2500 vs 3500 SRW

[TN farmer]

I am looking at ordering a 04. 5 2500 and wondered how much more it would cost me to get a 3500 SRW.



What are the major differences in these two trucks and how does the ride compare?



I just saw the other post on the srw so all I really need to know is how much more the 3500 srw is over the 2500?



thanks

 

[MABurns]

After much research, I came up with a difference of $700 between a 2500 and 3500SRW.

 

[TN farmer]

MABurns, thanks I couldn't find the price difference anywhere.

 

[Jengle]

When I looked at them it was about $200. Small price for such a big upgrade in capacity. You also get the overhead cab lights in the 3500, where in the 2500 they are options. The major difference is in the rear springs, and the 3500 comes with overload leafs. The 2500 doesn't have them. The main springs the trucks ride on empty, are the same, so there isn't a difference in ride. I test drove two, equally equipped on the same road, one right after the other, and couldn't tell a difference empty. I took a load of logs home from CT to VA, 4k, weighed on a CAT scale and it drove like a Caddy. My . 02 says go for the 3500. You won't be sorry.

 

[DougR]

If you ever pull or haul a heavy load,get the 3500. The dual wheel delete takes off about $900 from a dually.

 

[klenger]

3500 SRW group is $1175 Credit (Invoice). Also, with a 3500 SRW, the towing mirrors are actually a $57 (invoice price) credit . I never even priced a 2500, so I don't know what the difference is between 2500 vs 3500. It was a no-brainer for me to get the 900 extra GVWR.

 

[JWChessell]

I spent a lot of time figuring out the difference in cost between a QC 2500 and a QC 3500 SRW when I purchased my '03. It came to about $450 more for the 3500, after adding the extra invoice cost, then subtracting the difference in price for DRW, subtracting the cost of adding roof lights to the 2500, etc. The 3500 SRW weighs more than the 2500 -- about 200 lbs -- but you get about 400 lbs more bed carrying capacity net, and about 700 lbs more 5th wheel towing capacity. Also, in the '03 3500 SRW some of the rear brake parts are larger and more robust than in the 2500. I now have 13,250 miles on the truck, and am getting between 17. 5 and 21. 8 MPG (doing the math, not the computer) depending on conditions, so the extra weight of the 3500 SRW does not affect mileage very much. Just drove 7,000 miles from west coast to east coast and back over Christmas and New Years -- full load of about 2,000 lbs going east; 1/4 load of about 500 lbs coming west; tires inflated to 70 psi. Ride going east was quite comfortable. Ride west was slightly more harsh and I could have reduced the pressue to 60 psi, but the fuel mileage was better at 70 psi.