2500 or 3500?

[CumminsTxBoy89]

I have a question, other than the towing capacity what's the difference between the 2500 & 3500? Going to be buying a truck sometime this year and just want to know the differences.

The main thing it's going to be used for is to pull a 5th wheel about once a month.

 

[ExpressRules]

The answer is easier to come by if you advise how heavy it will be and the tongue weight. There are quite a few people here knowledgeable in towing requirements. I'm sure with the additional information they can steer you right.

 

[lonewolf2873]

If you go and compare 2500 vs 3500 models the way you like your truck, you may be surprised how close the specs are. I actually found the 2500 equipped the way I want is rated better than 3500.

 

[Power247]

What year are you planning to buy?

In your Google search bar enter: (year) Ram trucks towing specs and look for a .pdf file with PICKUP TOWING CHART in the name.

These files let you compare all the difference models and configurations.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Registration and insurance fees also

 

[mowin]

I have a question, other than the towing capacity what's the difference between the 2500 & 3500? Going to be buying a truck sometime this year and just want to know the differences.

The main thing it's going to be used for is to pull a 5th wheel about once a month.

If your looking at a 2014, 2015, the 2500 will have coil suspension and the 3500 will have the standard leaf suspension. A tradesmen crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4 hemi: 2500 will have roughly 3000 lbs payload, and the same 3500 SRW will have 4000. Your FW's pin wt will determine if a 2500 will be sufficient, or a 3500 will be needed. 3:73 gears will pull around 12k, where 4:10's will tow 15k.
Hope this helps...

 

[CumminsTxBoy89]

Thanks for all the advise I greatly appreciate it. Looks like I have some research ahead of me.

 

[cc rider]

What power247 said will tell you all u need about the truck. If you're a diesel guy and are looking at a 3/4 it's going to kill your payload. Most 5ers are over 2 k tongue weight. It adds up fast. if u get the 1 ton a diesel or gas won't matter. You'll still have Plenty of payload . These guys are awesome here.I learn a lot and am still learning. Stick around

 

[14hemiexpress]

Here is the best advice I can give. Figure what size fifth wheel you want or plan on buying gice your self some over estimation. Basically if you want a cummins get a 3500 a 2500 cummins doesn't have sh#+ for payload only around 2200 lbs witch is less than a average size fifthwheels hitch weight. So cummins get a 3500. If you going medium to small fifth wheel 12k or less loaded get a 6.4 2500(4.10) as a DD the coil suspension will be good ride and the 6.4 is 7-8k less and has a 3200lb payload (ish) witch can handle 2200lb hitch weight 4 grown men and some luggage or supplys.

 

[audio1der]

Unless you're going to pull the 5'er LONG trips with just you and your wife, IMO a 3/4 Cummins is an awkward truck. Honestly, the 3500 Cummins is the king of 5'ers for a reason, both power AND control.

 

[mtofell]

The biggest difference to me when I purchased my 2014 was the coil springs on the 2500 and leafs on the 3500. I went with the 2500 and love it. If I had been going diesel I would have likely gone 3500 though because of the relatively low payload for the 2500 diesel. My +/- 3000# on the 6.4 Hemi is quite respectable for a 2500 and enough to carry many 5ths. If I were planning to tow much north of 10K very often I'd go with diesel (and therefore likely the 3500). Otherwise, the 2500 6.4 is great.

 

[CabinDweller]

I just went through this (very) recently. Was upgrading from my 1500 to tow our camper. I was sold on a new 2500 Cummins. We will likely upgrade to a fifth wheel in a few years. When I started looking at fifth wheel tongue weights I was shocked at how the 2500 faired against them. Almost all of the models that we would be interested in exceeded the payload. I almost went back to GM and bought a new Sierra Denali 2500HD with the Duramax as the payload was a big improvement over the Ram. In the end, I opted for a new Ram 3500HD (after much advice from guys on the camper forums) and have no regrets so far. Great truck!

 

[CumminsTxBoy89]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I think it is settled 3500 it is.

Me and my wife did agree though cause we'll probably upgrade to a bigger 5th wheel after this one at some time that we might as well spend the extra to get a 1 ton.