2500 or 3500?

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Relooked at ram brochure. do you need a mega or limited? If no, 2500 diesel crew payload is over 2700 and can pull over 19,000. Maybe that is way to go?

another thought. There is talk of a true 5th gen, and possibly new transmission options, in next few years. You could lease (2500 or 3500) for 2 to 3 years as a super long test drive and see how fits the family. Then actually buy another new one that is perfect based on what you learn..

I have a 2500 tradesman diesel crew long box 4x4 payload is only 2040 and max tow is 17.5k the brochure is good for nothing.... i have put way more than that in my truck without issue though, here is my old trailer i would tow with my 2005 2500 it is 14k with 2400lbs pin weight way over the legal weight it handled it like a champ

 

[Frank]

Relooked at ram brochure. do you need a mega or limited? If no, 2500 diesel crew payload is over 2700 and can pull over 19,000. Maybe that is way to go?

another thought. There is talk of a true 5th gen, and possibly new transmission options, in next few years. You could lease (2500 or 3500) for 2 to 3 years as a super long test drive and see how fits the family. Then actually buy another new one that is perfect based on what you learn..

That 2,700 lbs payload is a spartan truck. Throw in options and accessories. The door sticker on my 2500 diesel crew is around 2,100 lbs and I would guess my bed cover and liner knock off another 100.

I bought it to pull a large boat and a TT, and it will pull any TT on the market. My horizon for upgrading the camper is pretty close to when I would consider buying a new truck, and I'm still on the fence whether it will be a larger TT or a 5er so I may not even need to. The right tool at the right time.

I think loading those bikes in the bed is a temporary solution that you would regret doing long-term. I'd look at both TT and 5er toy haulers to get a feel for what works, and if you know you want the 5er and not a TT get the 3500. If the TT works and you are going to keep it as long as the truck, 2500 will work.

 

[Chris.Gio]

I have a 2500 tradesman diesel crew long box 4x4 payload is only 2040 and max tow is 17.5k the brochure is good for nothing.... i have put way more than that in my truck without issue though,

This is interesting to me, it’s like capacity is just paperwork. My read is the same frame, transmission & engine can handle wildly different weight (2500 vs 3500, removing major differences like dually or HO). In other words the 6.7 & REF can pull thousands of pounds more in a 3500 but what really is the difference? Obviously leaf vs shocks/airbags if equipped but no reason why the shocks/airbags can’t carry a SRW 3500 load (I think).

are the brakes different? Drive shaft? Axle? Front shocks?

would be interesting to know what exactly gives a 3500 higher GVWR when equipped exact same as a 2500. (Again, no dually or HO/Aisin.)

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

This is interesting to me, it’s like capacity is just paperwork. My read is the same frame, transmission & engine can handle wildly different weight (2500 vs 3500, removing major differences like dually or HO). In other words the 6.7 & REF can pull thousands of pounds more in a 3500 but what really is the difference? Obviously leaf vs shocks/airbags if equipped but no reason why the shocks/airbags can’t carry a SRW 3500 load (I think).

are the brakes different? Drive shaft? Axle? Front shocks?

would be interesting to know what exactly gives a 3500 higher GVWR when equipped exact same as a 2500. (Again, no dually or HO/Aisin.)

Paperwork is the biggest one but the HO comes with a bigger rear axle which has a higher carrying capacity.... the coils can handle more than they claim there is no reason other than legal reasons and registration purposes the 2500 cant have an extra 2000lbs payload

 

[Bozo]

Agree, but I really would like the exhaust brake since I live in the mountains. Guess there is no perfect vehicle that does it all. Thanks

If there were that perfect vehicle, I would buy it and the auto industry would go broke.

 

[Frank]

Paperwork is the biggest one but the HO comes with a bigger rear axle which has a higher carrying capacity.... the coils can handle more than they claim there is no reason other than legal reasons and registration purposes the 2500 cant have an extra 2000lbs payload

I wish there was a way around that. In my state you register your truck for GVCW in 6k increments. Doesn't matter the truck, doesn't matter if its commercial or personal. If you've got a 4,500 lbs F150 pulling an 8,000 lbs trailer you need 18k plates. If you've got a 8,500 lbs 3500 and never tow you can legally run 12k plates. Your truck being over 10k GVWR does not trigger a CDL by itself, but if I max towed with my 2500 I would need a CDL.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I wish there was a way around that. In my state you register your truck for GVCW in 6k increments. Doesn't matter the truck, doesn't matter if its commercial or personal. If you've got a 4,500 lbs F150 pulling an 8,000 lbs trailer you need 18k plates. If you've got a 8,500 lbs 3500 and never tow you can legally run 12k plates. Your truck being over 10k GVWR does not trigger a CDL by itself, but if I max towed with my 2500 I would need a CDL.

here if its for personal you can getaway with overloading but if its commercial you have get the payload upped to legaly do it, some specialty shops can do it

 

[yarnellm]

Payload on my 2019 Tradesman 6.4 CCLB is 3395.

 

[Highcountry]

I know you're all discussing payload, but for those wanting to haul a heavy load in the bed of the truck while towing a trailer there's another option. My father in law tows a big fifth wheel and also wanted to take his Harley along. He bought what looks like a trailer, but bolts to the fifth wheel frame in two places. Basically an extension with it's own axle etc, but doesn't count as a double tow. It worked great and you can unbolt it easily. I don't know what they are called, but it was made in Idaho

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I know you're all discussing payload, but for those wanting to haul a heavy load in the bed of the truck while towing a trailer there's another option. My father in law tows a big fifth wheel and also wanted to take his Harley along. He bought what looks like a trailer, but bolts to the fifth wheel frame in two places. Basically an extension with it's own axle etc, but doesn't count as a double tow. It worked great and you can unbolt it easily. I don't know what they are called, but it was made in Idaho

Why not just tow in tandem at that point or is it not legal down there? Here i can and do tow tandem

 

[Highcountry]

Why not just tow in tandem at that point or is it not legal down there? Here i can and do tow tandem

Not legal here in Washington State.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Not legal here in Washington State.

Thats stupid lol