2500 vs 3500 ride difference

JB1 · Aug 10, 2016

Do the 3500 SRW's ride harsh compared to a 2500 or is it negligible? (Unloaded w/o trailer). I realize these are HD trucks and won't ride like a car I'm just curious about the comparison between the two if any.
I'm trying to decide between a 3500 4x4 and 2500 4x4, price isn't much of a difference.

Other than payload and towing is there any other benefit or downside of choosing one versus the other?

My local dealer only has DRW on lot so can't test drive one.

440hsp · Aug 10, 2016

The 3500 is going to be a little stiffer but there is also a big difference in the amount the 3500 can tow over the 2500. I would say to go test drive 2500 and 3500's at nearby dealerships on the freeway and the nearest bumpy roads possible and you should get a pretty good idea in the difference. My 2500 4x4 cc ride is alot stiffer compared to the 15 gmc sierra 1/2 ton I came from but my 2500 can also carry almost double the weight my sierra could. My sierra was only rated for 9400lbs. Lol

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DannyMK2 · Aug 10, 2016

coil spring vs leaf. yea, is going to be a different ride.

68PowerWagon · Aug 10, 2016

Due to this new coil set up they are running on the 2500 the 3500 definitely rides rougher. Although there is very little difference between the 1500 & 2500. You are correct there is little difference in the price between the two so it boils down to how much truck do you need?

SouthTexan · Aug 10, 2016

I don't think there is that much of a ride difference as far as stiffness is concerned. The 2500 might have less axle wrap or bounce with the coils.

Towing, the numbers between the two are the same +/- a hundred pounds. The paylaod is less in the 2500 than a 3500 which it should be. However, it is considerably so due to the fact that the payload of the 2500 is de-rated from what it can actually handle in order make the truck fit into the 10k GVWR of the class 2B it is in. In reality going by the trucks actual components like GAWR, there should only be a 500 lb difference in paylaod between the 2500 and 3500, but that would put the 2500 over the class 2B GVWR limit.

The only other thing I can think of is the taxes and registration between the two. Since your from Texas, there is only a $56 a year deference between the two, but in other states it could be hundreds of dollars higher for a 3500 truck that is over 10k GVWR.

avolnek · Aug 10, 2016

SouthTexan said:
I don't think there is that much of a ride difference as far as stiffness is concerned. The 2500 might have less axle wrap or bounce with the coils.

Spot on with what i would say.

I felt minor ride quality differences between the two. The axle wrap was noticeable however... My folks own a 3500 dually and towing my camper with theirs vs my 2500 I can feel a fair amount of the axle wrap...

Is it a big deal? no, probably not. But It was the deciding factor for me, I went 2500 to keep the coils....

U&A · Aug 10, 2016

I notice a big difference between the two in felt bumps and body roll around corners and rolling over curbs and stuff..if you know what i mean. but what helps a LOT (with bumps) when not towing.....drop that tire PSI and its a world of difference on both the 2500 and 3500.

my wife still hates the ride though. she drives an explorer.

JB1 · Aug 10, 2016

Thanks guys, hadn't thought about registration cost, axle wrap etc. All my previous 4x4's were older GM lifted SFA trucks and K5 Blazers so I'm used to leafs front and rear although this will be my first HD truck.

U&A · Aug 10, 2016

axle wrap video (not mine)

for the interested.

to be honest I was a bit surprised when actually seeing videos of it. this is one of the worst iv seen.

https://youtu.be/54_6GaYJvWI

spoon059 · Aug 10, 2016

440hsp said:
The 3500 is going to be a little stiffer but there is also a big difference in the amount the 3500 can tow over the 2500.

They are both rated for the same tow weights. The only difference is payload ratings. The 2500 with coils rides much better than the 3500 with leaf springs. The leaf springs will allow the back end to skitter around, will have more potential for wheel hop and will be more stiff.

The 2500 handles its weights with ease and rides substantially better than my Tundra with leaf springs ever did.

