2500 vs. 3500 towing a 5'er?

[Racechaser]

Need some help with this folks, I'm debating getting a 2-car 5th wheel car trailer and was wondering if I'm at a disadvantage w/out a 3500. Other than the gross tow rating differences, do the duals help for sway from crosswinds or anything else? My rig is listed below. The endless amounts of help & experience in this forum are second to none! Thanks!

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'01 2500,4WD,Ext cab,sb,auto,3:55's,sport pkg(horrible cartoon decals removed),flame red,tan lthr,clearance lamps,everything but kitchen sink. 1st Diesel,never buying another gasser!

 

[4meseb]

The only thing I know is from a story an old Truck Driver said. He said he has only seen 2 tire blowouts on single rear wheel drive trucks towing 5th wheels in his life over the road. He said one guy survived and the other one didn't. Kind of made sense to me, if you have a blowout on a dually you still have one to get you to the side of the road safely. I wouldn't want a 50/50 chance at survival if I had a blowout, but you see alot of them out there. Just my 2 cents.

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1996 2500 4x4 Club-Cab SLT LWB
5-speed, 255/85/16. Getting 20+ MPG.

 

[Racechaser]

Good advice 4! Never had the misfortune of a having a blowout so that never occurred to me. Thanks

 

[GTX]

I pull a 40 foot Worldwide gooseneck trailer that is a foot taller than normal with a 99 2500 4x4. Loaded it is about 10k. In a strong wind or rutted roads, the rear of the truck will move around on the sidewalls of the tires some. Otherwise it pull great. I drive the truck every day so I did not want the extra wheels out there. If the truck was only going to pull the trailer and not be a daily driver, I would have gotten a 3500. Also if I would have gotten a longer trailer, I would get a 3500 no matter how much it gets driven without the trailer.

If you are ordering a new trailer make sure you tell them you are using a 4x4 to pull it. They will raise the overhang a couple of inches so the bed clearence will be enough.

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99 2500 QC Auto 4X4
Amsoil Dealer

 

[Happy Camper]

I have a Lance slide in which weighs in around 3200lbs. I have run this rig on a ¾ 97 Dodge Ram Camper package, tow package and definitely felt the sway and cross winds. I since have upgraded to a 3500 2001 modle ,same camper.
Went to Texas the later part of march. I-40 very wind, running with the big dogs doing 75-80 sometimes 85 (once 95 to get around a flatbed pooping along and blocking the left lane). The dually handled the adversity very very well. At no time did it feel like it couldn't handle the crosswinds. Did not like to drive that fast!
DUALLY IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. I have often thought, "what if I roll a tire off a rim or blow out while on a curve? Not a nice thought.

 

[MikeR]

I see lots of guys running up and down the I-5 corridor here with 2500's pulling 3-car trailers. Doesn't seen to stop them.

-Mike

 

[GeneA]

I would weigh in on the side of the DRW. Pulling trailers for a living, many times the SRW had to tie up in strong cross winds while I could press on with very little problem. Never had a tire go out but had others tell me that would rip the plastic fender well to shreds. But at least I liked the security of having another tire there just in case.

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98. 5 24v 3500 2wd 3. 54 lsd pyro & boost in A pillar DD1's E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 105 gal aux tank 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs

 

[Barry]

I have a 40' Take Three car transport with Flips on both ends. Gives me 43' of floor space. I regularly put three units on board and come home. I had a 2000 dually. Kept it 7 months and sold it. It's great the 5% of the time that you need it and a pain in the rear the other 95% of the time. (IMHO) I hope I can order a new 4dr with SRW as I would prefer not to have another dually. This post will probably bring forth an out cry from dually owners. I am glad they like their trux. It just did'nt work for me.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s,LSD,EZ with elbow(28psi)Stage 1 injectors from Carl,Boost/Pyro Guages,4" Turbo back,BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover,Kleen Wheels,Energy Release,70 gal. fuel,20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)Honda GL 1500 SE Pearl White for fun.

 

[Max Wedge]

Barry-no fights here. For me personally the extra width 14. 2" is a pain maybe 10% of the time, and I drive mine to the office everyday (when I can get it away from my wife). I tow a 24 ft Haulmark Race Car Trailer--(I know its small), but I love the stability of the dually, and the ride quality is second to none. Before the dually I drove a 2500 360 (gasser) shortbed 4x4--not only was it a toad, but I had some swaying issues on I-70 here in Ohio. I swear a 12 year old could drive this dually with the car trailer.
Besides I think the Dodge 3500 4x4 QC is the baddest looking trucking on the road, it just seems to intemidate everything else. #ad

But that is why the manufactures make so many differnet models, so they can snag all of us. I love my dually (I better, as I have a VERY long term commitment).
Either truck you deside on it will be a great one!
Semi

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Y2K Black 3500 4x4 SLT+ Leather ETC/DGA DMF/DSA Luverne SST Bars
'64 Plymouth 426 III (Max Wedge)
'79 Chrysler 300 T-Tops NRA Member

 

[brobeson]

As you can see from my Sig. I was in the same boat you are in.

