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Why did you choose a 3500?

RVTRKN said:
I'd like to caution members that lowering the air pressure may ruin the tires, it happened to me with my 94 2500HD 360 gasser. I lost a set of the OE Goodyear tires from under inflation trying to smooth out the ride. I now run the front tires at 75 psi and the rear at 65 psi. A member of another site that drove and rode in my 3500 complained a lot of the ride, while trying to convince me to lower the pressure to recommended weight to pressure ratio. My comment back to him was "if you pay for my tires, I'll lower the pressure". I'm not claiming that will destroy the tires, I'm claiming that I lost a set to under inflation and won't make the same mistake.
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You lower your tires 2 or 3 psi at a time while watching the read contact patch. Once it gets all the way accross the tread you stop. About 50 psi rear and 65 psi front for the cummins.
 
I bought a 2021 3500 SRW HO/ Aisin. I had a 2019 3500 Dually with the same engine and transmission. Loved it until the CP 4.2 thing was announced. Sold it immediately. Anyway.... bought a 3500 so I can tow a 35’ 5th wheel or anything else for that matter. The Aisin trans does not seem to have any longevity issues like the 68 RFE. That alone is worth buying a 3500.
 
I have to believe those with 68rf trans issues contribute to such by how the drive. In 6 trucks from 2015 to now, I've never had any transmission issues with 90% of all miles being in excess of 10K# on the hitch. My 2017 Laramie 2500 had 420k miles without any trans issues.

If you currently have a 2500 and on the fence about moving up, get the AirLift wireless bags and you won't unhappy.
 
Only $995 more than a 2500 spec'ed with all the same options. My 3500 has a door sticker with a cargo capacity of 4025! You won't see that high of number with a 2500.
 
The only reason I did not buy another 2500 was to get the HO engine and the Aisin transmission with the 4.10 gears. If I could get the 4.10s in the 2500, I would have bought another as I have never had any issues towing and love the coil sprung 5-link rear suspension. I will be trying to figure a way to lower the back of my 3500 to level the truck out and add the AirLift bags to carry the load if needed.

2020 Ram 2500 with Wireless AirLift bags
waterlily-ram.jpeg

2017 2500 Laramie with AirLift Bags and manual control compressor.
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2021 LImited 3500 Mega Cab
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Patriot Motor Sports USA said:
I have to believe those with 68rf trans issues contribute to such by how the drive. In 6 trucks from 2015 to now, I've never had any transmission issues with 90% of all miles being in excess of 10K# on the hitch. My 2017 Laramie 2500 had 420k miles without any trans issues.

If you currently have a 2500 and on the fence about moving up, get the AirLift wireless bags and you won't unhappy.
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Just because you've been lucky don't blame the operator for chryslers poor transmissions. I am only in a 3500 because thr 66rfe in my 2500 was losing 5th and 6th gear. At a grand total of 71000 miles and all but 3500 of those were empty truck.
 
I would not buy a Dodge Ram with an auto, until the Aisin was available. My 04 with the NV5600 was the best out of my three Rams, including my 2019. My 07 C&C with the G56 was a bust and cost me several thousands of dollars. My Aisin is very stout, and leaps and bounds above the 68rfe, my only bitch is the NV5600 is no longer available. Just because I've never owned a 68rfe, doesn't mean I didn't drive one.
 
loveracing1988 said:
Just because you've been lucky don't blame the operator for chryslers poor transmissions. I am only in a 3500 because thr 66rfe in my 2500 was losing 5th and 6th gear. At a grand total of 71000 miles and all but 3500 of those were empty truck.
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My 2013 RAM 2500 had 125k without issues. 30% pulling 12k 5th wheel trailer. Frequently in the NC/TN/WV mountains.
 
I'm probably in the minority here, but I bought a big truck because I like big trucks. I've always had F250/Ram 2500s. I might tow a boat or car at most. I was going to get a 2500, but have heard a lot of people say that because of the way the rear suspension is designed on the 2500 with coil springs and panhard bar/track bar, the back feels like it sways a bit as the suspension cycles. I didn't really want that.

