What would you do?

[martimani2009]

Looking at two different Ram HD's. One is a 2018 3500 with 100k miles and spent its whole life in the upper midwest salt belt. Looks good with good service history. The other is a 2018 2500 with 136k miles and spent its life in the Appalachians. The 2500 is $4k less expensive. Both have good service history. The 3500 has fifth wheel prep, the 2500 I would need to install gooseneck. Which one would you pick?

 

[MeatCurtains]

The 3500 has higher payload capacity and gvwr so you'll likely want to consider that. the one ton also has leaf sprung rear suspension last I checked so it's more stable than the coil spring rear on the 3/4 ton.

Theres more to this than price.

 

[martimani2009]

I agree, I have been looking for a second rig to haul my Deere 326E skid loader, weighs 8800 pounds. We have both a gooseneck and rear hitch trailer for it, the rear hitch trailer is easier to load on and off than the gooseneck but the gooseneck is nicer to pull. Both pickups available have 4.10's so they would both be capable. All towing is within 50 miles and about 2 days per week.

 

[diymirage]

Sounds like the price is about the same
(You take that 4000 difference and install a goose neck, plus pay off the 30k mile penalty)

Sounds to me the 3500 is more truck for the same amount of money

Does the 2500 have any service records?

 

[JJEH]

Just from this post I'd say the 3500 is the better vehicle, but it also depends on fuel type, powertrain, trim/equipment and what you want to do with it.

 

[Daw14]

I’d lean towards the 3500. More stable, plus ability to tow larger if it becomes needed.
Gas or diesel ?

 

[martimani2009]

Sounds like the price is about the same
(You take that 4000 difference and install a goose neck, plus pay off the 30k mile penalty)

Sounds to me the 3500 is more truck for the same amount of money

Does the 2500 have any service records?

Yes, both have good history. The 2500 has more available history than the 3500. I would consider both "good". Both vehicles have had at least one transmission fluid change in their life.

 

[martimani2009]

Just from this post I'd say the 3500 is the better vehicle, but it also depends on fuel type, powertrain, trim/equipment and what you want to do with it.

Yes, very vague on my part. Both are Tradesman pickups with the 6.4 and limited slip 4.10 rear ends, carpet and chrome appearance group. The 3500 has fifth wheel prep, the 2500 does not. The 3500 has the integrated trailer brake controller, the 2500 does not. The 3500 has electronic shift on the fly 4x4, the 2500 has the manual 4x4 shift. I may have just answered my own question by typing the differences out

 

[Grams]

The 3500 has higher payload capacity and gvwr so you'll likely want to consider that. the one ton also has leaf sprung rear suspension last I checked so it's more stable than the coil spring rear on the 3/4 ton.

Theres more to this than price.

I’m not convinced that stability-statement is factual. The coil spring rear end is supported and controlled by drag-links and track-bar to prevent it from moving in any direction than intended/vertical. Leaf springs have “sliding” and torque-ing issues and aren’t necessarily any more stabil.

 

[MeatCurtains]

I agree, I have been looking for a second rig to haul my Deere 326E skid loader, weighs 8800 pounds. We have both a gooseneck and rear hitch trailer for it, the rear hitch trailer is easier to load on and off than the gooseneck but the gooseneck is nicer to pull. Both pickups available have 4.10's so they would both be capable. All towing is within 50 miles and about 2 days per week.

The one ton will have a much happier time with it in tow for sure. If it's being used to tow something other than an ego then I'd opt for the one ton.

If you're going to daily drive it I'd consider the 3/4 ton but you'll sacrifice towing capability for drivability losing the dual wheel axle and the leaf springs.

I towed a bobcat and b series Kubota tractor a few times a month on my old 2500 and it handled it fine but I did wish I had the dual axle but it was easier to park and drive around daily

 

[MeatCurtains]

I’m not convinced that stability-statement is factual. The coil spring rear end is supported and controlled by drag-links and track-bar to prevent it from moving in any direction than intended/vertical. Leaf springs have “sliding” and torque-ing issues and aren’t necessarily any more stabil.

Having driven both give me the leaf springs every single time.

 

[Grams]

Having driven both give me the leaf springs every single time.

I feel the same way about coil springs.

YMMV

 

[Magfan2]

Salt collects water, it is hydrophilic. Not a great thing when nicks in the bag and water leaks are possible / likely. Salt water and steel, not good. Even though they are a bit of a rip off, I prefer the purpose made tubes of grit.

 

[olyelr]

I’m not convinced that stability-statement is factual. The coil spring rear end is supported and controlled by drag-links and track-bar to prevent it from moving in any direction than intended/vertical. Leaf springs have “sliding” and torque-ing issues and aren’t necessarily any more stabil.

It depends what you are using the truck for. Towing heavy, the 3500 handles it way better.

The biggest issue IMO about the coil rear is how far inboard they are mounted. It translates to a lot more “tipping” when loaded down heavy in comparison to the leaf springs.

 

[mtofell]

Having driven both give me the leaf springs every single time.

I feel the same way about coil springs.

YMMV

Yeah, different strokes for different folks. I'm pretty firmly in the camp of favoring the coils. I've driven lots of both and feel the leaf springs are more jarring. Both, of course, are firm and bumpy and your pregnant wife will HATE the ride compared to her Acura SUV The coils just feel more stuck to the road while the springs are more skipping/bumpy.

 

[MeatCurtains]

Yeah, different strokes for different folks. I'm pretty firmly in the camp of favoring the coils. I've driven lots of both and feel the leaf springs are more jarring. Both, of course, are firm and bumpy and your pregnant wife will HATE the ride compared to her Acura SUV The coils just feel more stuck to the road while the springs are more skipping/bumpy.

Yeah, not a fan. It feels like the back of the truck is a teeter totter or your rolling on the ocean.

 

[huntergreen]

Since you’re actually towing with it, I’d go with the 3500. This assumes that they are both in the same condition.

 

[nlambert182]

I’m not convinced that stability-statement is factual. The coil spring rear end is supported and controlled by drag-links and track-bar to prevent it from moving in any direction than intended/vertical. Leaf springs have “sliding” and torque-ing issues and aren’t necessarily any more stabil.

Having owned all flavors of the Ram HDs... it's absolutely factual. There is a significant difference in stability between the coil sprung trucks and leafs.

 

[Rustypipes12]

Looking at two different Ram HD's. One is a 2018 3500 with 100k miles and spent its whole life in the upper midwest salt belt. Looks good with good service history. The other is a 2018 2500 with 136k miles and spent its life in the Appalachians. The 2500 is $4k less expensive. Both have good service history. The 3500 has fifth wheel prep, the 2500 I would need to install gooseneck. Which one would you pick?

 

[Rustypipes12]

Application dictates you decision. If you're going to be pulling a lot of weight and driving through hills I'd lean towards the 3500. Are these both gassers?