Test drove 3500 and 2500

[abdiver]

I found the 3500 rode a bit stiffer than the 2500.



I tested the two trucks as I wanted to see how an auto and manual transmission felt on them I was surprised to find the stiffer ride on the 3500



I was surprised as I recall the TDR threads almost everyone said the ride was the same. I recall someone even said the 3500 rode better.



The roads out here in my rural area are all two lane with gravel and dirt shoulders. They have developed a lot of pot holes and rough spots on these roads. Both rode the same on the freeway (checked for vibrations)





Of course both truck were equipped the same and both were empty with only about 1/4 tank of full Just my 200 + pounds in them.



Most have said everything was the same on both trucks except the 3500's have the overloads that don't come into play till enough weight is added.



I know when loaded the 3500 will ride better



But for a large part of the time I may only have only a shell on it.



I need a ride equal to the 2500 as my wife already doesn't like my Ford as she says it rides rough and stinks (she doesn't like the smell of diesel) But its 20 years old springs should be re-arched or replaced and new shocks added it has carried a lite weight Camper with gear it weight would be aprox 1200 lbs since day one never have had camper off.



So I am rethinking this, I did not want to out grow my 2500 if I did decide to get a larger trailer later or even a camper, My plan it to buy an AF 22GQ and place gear in it and the over flow into the back of truck bed. I think I will be OK with this,



Please your thoughts

Thanks Bill

 

[DPelletier]

I thought the springs were the same except for the 3500's overloads. If it were me, I'd get the 3500 for the extra GVWR just in case. Look at it this way, even my 3500 dually rides better than your 1985 F-250.



Dave

 

[RKerner]

Check air pressure before test driving

Check the air pressure in the tires. Stock 2500 air pressure is 50psi and makes for a decent ride. If the dually is around 70, the ride goes to heck in a hurry.

 

[abdiver]

Thanks everyone, The 3500 is a SRW, I will definitely check the tire pressure in both trucks next time I get a chance. I imagine they both should be 50 psi



For some reason my with wife wants me to not spend so much time on buying a new truck and JUST GET THE *^%* HOUSE DONE !

 

[bmoeller]

If it were me, I'd get the 3500 for the extra GVWR just in case. Look at it this way, even my 3500 dually rides better than your 1985 F-250.



Dave

My Ram rides better than my Ford.



FWIW.

 

[abdiver]

I thought the springs were the same except for the 3500's overloads. If it were me, I'd get the 3500 for the extra GVWR just in case. Look at it this way, even my 3500 dually rides better than your 1985 F-250.



Dave

"Look at it this way, even my 3500 dually rides better than your 1985 F-250.



I will keep that it mind MY ford was 16K in 86 had it over 21 years thats 760 bucks per year and I have put under 2K in repairs in it. Right now if I put about 4k in it I would have an almost new truck. Wonder if should just put a Cummins in it? No I want an all NEW Dodge plus I will get to pay Calif sales tax and Lic fees to help out the state

 

[DPelletier]

"Look at it this way, even my 3500 dually rides better than your 1985 F-250.



I will keep that it mind MY ford was 16K in 86 had it over 21 years thats 760 bucks per year and I have put under 2K in repairs in it. Right now if I put about 4k in it I would have an almost new truck. Wonder if should just put a Cummins in it? No I want an all NEW Dodge plus I will get to pay Calif sales tax and Lic fees to help out the state

Abdiver,

Wasn't trying to rag on your old Ford, it sounds like its been a good truck (I still have three Ford pu's and can't complain). My point was/is that too many people (not you, necessarily) think of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck as having a stiff, buckboard ride when advances in suspension and spring design have made a huge difference in the last 10 - 15 years. My dually actually rides better than several 3/4 tons I've had. The stiffest was a '77 D250, I'm not sure the rear springs ever moved!



