Ram 2500 or 3500

Ramvulcan · Apr 4, 2017

I found 2 different trucks im interested both crew cabs with short bed, one is a 2015 2500 slt with 14k miles, and the 5.7l hemi the dealers had it listed for over 300 days and dropped price over 6-7k since listed, the other is a 2015 3500 srw 6.4l hemi tradesman, with 50k miles listed for the same price as the 2500, my question basically is the 3500 with 50k miles too many miles for a 2 year old truck? Also i love the larger trucks mpg doesnt bother me, i want a beefier vehicle then a 1500 id only be doing occasional towing with it, am i crazy to jump up to a 3500 or should i go with the 2500. Also the 2500 doesnt have a built in break controller or towing mirrors, as for it was known by carfax to have been a rental

racinjason33 · Apr 4, 2017

I'd do the 3500 if it had to be between just these two

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Ratket · Apr 4, 2017

I'm gonna assume the truck u are In now tows what you have fine? What are you going to upgrade from?

But like he said - Between those two the 3500-

Skrap · Apr 5, 2017

Of those options; the 3500.

NewBlackDak · Apr 5, 2017

3500. No contest.

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mtofell · Apr 5, 2017

Realize the 2500 and 3500 trucks are the EXACT same thing except for rear suspension and badges..... and the sticker on the door jamb on the 2500 has a de-rated GVWR to fit into the 3/4 ton category. And the rear suspension on the 2500 can easily be supplemented to be as good as the 3500.

The two trucks to me are a tough call:

2500 SLT with 35K less miles. That's a lot of miles. SLT is much better optioned than a Tradesmen. You likely have things like steering wheel audio controls, larger Uconnect screen and maybe some other stuff.

3500 Tradesmen is more truck out of the box and has the 6.4 Hemi vs. 5.7. Power-wise very similar. The 6.4 will get a couple ticks better MPGs but it won't be huge difference.

For the usage you describe I'd personally take a better optioned, lower mileage truck but it's pretty close. The tipping point would probably be what I could get a few bucks off of and/or what was in better condition. I'm also a bit partial to some creature comforts since my truck is a daily driver and I spend A LOT of time (too much actually

) sitting in traffic. If I just used my truck for towing I'd care a lot less about things like steering wheel audio controls.

coobie · Apr 5, 2017

mtofell said:
Realize the 2500 and 3500 trucks are the EXACT same thing except for rear suspension and badges..... and the sticker on the door jamb on the 2500 has a de-rated GVWR to fit into the 3/4 ton category. And the rear suspension on the 2500 can easily be supplemented to be as good as the 3500.

The two trucks to me are a tough call:

2500 SLT with 35K less miles. That's a lot of miles. SLT is much better optioned than a Tradesmen. You likely have things like steering wheel audio controls, larger Uconnect screen and maybe some other stuff.

3500 Tradesmen is more truck out of the box and has the 6.4 Hemi vs. 5.7. Power-wise very similar. The 6.4 will get a couple ticks better MPGs but it won't be huge difference.

For the usage you describe I'd personally take a better optioned, lower mileage truck but it's pretty close. The tipping point would probably be what I could get a few bucks off of and/or what was in better condition. I'm also a bit partial to some creature comforts since my truck is a daily driver and I spend A LOT of time (too much actually ) sitting in traffic. If I just used my truck for towing I'd care a lot less about things like steering wheel audio controls.

+1

GsRAM · Apr 5, 2017

Tough call but I'd go 3500. The 2500 was a rental and probably hammered it's whole life.

3500 has trailer tow mirrors and factory IBC? If so no contest, go 3500. That's the main reason i traded up to a 2500, much more robust, had factory trailer tow mirrors. The standard ones with slip on tow mirrors are not great for tt towing. Good luck.

NewBlackDak · Apr 5, 2017

mtofell said:
Realize the 2500 and 3500 trucks are the EXACT same thing except for rear suspension and badges..... and the sticker on the door jamb on the 2500 has a de-rated GVWR to fit into the 3/4 ton category. And the rear suspension on the 2500 can easily be supplemented to be as good as the 3500.

The two trucks to me are a tough call:

2500 SLT with 35K less miles. That's a lot of miles. SLT is much better optioned than a Tradesmen. You likely have things like steering wheel audio controls, larger Uconnect screen and maybe some other stuff.

3500 Tradesmen is more truck out of the box and has the 6.4 Hemi vs. 5.7. Power-wise very similar. The 6.4 will get a couple ticks better MPGs but it won't be huge difference.

For the usage you describe I'd personally take a better optioned, lower mileage truck but it's pretty close. The tipping point would probably be what I could get a few bucks off of and/or what was in better condition. I'm also a bit partial to some creature comforts since my truck is a daily driver and I spend A LOT of time (too much actually ) sitting in traffic. If I just used my truck for towing I'd care a lot less about things like steering wheel audio controls.

