Srw or Drw

[clem]

Looked at an 03 SRW 3500. Don't understand why D/C made one. They come with load range E tires. 3100lbs at 80psi = 6200lbs cap for the rear axle. A

DRW 3500 has 4 tires E rated at 3100lbs

thats 12400lbs cap for the rear axle. The truck weight is about 7000lbs dry. Why buy a 3500 Ram that can only carry a 2500lbs load on the rear axle. A 2500 Ram would do the same job. Same rear axle,same tires ?

 

[C Schomer]

That doesn't make much sense! You'd think they would have much higher rated tires on the SRW. Guys have been saying that the 2500 is the same as a 1T SRW except for a little lighter springs. Craig

 

[Dkevdog]

I'm sure I'll be corrected here, but I believe the SRW 3500 has uprated axels, brakes and suspension- thus the higher GVW rating. Remember that the tires are only one part of the equation. I personally prefer DRW, but I think ultimately your decision should be based on how much truck you need and what you intend to do with it.



Kev

 

[wyosteve]

If I read Joe Donnelly's article in the new TDR issue correctly, the only diff. between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the addition of 2 helper springs to give it 900# more GVW.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Steve (and Joe) is correct. The only difference is the helper leafs (which I believe are also part of the tow package on a 2500).



The Dodge guy was a little reluctant to admit this to me when I questioned him on it at the TDR Nats last August, but he did confirm it. I think he was a little surprised that someone in our group could figure that out - especially after his partner had just finished giving us all an in-depth presentation on what a shock absorber is and why you need it on a truck. He did this while we looked at a full-working bodiless chasis of a 2003 SRW 3500 in a hotel meeting room. It was the first time we all got to see an '03 truck (they weren't out yet). The other parts of the presentation that explained how to change oil were also very beneficial to our group. One message he DID get across loud and clear - KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Man, that was comical. :-laf



The SRW 3500 is a nice little marketing angle for Dodge. A 2500 with 3500 badges. The only saving grace is that they do rate it higher for payload and towing, but physically, there really shouldn't be a reason for that.

 

[Pit Bull]

Just curious?? What is the price difference between a 3500 4x4 SRW and the 2500 4x4 equipped the same?

 

[klenger]

It kind of makes you wonder what the real load capacity of the 2nd gen 2500's is.

 

[machterhof]

Pitt Bull,



When I was doing my research before ordering, I noticed a strange thing. I was originally looking at a 2500, then for giggles spec'd out a 3500 DRW the same way. The price difference was only $1800. 00. The price difference between the DRW and SRW was something like $800. 00.



Thus, to answer your question. The differance should be around $1000. 00 maybe a little less.



This was while looking for a 2wd.



I figured for another $1800. 00 I'd just go and get the 3500 DRW.