Ram 3500 advice

[Rammler7]

Thinking about swapping my 2500 for a 3500 since my Arctic Fox 811 demands 4,000 + lb. of payload capacity.
My 2500 with airbags did a stand up job hauling it but only sports a 3,300 lb. payload capacity while sometimes tasked to pull a boat on top of that.

Do you think I need airbags on the 3500 as well to handle this rig or are the leaf springs less needy of air support than the coil springs on the 2500?

Would appreciate the sharing of experience and knowledge.

 

[star_deceiver]

Try a dually

 

[Rammler7]

Try a dually

Can only do SRW due to space constraints.

 

[redman4455]

Airbags will help, what kind of tires and rims are you running. might want to consider 19.5"

 

[star_deceiver]

might want to consider 19.5"

Yes, a much heavier load tire would be good as you will be pushing any tire of stock size to the max.

 

[redman4455]

Yes, a much heavier load tire would be good as you will be pushing any tire of stock size to the max.

Very True. Although the 3500 may be able to carry 4K, factoring in all the other items like passengers might put OP over the top. If the Ol payload safety lectures wont sway you to buy a dually for that load, then I would say airbags and 19.5 rims/4k lb tires are going to be your next best upgrades.

EDIT: Another thing to look at is a good anti sway bar. I'm not knowledgeable about who is the best mfg of them, but I've heard good things about Hellwig.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Honestly your 2500 with air bags wont be any different than a 3500 srw. Except from a legal stand point. As far air bags go any srw with 4k hitch is probably going to need some help.

Same wheels, same tires, same brakes, same axle and same weight. Unless your only concern is the gvw on your door switching to a 3500 srw isn't going to change your problem.

If op has 3300 payload now in his 2500 that means his truck is probably trademans 4x4 gas if he get equivalent on 3500 the gvw of a srw is 11400 I believe making his new payload 4700 give or take a few. Pin weight of 4k leaves him 700 for passengers and his hitch.

 

[tjfdesmo]

Don't forget the tires, as the 3500 SRW has the same tires as a 2500, so when you get over 4K it is pretty easy to exceed the tire weight rating. I ended up with almost 8,200 lbs on the drive axle. That's what pushed me into a dually.

 

[redman4455]

If my memory serves me right the stock rims are only 3640 LB rated as well. A Rick's on or vision 19.5" would put it upwards of 5k I think. Would make for one rough ride unloaded buy will carry the payload well.

 

[Rammler7]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. I will go with the sensible approach and try to make the DRW work for my situation.

Question: Will that huge rear end make my ass look smaller?

 

[Ratket]

You are going to be amazed how much better a 1 ton dually tows that load over your srw 2500. I would still add bags.

 

[redman4455]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. I will go with the sensible approach and try to make the DRW work for my situation.

Question: Will that huge rear end make my ass look smaller?

Youll be able to rest plenty of beers on that ass that's for sure!

Best of luck, let us know what you end up with, but you'll love the dually hauling that 811. just ready truckcampermagazine about it. Wet weight is 4600, a dually is bred for that kind of hauling.

 

[Rammler7]

After visiting our local dealerships and checking on autotrader, cars.com and cargurus, I'm seriously thinking about ordering this:

'19 Ram 3500 Big Horn Mega Cab, DRW, 4x4, 6.4L Hemi, 8 speed tranny, 4.10 axle ratio, side steps, rubber floor mats, rear park assist.

Dealer quoted me $48k and change with rebates.

Anything else I can't live without, thoughts?

 

[star_deceiver]

Which mats? These things are great!

 

[redman4455]

just a quick question about the 811, does it have legs that are wide enough or swing out for the dually? didnt think of that before, but it probably does.

 

[Rammler7]

just a quick question about the 811, does it have legs that are wide enough or swing out for the dually? didnt think of that before, but it probably does.

Good call. It doesn't right now, but $350 gets me the swingout version that will allow the dually's rear end to pass through.

 

[redman4455]

Cool, that would have been a real ****** lol.

 

[Tumbleweed]

This is what I had. Tools, parts and a 2011 Jeep Wrangler inside the trailer.
The front jack had swing out, but I had to add 3"-4" extensions to clear the fender flares. Truck was 101.5" at the hips.
I had a SuperHitch and SuperTruss extension to give me clearance to turn.
I also had the StableLoads, upper and lower, added to my leaf springs.
If you add air bags make sure to plumb the air lines separately, not just a Tee fitting. You don't want the air to transfer from one bag to the other on a curve!!!
IMHO a dually is a must for stability regardless of carrying capacity. Even then it takes a while to get used to the 'tippy' feeling.
Be sure your camper can live with the shorter bed of the MegaCab.
Torklift International, https://www.torklift.com/ is your friend for Truck Camping. Very high qualiity products.

 

[redman4455]

That's an awesome rig. Is that the special edition Adventurer?

 

[Tumbleweed]

That's an awesome rig. Is that the special edition Adventurer?

Camper is a Livin' Lite 10.0. All aluminum frame & skin.