Built for Towing 3500 xtra duty

[CUMMINZ]

Most of you guys have seen a lot of my photos. I want to share some info that may or may not influence your purchase of a SRW 3500 for towing heavy. Many of you are towing now with SRW trucks and most likely like them. Just compare the numbers and look at the "BFT" Built for Towing 3500 DRW 6. 7L 2007. 5 Dodge. I know a lot of you have had experienced trouble with the 6. 7L but I have not. In my experience so far this is the best truck for HD work that DC has ever built. Many of you have blasted some of the items I have added and that is fine. That is why I live in the good old USA. When I add the 19. 5s with aluminum 4000# cap. wheels I will have the best riding, best pulling, best mile per gallon for the money truck you can buy. And I am completely legal and all of my DC warranty is still in tact. The front end with 10ply 235x85x17s are maxed out right now. That is why I am going to 19. 5s. (mainly for looks).

Several things...

The 6. 7L is a larger engine and exhales more exhaust that the 5. 9L . . The need for more fresh air in and getting the exhaust out more efficiently is a must for this engine.

I have done that with the modded factory air box and free flowing K&N air filter and the removal of the factory intake tube baffling. I have helped the exhaust with the free flowing MBRP 5" exhaust (DPF back). It has less bends and larger bore. My engine runs quiet and still cooler than a factory truck.

The much laughed at plastic wedges I designed to fit in my leaf pack is one of the best things I have done for less than 20 bucks. They give me still a smooth as possible ride unloaded and allow the large bottom overload to do their job much sooner. I have included a photo of my truck towing my 16k 5er with 4500 pounds of pin weight. If you look at it closely it does not look loaded.



Also please note my weigh ticket from today. With all my mods, flairs, mud flaps, etc. I am right now at the max GVW for my front axle. That is mty. Note the total weight. That is already overloaded for a 2500 and close to max for a SRW 3500. Consider these facts before you kill yourself.



The flairs and mud flaps are for protection of my 5er.



This 6. 7L with 68rfe with 4. 10s will out pull, and outrun any 5. 9L with 48re equipped the same.





BFT is really "Built For Towing".





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[BrianJ]

Note the total weight. That is already overloaded for a 2500 and close to max for a SRW 3500. Consider these facts before you kill yourself.



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Incorrect on your overload statement, the GVWR on a 2500 is 9,000lbs, so that is 80lbs under, not over, and the GVWR on a 3500 is 10,000lbs, so that is 1,080 under. More importantly you're not comparing apples to apples, as your weights include the extra components of a dually, i. e. extra tires, wheels, fenders, etc...

 

[CUMMINZ]

Brian, lets get our numbers correct.



On new 2500 the GVW is 8800#

On new 3500 SRW it is 9900# I believe is correct

On new 3500 DRW it is 12,200#

On new 3500 DRW MegaMonster it is only 10,500#



And I am glad you brought up the extras. You should not buy a truck with the GVW & GCVW based on it's empty load. You have to figure all your goodies you plan to haul. Then look at your total weight ie: GCVW



My weigh ticket was simply showing how easy your truck weight grows as you add goodies.



My truck as it stands now can haul in the bed, placed correctly in the bed a total weight of 3180 before the GVW is reached. DC says you can haul in excess of 4000 with your truck bare bones.

 

[BrianJ]

Brian, lets get our numbers correct.



On new 2500 the GVW is 8800#

On new 3500 SRW it is 9900# I believe is correct

On new 3500 DRW it is 12,200#

On new 3500 DRW MegaMonster it is only 10,500#

I think you better check your numbers again. I just checked the Dodge towing guide and the GVWR is 9,000lbs for the 2500 and 10,100 for the 3500 SRW. Looks like I was wrong, it is actually 100lbs higher for the 3500 than I quoted before.

