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10-22-2016, 05:43 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
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Ram 2500 or 3500???
So we are new to the RV world. We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi, and are looking to upgrade. We just ordered our new travel trailer, but am looking to upgrade truck to a single wheel diesel Ram. What is real difference between the 2500 and 3500? i know payload is better on 3500, and that is way we are leaning, so we can upgrade in 6-8 years to a 5th wheel. Is ride better in a 2500 though for now? I know either will tow our trailer without issue. We are looking at crew cabs in both, and standard bed (not mega, dually, long bed). Do you get more in the 3500 without upgrading the price too?
__________________
2017.5 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2905WS (all the options)
New TV- 2017 Ram 3500 SRW Sport 4X4
Old TV- 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (Hemi)- towing vehicle
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10-22-2016, 05:48 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,179
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Get the 3500. Difference is load carrying capacity, usually springs and a DOT weight sticker. Plan you truck purchase based on your next trailer.
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10-22-2016, 06:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 187
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It's hard to get too much truck.
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10-22-2016, 06:17 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
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That's what I was thinking. The price difference is about $500-1000 for what I want. I think we will be getting the 3500. It is a solid Bad ***** vehicle, and I know will make towing a breeze, no matter what trailer we upgrade to later. What transmission though? The standard auto or the Aisin? the Aisin is a $2500 option. Not sure I need all that though. I have had my current Ram 10 years, so more than likely we are looking at another 10+ years on a diesel.
__________________
2017.5 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2905WS (all the options)
New TV- 2017 Ram 3500 SRW Sport 4X4
Old TV- 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (Hemi)- towing vehicle
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10-22-2016, 06:43 PM
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#5
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,297
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If your going to up grade in a few years get the 3500. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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10-22-2016, 07:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,179
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The 68RFE is an awsome automatic. The difference is gear ratios in the bottom three gears.
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10-22-2016, 07:27 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
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Thanks guys. I will prob get the regular auto tranny it comes with. I'm not hauling all the time. Just camping about once a month or so. The extra $2500 just doesn't seem worth it for the Aisin.
__________________
2017.5 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2905WS (all the options)
New TV- 2017 Ram 3500 SRW Sport 4X4
Old TV- 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (Hemi)- towing vehicle
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10-22-2016, 07:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Carlisle, Arkansas
Posts: 1,387
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if you really shop around you can get the 3500 for less than a 2500. if you plan on a large 5er you need the 3500. believe me there is no comparison between the 3/4 and one ton in towing. i went with the DRW to get rid of all of the side sway. but what ever you do get the largest truck your budget will allow. you will be lots happier
__________________
2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS/TrailAir Hitch/ MORryde 7K IS/Disc Brakes/ PI PT-50 EMS/ RV Flex Armor Roof
2015 RAM 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins 3.42/ Garmin 760RV
40 Gal TransferFlow fuel tank/ TST 507
Amateur Radio W5CI 2019 Days Camping 25
2020 Days Camping 7
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10-22-2016, 07:44 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W5CI
if you really shop around you can get the 3500 for less than a 2500. if you plan on a large 5er you need the 3500. believe me there is no comparison between the 3/4 and one ton in towing. i went with the DRW to get rid of all of the side sway. but what ever you do get the largest truck your budget will allow. you will be lots happier
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Thanks. That's what I was thing about is long term. I would love a dually, but still want to be able to park it in my garage. Just don't have the room. 😁
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10-22-2016, 09:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 269
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I traded a 3500 for a 2500. I love the ride with the coils. I added airbags. If money weren't an issue I'd get s 3500 with the air suspension.
Salt
__________________
2014 Silverback 29RE, 2014 Ram 2500 CC 4x4 Hemi 6.4 auto w/ airbags, B&W Companion. Saltwater boats and rum like any good pirate.
Lose the 2nd and the rest will follow.
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10-22-2016, 09:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
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I'm thinking of getting the Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Ultimate with built in bump stops, when I get it, and a level kit for front end. Then I can upgrade to Toy R/T 35" tires. Will look and ride sick at that point! This is the set up I am looking at. Graphite metallic with the sport package 4X4.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/88295/
https://www.airliftcompany.com/produ...s/wirelessone/
__________________
2017.5 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2905WS (all the options)
New TV- 2017 Ram 3500 SRW Sport 4X4
Old TV- 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (Hemi)- towing vehicle
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10-22-2016, 11:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 269
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I am not sure what a 3500 with leafsprings would ride like with an airbags. I've never been in or had that combo. I have been in the factory air suspension and love it. I love the ride of the springs and that's why I went with a 2500. I've had 3500 DRW and SRW. It's awful hard to beat a dually if you plan on getting a coach.
I am not sure what that kit is running but the factory option is about $1500.
Salt
__________________
2014 Silverback 29RE, 2014 Ram 2500 CC 4x4 Hemi 6.4 auto w/ airbags, B&W Companion. Saltwater boats and rum like any good pirate.
Lose the 2nd and the rest will follow.
