Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 2500 vs. 3500

[JFitzgerald]

I'm looking for a newer truck. My crew cab is spoken for and should be paid for shortly. Need to decide which would be best for me - dually or SRW. Most of the time, the truck will be used for my daily 60 mile round trip to and from work. A couple times a month, I tow anywhere from just a Jeep on a car trailer to the Jeep, a truck camper, three quads, etc. on a gooseneck. Roughly 5000 - 13000 lbs. The gooseneck is a 30 ft. lowboy flat bed. I may change to an enclosed gooseneck trailer around the same length in the future which would add some more weight, but I would lose the camper in the process too.



Regardless of which I choose, I want a 12 valve, manual trans, 4WD, extended cab. I'll do some mild BOMBs like gauges, plate, BHAF and exhaust.



On one hand, I don't want the extra pair of wheels for everyday driving, but I want to be able to safely handle whatever I choose to pull. My past '93 W250 and the crew cab 1 ton SRW have been doing the job OK. I'm shopping now, so your input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ndurbin]

My personal choice would be a 2500.



Nathan

 

[bkroupa]

I agree, you can get tires for SRW that won't have anytrouble handling the load you've mentioned. I would'nt want to deal with duals unless I was towing heavy most of the time. Added expence (tires & MPG) & hassles, (added work for rotations & dealing with parking)

 

[JFitzgerald]

Thanks for the replies. You've made some good points, bkroupa. I'll look for a 2500.



I just found a place that has two black trucks about two hours from me. Only thing is they're 24V. One is a 2000 SLT with 6 spd, Gear Vendors "splitter" (the dealer didn't know what it's for) :-laf 4WD and loaded. The other is a '98, about the same equipment but 5 spd and no GV. I like the looks of the 2000 from the pics they sent. Hmmmm... .

 

[BlowinBlackSmoke]

go for the dUALLY!!!!!

 

[TrqMonster]

I drive a DRW and I have no real need for it. I was looking for a manual transmission and a 12v and this is what I could find. After you get used to driving one, parking is not really a problem. I would agree that buying tires does make it more exspensive as I found that out this year. I cant attest to lower mpg because I havent driven a similiar SRW truck, but I get about 14-15 around town with a small trailer and a heavy pedal foot.

I suppose my recommendation since your not towing that heavy would be to just find a SRW, unless a DRW pops up that is to good to pass up.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Yeah, I'd like to find a 12V, but haven't yet come across one that's as nice as I'd like. Looked at a '96 3500 yesterday that turned out to be not nearly as nice as it was described. The 24V's have the advantage of being newer, and more likely to be in better condition. I'm going to look at those two trucks and maybe others tomorrow. Thanks again for the input.



Do I remember right that I've heard the 24V tends to get lower mpg than a 12V?

 

[TMitch]

I just went through the same search. I couldn't find a 2500 that fit the bill and I eventually ended up getting a sweet deal on a loaded '97 3500 4x4 with 55k miles. Now that I have it, I wouldn't go back to a 2500. It tows great, it feels so much better than my buddy's 2500 with the same trailer behind it. As far as mileage goes, I was pleasantly surprised at how good this new truck does, especially with a heavy load in the box. It takes a bit of getting used to the fat back end but for highway driving it is excellent. Don't walk away from a 3500 if everything else about the truck checks out and the price is right.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Go daully. You don't want to go back after and say I should have gone to a dually. Always go extra heavy duty, and you wont have to worry about it later when you get to pull something heavyer than you ever thought you would. Also the dually is so much more stable. At one time Dad towed a 24,000 lb gooseneck with a 95 Dodge V10 dually and it was pretty stable. Comparing a 10,000lb trailer with a 2500 and 3500, the 3500 is much nicer on ride and stablility. Just my . 02 cents.



Robert

 

[JFitzgerald]

Too late. I bought the 2000 2500 yesterday. It's loaded and has several mods. I'll need some help figuring out some of this stuff.....



Will post new truck details when I get more time.