As far as you test drive observations are concerned, I also have an '04. 5 2500 and have noticed no improvement in ride compared to the 3500 SRW's I've driven. As was mentioned in the "2500vs. 3500" post, I would bet that the tire pressure on the two trucks was different. I've caught dealers sometimes using tire pressures that are way too low (IMO) in order to entice buyers during the test drive stage.



Cheers and happy shopping,

Dave

 

[wneubauer]

I didn't notice a ride difference betwen the 2500 and 3500 when I test drove both a moth or so ago. I wonder if you have different tires altogether on the 2 units you drove? I don't know what else would cause this... ?



I would agree that the one ton is the way to go, as the price difference is a few hundred dollars at the most.

 

[abdiver]

Abdiver,

Wasn't trying to rag on your old Ford, it sounds like its been a good truck (I still have three Ford pu's and can't complain). My point was/is that too many people (not you, necessarily) think of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck as having a stiff, buckboard ride when advances in suspension and spring design have made a huge difference in the last 10 - 15 years. My dually actually rides better than several 3/4 tons I've had. The stiffest was a '77 D250, I'm not sure the rear springs ever moved!



As far as you test drive observations are concerned, I also have an '04. 5 2500 and have noticed no improvement in ride compared to the 3500 SRW's I've driven. As was mentioned in the "2500vs. 3500" post, I would bet that the tire pressure on the two trucks was different. I've caught dealers sometimes using tire pressures that are way too low (IMO) in order to entice buyers during the test drive stage.



Cheers and happy shopping,

Dave

Dave I took your post in good spirit, I was just kidding around. I thank you for you information



I bet you are right regarding



" I would bet that the tire pressure on the two trucks was different. I've caught dealers sometimes using tire pressures that are way too low (IMO) in order to entice buyers during the test drive stage"



As the 2500 stick has been at the dealership for a couple of weeks



But the STIFFER 3500 was just of the truck and was just barely ready for me to test drive.



Thanks again Bill

 

[DPelletier]

No problem, Bill

I think maybe WNeubauer raised a good point; check the brand of tire as well as the air pressure. I know that the Firestones that the Fords come with had a horrible ride compared to the Michelins on my '01. Just another possibility.



Dave

 

[Mundgyver]

I would think if you want a nice smooth Cadillac ride, go see the Kiderman guys about their Air Ride Suspension. I hear that it feels just like a Cadillac. I am thinking about it for my truck, both front and back.

 

[bmoeller]

MY ford was 16K in 86 had it over 21 years thats 760 bucks per year and I have put under 2K in repairs in it.

Wish I could say that. :{

 

[TRCM]

Well, when i test drove a 2500 and a 3500, the 3500 rode better.



the 2500 of course was srw, but the 3500 was drw. the 3500 srw would probably ride worse than the drw.



i bought a 97 drw, and it rides good, but needs shocks for when the road gets rough.

 

[GFritsch]

The 04 Dodge dually 4x4 with 60lbs in the air bags and full pressure in the tires with no load is substantially smoother than my 2wd 2001 3/4 psd company truck with about 800 lbs of lumber rack and Knaack box full of tools. I still can't believe how nice the Dodge drives. I am a firm believer in getting the heaviest duty possible. Just leaves more options for future use.

 

[ilovetrains]

When I test drove 2500 and 3500 SRW back to back the 3500 was stiffer. However the 3500 DRW I drove last actually had a better ride than both.

 

[abdiver]

When test driving for a better ride check tire pressures of each truck and make sure they are equal for an apples = apples, test

 

[JimScott]

My 3500 rides silky smooth with a load on the bed (say 800 lbs or so). Empty it is somewhat harsh. With the load in the bed, it rides smoother than the F250 F##d I had. I compared the rear springs with a 2500, the leaves are identical except for the overloads mine has. I imagine differences in ride could be attributed to tires. Maybe some assessories on one truck might weigh it down more and smooth the ride (such as a trailer hitch).

Jim