2500 vs 3500 Ride Quality

[DJAustin]

Ready to pull the trigger- BUT still keeping the old Reg Cab 12v'r! Narrowed my search down to a 2011 2500 auto w/ 29,000 miles or a 2012 3500 auto SRW w/ 10,000 miles. Both 4x4 w/ 3. 73 rears, Crew Cabs, 6' 4" beds. With 5 grand sons, age 2-weeks to 12 years, the crew cab is the driving factor, along with the safety improvements in these trucks. #3 is ready to start joining in on our camping/ATV trips. I will be utilizing the truck to pull an 18' flatbed trailer loaded with ATV's and gear, with a slide in truck camper in the truck bed. This combo works best for me. Area of operations is PA down through WV, so the mountain driving is not to extreme or regular. Im on the coast in NJ. Flat... Once a week or so I won't be able to resist utilizing the truck on my work comute, 40 miles. Other than that it won't be used around town often. Not concerned w/ the tow rating, either is more than adequate. Like the idea of the extra load rating of the 3500 in case I upgrade to a heavier slide in camper. Question is, unloaded, has the stiffer ride of the 3500 become a nagging issue for anyone over time? My experience is only the test drives. My 95 2500 is jarring stiff. Any and all input is apprecieated. Also, if anyone has any experience with the Ram Box Storage on the side of the bed- the 3500 I'm looking at has these- heard of some issues with the doors "de-laminating" when first introduced?

Thanks All.

 

[Simplysmn]

Hand's down 3500 srw rides better then a 2500 all I have done is install airbag's on my 11 and I love the way it handles and me personaly would go 410's

 

[DJAustin]

Thanks, my 95 has 4:10's and I have been happy with having that ratio. Seems to be much easier to locate a 3;73 rear truck around here.

 

[AH64ID]

If you drive them back to back I bet you could tell a difference, but that's about it. I don't recall the actual spring rate differences but I think it's only 7%.

There won't be much load rating difference on the two as on 3rd gen's the 3500 SRW had the 2500 main pack, and DRW overloads. The DRW overloads didn't come into play until you were at the RAWR, which is why I think they ditched them.

If your planning on airbags it really doesn't matter, unless you are concerned about the paper rating.

I agree on the 4. 10's, with the 68RFE there is no reason to get anything but them.

 

[Wygate]

On my second 3500, lots of unloaded driving and I don't see any ride quality issues and my list of bad back issues is long.

Also have you sat in the Mega cabs? Holly smokes they are big, just in case you didn't have enough to figure out.

I had an 8 slide in camper, 2500lbs worth and after I bagged and sway bared her it would tow a jeep trailer coming in at another 8500 just fine. In fact I towed that combo through the coast range here in OR, w/ turns that allowed me to see my hood and my jeep at the same time! I also towed that combo from VA to OR coming in at a GCVW 22,000 and was able to keep hwy speeds comfortably.

Just some real world use for you too chew

Jay

 

[DJAustin]

Thanks, deceided to go with the 3500. Just completed the paperwork. Real world experience can't be topped by salesmans talk and a round the block test drive. salesmans take on it was however, is that the spring rate is progessive, and wont be noticed until loaded.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Get a long bed truck so you can slide a decent sized camper into it. 3500.