I currently have a 2500 and pull a large 5er (35 ft. , 14,000#) with no problems, but when I wanted a new truck I studied very carefully the differences/advantages/disadvantages of both trucks.

While I really did not want a 3500 because of the dual rear wheel, I did want all the advantages the DRW offered.

If you take a 2500, load it with fuel, people and a 5th wheel hitch, you only have about 1000 pounds left before you exceed your GVW. Add the 5er tongue weight will exceed the 2500’s GVW. Plus the 2500 gross is only 20,000 # and the 3500 is 21,500#. Then the stability, the safety the Macho appeal, and other little difference not seen in the brochures, like the frame is wider on the 3500, the brake caliper bores are larger, more tire on the ground, etc, made me go with the 3500.

I feel the 2500 is better for running around and the occasional towing.
The 3500 is better for towing and occasional running around.

So my conclusion was to get the best tool for the job, and while the 2500 can do the job just fine, the 3500 was the better tool (for towing). So I got it.

I can't wait tell in come in, should be early May.

Good luck in whichever way you go.

Bob

 

[brobeson]

Opps missed my sig.

Here it is

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1998. 5, 2500, SLT, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10 towing 35ft. 5er
On Order due May 1. 3500, SLT+, Green/Tan, HO, 6 speed, 4X4, 4. 10, towing package, camper package, E-brakes.

 

[Big-D]

Bob has hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned. I truly like using my 3500 for everything, although I did convert to a flatbed. Didn't like the finders sticking out and flatbeds meet my needs better.
Dave

 

[Turbo Thom]

Brobeson:
Well said!Well said. I too have towed with a SRW and almost lost a load when a tire worked lose and came off. When the trailer swung left it moved the truck rear right. I looked out the window and there was the trailer across the road. I got it back under by feathering the brake control and got this bad taste in my mouth. I was sick and shaking. For me there will never be anything but a duel wheel rear end under a trailer. I trust the stablity of the duels.
Good luck.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[Rustymule]

Drove over the scales one time with camper and 4 mules in the bumper pull 25ft horse trailer, 22,750#'s. I'm glad I've got all those tires!!! Drive it everywhere I go,love it. The mirrors work real good for keeping an eye on those fenders.

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Rusty Mule 97 3500 5 Speed C/C 68,000miles 25,000# POP-UP HITCH, CAT GUTTED "MULE HAULER"

 

[monkfarm]

I had a F250 stroker that I pulled with now and then (sometimes 15000 lbs or over) When I traded it in on my 3500, there was such a difference towing. I had moments with my 3/4 ton that were absolutely scarey. (high winds, overweight). The 3500 is stable and great. You are in control. I like it. Depends on how much towing you are going to do, I guess. . .

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie SLT with customized aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags; 3. 54 gears
5 speed,6X4, truck mirrors, trailer towing, and camper pkgs; magview pumpkin cover
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker; Amsoiled throughout. . .
2000 Peterbilt 379 with Cummins N14plus 500 hp
13 speed fuller, 70 inch Unibilt sleeper
American Class

 

[zzman]

I only know the 3500, pulls 25' TT like it isn't there.
No extra sway bar hitch or anything.

Pulled same trailer with 1/2 before, it couldn't handle
it for too long.
my . 02


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97 3500 SLT REDext cab duelly p/u 5sp 3:54 2wd 245/75R16
3" straight exhaust stock torque plate slid full foward star wheel tweeked
105,000 miles still with plenty of ZOOM... ZOOM... ZOOM

RON Z

 

[dewdo]

I have towed my 15,000 lb fiver with a 2500 as well as the 3500 which I have now. As for swaying, with a fiver ther is little sway except maybe in a cross wind. I always run 70 & 80 lbs of air in my tires when towing the trailer or carrying the camper. Have had blowouts on the trailer but never on the trucks. (knock on wood)

I had a 3/4 Ford with a 9 ft. camper on it and it would get a bit tippy at times but with the 11. 5 camper on, I never notice any swaying. I take the curves at the posted speed or slightly above with no problems.

I now prefer the dualy. More stable and as an earlier post said: "increase your chance of staying alive by 50% with the duals. " Can't argue that.

Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[**ICEMAN**]

i have both and they both do a good job but the dually is the one for towing. it handles the weight so much better,,rough & curvy roads tend to play with the 2500,,,,with the 3500 you gotta look now and then to make sure it's still back there,,camper is around 10k lbs loaded

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94 2500 4x4 SLT,auto,187,000 miles,3:54,brilliant blue/silver,tst 250/635 set full forward,star wheel wide open,air box ported,pump turned up 20%,k&n,gauges,cat gutted,
2001. 5 3500 4x4 q-cab slt,auto,8900 miles,3:55lsd,brite silver,tst power max 3 adjustable,j-hook,3 gauges on the a-pillar,2" tuff country front leveling kit,vinyl graphics,dee zee runnin boards,both have 12k hitches&15k's in the beds,30ft fourwinds 5er,(MY RAMS) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1360183&a=10142301