 

[JJPage]

I like the spring wedges you added, great idea! I added RideRites because my 5th wheel took me right down to the overloads, your ingenious idea would have remedied that rear end sag. Are those wood splitting wedges? Did you add them for and aft, or just aft?



Thanks, Jess

 

[CUMMINZ]

Again, I would like to clariy my statements. When I ordered my 04. 5 2500 the GVW was 8800#s and you are right the new 08 has raised that to 9000#s.



You did not specify which 3500. .



I broke it down to SRW & DRW.



This year the 3500SRW is 10,100#s In 04. 5 it was 9900#s



This year and in 04. 5 the DRW QC is like I said 12,200#s.



The MegaMonster is 10,500#s unchanged since 04. 5



They have raised the GCVW this year to 24,000#s



I have not looked at the front end specs but I still bet the front axle is still 5200#s. That is why I added 988 coil springs

 

[CUMMINZ]

I just found something else.



The MegaMonster GCVW is not changed it is still 23k



The DRW QC 3500 is raised to 24k.

 

[PToombs]

I think your comparison on the air filters is incorrect. You are counting external surface area. The filtration area is much closer in size. The pleats on the stocker are about (looks from the pic) 3 inches deep. The K+N is less than 2 inches deep. If you disassemble them both and spread them out, I think they are closer in surface area than they look.

My . 02.

 

[BrianJ]

Again, I would like to clariy my statements. When I ordered my 04. 5 2500 the GVW was 8800#s and you are right the new 08 has raised that to 9000#s.



You did not specify which 3500. .



I broke it down to SRW & DRW.



This year the 3500SRW is 10,100#s In 04. 5 it was 9900#s



This year and in 04. 5 the DRW QC is like I said 12,200#s.



The MegaMonster is 10,500#s unchanged since 04. 5



They have raised the GCVW this year to 24,000#s



I have not looked at the front end specs but I still bet the front axle is still 5200#s. That is why I added 988 coil springs

The 2500 has not had a GVWR of 8,800lbs since the 2nd gen. The '04. 5 2500 has a GVWR of 9,000 lbs. You are correct in that the 3rd gen 3500's have a GVWR of 9,900 lbs.

 

[CUMMINZ]

PT,



I can judge the K&N filter simply by the performance increase.



Look at the opening of the factory filter. The 8x9 opening is hindered by the fact that there is large wire mesh, the 8x9 opening is not (open). It is hindered by filter material. The tips of the factory filter out at the end of the filter do very little but catch debris and thus clog the breathability. The majority of the air enters at the base of the filter.



The K&N's 8x9 opening is TOTALLY open, completely with not wire mesh or filter obstructing the air flow. Turn the K&N over and look at the inside. It has roughly 30inches of area that the air flow can enter almost unhindered. Almost 30 inches if filter area already laid out.



An engineer of a/c home units will tell you this will cause less restriction.







Brian,My point with the original post:::



Consider a 2500 & my 3500 DRW:



If I add the following to my 3500:



Fender flairs

6 mud flaps and bar to support 2 of them

300 pound 5er hitch

spray on bed liner and fender well spray on Line_X

Front reciever hitch with aluminum 2x4 tray

In cab guages of all types and wiring

on roof air foil

modified air box and K&N filter with cooool air tubing

wooden center console

bypass filter and tubing

xtra fuel filter

replacement 60 gallon fuel tank

H/D front winch bumber

additional rubber cab floor mats

cross the bed toolbox loaded lightly

full tank of fuel @ 35 gallons

and now all factory options from standard truck



The published weight of my 3500 DRW from DC website is:



Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] 7001 / 6746



My weigh ticket indicates 8920 pounds



That is an increase of:



8920

6746= equals increase of 2174 pounds



Now where do you think that difference comes from? The factory weights are always bare bones truck. My weight is true to life actual as I drive it every day.



DC website : Payload Capacity - Standard [lb] 4710

That figure is at the factory sitting in their parking lot in Mexico with NO options added and bone empty of fuel.



