Opinion on Ram 3500

[VonErck]

Current tow vehicle is a 2016 Yukon XL with a 2016 AS Flying Cloud Rear Twin used primarily in Michigan. It’s pushing it for load capacity and towing capacity for my wife and I, our four young children, and associated camping “essentials”. We never tow with loaded tanks, and if we bring bikes, we usually bring another vehicle. While it works now, we have concerns as the kids grow (in age, and more importantly weight) that it is going to become unsafe. We would also like to bring along bike, kayaks, coolers, 100lb dogs, etc.

Looking at at 2019 Ram 3500 SRW Megacab Cummins with the front bench. Focusing on the 1-ton due the the load capacity (the 2500 load capacity is roughly 2000lbs which is a concern with the 800lb tongue weight, 220lb driver, 170lb wife (shhhh), 4 kids all under 100lbs now, 100lb dog.

Does this seem like overkill? We are also considering upgrading to a 30’ bunk or adding upper bunks to our current set up. We also want to go visit friends out in Colorado.

[Countryboy59]

I tow a 27’ Serenity with a Ram 2500 and it’s plenty even with 2200lb payload. But get the diesel. There’s simply nothing like it for towing. When I’m at a stoplight and the lanes are going to narrow cars line up on my right to go around thinking I’m gonna be slow off the line. I’m not ��

[Isuzusweet]

Made in Mexico?

[VonErck]

I’m worried the payload in the 2500 wouldn’t be enough when we have 4 kids at 100lbs, a dog at 100lbs, bike for the 6 of us, plus my wife and I. Throw a generator or a loaded cooler in the back...

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by VonErck

Current tow vehicle is a 2016 Yukon XL with a 2016 AS Flying Cloud Rear Twin used primarily in Michigan. It’s pushing it for load capacity and towing capacity for my wife and I, our four young children, and associated camping “essentials”. We never tow with loaded tanks, and if we bring bikes, we usually bring another vehicle. Wthile it works now, we have concerns as the kids grow (in age, and more importantly weight) that it is going to become unsafe. We would also like to bring along bike, kayaks, coolers, 100lb dogs, etc.

Looking at at 2019 Ram 3500 SRW Megacab Cummins with the front bench. Focusing on the 1-ton due the the load capacity (the 2500 load capacity is roughly 2000lbs which is a concern with the 800lb tongue weight, 220lb driver, 170lb wife (shhhh), 4 kids all under 100lbs now, 100lb dog.

Does this seem like overkill? We are also considering upgrading to a 30’ bunk or adding upper bunks to our current set up. We also want to go visit friends out in Colorado.

...we have a 2500...4x4..2017 ram..6.7...crew cab short box....our 13 31’ Classic has 1050#’s on the tongue...we been Coast to coast...no problems..Use a Reese duel cam hitch...coil springs on the rear..good ride...the 3500 is stiff...don’t need it.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by VonErck

I’m worried the payload in the 2500 wouldn’t be enough when we have 4 kids at 100lbs, a dog at 100lbs, bike for the 6 of us, plus my wife and I. Throw a generator or a loaded cooler in the back...

Plenty...if you ws closer you could try mine out...

[VonErck]

I appreciate the offer!

[wulfraat]

I’d get the 3500. At least with GM the only difference is an extra leaf in the rear and different tires. Good to have versatility and a little more spring in the back. I doubt you’ve ever notice a difference in ride quality whilst unloaded. Just don’t run your tires at 75lbs or what have you unloaded and things will smooth out with both the 2500 and 3500.

That being said on the 2500 you should be focused on RAWR... my GMC 2500 is rated to 5,200lb front and 6,200lb rear axle weight rating. Technically the GVWR is 10k lbs.... but if I go by the axle / tire ratings I can comfortably load over 11k. As I mentioned the only difference (for GM anyways - ram too probably) between the 2500/3500 is an extra leaf and tire load. Frame, transmission, engine, brakes, body, bed are all the same.

For me the only difference when loaded out to the max (which I never hit) is that the 3500 would sag about 1” less in the rear if I truely loaded to 6k on the rear axle...

I tow at 10,200 lbs vehicle weight fully loaded including 980lbs of tongue weight with my 30’international. I’m not concerned in the least about the slight overage of 200lbs beyond GVWR because I’m level and still ~1k lbs below the RAWR.

If you are going to invest in this platform I agree go with a clean diesel with modern emissions controls.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by VonErck

Current tow vehicle is a 2016 Yukon XL with a 2016 AS Flying Cloud Rear Twin used primarily in Michigan. It’s pushing it for load capacity and towing capacity for my wife and I, our four young children, and associated camping “essentials”. We never tow with loaded tanks, and if we bring bikes, we usually bring another vehicle. While it works now, we have concerns as the kids grow (in age, and more importantly weight) that it is going to become unsafe. We would also like to bring along bike, kayaks, coolers, 100lb dogs, etc.

Looking at at 2019 Ram 3500 SRW Megacab Cummins with the front bench. Focusing on the 1-ton due the the load capacity (the 2500 load capacity is roughly 2000lbs which is a concern with the 800lb tongue weight, 220lb driver, 170lb wife (shhhh), 4 kids all under 100lbs now, 100lb dog.

Does this seem like overkill? We are also considering upgrading to a 30’ bunk or adding upper bunks to our current set up. We also want to go visit friends out in Colorado.

The megacab has nicer seats that recline but you can't flip them up out of the way to get extra cargo space like you can in the crew cab. Also, being about 1 foot longer, you can't get the truck into a regular parking space. The crew cab just about fits.

I think the only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is the springs. The 2500 has variable rate coil springs which are touted as being better for ride and handling.

