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2500 vs 3500

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CasualAdubs

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Why would somebody choose one over the other?

What are your experiences with this decision?

Why did you choose one over the other?

I found myself noticing that a 2500 Laramie equipped comparably to my current 2019 1500 only had about a 3-4K lb towing advantage. It dosnt seem like much of a towing advantage. I noticed that a 3500 (non dually) is about 10k lbs more.

Is it only towing capacity and disposable income level why somebody would go with the 3500 over the 2500?

What are your thoughts? :)
 
CasualAdubs said:
Why would somebody choose one over the other?

What are your experiences with this decision?

Why did you choose one over the other?

I found myself noticing that a 2500 Laramie equipped comparably to my current 2019 1500 only had about a 3-4K lb towing advantage. It dosnt seem like much of a towing advantage. I noticed that a 3500 (non dually) is about 10k lbs more.

Is it only towing capacity and disposable income level why somebody would go with the 3500 over the 2500?

What are your thoughts? :)
Click to expand...
I just traded in my 2500 gas for a 3500 SRW diesel and the reason I did it was because we upgraded our trailer too. Went with a much heavier 5th wheel and the payload of the 2500 was not enough, the 3500 I got has 1100 lbs more payload than my 2500 had as well as 6000 lbs more towing capacity.
 
anderson0172 said:
I just traded in my 2500 gas for a 3500 SRW diesel and the reason I did it was because we upgraded our trailer too. Went with a much heavier 5th wheel and the payload of the 2500 was not enough, the 3500 I got has 1100 lbs more payload than my 2500 had as well as 6000 lbs more towing capacity.
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Ah, payload. That wasn't something I thought of. Because payload affects how much tongue weight you can have. Correct?

Plase forgive my ignorance. What is SRW?
 
CasualAdubs said:
Ah, payload. That wasn't something I thought of. Because payload affects how much tongue weight you can have. Correct?

Plase forgive my ignorance. What is SRW?
Click to expand...
Yes, payload is tongue weight plus everything else added to the truck including the weight of yourself and passengers. So everything such as the 5th wheel hitch, toolboxes, tonneau cover, compressor, etc... and SRW is single rear wheel, DRW would be dual rear wheel
 
The cost difference between the 2500 and 3500 is not very much. The number one reason to get the 2500 is ride quality. The 2500 has coil springs in the rear. Also you can opt for the air suspension in the 2500 and it will ride even better. I would say the 2500 is best with the 6.4 Hemi V8 and 4.10 gears, great combo. The number one reason to get the 3500 is capability. It has leaf springs in the back and you can also get dual rear wheels. And while the 3500 can be optioned with air suspension, it is a different unit from the one on the 2500. Kind of only comes into play with real heavy loads. If I had wanted to go with the diesel I would have gone with the 3500 as you lose too much payload with the diesel in the 2500, especially in the MegaCab. The downside in the 3500 is the rough ride when not loaded or towing. So at the end of the day it will all depend on what you want to use it for and how often is that use.
 
JohnandDonna said:
The cost difference between the 2500 and 3500 is not very much. The number one reason to get the 2500 is ride quality. The 2500 has coil springs in the rear. Also you can opt for the air suspension in the 2500 and it will ride even better. I would say the 2500 is best with the 6.4 Hemi V8 and 4.10 gears, great combo. The number one reason to get the 3500 is capability. It has leaf springs in the back and you can also get dual rear wheels. And while the 3500 can be optioned with air suspension, it is a different unit from the one on the 2500. Kind of only comes into play with real heavy loads. If I had wanted to go with the diesel I would have gone with the 3500 as you lose too much payload with the diesel in the 2500, especially in the MegaCab. The downside in the 3500 is the rough ride when not loaded or towing. So at the end of the day it will all depend on what you want to use it for and how often is that use.
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Thank you! This forum is awesome. Everybody is very helpful.

I suppose 2500 for now until my business grows.

Is there a standard and extended fuel tank size differences between the two or do they both have the same size and options?

I really wish they had a bigger fuel tank with the 6'4 ft bed.
 
CasualAdubs said:
Thank you! This forum is awesome. Everybody is very helpful.

I suppose 2500 for now until my business grows.

Is there a standard and extended fuel tank size differences between the two or do they both have the same size and options?

I really wish they had a bigger fuel tank with the 6'4 ft bed.
Click to expand...

[Edited] Only the long bed trucks get a larger tank option. Looks like 2021 added the big tank for Gas as well as diesel?

If you're registering commercial, tags and insurance could be a big difference too. Also over 10K GVWR usually requires CDL for any and all drivers.

No flames, I don't have a CDL nor am I a professional driver, just doling out free, potentially inaccurate, internet advice.
 
Brutal_HO said:
[Edited] Only the long bed trucks get a larger tank option. Looks like 2021 added the big tank for Gas as well as diesel?