Once I get it home to North Carolina by payload capacity of a 2008 3500 DRW QC is as follows:



12,200 posted GVW

8,920 actual weight after I have added all gizmos

------

3,280 pounds that I can now put on a 5er pin and not overload my truck...



DC website: Payload Capacity - Standard [lb] 4710



What the "BFT" Somebody is lying!!!!!:-{}

Actually that is "Built for towing" here in North Carolina.



NO these are the "real world" figures.





Now here is the real point... ... ... ... :-laf



All of the above figures are NOT claiming comparing "Apples to Oranges"



Every weight and option added above can and will be added to a 2500 or 3500 SRW.



Now their figures... From DC website for SLT 2500 QC LB



Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] 6257



8,800 GVW



Now let's add the weight of my options to my DRW but they will be close to the same of a 2500 equally equipped. 2,174 pounds



6,257 factory mty weight

2,174 options after you get it home

------

8,431 pounds after gizmos



8,800 factory GVW per calculations on DC website

8,431 real world weight

-----

369 pounds of payload capacity for an 08 2500 SRW QC LB



Now bare in mind you still have not backed up to your 5er or bumper tow or goose neck trailer #@$%!



What will they do to your total payload on your truck???



If my addition is wrong please show me!

 

[tom sweeney]

... . '08 3500 SRW QC LB 4x4 is rated at 10,100.....

 

[BrianJ]

Now their figures... From DC website for SLT 2500 QC LB



Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] 6257



8,800 GVW



Now let's add the weight of my options to my DRW but they will be close to the same of a 2500 equally equipped. 2,174 pounds



6,257 factory mty weight

2,174 options after you get it home

------

8,431 pounds after gizmos



8,800 factory GVW per calculations on DC website

8,431 real world weight

-----

369 pounds of payload capacity for an 08 2500 SRW QC LB



If my addition is wrong please show me!

I don't have a problem with your addition, I am just trying to point you to the CORRECT GVW ratings in the interest of accuracy. Again, a 2500 3rd gen and beyond has a GVWR of 9,000lbs, NOT 8,800. If you are trying to make a point, it is a point to be more respected if you use CORRECT numbers.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Brian,



I pulled up one record on DC website yesterday that indicated that particular 2500 was 8800#s. Another truck was 9000#s. Either way 200#s is trivial.



The real issue is how easy it is to overload these trucks by using ANY of DC's posted weights.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Straight from DC website:-laf



This is on a page comparing two different trucks. Looks a lot different online.





2008 DODGE RAM 2500 - SPECS & UPGRADES





Model Year: 20082007





Select 3 RAM 2500 models to compare:

S Standard Feature

A Available option

Expand All | Collapse All NoneST 4x2 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Regular CabST 4x2 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Quad Cab B Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Regular CabST 4x4 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Quad Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Mega Cab F Pkg. SLT 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x2 Mega Cab G Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Quad CabPower Wagon 4x4 Regular CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab F Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Mega CabLaramie 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab G Pkg. Power Wagon 4x4 Quad CabLaramie 4x4 Mega Cab NoneST 4x2 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Regular CabST 4x2 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Quad Cab B Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Regular CabST 4x4 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Quad Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Mega Cab F Pkg. SLT 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x2 Mega Cab G Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Quad CabPower Wagon 4x4 Regular CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab F Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Mega CabLaramie 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab G Pkg. Power Wagon 4x4 Quad CabLaramie 4x4 Mega Cab NoneST 4x2 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Regular CabST 4x2 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab A Pkg. ST 4x2 Quad Cab B Pkg. ST 4x4 Regular Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Regular CabST 4x4 Quad Cab A Pkg. ST 4x4 Quad Cab B Pkg. SLT 4x2 Mega Cab F Pkg. SLT 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x2 Mega Cab G Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Quad CabPower Wagon 4x4 Regular CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab F Pkg. Laramie 4x2 Mega CabLaramie 4x4 Quad CabSLT 4x4 Mega Cab G Pkg. Power Wagon 4x4 Quad CabLaramie 4x4 Mega Cab

