3/4 vs 1 ton ride quality

[Snellville-Dave]

Last week I looked at a new 3500srw and now I'm looking for opinions about the ride differences between the 3500 and the 2500. The main reason I'm considering the 3500 is that I want a tranfer/flow 70 gal. tank installed in the bed. With that much extra weight in the truck I thought it would be good to get the 3500srw instead of a 2500. I just stopped at the dealer for a oil change and didn't drive anything. I like dealing with dealers about as much as going to the dentist. The last few vehicles I've bought I got a leasing company to get for me at a large car auction.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I doubt you will notice any difference solo over the 2500. I don't think a full load of diesel will put you on the overloads but if it poses a problem you can always remove the overloads. I do know my 03 dually rides better than my 97 2500. Since you are also going to be pulling a fiver your really should look to the 3500. By the time you hook up with a full load of diesel, you will probably exceed the GVWR of the 2500. FWIW



Casey

 

[RustyJC]

The higher percentage of weight transferred to the truck as pin weight means that a 2500 will run out of GVWR long before it reaches its GCWR. If you're looking at towing 5vers, look at a 3500 dually.



To illustrate, our 3500 dually has a GVWR of 10,500 lbs (2WD) and a GCWR of 21,500 lbs. Towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel, we hit the road at 10,380 lbs GVW and 21,180 lbs GCW.



Rusty

 

[klenger]

My 04. 5 3500 SRW rides much better than my 01. 5 2500 did. To me, the 3500 SRW over the 2500 is a no-brainer. Cost is only about $300 more, and some people think the cab lights are cool. The towing mirrors are also cheaper on a 3500 SRW ( a $65 credit actually).

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I had a 2001 2500 now I have a 2004 3500LB SRW. I find the new truck is much smoother--maybe part of it is because of the longer WB. Well pleased with the ride. I think there is a 900 lb. carrying capacity difference between the 2500 and 3500.

 

[DPelletier]

ride is the same unless you load it enough to engage the overloads. A LWB will ride better than a SWB FWIW. You've gotten good advice here. Its far preferable to have more truck than you need than less IMHO.



Dave

 

[Ramtough]

What you really need to watch is the truck's payload rating (GVWR - Empty Weight). My truck has less payload rating than a 1/2 ton 2WD. You can also exceed the rear axle rating - all well before you exceed the GVWR or GCWR or even trailer weight rating

 

[tgrfan2]

I would go with the 3500 and if your fiver's pin weight puts you where the overloads engage partially you might want to consider doing away with the overloads and using air bags which do a great job carrying the weight and leveling the truck. My friend's 03 SRW hauls a fiver with 2600# pin wgt and his overloads make for a rough ride on certain dips due to the rebound. Unloaded his truck rides much better than my 98.