2500 vs. 3500 (both with factory auto level rear air suspension) towing stability with 1,000 lb TW and 8,000 lb travel trailer

[content]

Greetings,

I think I have read all of the threads related to 2500 vs. 3500, both with and without factory auto level rear suspension!

I am considering a new CTD SRW 4x4 Mega Cab, either 2500 or 3500 (both with the factory auto level rear air suspension). On the 3500 I would get the standard output CTD with 68RFE.

I understand the 3500 with leaf springs and factory auto level rear air suspension gives more payload capacity and would be a better choice for future-proofing. Not looking to debate those issue here as they have been fully debated in other threads

However, if I am not concerned about future-proofing, and if I am comfortable that the payload of the 2500 would be ok, would the SRW 2500 or SRW 3500 provide a more stable towing experience with a 30' long, 1,000 lb tongue weight, 8,000 lb (loaded) travel trailer? (Assume both with factory auto level rear air suspension)

Would the air suspension of the SRW 2500 give more lateral support and sway protection than the leaf/air suspension of the SRW 3500? Or would the 3500 be better in this measure? (Assume without weight distribution or sway control -- just trying to understand which rear suspension option would give the best towing stability on its own prior to considering weight distribution or sway control.)

Thank you!

 

[2019_Ram]

In my opinion, and coming from a 2500, the 3500 will feel more planted. Mainly due to the way the suspension is designed.

 

[BikePilot]

The 3500 will be more stable without a doubt. The 2500 will ride a little better empty, but with the air assist the 3500 rides pretty darn well. A Megacab diesel is a heavy truck. In 2500 form you will be extremely payload limited. Depending on options etc. I've seen as low as 1600lbs, but 1900-2k lbs would be more typical. It's easy to eat through that really quickly when you start adding people, tools, recovery gear, pets, trailer, etc.

 

[Clayinfl]

I cannot contrast the two models for you, but I tow a travel trailer like you described with a 2500 gasser. It is a very positive experience. My payload provides a lot of room.

 

[jsalbre]

I hate to be “that guy”, but if you’re only towing 8k pounds then I’m not sure the Cummins is the right way to go. The Hemi barely notices 8k, and will leave you with a lot more payload and none of the odd issues that have been plaguing the diesel trucks.

 

[Dave01]

I think the amount you tow enters into the discussion too. It seems to me fairly straightforward that the 3500 will be the more planted tow platform under the parameters you describe. Like Clayinfl said the 2500 will certainly handle it just fine though, I don't see it as a compromise like trying to tow that with a 1500 would be. So to me, if you tell us you are pulling the trailer on a 5,000 mile trip cross country and 50% of your miles will be towing, get the 3500. If you tow 10% of the time and use the truck a lot for non-towing use, get the 2500.

 

[cj8rockcrawler]

Another vote for the 3500 for all the reasons already listed, plus the fact that the 3500 suspension is air assist vs. The 2500 bring full air suspension in the rear. If you lose an airbag with the 2500, you lose your suspension. With the 3500 you can still limp your truck and trailer somewhere.

 

[Finn5033]

I pull a trailer similar to what you are referring to. Mine is about 28’ total length, hitch weight is about 1,250lbs and total weight 7,500lbs. It’s an RV fish house and there currently is no WDH that can be used with it.

When I first got the trailer I had a 2021 Silverado 3500 gasser. It squated the rear 2” when hooked up but besides that it was a very stable tow experience. The only thing I didn’t like was the 5-8mpg I always got towing.

I now have a 2022 Ram 2500 Cummins. I had to add airlift 5000 airbags to make it a more stable towing platform for this trailer but it is fine now. Still not as stable as the 3500 was. And no the diesel is not necessary for a trailer this size but having to stop a lot less frequently for fuel is nice and the effortless towing power and low rpm’s is great.

All that being said if I were you I’d just get the 3500 and be done. Truth is for that trailer you don’t even need the air suspension if you go with the 1 ton. If you get the 2500 I’d skip the factory air ride and get helper bags to go with the standard suspension

 

[content]

Thank you for the insight and suggestions above! Planted is what I am looking for. I am trying to understand if the 2500 may actually drive more planted than the 3500 with my use of a 30' long, 1,000 lb tongue weight, 8,000 lb (loaded) travel trailer. I didn't know if there is a circumstance where the 3500 might be less planted if it has a relatively light (1,000 lb) tongue weight.

 

[elephantrider]

I yank a 10k lb 38' bumper pull around with 1.1k tw on a '19 2500. I have airlift 5k bags and it pulls it with ease.

 

[content]

I yank a 10k lb 38' bumper pull around with 1.1k tw on a '19 2500. I have airlift 5k bags and it pulls it with ease.

Nice! Looks great. Do you run WDH or sway control? Can't tell in the photo.