ST 4x2 Regular Cab A Pkg. Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab None

Net Price: $27,130

Details Net Price: $43,400

Details







BASICSDoors - Maximum 2 4

Tires - Width [mm] 245 265

Tires - Wheel Diameter [in] 17 17

Tires - Spare Tire Type Full Size Full Size

Suspension Type - Front Independent Solid

Tires - Aspect Ratio 70 70

Steering Rack & Pinion Recirculating Ball

Driveline Configuration RWD 4WD

Suspension Type - Rear Live Axle Live Axle

Tires - Construction R R

Doors - Standard 2 4

Brake Type - Rear Disc Disc

Brake Type - Front Disc Disc

Top HardTop HardTop

EPA Vehicle Classification Not Available Not Available

Tires - Type LT LT

Vehicle Type Pick Up Truck Pickup Truck

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONSLoading...

INTERIOR DIMENSIONSLoading...

CAPACITIES/WEIGHTSPayload Capacity - Standard [lb] 3210 3210

Towing Capacity - Standard [lb] 9400 8250

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - Standard [lb] 8650 8800

Fuel Tank Capacity [gal] 35. 0 34. 0

Towing Capacity - Maximum (When Properly Equipped) [lb] 13550 12500

Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] - Gas [lb] 5358 6593

Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Manual Transmission [lb] - Diesel [lb] 6377 7400

Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] - Diesel [] 6367 7323

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - Maximum [lb] 9000 9000

Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Manual Transmission [lb] - Gas [] 5440 Not Applicable

 

[BrianJ]

The difference I see between your post and the results I get from the Dodge towing guide is that it appears you are not selecting the CTD engine choice. You need to remember the Hemi is the "standard" engine in the 2500.



To make a comparison you really need to select the CTD engine choice.

 

[BrianJ]

I am not trying to argue you Cumminz, but I have no problem getting 9,000lbs GVWR from the Dodge website on the truck specs AND towing guide for a CTD 2500, not to mention the current brouchure available at the dealer.

 

[CUMMINZ]

I'll try that next time. Even if I select the CTD option we are still in the same boat. Even with a 2500 CTD with 9000# GVW that brings up an interesting point. The CTD is heavier which would even more reduce the amount of load you can carry in the bed. 8800 or 9000 it don't matter. All the figures I have presented still apply.

 

[AH64ID]

The 2500 has not had a GVWR of 8,800lbs since the 2nd gen. The '04. 5 2500 has a GVWR of 9,000 lbs. You are correct in that the 3rd gen 3500's have a GVWR of 9,900 lbs.

My Dads 06 is only 8800... According to dodge the 03/04's are 9000, the 05's are 8800, very odd...

I think your comparison on the air filters is incorrect. You are counting external surface area. The filtration area is much closer in size. The pleats on the stocker are about (looks from the pic) 3 inches deep. The K+N is less than 2 inches deep. If you disassemble them both and spread them out, I think they are closer in surface area than they look.

My . 02.

Not to mention the K&N does a horrible job of filtering, and lets oil by that can damage the turbo... . I would guess any increase in mileage is from a crappy filtering job... .

I have not looked at the front end specs but I still bet the front axle is still 5200#s. That is why I added 988 coil springs

I have a feeling that springs aren't the main factor behind the load limit on the axle, I would guess its the axle???

 

[CUMMINZ]

AH,



The front wheels are stamped 2600#s. X2. The axle will carry the increased load.

 

[BrianJ]

Perhaps the issue is really with the less than desireable Dodge tow guide, which makes it very hard to discern between configurations (i. e. SRW vs DRW ratings on the current year). Any other documentation I have seen shows that 2500 GVWR is 9,000lbs from the start of the 3rg gen to the current m/y.