If you're registering commercial, tags and insurance could be a big difference too. Also over 10K GVWR usually requires CDL for any and all drivers.

No flames, I don't have a CDL nor am I a professional driver, just doling out free, potentially inaccurate, internet advice.
Click to expand...
Yep. Just looked it up. DMV.ORG

"A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, to include a towed vehicle that is HEAVIER than 10,000 lbs."
 
CasualAdubs said:
Yep. Just looked it up. DMV.ORG

"A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, to include a towed vehicle that is HEAVIER than 10,000 lbs."
Click to expand...

Well... State regs differ but that's pretty typical. If you're doing interstate commerce, you have to go by DOT.

Example, here in Colorado, for a regular DL it does state good up to 26,001, nothing about the towed vehicle. Given so many of the 3500 trucks now exceed that, I suspect the law hasn't caught up with the capabilities. My SRW is 33K GCWR.

Best bet is to talk to YOUR state DMV and your business insurance carrier, possibly your attorney.
 
I dont tow heavy, or carry heavy payloads, so the 3500's added expense and harsher ride make no sense for me. If it wasn't for the need to plow, I would be in a 1500.
 
CasualAdubs said:
Yep. Just looked it up. DMV.ORG

"A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, to include a towed vehicle that is HEAVIER than 10,000 lbs."
Click to expand...
If tour pulling a 5th wheel rv that’s weights 12k lbs. you won’t need a CDAl. It’s not commerce!
 
CasualAdubs said:
Why would somebody choose one over the other?

What are your experiences with this decision?

Why did you choose one over the other?

I found myself noticing that a 2500 Laramie equipped comparably to my current 2019 1500 only had about a 3-4K lb towing advantage. It dosnt seem like much of a towing advantage. I noticed that a 3500 (non dually) is about 10k lbs more.

Is it only towing capacity and disposable income level why somebody would go with the 3500 over the 2500?

What are your thoughts? :)
Click to expand...
Towing capacity is a mostly marketing number. You need to look at the payload capacity. Different trailers handle their weight differently. Campers put more on the pin or tongue weight than a gooseneck or bumper cargo trailer (yes I know they really are not bumper pull anymore). A 10k boat pulls much different than a 10K box camper does. Winds also affect the two differently. Many vehicle have trailer weights, payload (cargo carrying capacity) and frontal area specified in the owner's manual.

My 2013 RAM 2500 was still a leaf spring truck that had 300-500 more capacity than most 2500s today with the coil springs.

On many RV boards, one can watch how many people start with a 1500 and a 'max' camper. Then they buy a 2500 and upsize the camper in a couple of years, only to again be at the trucks rated max. The 3500s still have leaf springs, and have more capacity than the 2500s, and aremore stable in doing so. Manufacturers are trying to obtain a better ride for those who only need a truck to tow occasionally.

You'll find the cost to purchase and maintain only slightly higher, if at all, between the 1/2-3/4-1 ton trucks.

I tell folk to not only buy for that you have now, but to also allow for future towing possibilities. I've seen many folks upgrade campers over a few years. And also buying a new(er?) truck each time.

For myself, I strive to have a truck that is allows me 20%, or more, excess capacity than the trailers I own. My current max 5th wheel toyhauler weight is under 20k.
 
Scary812 said:
If tour pulling a 5th wheel rv that’s weights 12k lbs. you won’t need a CDAl. It’s not commerce!
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But some states will require you to have a non-commercial class A license if the trailer is over 10K. NC does. FL does not. And private, non-commercial, can exceed 26,001 in most states. RVs are but one example.
 
Last edited:
JohnandDonna said:
The cost difference between the 2500 and 3500 is not very much. The number one reason to get the 2500 is ride quality. The 2500 has coil springs in the rear. Also you can opt for the air suspension in the 2500 and it will ride even better. I would say the 2500 is best with the 6.4 Hemi V8 and 4.10 gears, great combo. The number one reason to get the 3500 is capability. It has leaf springs in the back and you can also get dual rear wheels. And while the 3500 can be optioned with air suspension, it is a different unit from the one on the 2500. Kind of only comes into play with real heavy loads. If I had wanted to go with the diesel I would have gone with the 3500 as you lose too much payload with the diesel in the 2500, especially in the MegaCab. The downside in the 3500 is the rough ride when not loaded or towing. So at the end of the day it will all depend on what you want to use it for and how often is that use.
Click to expand...
Well said
 
mwalsh9152 said:
I dont tow heavy, or carry heavy payloads, so the 3500's added expense and harsher ride make no sense for me. If it wasn't for the need to plow, I would be in a 1500.
Click to expand...
Ah! Plowing snow! Another one I didnt even think of. Interesting. Because of the weight of the truck makes it easier to push snow around?
 
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