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10-23-2016, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 83
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I ordered my ram in 2014. Went with a loaded Laramie 3500srw. I tow 16-16500 (right at the 3500 limits) and only thing I regret is not getting the aisin. It's just a heavier duty tranny with lower first couple of gears (with the 3.42 rear end, that would be nice)
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10-23-2016, 01:17 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
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Ford F 150
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanoHB
That's what I was thinking. The price difference is about $500-1000 for what I want. I think we will be getting the 3500. It is a solid Bad ***** vehicle, and I know will make towing a breeze, no matter what trailer we upgrade to later. What transmission though? The standard auto or the Aisin? the Aisin is a $2500 option. Not sure I need all that though. I have had my current Ram 10 years, so more than likely we are looking at another 10+ years on a diesel.
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Maybe a little twist. Check out the new ford F150. Towing a fifth wherl is a breeze with the eco boost 6. The new F150 will surprise you with a towing capacity over 11,000 lbs.
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10-23-2016, 01:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 236
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Here's how I looked at it.
I went with the 2016 2500 4x4 because I use it on its own 95% of the time as my personal vehicle. It has the 68RFE tranny. I added air bags because mine didn't come with them.
The ride on a daily basis between the 2500 with coil springs and 3500 with leaf springs is very noticeable. I have a bum back so look for all the comfort I can get.
I tow a 35' FR Cardinal 5er and fully loaded it weighs just under 15,000#. I put a Curt 20k hitch in the bed and the truck handles this very well. I easily do 75mph in AZ and Utah where it's legal and hardly know the 5er is behind me.
The Cardinal we have is very spacious and unless I wanted to get a toy hauler there would never be a need to get anything bigger for me, wife and dog. Get much bigger and it starts getting harder to find campgrounds.
I have 13,000 miles on the truck and absolutely love it. My friends are very impressed and one of them just went and bought the same truck in a different color.
To me, bigger isn't better. Just figure out what you might want in the future for a 5er.
Good luck!
__________________
Bill
2016 Forest River 3250 Cardinal
2016 RAM 2500 Longhorn
Previously: 36' Country Coach
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10-23-2016, 01:46 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanoHB
So we are new to the RV world. We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi, and are looking to upgrade. We just ordered our new travel trailer, but am looking to upgrade truck to a single wheel diesel Ram. What is real difference between the 2500 and 3500? i know payload is better on 3500, and that is way we are leaning, so we can upgrade in 6-8 years to a 5th wheel. Is ride better in a 2500 though for now? I know either will tow our trailer without issue. We are looking at crew cabs in both, and standard bed (not mega, dually, long bed). Do you get more in the 3500 without upgrading the price too?
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Probably a rougher ride with no trailer but capacity is higher 3500
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10-23-2016, 02:19 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 597
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Love my RAM 3500 w/AISIN and engine brake
I have a 2014 Ram3500 with the AISIN transmission and engine brake, 8 foot bead and crew cab, the ride is a lot rougher on the 3500 with no load, I tow a 12K lb 5th wheel and it rides like a Cadillac with the 5th wheel attached. I would stick with the AISIN transmission, if you ever decide to get an engine brake you will not need the transmission upgrade or you may find a truck with it (EB) already on there.
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10-23-2016, 05:41 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 774
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Hey
I've been through this before on a couple of trucks. The payload on a 2500 won't be enough for a large 5ver. Now there are many 5vers out there that the Dodge 2500 can handle but not all. I would be get the standard automatic ,SRW 3500. If you can afford the air bag suspension then get it but don't worry about the upgraded tranny. I think the Upgraded tranny also comes w the HO Cummins. But anyway, my quick check shows you going from around 2300 lbs payload which is marginal for a big 5ver on a 2500 to over 4000 lbs payload on a 3500.
My memory says you need around a 3000 lb payload on a lot of 5vers to be very comfortable. Now I believe a 2500 will handle way more than 2300 lbs well. Heck my 1500 ecodiesel rated at 1300 lbs payload handles 2000 lbs in the bed easily. But the weight police will say you are over and at risk legally if you wreck. Plus my dealer says a 3500 actually if you can find it on a lot sells cheaper than a 2500. For more info contact Whiteside Dodge in Mt Sterling Ohio. Talk to Gus. He's an expert in trucks. I was there for service Friday and he has several nice 2016's on the lot. Good luck.
Including a 2500 w a manual trannny ordered by my brother which is a great truck. He ended up buying an ecodiesel like me.
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10-23-2016, 06:29 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 447
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How much difference is there in the ride between the 2500, 3500, and the 3500 dually? Is it enough to put the truck first or better to put the 5th first, taking into consideration of the truck functioning as a daily driver.
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10-23-2016, 07:16 PM
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#20
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Tinkerer and Putterer
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 398
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A 1 ton diesel with air suspension from the factory? If I wasn't in a C that would be a dream truck! If this truck won't be used as a daily driver or it will be used as a truck daily then I would stick with the 1 ton or at least test drive the 1 ton with the air suspension and compare it to the 3/4 ton before making the call. It's always nice to have that added margin of comfort of more truck especially if the cost difference is minimal.
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