3500 Vs 2500 Ram

[beaverguy]

What is the difference between a single wheel 3500 & 2500 4X4's as far as rear ends, axles, & frames with. 68rfe trans Also payload rating having the same tires??

 

[DougHaralson]

3500 is leaf suspension, 2500 is coil (at least from 2014+) Rear ends depends on motors generally - 68RFE implies diesel which defaults to a 3.42 rear end generally. Here's link to more info - towing capacity towards the bottom of the document https://s3.amazonaws.com/di-fca-enr...2018_Ram_HD_Catalog/18MY_Ram_HD_eBrochure.pdf

 

[Ozymandias]

Axles are the same, Frame also.

 

[Newsa]

Leafs on the 3500 have higher weight rating in case you are planning on pulling a gooseneck/5th wheel.

In 2013, there was an article describing the beefed-up front steering and suspension on the 3500 vs the 2500. Not sure if that front suspension/steering improvement ever got put on the 2014+ 2500's. But i think it did.... Along with the stronger frame improvement.

And the ability to purchase with the Aisin option really makes the 3500 an option for those towing a bit heavier.

 

[smittyd174]

As far as I could figure out they are basically the same except except the suspension and the availability of the Aisan transmission. In 2016 when I bought my 3500 new a 2500 would more than tow my 5th wheel but at 2300 lbs on the pin the truck was maxed. Thats why I went to the 3500 to get the extra load capacity. The other thing is I had coils on my 1500 and the rode nice but when towing I found they swayed more than leafs did.

 

[TCDiesel]

Axles are the same, Frame also.

Incorrect ,the Axle tubes are bigger on the 3500 and the Frame on the 3500 is considerably stronger. The Aisin is available in the 3500, and the programing for the 3500 is spec to the GVW.. Newsa is correct on the rest.
Buy the 3500 With Aisin get the 6102 leaf spring add the Air bags spec your pulling unit to the New height 2.25 higher than the 3500 DRW 6101 spring or just get the Air ride on the 3500 SRW .. check your pulling unit height so it pulls level.. don't be a weekend warrior that believe level pulling is optional...its Not in certain conditions

 

[Cummins12V98]

Air ride is a GREAT option! Use alt Ride Mode and truck will not run around AZZ high all the time and be a bit easier to enter and exit.

Pics below both alt ride, second pic is at full RAWR of 9,750#. Notice ride height does not change.

 

[smittyd174]

I thought about air ride and may give a smoother ride don't know that for sure. I liked the all leaf setup , simple kinda like me they work or they are broke. All leaf sprung 3500 are high in the ass end. When I put the hitch in say 150 lbs and hook up my 5th wheel which claims 2350 on the pin the truck drops 1.5 inches sitting perfectly level an tows it like a dream. Only other thing I will say is don't get the ram box if your towing a 5th wheel. It can be done but you have to use a sidewinder which most hitch companies say not to and it just adds more parts to screw up. Good luck and hammer down.

 

[beaverguy]

Incorrect ,the Axle tubes are bigger on the 3500 and the Frame on the 3500 is considerably stronger. The Aisin is available in the 3500, and the programing for the 3500 is spec to the GVW.. Newsa is correct on the rest.
Buy the 3500 With Aisin get the 6102 leaf spring add the Air bags spec your pulling unit to the New height 2.25 higher than the 3500 DRW 6101 spring or just get the Air ride on the 3500 SRW .. check your pulling unit height so it pulls level.. don't be a weekend warrior that believe level pulling is optional...its Not in certain conditions

What I'm trying to understand on the single wheel 3500 & the 2500 the E-rated wheels & tires only carry so much weight
. So why can the 3500 have more GVW ??

 

[TCDiesel]

Some States have laws on how much weight can be per square inch of road surface, MN follows the fed standard of 600LBS per square inch.

Tire technogly has come a Long ways single wheels can carry the 600LBS per square inch today, I read all the time that DRW owners claim it does not sway like SRW, the facts are the DRW is used increase the GVW to meet the 600lbs PSinch law. the DRW is not superior in sway. the pressure points are the same point on every axle made on these points, the points don't care how many tires you place on the truck. Its simple some road surfaces have what is called road crown ,the additional length of the spindles relocate the tire on the outer edges of the crown so it feels less sway. IMO the correct towing tire within legal limits (SRW) is superior handling in every area.

 

[EDankievitch]

Having converted a 89-W250 into a W350 the improvement in stability is huge. More tires sharing the load means they lasted longer. That said unless you are towing 75% of the time and when you tow you are at the upper 60% of your weight limit I don't think the extra cost of the dully is worth it. One of the biggest reasons I let my 89 go was how much a set of tires would set me back every 75-80k miles.

34' SeaRay just shy of 13' wide aprox 15575 lbs

 

[mpaulson]

With duals you can/will have allot less sidewall quirming going on which in the case of bumper pull trailers will help reduce the tail wagging the dog so to speak. As well a wider stance for top heavy loads (with proper suspension mods, other wise like already mentioned, the weak spot is still the rotational pivot points of the suspension connections)

 

[TCDiesel]

mpaulson , would you not agree that works on level roadways only, if its road crown you get MORE flex in the Sidewall of the small wheel dually tire.... and that tire is caring more GVW, For all you dually members buy a infrared gun and check tire temps on 2-way Paved HWY (Crowned) you will find the outside tire generally runs 20-60F hotter in mid summer.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Not true in my experience. Front tires are always hotter and rears are very similar except if Sun is on one side then the outer tire may be a bit warmer.

 

[TCDiesel]

How is it possible for a driver tires to be running hotter than a free spinning steering tire? maybe in city driving Hwy it would not.

 

[Cummins12V98]

How is it possible for a driver tires to be running hotter than a free spinning steering tire? maybe in city driving Hwy it would not.

To be clear my front tires are always hotter than my 4 rear tires.

 

[TCDiesel]

OK....

 

[mpaulson]

mpaulson , would you not agree that works on level roadways only, if its road crown you get MORE flex in the Sidewall of the small wheel dually tire.... and that tire is caring more GVW, For all you dually members buy a infrared gun and check tire temps on 2-way Paved HWY (Crowned) you will find the outside tire generally runs 20-60F hotter in mid summer.

Yes, I agree with the uneven road concern. But there is still 8 sidewalls in the rear rather than 4, and it does help prevent side to side motion at the back of the truck to reduce the tail wagging the dog issues. I have a temp gun and yes the inside duals are usually warmer. In part due to different amounts a air movement and the inside of the rims being full of heat producing sources like bearings and brakes that both produce heat and restrict the airflow. The dash pressure monitor reflects this temperature difference as well with the insides increase in psi a little more than the outsides.
But there’s no substitute for duals in certain top heavy loads like slide in campers etc.

 

[TCDiesel]

I agree for the DRW is better for Camper or the contraption you got going with that boat, I be more concerned for low clearance.

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[mpaulson]

I agree for the DRW is better for Camper or the contraption you got going with that boat, I be more concerned for low clearance.

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I’m 12’-4”, so I have some spare room. OPPS!! Now I’m 12’-9” since I upgraded to a 90 hp motor