 

[Dave01]

Thank you for the insight and suggestions above! Planted is what I am looking for. I am trying to understand if the 2500 may actually drive more planted than the 3500 with my use of a 30' long, 1,000 lb tongue weight, 8,000 lb (loaded) travel trailer. I didn't know if there is a circumstance where the 3500 might be less planted if it has a relatively light (1,000 lb) tongue weight.

I think you should definitely go with the 3500.
I think you should definitely go with the 2500.

I think both of my answers above are correct. Seriously, I can't see an argument that the 2500 is ever going to be more planted than the 3500, but what people with real world experience with similar setups are saying is you'll be happy either way because you are buying a truck with way more capability than needed for your intended use. So no wrong answer.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Just for reference this is a 40 ft park model. 1625lbs on the ball 12k total weight it pulled great with my 2500 CTD no air bags

A 2500 will do what you want and as long as your truck is not loaded top heavy you will be perfectly fine as far as the “planted” feeling goes. If you need more side to side stability throw a set of air bags in it. I would not buy the OEM air ride its to much to go wrong.

 

[DougB]

I skipped the factory air on my 2500 since the bags are the only springs you have and if one blows, you’re down. The 3500 rides decent with factory air but an 8-10k trailer doesn’t need a 3500. If you ever think you’d upgrade heavier trailer then go 3500.
My 2500 megacab with 36’ trailer loaded to 18,700 with equalizer wdh trailer pulls fine. Airlift bags would probably take away the little looseness I feel compared to my old leaf spring 2006. I might add them next spring.

I am over the 10k GVWR but well under axle ratings of 6000/6040.

Truck weight


Loaded weight

 

[content]

I skipped the factory air on my 2500 since the bags are the only springs you have and if one blows, you’re down. The 3500 rides decent with factory air but an 8-10k trailer doesn’t need a 3500. If you ever think you’d upgrade heavier trailer then go 3500.
My 2500 megacab with 36’ trailer loaded to 18,700 with equalizer wdh trailer pulls fine. Airlift bags would probably take away the little looseness I feel compared to my old leaf spring 2006. I might add them next spring.

I am over the 10k GVWR but well under axle ratings of 6000/6040.

Truck weight
View attachment 65432

Loaded weight
View attachment 65433

Thank you for the insight and for sharing the scale numbers. Have you every weighed without the equalizer wdh. I'm curious how much weight the wdh adds back to the front axle.

 

[elephantrider]

Nice! Looks great. Do you run WDH or sway control? Can't tell in the photo.

thanks!

no wdh.

 

[DougB]

Thank you for the insight and for sharing the scale numbers. Have you every weighed without the equalizer wdh. I'm curious how much weight the wdh adds back to the front axle.

Here’s some numbers from a March 2022 trip. Wasn’t as heavily loaded as other ticket shared above and these are with no passengers, except me at 200#. I may have added a washer, too, since these numbers. Can’t recall for certain.

Truck alone


Truck & trailer without WDH connected


WDH connected


The missing 60# between weighs, I think was due to me not being centered one the scales right one of the times.

Here’s my setup:

Lets see what you are towing!

We had a Trail Limited. Ours was tricked out and trouble free. I hate what has happened to the brand. We run a Teryx 4 now. Agree with you.... it's bulletproof. *We just got the toy hauler. Once the snow melts, I will post a proper pic for this thread. Think I remember your name from the...

hdrams.com

 

[content]

Here’s some numbers from a March 2022 trip. Wasn’t as heavily loaded as other ticket shared above and these are with no passengers, except me at 200#. I may have added a washer, too, since these numbers. Can’t recall for certain.

Truck alone
View attachment 65458

Truck & trailer without WDH connected
View attachment 65457

WDH connected
View attachment 65456

The missing 60# between weighs, I think was due to me not being centered one the scales right one of the times.

Here’s my setup:

Lets see what you are towing!

We had a Trail Limited. Ours was tricked out and trouble free. I hate what has happened to the brand. We run a Teryx 4 now. Agree with you.... it's bulletproof. *We just got the toy hauler. Once the snow melts, I will post a proper pic for this thread. Think I remember your name from the...

hdrams.com

Thank you very much for sharing that! Interesting and helpful to see the impact of WDH.

 

[DougB]

Thank you very much for sharing that! Interesting and helpful to see the impact of WDH.

No problem. Glad to help.

There are people who run similar setup without it and have no issues. I feel safer using it. It’s the 1400lb Equalizer 4 pt with sway control. I use their extended shank so I can drop the tailgate completely. Requires running the 2” to 2-1/2” adapter that came with the truck.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Thank you for the insight and for sharing the scale numbers. Have you every weighed without the equalizer wdh. I'm curious how much weight the wdh adds back to the front axle.

Just to be clear, a WDH adds weight back to BOTH the truck steer axle AND the trailer axles.