Turning Radius and Dry Weights of Third Generations

[dkosheba]

Gentleman,



I need your help on the numbers game. I would like to order a new 04 HO Auto 3500 SRW but now not sure if I want the long or short box. What I need to find is the dry weights of both trucks and the turning radius for both the Long and short box.



1. What are the dry weights of each?

2. What is the wheel base of each?

3. What is the turning radius of each?

4. What is the turning radius of my 01 QC LB 2500?



My current 01 2500 QC Long box at 155" wheel base takes up too much real estate to turn around. To top it off, I plow the white stuff during the short days here in Michigan, so a short box might be the ticket.



The reason I need to know weights as I have read in someone's post that the newer trucks weight more. And with loosing the 3. 55 highway gears, and added weight I don't want to suffer mileage. I believe my truck is titled at 6780 lbs dry.



Bottom line, I want a long box, so does the new 04 QC long box have the same, better, or worse turning radius? I would like to know the numbers.



Thanks, Don

 

[DLeno]

3500 QC short box 4x4:



GVWR=9900

curb weight=7080

GCWR=21000 (3. 73)

GCWR=23000 (4. 10)

wheelbase=140. 5"

turning diameter = 48. 9 feet



the long box wheel base is 160. 5" and the turning diameter is 52 feet.



if your current long box turning radius is too painful, then don't even consider an 04 long box 'cause it will be worse -- The 3rd gen trucks moved the tires out in both directions (longer wheelbase and longer axles) to improve ride and stability at the expense of the turning radius.



Actual turning radius numbers change with wheels and tires. I don't know what the published numbers are for the 2nd gen trucks or if the numbers were measured in the same way for a meaningful comparison (outside tire to outside tire @ curb height, stock wheels and tires) . bottom line is that I think you will need to evaluate the turning radius by driving one to see if the benefits of ride and towing make up for the turning radius. really, you should go drive a 2500 or 3500 short box and take it to a parking lot



I will miss my 02 turning radius...

 

[DLeno]

I forgot: the dry weights are greater on the new trucks but I don't think that translates into a mileage penalty. the difference is small percentage wise.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm happy with the turning radius of my 03, it's better than my 93 2wd ext cab was!

 

[_Hyde]

For what its worth on mileage on my 03 vs. my 01, worst mileage so far is just a little under the average of the 01. Had as good as 18. 5 averaging about 17. 5. Got a friend that got a 2500 HO auto that is getting around 14. Not sure if he is using the computer or actually doing the math. That truck is around 2500 miles and I'm just over 7k but mine was never that low.





Darren

 

[Bill Littlefield]

miss my turning radius

I had a '95 4x4 LB QC. Now I have an '03 4x4 crew cab LB. I love the new truck but I miss my old turning radius. It was significantly better.

 

[NSperduto]

I'm not sure what the turning radius is of your 01. But in 98 I bought a Dakota and it was 41 ft and my buddy bought a 2500 ram club cab 2500 and I know his was listed at 10 feet more than mine. So I would guess yours is 51 feet.



The new qc long bed is listed at 52 feet. So on paper it does not sound like a huge difference.



I don't have a ram yet. I'll be ordering an 04 2500 qc lb soon.



But this past week I borrowed a truck to tow my camper on vacations. I borrowed an 02 Ford F-350 crew cab, long bed.



Holy crap, you need a football field to turn that thing around.

That thing is listed 58. 3 feet.



Nick