Air suspension ride quality 2500 CTD vs 3500 CTD SRW

[jejb]

I've read a lot of posts about the 3500 unloaded ride quality with the factory air bags, but still don't have a clear answer. I own an 18 2500 CTD with air suspension, and ride quality unloaded is very good. I don't drive it a lot w/o a trailer attached, but enough to appreciate the softer ride. Getting ready to order out a truck and leaning toward a 3500 CTD. I don't really need the extra capacities, but kind of a future proofing/just in case thing. I know the 3500 has leaves with bags.

What I'd really like to have is feedback from folks that have owned both (or have extended drive time in both) a factory air suspended 2500 AND factory air suspended 3500 SRW, and can directly relate the two for ride quality unloaded. I don't think I'm willing to sacrifice the ride quality to get into a 3500 SRW.

 

[Billet Bee]

Not exactly your scenerio I ownned & now own
2016 ram 2500 hd diesel with coils
2020 ram 3500 drw ho hd diesel w/ auto leveling
My drw 3500 rides way better empty then the 2500 did and I feel like it's all do to the air ride, but I didn't have air ride in both so it might not be pertinent to you.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Not exactly your scenerio I ownned & now own
2016 ram 2500 hd diesel with leafs
2020 ram 3500 drw ho hd diesel w/ auto leveling
My drw 3500 rides way better empty then the 2500 did and I feel like it's all do to the air ride, but I didn't have air ride in both so it might not be pertinent to you.

I didn't know the 2500's came with leafs back then. Maybe because you had a diesel up front? My 2016 2500 gasser has the coils & rides very good for an HD Truck. In fact I found after letting some of the air out of the tires, that it rode as well as any 1500 that I test drove. I also have heard that anyone with a 3500 that has the air bags, the ride is very good for an HD Truck. I am hoping so, cause I have a srw 3500 on order & I have gotten spoiled with how well my 2500 rides.

 

[olyelr]

I didn't know the 2500's came with leafs back then. Maybe because you had a diesel up front? My 2016 2500 gasser has the coils & rides very good for an HD Truck. In fact I found after letting some of the air out of the tires, that it rode as well as any 1500 that I test drove. I also have heard that anyone with a 3500 that has the air bags, the ride is very good for an HD Truck. I am hoping so, cause I have a srw 3500 on order & I have gotten spoiled with how well my 2500 rides.

The 2500’s, since 2014, dont have leafs…regardless of the motor.

The 3500’s with the air apparently do ride better, because the leaf pack is nowhere near as thick and heavy duty as the ones without air from my understanding.

 

[Billet Bee]

The 2500’s, since 2014, dont have leafs…regardless of the motor.

The 3500’s with the air apparently do ride better, because the leaf pack is nowhere near as thick and heavy duty as the ones without air from my understanding.

Coils, my bad. I edited it

 

[Oyou812]

I have a 2022 3500 Dual Rear Wheel. It rides great in my experiences of riding in others over the past few years.

 

[olyelr]

I have a 2022 3500 Dual Rear Wheel. It rides great in my experiences of riding in others over the past few years.

Does that have the air suspension option?