Plan is to drop out the factory leaf springs in favor of some Carli full progressive leafs, and if I get to the point where I need that extra capacity, I will add bags.
 
RVTRKN said:
I'd like to caution members that lowering the air pressure may ruin the tires, it happened to me with my 94 2500HD 360 gasser. I lost a set of the OE Goodyear tires from under inflation trying to smooth out the ride. I now run the front tires at 75 psi and the rear at 65 psi. A member of another site that drove and rode in my 3500 complained a lot of the ride, while trying to convince me to lower the pressure to recommended weight to pressure ratio. My comment back to him was "if you pay for my tires, I'll lower the pressure". I'm not claiming that will destroy the tires, I'm claiming that I lost a set to under inflation and won't make the same mistake.
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Not sure why your tires were ruined with lower pressure. I have had both Firestone and Michelin tires on my 3500 SRW Diesel. The manufacturer provides a chart showing the recommended air pressure for the amount of weight being applied. When not towing our 5th wheel trailer, the load on the rear axle is 3520 pounds (1760 per tire). I run the back tires at 50 PSI. Makes a big difference in the ride. See chart attached. According to Firestone, at 50 PSI, the Load limit per tire is 2840 - so I am well within the specs. So, I am not sure this qualifies as "under inflated.
 

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markw27 said:
Not sure why your tires were ruined with lower pressure. I have had both Firestone and Michelin tires on my 3500 SRW Diesel. The manufacturer provides a chart showing the recommended air pressure for the amount of weight being applied. When not towing our 5th wheel trailer, the load on the rear axle is 3520 pounds (1760 per tire). I run the back tires at 50 PSI. Makes a big difference in the ride. See chart attached. According to Firestone, at 50 PSI, the Load limit per tire is 2840 - so I am well within the specs. So, I am not sure this qualifies as "under inflated.
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I was not happy with Firestone E rated tires on my 2500. Will not put them on my 3500 DRW. Michelins or Toyo's will be on my truck when it is time.
 
Patriot Motor Sports USA said:
I have had Six different Ram 2500 trucks from my initial SLT to Bighorn, Laramie and a Laramie Longhorn in the past five years for my Marine business. The 2500 is one of the best trucks ever and I love the coil spring rear suspension. For my newest truck, I wanted more and plan to keep it for a while, so I opted for the Mega Cab DRW 3500 Limited. I checked everything I could on the option list and looking forward to taking deliver in a week. I just hope the 4.10 gears are not going to kill the cruise speed on the freeway too much.


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Sweet truck! I ordered one similar (dually, mega, 4.10s). Cant wait to get it.

Mikethebikeman said:
Because I have to tow this beast of a home. First diesel truck & coming from a Ford Ranger, quite the change.
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What 5th hitch set up are you running?
 
markw27 said:
Not sure why your tires were ruined with lower pressure. I have had both Firestone and Michelin tires on my 3500 SRW Diesel. The manufacturer provides a chart showing the recommended air pressure for the amount of weight being applied. When not towing our 5th wheel trailer, the load on the rear axle is 3520 pounds (1760 per tire). I run the back tires at 50 PSI. Makes a big difference in the ride. See chart attached. According to Firestone, at 50 PSI, the Load limit per tire is 2840 - so I am well within the specs. So, I am not sure this qualifies as "under inflated.
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Tire shop explained why, don't remember the exact conversation, thats enough for me. I was given that chart of Firestone tires, as posted I'm not willing to go lower than posted, my choice.
 
I would have gotten a 3500 but the time when i bought my 2500 there was no 3500s anywhere around other than hemis and i could not wait to order one with both of my trucks being down at the time but im quite impressed with how the 2500 does with the weight considering i have had about 4k in the back of it with a 2k payload rating sat pretty good no airbags or helpers just the coils
 
I had a 2012 2500 and I ordered a 2021 HO. The 2500 just didn't have the payload capacity that I needed for the 5th wheels I was looking at. The advancement of frame design and the HO made it a no brainer to purchase a 3500. I'm glad I did. Compared to my 2012 that had leaf springs, the 2021 rides much better .
 
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