I tow my 28 with a 2500 and it seems to be just the perfect tow vehicle for the trailer. Dropping the trailer on the ball gives me a near perfect weight distribution and I don't need a weight distribution hitch. I don't carry heavy stuff in the bed, just bulky/dirty stuff so I don't need a 3500. But if you are concerned about not having enough payload then you should go for the 3500. It's only about $1000 more.

One other thing, check your local registration requirements. Some states will soak you for registration fees on vehicles over 10,000 lbs. I believe this is why Ford, GM and Ram offer the two almost identical models, i.e., to get around those state requirements. The 2500's are rated just at 10,000 or slightly below.

[sbowman]

Over Kill..Maybe w/a Bambi. Stay w/w single rear wheels, 4 door, long bed. We love our 2016. Yes the Cummins, it is like sitting in an Easy Boy recliner and watching sun set, pure joy!


Best regards and safe travels,

[Night owls]

Definitely overkill in my opinion. I pull my 26' with a 2017 Ram 2500 diesel and tons of leftover power to add extra weight. I honestly think I could get away with a 1500 but being that I had a heavier trailer before my airstream and don't want to trade trucks, I'll keep my diesel.

[Toasterlife]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Made in Mexico?

Mexico? what is the relevance of that comment - We haul our 23 foot with a Ram truck, and have hauled it over the Rockies several times, the truck under tow will pass everything on the highway except a gas station. Responsive and loads of power - and yes we have driven it down into Mexico several times.

[Rgentum]

In my first two years with my AS 27, I towed with a Ram/Cummins 2500. It worked fine, flawlessly, no problems at all. However, while in RV and state camping parks, I continually sought out those pulling with a 3500; I also spoke to a number of Ram service technicians. Their uniform response: "Once you pull with a 3500, you won't go back to a 2500." I had an opportunity to trade in my 2015 2500 for a 2018 3500 and get a trade-in value for almost what I paid for the 2500 and also get the 3500 at a substantial discount, so I did the deal. Bottom line: No regrets whatsoever; I'd do it again in a heartbeat --- the Ram/Cummins 3500 is a great truck, an AS haulin' machine.

As other have said, there really is no significant difference other than the 2500 has rear coil springs, while the 3500 has rear leaf springs. Also, the options available for each have some differences, as in some of the options you can get on one you can't get on the other.

Lastly, I did consider the Megacab and have known others who have one and like it. The downsides that I see to it are that it adds something like 1.5 ft to the length of the truck, and that makes it even harder to get into a garage or to make a U-turn. On both Rams, I got the standard double cab with the 6.5 ft short-bed, which has worked well for me. I have no use for the 8 ft long-bed. I can barely get my double cab, short-bed into my garage --- it's a tight fit.

Good luck to you however you decide.

[BASE729]

Can't speak to the payload issue, but I had a Ram 2500 with the auto-leveling rear suspension and absolutely loved it. If you're ordering one I would investigate and consider adding that as an option.

[out of sight]

I would have gotten the auto-leveling but I bought off the lot and it didn't come with that feature. I wound up buying two ball mounts, one with a 7 3/4" drop for towing empty and one with a 6" drop for towing loaded. Not as convenient but it did save me $1600.

[journeydog]

Q: Does this seem like overkill?


FWIW - To use a television analogy regarding size: "No one has ever complained that their TV was too large."


I believe the same is true here - or in the future, that could be just you and DW. and size may be irrelevant.


So go for whatever you think will suit you now - and enjoy!!!

[bickp]

I have a 2500 2018 Ram Mega Cab with Cummins and pull a 2019 30 Twin. Two trips so far, 2000 Miles and 4000 miles round trip. Weigh 180 myself, carried about 250 additional in the cab. Had a Yamaha 3000 inverter (about 150lbs) at the back of the box, plus a 100 lb truck rack, sup and 2 bikes. I was guessing that I was near payload.

At the cat scales had 5020 on the front with front GAWR of 6000. Had 5500 on the rear axle with 6500 Rear GAWR. The trailer axles came in at 7300, so a CCW of 17,800. I have the 3.42 Axle so that I get good economy when not pulling. I bought the cummins to work on those occasions that I am pulling the trailer.

With that, it did fine. Lots of hills in the south, but not the rockies. I'm confident it will handle the Rockies just fine.

You're likely fine with the 2500, but if others think the 3500 rocks and you can afford it, why not? I have driven 2500's in the past when they had leaf springs and they beat me to death. I really like the coil springs in the new 2500's. It may be worth test driving the two of them without a load to see how they drive when not towing. If the 3500 beats you up(with low air in the tires), you are likely fine with the 2500. If the 3500 rides OK and you want overkill, go for it.

I would not do the air suspension. I know of a situation when it failed. It was quickly repaired but why run the risk. These trucks have been pulling trailers without it for years and it's one more thing to break. That's just an opinion, and likely not shared by some.

[xrvr]

Check the license plate costs. Here in florida it can be expensive.

[Cprisco]

We have a 2018 Ram 3500 diesel SRD, Aison trans, mega cab, has a rated 3900 lb payload. Towing a 2017 30’ Classic. We had the same issue- 2500 or 3500. Went with the 3500 for the extra payload without worries regarding camper shell, tongue weight, and ANYTHING I want to put in the bed. No regrets, tows great, no payload or towing worries. Yes, possibly overkill but figured if I didn’t like the the truck, I could always sell it into the 5th wheel market. Almost 14k miles, it’s been great with no problems of any kind in performance, reliability, or maintenance. I was a Ford guy and took this on as a risk- not sorry whatsoever so far. Good luck with your decision!

[21Airstream]

I wish the Aisen transmission was available in the 3500 when I bought my Ram in ‘12.