Around town 3500 v. 2500?

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I currently own a 2500 QC 4X4. Am considering trading in for a 3500 4x4.

What is the difference in terms of practical driving around town? This will be my main vehicle, I will do most of my day-to-day driving in it?

Is the 3500 significantly more difficult to find acceptable parking for compared to the 2500?

What are the differences? Of those of you that have owned both, which direction did you go 3500-to-2500 or 2500-to-3500? And why?

I am considering the upgrade for additional load safety and towing capacity? I will have a large slide-in camper.

Thanks,
JP

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'99 2500, 4x4, Quad Cab, SLT, Camper Group
'00 Lance 815

 

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I've owned 3 Dually 3500's. The only concern I have is to make sure I clear drive up banking lane restrictions. I've always tried to park away from others in parking lots so parking usually is not an issue. I don't think I would ever own anything other than a dually. I just like the looks, not to mention load caoacity!

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'99 Black QC Dually 3500, 3. 54, auto, K&N, VA Box, JRE 4" exhaust with 5" Monster tip, boost & EGT gauges on "A" pillar, silencer ring removed, Cragar Aluminum wheels, mud flaps all around, stainless bed rail guards, Pendaliner bed-liner, custom 12" truck box, Cobra 75WXST model remote CB, ProTorque Converter, Shift Kit, Pressure Lock & Transmission by Frank!

 

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I also looked at 3500 before I bought 2500.
Around town it is easy to park 2500,but driving around town the diff. is not that big of deal. Pulling wises there is no diff. between the two. weight carring is better on the 3500, Just how much do really need is the ? you must ask yourself. The extra two wheels will make it more road stable if you have a camper that is real tall. The 3500 look real good and it was hard, not buy it. For my choice I had many factors ( size g/n I am pulling,wife,extra expense of tires,wife,use on ranch,wife,ect)It is a personal choice and I am glad I bought the 2500, it does fit my needs. The rear end are the same except for the spindles,two extra tires, fenders,and I think 1 extra spring correct me if I am wrong. Look at your needs and make your choice. Either one is not too bad.

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01'2500 Q\C LWB white,HO-6-spd. ,3. 54,4-disk brakes,trailer tow, camper special,custom bolt-in G/N, See'ya down the road Michael

 

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JP,

I don' think your load capacity will increase dramatically, if at all. This is because the 3500 weighs more and the towing capacity may even favor the 2500 -- can't remember for sure. I think the wider "stance" of the 3500 would be an added benefit with a slide-in camper, though a 2500, properly outfitted with air-suspension (or, whatever) would be great, too.

I've owned only one dually. It was a love-hate relationship. I ripped the side fender off the passenger side parking it once when I was in a hurry (wife in labor -- ER run, early in the AM). Not long after I had it repaired (expensive fiberglass) I ripped it off again on a utility pole, guy-wire that I never saw. It is more difficult, both to park and just to maneuver. Also, it's not typically as fuel efficient, (more weight/wind drag) harder to maneuver off-road, more expensive to maintain (tires/brakes) and maybe a little tougher to find a buyer for (depending on where you live) if you ever need to sell/trade in a hurry.

I also noticed that my 2500 is less of a "shoe box" in the wind. I mean it drives differently, is less prone to be "buffetted" by wind gusts and tractor/trailers passing. It's also more expensive and costs more to insure.

Now for the "plusses. " Ummmm... . Lemme get back to you. #ad
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JP,

I think the 3500s have Dana 80 rears, as opposed to my Dana 70. THAT'S A PLUS!

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97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), "Twister Turbo," Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson "Classic" rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake, Optima, "Red-top" batteries. Northwest Custom mudflaps, front/rear, and stainless rocker panels.

 

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I'm real happy with my 3500. The only problem I've run into was at a bank drive-in. The tires rubbed on both sides of the curbs. Parking isn't really a problem because I like to park out in the north 40 and get a little exercise.
Besides, the 3500 have a real cool look to them anyway.

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Curtis Harris

FOR SALE
"Big Red" See Truck for Sale

MY NEW TOY
"The White Whale"
1997 Club Cab Dualie
correctly valved 5 speed. White, Brown Manf. brushguard,Sprayed in liner, Stock plate and AFC properly adjusted. That all for now. More to come. New Truck Site

 

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Originally posted by Sasquatch:
JP,

I think the 3500s have Dana 80 rears, as opposed to my Dana 70. THAT'S A PLUS!

BR2500HD
V8
Dana 60
9. 75"
FF


BR2500HD
auto trans
Dana 70
10. 5"
FF


BR2500HD
man trans Dana 80
11" Hybrid
FF


BR3500
Dana 80 DRW
11"
FF

 

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Originally posted by jpzeroday:
I currently own a 2500 QC 4X4. Am considering trading in for a 3500 4x4.

<font color = blue> More smiles per mile #ad
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and that's with driving it in Europe!



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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, Camper Special & Trailer Tow Groups , Sliding Rear Window, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X UTR Bedliner & underseal, Grover Airhorns, Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch, Roadmaster XX, in planning stages... . Gauges, Mag-Hytec, Exhaust Brake, Psychotty Air, Prime-Loc, 4" exhaust, Injectors, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, , Bill K. VB & TC.

 

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JP,

Good questions I have asked my self. I have a 97 2500 and have a 3500 comming into the dealer soon. Have never sat in a 3500!
My slide in camper puts me 2000lbs over the GVW so I went the 3500 route. Have to have swing out brackets on the slidein to clear the width of the dually. The fenders are a problem for some, (maybe all) My brother is a parts manager for a GM outfit and he says he sells a lot of dually fenders. Parking I would have to agree with gitchesu to park in the back 40 as even on the 2500 the fenders are bent in (double wall) from the clowns swing their doors into you.

