2500 vs 3500

[Rgpracer]

I know......I know, but I gotta ask.

I've read so much and have done nothing but confuse myself......
I have nothing but positive things to say about my 2500, but......my wife has been chatting with me about our 5'r camper and more closet space and on and on....which would mean, a bigger (so to speak) truck.
Ok, started reading about the Ram 3500's in a "non" dually config and here's what I came up with.....PLEASE chime in.

I want to stay with a 2020 or 2021 3500.....differences I have found:
Bigger payload
Optional rear gear ratio
Optional HO (more hp) motor and Aisin 8 speed (?) package

Question, are rear leafs in the 3500 single wheel trucks?

Other than the main thing of bed payload, am I going to feel a difference in pulling? I do love my truck and it's PAID for, but for payload alone, will have to upgrade and WON'T go with GMC/FORD.

Thanks guys.
Ray

 

[Brutal_HO]

No gear choice in SRW 3500 Diesel. 3.73 only
HO is a 6-speed Aisin, heavier transfer case (reduces payload).
3500 are all leaf sprung. Air ride has the overload removed.

HO will be different. SO will be no different pulling.

My 2020 Limited CCLB HO with 50 gal tank, pretty much all options except sunroof and VSIM payload is 3707.

 

[Rgpracer]

No gear choice in SRW 3500 Diesel. 3.73 only
HO is a 6-speed Aisin, heavier transfer case (reduces payload).
3500 are all leaf sprung. Air ride has the overload removed.

HO will be different. SO will be no different pulling.

My 2020 Limited CCLB HO with 50 gal tank, pretty much all options except sunroof and VSIM payload is 3707.

Thanks Brutal.....kinda what I come up with except 6 or 8 speed....thanks.
Thanks

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thanks Brutal.....kinda what I come up with except 6 or 8 speed....thanks.
Thanks

There is no 8 speed for the diesels… if all you are doing is pulling a camper the SO is fine for most people

 

[Rgpracer]

There is no 8 speed for the diesels… if all you are doing is pulling a camper the SO is fine for most people

Except for the bed weight issue.....but, I think it will be fine.
Thanks H3

 

[gimmie11s]

No gear choice in SRW 3500 Diesel. 3.73 only
HO is a 6-speed Aisin, heavier transfer case (reduces payload).
3500 are all leaf sprung. Air ride has the overload removed.

HO will be different. SO will be no different pulling.

... The 3500 SRW will be different vs. his current 2500 in how stable the leaf spring truck feels towing vs the coil spring 3/4 ton.

OP, what is current trailer size and what size are you thinking of moving up to?

 

[Brutal_HO]

... The 3500 SRW will be different vs. his current 2500 in how stable the leaf spring truck feels towing vs the coil spring 3/4 ton.

OP, what is current trailer size and what size are you thinking of moving up to?

Key word, pulling.

To be pedantic, he asked, "difference in pulling," which is how my reply was framed.

But yes, the 3500 leaf sprung truck will be more stable towing a 5th wheel.

IMHO, a 5th wheel induces more horizontal motion in the truck/hitch combo than a bumper pull. IOW, I don't know that you would see much difference with a bumper pull. I guess I missed the 5'er part in the post.

 

[Rgpracer]

... The 3500 SRW will be different vs. his current 2500 in how stable the leaf spring truck feels towing vs the coil spring 3/4 ton.

OP, what is current trailer size and what size are you thinking of moving up to?

Gimmie, will be either a Grand Design 320 MKS or 337 RLS......with a hitch weight around 2100lbs. Current Grand Design is around 1900lbs hitch weight.
Thanks

 

[Rgpracer]

Key word, pulling.

To be pedantic, he asked, "difference in pulling," which is how my reply was framed.

But yes, the 3500 leaf sprung truck will be more stable towing a 5th wheel.

IMHO, a 5th wheel induces more horizontal motion in the truck/hitch combo than a bumper pull. IOW, I don't know that you would see much difference with a bumper pull. I guess I missed the 5'er part in the post.

Brutal, I currently pull a 2022 Grand Design 5'r, 303RLS.....thinking of stepping up to a 320MKS or 337RLS, both will increase my bed by 200- 300lbs....11k empty to 14k full.
I had previous post about bed weight and at current camper, am good, but my wife might change that for me.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Brutal, I currently pull a 2022 Grand Design 5'r, 303RLS.....thinking of stepping up to a 320MKS or 337RLS, both will increase my bed by 200- 300lbs....11k empty to 14k full.
I had previous post about bed weight and at current camper, am good, but my wife might change that for me.
Thanks for your input.

With my heavy hitch and 9540 curb weight loaded up, I still have ~950 lbs of available payload left of my 3707 lbs.

Based on ~2100 Hitch weight on our 303RLS. The was scaled with the double tow setup and a 1/2 tank of fresh water that *may* take some weight off the pin. Loaded for a week at the lake.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Depends on your comfort level but at that weight i would get a set of airlift bags and call it a day. Heck my pin weight is 2k with my hitch weight at 365 and i still have not bothered to install my bags yet.. going by axle weights i am still in the black as far as weight cap goes

 

[gimmie11s]

Key word, pulling.

To be pedantic, he asked, "difference in pulling," which is how my reply was framed.

But yes, the 3500 leaf sprung truck will be more stable towing a 5th wheel.

IMHO, a 5th wheel induces more horizontal motion in the truck/hitch combo than a bumper pull. IOW, I don't know that you would see much difference with a bumper pull. I guess I missed the 5'er part in the post.

Couldn't agree more. Our 2016 2500 had plenty of pulling and stopping power for anything we hooked to it.

Then we upgraded toy haulers from a 27' bumper pull to our current 35' 5er and the soft 2500 suspension was immediately exposed as inadequate. While towing, the thing felt like the whole combo was going to tip over on the turns. It was strange how much body roll that truck had with the 5er hooked up.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Couldn't agree more. Our 2016 2500 had plenty of pulling and stopping power for anything we hooked to it.

Then we upgraded toy haulers from a 27' bumper pull to our current 35' 5er and the soft 2500 suspension was immediately exposed as inadequate. While towing, the thing felt like the whole combo was going to tip over on the turns. It was strange how much body roll that truck had with the 5er hooked up.

Do you have a dual pivot hitch? The only time i have had that feeling was with a single pivot hitch with my 2500.

 

[gimmie11s]

Do you have a dual pivot hitch? The only time i have had that feeling was with a single pivot hitch with my 2500.

I run the Anderson. I added air bags to the 2500 and it seemed to make the problem worse. They were "wired" in a pair though as far as the air lines go. Id imagine if they each had their own dedicated air line, it might have been better? Who knows.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I run the Anderson. I added air bags to the 2500 and it seemed to make the problem worse. They were "wired" in a pair though as far as the air lines go. Id imagine if they each had their own dedicated air line, it might have been better? Who knows.

With a 1/4” line i dont see it having enough air transfer but without experiencing it i could not say.