while waiting for my truck to come in. With the cost of these trucks, make sure you get it right the first time. Test drive until you know for sure which one you want to own.

 

[mpaulson]

Interesting. I will look into the kelderman system.

By the time you add this system to a 2500 you would likely be at the cost difference for the 3500 with the Aisin. Now the 2500 would do the job but be maxed out on the payload or overloaded. One could add a set of air bags to help with the leveling, but I live in Canada and we don't get sued so easily if there is an accident and the lawyers find out that you were over the payload spec. and screw you to the coffin for it like it seems they do down there, so liability could be a concern for you possibly. The power increase that the 2500's have over your 2010 would still be noticeably appreciated going from 350/650 up to 370/800. My sister has a 2500 with the 370/800 and 3.73 gears and she is right on my bumper climbing mountains with her 32' TT and me with my 30'TT and quad deck as you see in my profile picture, so the 2500 is no slouch either.