MN-Ram · Aug 10, 2016

SouthTexan said:
The only other thing I can think of is the taxes and registration between the two. Since your from Texas, there is only a $56 a year deference between the two, but in other states it could be hundreds of dollars higher for a 3500 truck that is over 10k GVWR.

In MN the tabs for a 2500 are around $500-$600 for the first year, and decrease gradually over time. The 3500 only cost $137 per year and stay there for ever. That is why I went with the 3500. It was about $1600 more at purchase but will pay for itself in tabs in 4-5 years.

I do not mind the 3500 ride nor does my wife, but my mom and in-laws do not care for it.

440hsp · Aug 10, 2016

spoon059 said:
They are both rated for the same tow weights. The only difference is payload ratings. The 2500 with coils rides much better than the 3500 with leaf springs. The leaf springs will allow the back end to skitter around, will have more potential for wheel hop and will be more stiff.

The 2500 handles its weights with ease and rides substantially better than my Tundra with leaf springs ever did.

Sorry, i thought the 3500 could tow quite a bit more than the 2500.

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U&A · Aug 10, 2016

MN-Ram said:
In MN the tabs for a 2500 are around $500-$600 for the first year, and decrease gradually over time. The 3500 only cost $137 per year and stay there for ever. That is why I went with the 3500. It was about $1600 more at purchase but will pay for itself in tabs in 4-5 years.

I do not mind the 3500 ride nor does my wife, but my mom and in-laws do not care for it.

The plate registration every year for my truck in michigan are $210 and the state just passed a law to raise them 19%. The price is the same for the LIFE of the truck. ... Forever. Its based off the MSRP. They also are raising gas tax about the same %.

For "the roads" that they can never fix. nd never will.

68PowerWagon · Aug 11, 2016

JB1 said:
Thanks guys, hadn't thought about registration cost, axle wrap etc. All my previous 4x4's were older GM lifted SFA trucks and K5 Blazers so I'm used to leafs front and rear although this will be my first HD truck.

Might would want to check to see if there is much difference with insurance premiums as well.

SouthTexan · Aug 11, 2016

MN-Ram said:
In MN the tabs for a 2500 are around $500-$600 for the first year, and decrease gradually over time. The 3500 only cost $137 per year and stay there for ever. That is why I went with the 3500. It was about $1600 more at purchase but will pay for itself in tabs in 4-5 years.

I do not mind the 3500 ride nor does my wife, but my mom and in-laws do not care for it.

That is odd, looking at the 2016 Minnesota brackets, it says a 10k GVWR truck like the 2500 would be lower than a 11k GVWR truck like the 3500. The DMV also stated that the taxes is based on the value of your vehicle.

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Tax_Manual_CalendarYear2016.pdf

MN-Ram · Aug 11, 2016

SouthTexan said:
That is odd, looking at the 2016 Minnesota brackets, it says a 10k GVWR truck like the 2500 would be lower than a 11k GVWR truck like the 3500. The DMV also stated that the taxes is based on the value of your vehicle.

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Tax_Manual_CalendarYear2016.pdf

Yeah, that would make sense, but when I bought tabs in February it was $137. I couldn't believe it. I heard it was cheaper, but I wasn't sure until I had to buy them. I'll take it though.

MN-Ram · Aug 11, 2016

I think it has something to do with their thought that someone with a 3500 has trailers registered, as well as other equipment. I'm not sure, but it made my decision a little easier.

JB1 · Aug 12, 2016

A plus for 3500 would be no TPMS warnings right?

U&A · Aug 12, 2016

JB1 said:
A plus for 3500 would be no TPMS warnings right?

my 3500 has TPMS. not sure about the warning your talking about though. iv never had them below 55 and no warnings when I did that.

reloaderguy · Aug 12, 2016

U&A said:
my 3500 has TPMS. not sure about the warning your talking about though. iv never had them below 55 and no warnings when I did that.

The 2500 has a locked TPMS threshold. The 3500 has TPMS but doesn't have the warning system.

2500 vs 3500 ride difference

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