Ride quality question.

[2robinhood]

I've driven the 2015 Ram 2500 with the rear coil suspension, but how does the 2015 Ram 3500 with the leaf spring ride in comparison ?
I know it'll ride harder, but buy a large margin, or is there not that much of a difference ?
The price between the two identical trucks is only $150.00 and the 3500 actually has a lighter curb weight.

 

[regularcab2500]

Well im not sure about the difference but i can tell you the front suspensions are identical. I would imagine the leafs dont handle as well and thats probably about it for ride difference.

 

[drittal]

Drive both back to back on the same route

 

[jadocs]

If you are going to tow a fifth wheel, get the 3500

 

[SouthTexan]

The 3500 has a slightly lighter curb because less parts on rear suspension. I have driven both and there was a difference for me so I went with the 2500. That and because the yearly registration for anything over 10,000 GVWR in my state is double that of a 10,000 GVWR or less truck.

I also know enough about the business to know that the payload of the 2500 diesels is that way do to class regulation rather than what the truck can actually handle. For my 2014, its front GAWR is 6,000 lbs and its rear GAWR 6,500 lbs. An identical 2014 3500 f the same year has a front GAWR of 6,000 lbs and a rear of 7,000 lbs. Keeping in mind that EVERYTHING else on the truck is identical down to the frame besides the rear suspension, the 500 lbs difference in GAWR does not equate to the almost 2,000 lb difference in payload. Do some research and you will find the real reason why the 2500s are rated for what they are and it might save you some money and from a stiffer ride when it is not needed.

FWIW, I tow a 13K 5th wheel RV and I am well within the limits of my GAWR. I also sit perfectly level towing to too with no stability issues while towing.

 

[regularcab2500]

Hmm..on my 6.4 the front gawr is only 5500#...interesting

 

[azeemtn]

In my build sheet, on a 6.4 2500 with 3.73's I have this listed:

* 6,000# Front Axle
* Elec Shift-On-The-Fly Transfer Case
* 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
* 11.50 Rear Axle

 

[regularcab2500]

Check your door jam to find out what youre actually rated for

^^^^^Are you 2wd or 4wd?

 

[SouthernBoy]

I cant speak for the 3500, but this dang 2015/2500 is one of the roughest riding pickups Ive ever ridden in ever in my life much less owned myself. It makes my older 2009 6.7 4x4 feel like a '67 Cadillac Calais sedan.

 

[drittal]

I cant speak for the 3500, but this dang 2015/2500 is one of the roughest riding pickups Ive ever ridden in ever in my life much less owned myself. It makes my older 2009 6.7 4x4 feel like a '67 Cadillac Calais sedan.

What's your tire pressure?

 

[SouthernBoy]

What's your tire pressure?

60 up front and 75 in the back.

 

[regularcab2500]

My friends all seem to think my truck rides smooth for what it is but i know better...i run 55/50psi in my tires though because i dont load anything heavy in the truck and it rides much more smoothly

 

[drittal]

I think a lot of the ride concern stems from the TPMS nanny. My truck had 80 all the way around from the dealer. Yikes. The older 2500 had the nifty button on the dash that allowed lower pressure n when empty. Not anymore. A few here have noted premature wear of their rear tires because of the high pressure with no load the nanny requires.

 

[jadocs]

You all must have some sensitive rear ends. I think my 2014 RAM rides like a Cadillac and infinitely better than my old F250s.

 

[cc rider]

I rode both. Didn't notice much of a difference on smooth roads. On bumps the 1 ton was rougher. They had my psi in the upper 70s in the rear and I immediately lowered them and noticed a much better ride.

 

[Am3gross]

i know this is an old post but thought i would share my opinion just incase someone is still curious on the topic.

3500, i couldnt even hold a conversation with out my chest vibrating like the strings in a piano.. the 2500 now does not ride like a caddy as i have a caddy and there is no comparioson! .. but i will say that the 2500 is just a little rougher then the 1500. i am completely happy with the 2500 and would buy again. also i just lowered the tire pressure to see if there is a difference and i will say that at 60 psi on all 4 corners i did not notice anything just going around the block. i will leave it as is for a week or so and see if i could tell more when i get it on the highway. hope this helps someone!

 

[avolnek]

The difference in my opinion is fairly significant honestly. The harshness of the ride is noticeably different between the two, not saying the 3500 is bad. I could ride with either and never look back. Biggest selling feature for me with the coils is the fact that it is a 4 link. this virtually eliminates any wheel hop/axle wrap...

towing heaving with my 06 cummins i would feel a fair amount of axle wrap, the leaf springs had to twist and flex before the load began moving. Vs now touch the throttle and the tires grab and go... no more flex...

 

[Highplains Fisher]

I carry a truck camper loaded with gear for a family of 5 while towing my boat, so I went with the 3500 for the increased payload. I drove both the 2500 and 3500 before deciding and the 2500 had a much smoother ride off pavement. I was tempted to go with the 2500 for the unloaded ride but would have been pushing the capacities. The 3500 when loaded, rides better than the 2500. I'm happy with the 3500 but the unloaded ride off-pavement is harsh.

 

[cc rider]

I totally agree. The thing is how many ride off pavement. If youre on normal asphalt roads, youre not going to notice much difference (at least i didnt). I keep my rear tires 10-12 psi less than the sticker and noticed a huge difference with psi adjustments too. If you put close to 80 in the rear on the 3500 , on rough roads , it will knock your molars out!

I carry a truck camper loaded with gear for a family of 5 while towing my boat, so I went with the 3500 for the increased payload. I drove both the 2500 and 3500 before deciding and the 2500 had a much smoother ride off pavement. I was tempted to go with the 2500 for the unloaded ride but would have been pushing the capacities. The 3500 when loaded, rides better than the 2500. I'm happy with the 3500 but the unloaded ride off-pavement is harsh.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Hmm..on my 6.4 the front gawr is only 5500#...interesting

I've kind of been waiting for this to surface. My build sheet shows a 6000# front axle, but the door jam sticker states 5500#.

Wonder if that's just a reference to the part used on the build sheet rather than the actual stickered rating on the truck.