I've driven the 5.7 2500(while having recall work done), and it's very different than the 6.4. On paper the peak numbers are similar, but the 6.4 comes on quicker and the power band is much wider. The driveability is much better in the 6.4. Also, the 5.7 2500 is only 9K GVWR instead of 10K like the 6.4/6.7.

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billa9b0ng · Apr 5, 2017

Another vote for the 3500 as a 2500 owner with a 5.7L...

ronheater70 · Apr 5, 2017

I typically do not trust Rental vehicles.

When i bought mine, I looked at used trucks for probably 3 months or so, almost all were the 5.7 2500's . I would probably see 2 or 3 6.4 2500's for every 10-12 5.7's.. I don't know if thats a sign or not, however remember, that new 6.4 was purposely built to be a heavy duty truck motor. It goes way deeper than HP numbers etc..and from research I would almost say that 50K miles on that 6.4 is not equivalent to 50K miles on a 5.7

mohemipar · Apr 5, 2017

IMO, I would stay clear of any vehicle that was a rental. People are ass holes and purposely beat on them. And I would also suggest to go with the 6.4 over the 5.7 in the HD. I have driven both, and it is a very noticeable difference.

Mega-Hemi · Apr 5, 2017

When I was looking for my 2500 I'd skim right past anything with the 5.7. Had the 5.7 in my Mega Cab and that is what I was trying to get away from. If both had the 6.4 then I'd go with the 2500, as they stand the 3500 would be the better choice IMO. If it were me, I'd keep looking till I could find an SLT or higher 2500 with a 6.4.

Run a build sheet on the 3500, it may have more options included then you would think.

Sandbox · Apr 5, 2017

This is a question only you can answer because it comes down to how important the creature comforts are too you. As far as capability, I personally believe in overkill. So, if you have to ask, the 3500.

pcschwenke · Apr 5, 2017

3500. I went from a 2015, 5.7, 8 speed sport CC to a 3500 6.4 CC. The power is surely different. The 2500 may ride better unloaded, but the 6.4 is no slouch. I towed our 28' camper for the first time a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe the difference. It was difficult to not speed towing! The 5.7 would get better fuel economy in my opinion. The 6.4 is thirsty!

stembridge · Apr 5, 2017

I've never driven or ridden in a 3500, nor a truck with the 6.4, so I can't compare. But for my use case, I've been very happy with my 2500 5.7. The ride has settled down some now that I'm pushing 20K miles (and added a heavy rubber bed mat and gooseneck hitch, which puts some weight in the back).

My heaviest towed load is probably pushing 9K, and the 5.7 seems to pull that fine, but then I'm in the Middle West and we don't have huge hills to deal with. I've made four trips to my Dad's home in Georgia (16 hours one-way), and it does fine on the highway. Best mileage was about 15.5, but my average is usually in the low 13s.

The absolute *worst* feature about the truck is the stupid transmission shift programming (6 speed auto). I find myself leaving it in tow mode more often than not. Everything else, I love, though.

es

bcbouy · Apr 5, 2017

my 2500 is my daily driver,and our fleets are all 1 tons and not a comfy ride in any way,shape or form,especially unloaded.and you can't air down the tires to a comfortable psi in the 3500.the 2500 will tow your t/t no problem.also keep in mind that rental/lease returns are mostly subjected to proper,regular service schedules over regular trade in vehicles.i've had very good luck with lease return trucks over the years.

MN-Ram · Apr 5, 2017

I've always believed bigger is better, so I went with the 3500 even though the 2500 would have been more than enough. I do like the 6.4L Hemi too. The 5.7 is a fine motor, but the 6.4 offers so much more power with less press of the pedal.

License plate tabs cost less for a 3500 than a 2500 here in MN too.

reek · Apr 6, 2017

mtofell said:
Realize the 2500 and 3500 trucks are the EXACT same thing except for rear suspension and badges..... and the sticker on the door jamb on the 2500 has a de-rated GVWR to fit into the 3/4 ton category. And the rear suspension on the 2500 can easily be supplemented to be as good as the 3500.

so are you saying if I say, add air bags to the rear or somehow supplement my rear factory air spring, I could potentially have the capacity of (or close to) a 3500?

if so, i'm going to have to look into doing this!

micsol84 · Apr 6, 2017

reek said:
so are you saying if I say, add air bags to the rear or somehow supplement my rear factory air spring, I could potentially have the capacity of (or close to) a 3500?

if so, i'm going to have to look into doing this!

That might be what he is saying. But that is definitely NOT the case in the eyes of DOT, state patrol, insurance companies, and ambulance chasing lawyers. Especially if you were ever in an accident (at fault or not). Just because you put air bags on your truck doesn't make it legal to haul more than what it was rated for by the factory.

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