2500 vs 3500

[Alan Cutler]

Hi Everyone,

I own a 1938 Dodge Brother RC, (original Ram), and I need a truck to tow it in an enclosed trailer.

The RC is about 4k pounds and the trailer is about 2,500, total weight about 6,500.

My house is located on top of a hill and we have a 15% grade for about 1/4 mile driveway.

Additionally, the grade begins immediately at the bottom of the driveway.

So I figured out how to get a trailer up the hill without scraping the bottom, welding casters and solid rubber wheels on the rear corners of the trailer, sort of like training wheels...LOL.

Now, need a proper tow truck...have been debating on a 2500 or the 3500.

I want the truck to be a 2019 or newer, used, mileage does not matter

Will travel on the West Coast to shows and event pulling the RC, so 1,000 mile trips will be made.

Will also tow 10-15 yards of mulch in an open box trailer, and a 8-10kw diesel generator.

So if you had to spec a truck for this scenario, what would you pick, i.e. year ('19-'21), 2500 or 3500, engine, rear-end, Tranny....

Thanks for your inputs and experience.

 

[Neil E]

Go with biggest you can afford. 3500 at least with Cummins with that much towing.

 

[Firebird]

If Cummins, then get a 2021, you don’t want that CP4 pump

 

[HEMIMANN]

If you want or need diesel, you must get the 3500. The extra weight of the diesel renders the 2500 payload near useless. To me, it's that simple.

 

[TWILLIAMS9]

3500 cummins

 

[Alan Cutler]

Yes, Diesel for sure on either option....but if I go for 3500 diesel, a 15% grade pulling 6,500# should be enough engine your saying, correct?

Would the 6 speed with 3.73 ratio would be good for flat freeways...and still enough torque to get up the 15% grade....or is the 4.10 ratio better?

The 2019's are the 6 speeds, then they go to 8 speeds....8 better than 6?

Thanks again for the inputs...

 

[crash68]

Yes, Diesel for sure on either option....but if I go for 3500 diesel, a 15% grade pulling 6,500# should be enough engine your saying, correct?

Would the 6 speed with 3.73 ratio would be good for flat freeways...and still enough torque to get up the 15% grade....or is the 4.10 ratio better?

The 2019's are the 6 speeds, then they go to 8 speeds....8 better than 6?

A Cummins will yank 16500 lbs up a 15% grade without problems even with the 3.73 gearing(that's not a typo, 16500 lbs). If you were think of going over 20K then start thinking dually w/4.10.
You have more torque just above idle with the Cummins than the 6.4 Hemi makes at it's max. Definitely makes easy work of towing trailers and you'll appreciate the engine/turbo braking while in the mountains.
There is only a 6 spd behind the Cummins currently, it's possible that might change this fall with the '22 model year.

One thing you'll need to pay attention to is getting enough weight on the rear wheels when towing steep grades or yanking boats with a Cummins. The trucks are a bit nose heavy and can make the rear lose traction quicker than a gasser. You'll probably want to have 4X4

 

[HEMIMANN]

Might want to ask about Cummins H.O. vs. STD engines. I don't know - this is past my time.

 

[48PowerWagon]

https://www.ramtrucks.com/bmo.ram_3...J,XF7,SJE,XG9,SEB,LHL,LNC,LPD,GWA,XFQ,UAX,21M

 

[Alan Cutler]

A Cummins will yank 16500 lbs up a 15% grade without problems even with the 3.73 gearing(that's not a typo, 16500 lbs). If you were think of going over 20K then start thinking dually w/4.10.
You have more torque just above idle with the Cummins than the 6.4 Hemi makes at it's max. Definitely makes easy work of towing trailers and you'll appreciate the engine/turbo braking while in the mountains.
There is only a 6 spd behind the Cummins currently, it's possible that might change this fall with the '22 model year.

One thing you'll need to pay attention to is getting enough weight on the rear wheels when towing steep grades or yanking boats with a Cummins. The trucks are a bit nose heavy and can make the rear lose traction quicker than a gasser. You'll probably want to have 4X4

Ok, good tip, for sure a 4x4.

So a 3500, Cummins, 3.73 ratio, 6 speed, 4x4...only pulling for now about 6,500#, single rear...

The old fish bowl method, buy a bigger fishbowl, the fish will get bigger....this set up leaves me room for growth in the future.

 

[Alan Cutler]

https://www.ramtrucks.com/bmo.ram_3...J,XF7,SJE,XG9,SEB,LHL,LNC,LPD,GWA,XFQ,UAX,21M

I see the engine you picked is the HO, but it appears the MDS has a higher towing capacity...did I read the right?

View media item 30896
I also see you picked the 6 speed, why not the 8 speed for better fuel mileage...

Did not even occur to me to add air suspension....good idea, long trips on freeways pulling a trailer will knock your kidneys out...

 

[OC455]

3500 with the Cummins. No questions, especially with distances being towed on the West coast. Will get better mileage.

 

[48PowerWagon]

I see the engine you picked is the HO, but it appears the MDS has a higher towing capacity...did I read the right?

View media item 30896
I also see you picked the 6 speed, why not the 8 speed for better fuel mileage...

Did not even occur to me to add air suspension....good idea, long trips on freeways pulling a trailer will knock your kidneys out...

The HO can't be mated to 8 speed (Warranty wise) only the Aisin is rated for the torque and is a HD trans (heavier) hence slightly less in towing however I've heard nothing but good from my friends that have them that they are just numbers and that you could tow a deasil locomotive up a grade if you had to

This is what I would build myself though I would consider DW too

 

[BlkZrx]

A negative for the Aisen transmission is it's 30,000 mile service interval..

Can you still buy a manual tranny with the 3500 diesel?

Sent from my SM-A516U using Tapatalk

 

[Alan Cutler]

A negative for the Aisen transmission is it's 30,000 mile service interval..

Can you still buy a manual tranny with the 3500 diesel?

Sent from my SM-A516U using Tapatalk

No way on the manual, A) LA traffic, ugh. B) not on a 15% grade, would be totally frightened if I had to stop and restart....

30k on a Tranny service....so buy the service package upfront.

 

[TWILLIAMS9]

I wasn’t a fan of the aisin when I test drove it. Hated the defueling on shifts. Unless I was towing heavy often I’d stick to the 68rfe. Smoother shifting. Not as clunky. More enjoyable drive. Less money.

 

[48PowerWagon]

1075-ilbs torque kinda requires a HD Trans - there is a another thread on this New Cummins HO vs Non-HO spec | Page 4 | DODGE RAM FORUM - Dodge Truck Forums
take a read....

 

[Fake-Account27]

I pull a 33 ft travel trailer with my 2500 Cummins that weighs more than your setup. Pulls great. Payload is 2200 lbs which is more then enough for your setup. Even with kids and a bunch of gear in the truck the most payload I have used is 2000 lbs

If you can find a 3500 in your budget go for it, when I got my truck I could only find 2500 trucks in my price range.