towing report 2500 ver. 3500

[brobeson]

As most of you know, my wife and I deliver RV's for a living.



I do the towables and my wife drives the motorhomes.



Well, when the engine let go on our 2001 3500, I had to use our 1998 2500, and when we got the 3500 back we were useing both trucks at the same time.



This is what we found.



Towing 5th wheels, both handles about the same until we got a flat on the rear of the 2500. My wife was driving and all most lost it. (I had a flat on the rear on the 3500 and did not even know it until I stopped for fuel and checked the tires) The 3500 does ride a little smoother and is a little more stable in the winds and windy roads, but not by much (that is with a 5er).



Towing Travel trailers or any trailer on a ball hitch the 3500 shines, big and I mean big advantage to the 3500, not being bothered by the wind, trucks, or roads, and the ride is much, much better with the 3500.



We were going from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City and had winds over 40 MPH (gusts to 60). The conditions got so bad for my wife in the 2500 that we traded trucks, even though the 3500 had the larger trailer (not a 5th wheel), it was unaffected by the winds.



Fuel mileage while loaded was about the same, but unloaded the 2500 got better MPG (at 75-80 MPH the 2500 got about 3-5 MPG better) (at 60-65 they were about the same), both have 4. 10 rear ends.



Summary;



Glad to have the 3500 back.

Much better stability, better control when things go bad (wind, road conditions, etc), tows better, rides better, and is much safer with rear flats.



Hope this helps if or when you are trying to decide between a 2500 or 3500.



Bob

 

[Tom G]

The Right Truck or Stuff

Good report Bob - thank you



We have a 25' Aljo 5th wheel and 3500. Most of the time it feels like there is nothing behind the truck except for the fact that it makes it ride a little nicer. As far as hitch weight is concerned these trucks are monsters. An 800# 5th wheel hitch weight is nothing for a 3500 as I am sure you know.



I had a 2500 first and was going to use it for hauling a camper but the weight was restricted to about 1600 lbs. So as the story goes; when back the dealer and got a 3500. We never got the camper but instead opted for the 5th wheel which has a much more spacious feeling.



Keep on truckin and thank you for confirming what I believe is a very valid reason for getting the 3500 - DUALS on the rear.

 

[Archive]

Bob, what happened to the engine in your 2001 Dually? (Sorry if this has been covered in another thread already. )

 

[D White]

I've also towed with both and in my opinion a 3500's the only way to go. With the 2500 I was always thinking of a back tire blow-out with the 5'ver hooked on.



Doug

 

[Utah Willie]

towing report 2500 Vs 3500

I have a '99 3500 set up for 5ers and a stock hitch receiver and am interested in this RV delivery set-up. I am recently widowed and am looking for a diversion. Being retired, I have no restrictions for time, distance or? If you have any info on this, I'd sure appreciate hearing from you. You can answer here or at -- email address removed --

 

[Runaway]

Just what I figured!

Hey Bob, sent you an email a couple of weeks ago, figured you must be busy. Get a chance, get back to me. Vince

 

[Bill Stockard]

I "discovered" the advantages of a dually many years ago... . nothing for me but trucks with "trainer wheels".



Bill

 

[CharlieMiller]

training Wheels

Ditto o the training wheels - this is my second dually. I did start to questions whether I should get another and when the chips were down I remembered with the help of TDR why a dually. I'm glad I went that rout again and would do the same thing next time around.



CharlieOo.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

The only bad thing about a dually is it will not fit in a car wash.

For towing there is nothing better. .