 

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A friend has a '99 quad cab 3500, which he let me drive before I ordered my truck. Nice if you need the capacity in the bed, but what a hassle to drive in town. I guess you would get used to it. Where I work I wouldn't be able to get it into the parking garage and would have to park about 3/4 mile away.

My friend has a big 11' cabover camper and a 4-horse trailer to haul. Doesn't need the dually for the tow capacity, but does need it to safely haul his camper. Check the capacities in the sales brochure and compare to your camper's weight. A large cab-over camper or a big-*** 5th wheel are the only things that would convince me to get a dually. My opinion only.

I got my truck for towing a trailer. It can handle the same trailer as a 3500. It also has the Dana 80 rearend.

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Just got my 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but those lights on top of the roof), White over Silver, Tan leather. Picked it up 8/31/00.

 

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Cowboy friends of mine tell me that hauling a static load (cars, furniture. . ) a 2500 is fine. If you haul horses, cattle, et al . . and they all decide to shift from the left leg to the right leg, you'd better have a dually! I agree with the others about parking, bank drive-thrus... the other consideration is about 2-3mpg less for the 3500. Wind drag and rolling resistance are the culprits.

 

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I'm on my second 3500, and I'll say this... if you need the capacity (like if you have a camper), then get it and learn to deal with parking it.

My only "complaint" is just that -- parking can be something of a b!tch. You'll want a good sex of convex mirros on both sides so you can see the outter rear wheels to line it up in parking spaces and see that you aren't about to hit the vehicle next to you.

Once you learn how to do that, you can put it most anywhere as long as the lots themselves aren't that big. If not, then you'll have problems even with a 2500's length (longbed).

Rob

 

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This my first one ton and I love it! Once you get use to driving it there is no problem. I've experianced no difference in milage from my two 2500s.

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2001 3500 ETH/DEE, Black and loaded, chief transportation for two hayburners.

 

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JP, can't remember how many 3/4 tons I've owned but I'm on my 3rd dually and won't go back. I even ordered both the 2500 and the 3500 this time and ended up bringing the 3500 home this past Friday. The 3500 in 4X4 with the ETH/DEE package and 4:10 gears is rated at 14,300lbs. of trailer and 21,500 GCVWR so unless you go two wheel drive its as big as it gets in the Dodge lineup. Driving a dually around town is a blast!!!!!! If you can't find a parking spot you just make one, thats what the 4X4 is for #ad
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!!!!! So if ya want a dually get one. And I use it as my daily driver also. Regards Pete

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ALL the packages! OOOH YEEAAHH!!
PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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I'm trading in my Honda S2000 (yes, thats a 2-seater convertible) and getting a 3500. I think the parking thing is my only concern too. I'll let you know if I have any trouble!

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almost here:
White/Agate 2001. 5 3500 4x4 ETH/DEE Quad-cab SLT+, 4. 10LS, everything but the sport package, Bilsteins, etc. To be continued.....

 

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I'm getting a 3500 4X4 dually, as a daily driver. Its big, its bad, and it looks real good. **** it is only 7 inches wider on each side then the 2500. If you can't handle dealing with the extra 7 inches, I would not tell anyone. #ad


Dennis - soon to be owner of a big bad 3500 4X4 cummins.

 

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The only parking problem I notice is when the aisles are narrow. Gets a little tight to pull ahead and swing out. By parking "out back", you will avoid the door scratchers. Fenders are a non issue with me since I have a flatbed. Minimizes the door jobs too.

When I can manage to keep the truck clean, I seem to get a lot of comments and questions. People notice the dually!

 

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Originally posted by QRTRHRS:
The only parking problem I notice is when the aisles are narrow.

Hmmmm. Seems like people who say it isn't a problem live in the sticks or in smaller places.

I live in LA, and parking my 2500 is darn difficult at times. I kept my Nissan Pathfinder just because I don't want to use my truck as a daily driver. Just getting it into the parking lot at work is a pain.

There are parts of LA that are OK, but I'm on th e"trendy west side" where real estate costs enough that parking spots are skinny.

I think the original question was from Mountain View, California. (Silicon Valley). I wouldn't dream of driving a 3500 on a daily basis there.

But that's just my opinion.


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'97 2500 4x4, auto, stock at this point, but adding goodies as fast as I can.

 

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When I first starting driving the truck I was convinced that I would rip off both fenders in the first week. Everyone in the family has driven the truck and all they have to say is "man that is a big truck. " My oldest son said that he has to remember keep it in the center of the traffic lanes and that seems to work out fine.

Within a month, it became a habit (drivind down the center of the lane) for me and I have not hit anything yet. The tires slide along a curb once in a while but I have not damaged the side walls.

When it comes to parking, I just line er up with the lines and back in. It is easier to drive out than back out. I can't see the little cars when they get behind the tail gate.

My only gripe is the "compact parking stalls" we have in the SF bay area. If that is all there is, I have to look elsewhere.

The bottom line, I purchased the 3500 to haul the camper. If I didn't need the DRW for load stability, I would have purchased the 2500.

That's my $0. 02

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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, pressureloc. Hadley air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows and dash cover. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

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I've had both th 2500 and the 3500 both 2 and 4 wheel drive i'll admit I liked them both but the dually rules! The only complaint I really have is with the bank tellers. As far as the extra width I pull flat bed and the truck is no wider than the trailer.