Going from 3500 to 2500 regrets?

[JohncJordanIII]

Having a hard time finding a 3500 I want but can find clean 2500s all day. I know the resale value is higher for 3500s but just curious if anyone have experiences going back and fourth and having any regrets? I don’t own or work anything that requires the towing capacity of a 3500 but I do enjoy the payload and no sag of hooking up to my receiver of my 04 3500. Does the 2500 sag with 12k pounds properly loaded trailer tongue hitch?

 

[AH64ID]

What years are you looking at?

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

For 3rd Gen SRW Diesels, there is very little difference between the two. I believe it is just 1 overload spring.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a 2500, especially if your plans include modifying the suspension.

 

[AH64ID]

For 3rd Gen SRW Diesels, there is very little difference between the two. I believe it is just 1 overload spring.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a 2500, especially if your plans include modifying the suspension.

Correct, and why I was asking.

The main leaves are the same on 2500 and 3500 SRW, with the 3500 SRW having the upper overloads. I found the upper overloads mostly useless, as they didn’t engage until the stock sizes tires were overloaded.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

Correct, and why I was asking.

The main leaves are the same on 2500 and 3500 SRW, with the 3500 SRW having the upper overloads. I found the upper overloads mostly useless, as they didn’t engage until the stock sizes tires were overloaded.

Agreed. My 04 2500 has served me well... I now have a 22 3500 SRW as the trailers have gotten bigger and heavier.

 

[JohncJordanIII]

What years are you looking at?

03 to 05 5.9

 

[JohncJordanIII]

I’m looking at one truck that exactly what I’m looking for, QCLB, dark paint (grey/charcoal), 4wd, cab lights, not molested and never saw a tuner, 05, nv5600. I’m a CDL holder and never will ever go off what manufacturer says about towing or Hualing. I go off door sticker and tires. I just never drove a 2500 and just wanted opinions on those who have. So far I see that GCWR is lower to 20.000 vs the 3500 being 23,000 which to me in theory isn’t a huge difference. Everyone be it owner operator long haul, trash company, mail carrier (usps, ups, fedex) and sand and gravel are always overweight some how someway and just pay the chump change when weighted by a trooper. I was more worry about initial payload over rear axle then anything else

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

I think the gvwr is only 900 lbs more for the 3500, but with the same axle ratings.

It sounds like a great rig you're looking at. Go for it!

 

[JohncJordanIII]

I think the gvwr is only 900 lbs more for the 3500, but with the same axle ratings.

It sounds like a great rig you're looking at. Go for it!

I could always slap a 3500 emblem on it and make me feel better mentally lol like the weird f250s on a f150 body’s in the late 90s early 2000s

 

[Ozymandias]

Identical trucks aside from the rear overloads. Pretty cool as for me that was THE single argument to buy that 2500.

 

[slowmover]

Having a hard time finding a 3500 I want but can find clean 2500s all day. I know the resale value is higher for 3500s but just curious if anyone have experiences going back and fourth and having any regrets? I don’t own or work anything that requires the towing capacity of a 3500 but I do enjoy the payload and no sag of hooking up to my receiver of my 04 3500. Does the 2500 sag with 12k pounds properly loaded trailer tongue hitch?

WD Hitch makes the difference a non-issue.

.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

Or airbags...

 

[Topzide]

WD hitch transfers the load directly to the frame. Airbags help but can mask issues of trailer overloading or heavy tongue weight. Your truck your choice. If it was mine, 1st - WD hitch, 2nd - airbags if needed. That's why I have a 3500 DRW for the what ifs that may come down the road. I love being able to move things that others can't, plus options of all 3 trailer types (bumper, 5th and goose).

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

WD hitch transfers the load directly to the frame. Airbags help but can mask issues of trailer overloading or heavy tongue weight. Your truck your choice. If it was mine, 1st - WD hitch, 2nd - airbags if needed. That's why I have a 3500 DRW for the what ifs that may come down the road. I love being able to move things that others can't, plus options of all 3 trailer types (bumper, 5th and goose).

I actually have both on my truck and think for the little weight difference we're discussing, either is just fine.

I added the airbags when I had a slide in camper and then as the trailers got bigger I got a WDH with sway control as well.

 

[AH64ID]

Use both, they do different things and work wonderful together.

 

[slowmover]

I actually have both on my truck and think for the little weight difference we're discussing, either is just fine.

I added the airbags when I had a slide in camper and then as the trailers got bigger I got a WDH with sway control as well.

They’re not the same.

Steer Axle weight before & after hitching is the mark. Should be the same. (5er/GN is exactly the same in this regard). WD to increase trailer axle load is an increase in stopping power as secondary benefit to maintaining steering.

TW is a static measure. Doesn’t mean much past understanding formula involved via that long lever back to trailer axle center.

TW ain’t “payload”. It changes every foot of the road.

A 2500 regularly loaded heavy benefits from a different spring pack, perhaps. Load in the truck itself is that measure.

.

 

[petersonj]

Weighing and recording truck empty weight is important. Here is my truck with empty weight and a loaded weight.

Here is the same truck with a loaded trailer using weight distribution. Note that after tension bar adjustment, the front axle weight has been restored to the front axle weight of the empty truck (top photo).

- John

 

[slowmover]

Weighing and recording truck empty weight is important. Here is my truck with empty weight and a loaded weight.

View attachment 138848

Here is the same truck with a loaded trailer using weight distribution. Note that after tension bar adjustment, the front axle weight has been restored to the front axle weight of the empty truck (top photo).

- John

View attachment 138847

Another weigh (second of three) hitched, but torsion bars fully slack gives the accurate info needed for determination of true TW.

Scale tickets are baseline reference numbers. As important in their own way as oil analysis numbers.

Age & Miles add up. (Relationships change).


Three Pass Scale Method
Acquisition of Baseline Numbers after Corrections

(The late Ron Gratz [RV.net] chart might be of help in making this quick):

Weighing #1 -- TT attached and Weight Distribution Activated

Let Front Axle Load be "FA1"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA1"

Let TT Axles Load be "TT1"

Then, while in same position on scales, take
Weighing #2 -- TT attached and Weight Distribution Not Activated

Let Front Axle Load be "FA2"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA2"

Let TT Axles Load be "TT2"

Then, drive off scales and drop TT. Return to scales and take

Weighing #3 -- TV only -- TT Not Attached

Let Front Axle Load be "FA3"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA3"

From the above values, you can calculate:

TV weight = FA3 + RA3

Gross Combined Weight = (FA1 + RA1 + TT1)
- should also be equal to (FA2 + RA2 + TT2) if scale weights are correct

TT Weight = Gross Combined Weight - TV Weight

Tongue Weight = (FA2 + RA2) - (FA3 + RA3)

Load Transferred to TT Axles
when WD System in Activated = TT1 - TT2

Again, looking for Steer Axle weights to be the same in #1 and #3. Close, not hundreds of pounds off.

This is where all-day fingertip steering control is set. Includes what’s needed for best tire pressure. Is where trailer brake controls can be set. Etc.

97% never get it right (all the details).
Sure is worth a Saturday to dial it in.

A scale ticket collection bumps guesstimates out the window. There’s a range, and once known, it’s much easier to set things up.

https://catscale.com/cat-scale-apps/

.

 

[Tuesdak]

I’m looking at one truck that exactly what I’m looking for, QCLB, dark paint (grey/charcoal), 4wd, cab lights, not molested and never saw a tuner, 05, nv5600.

FYI as you were not clear on 2500/3500... A NV5600 is a HO Cummins and only available in a 3500. Trust but verify as a 2500 will have a 5 speed MT.

Be aware the 2005 was the changeover year to a G56. The reverse position will tell you if it's a G56 or NV5600. And I believe a G56, six speed, was offered in a 2500.

 

[EricViviano]

I ordered my 2018 2500 from the factory. If I could go back and do it all over again when we where checking those boxes on the computer I would have gone 3500 short bed vs 2500 long bed. For me personally, it's a better fit but thats my two cents. The coils dont ride any better like I hoped for so why not have the extra payload and simplicity of leafs.