'14 to '16 Ram Crewcab 2500 diesel towing which 5th wheels

dennyida wrote:
A question for fire instructor, I also looked at the rig you are getting to handle your 5er. A lot less expense than a new truck. Please let us know how you like the set up and how it works for you.

I plan on writing a detailed review, after I get it, and use it a few times.

A question for fire instructor, I too went to a 5er from a motor home and was told by everyone that my 2005 dodge ram with the hemi would handle the pin weight of the 5th wheel. After we made some upgrades to the ram suspension I was happy with the way it pulled the Keystone Outback 296frs. I would still like to go with a larger truck but the cost is out of the question. I also looked at the rig you are getting to handle your 5er. A lot less expense than a new truck. Please let us know how you like the set up and how it works for you.

Me Again wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
OK, I do not want to start anything,but it has been my observation tha Ford & GM upgrade their ½ ton pick ups to have their 2500/250 models, and there are concerns about overloading them. Dodge on the other hand takes their 3500 trucks and "downgrades them" to get their 2500 models. My 2500 has the same engine, transmission, rear end, frame and brakes as the 3500 in that model year. The difference is the wheels and tires. Check their capacities and you should be ok. Upgrade if necessary , and if you still need to add an extra leaf or two in your rear, (I.e. 3500 spring package). 1800 lbs. pin weight should be no problem. Good Luck!

Could you provide anything to support your off the wall statements? They are some of the strangest statements I have read here recently. My HO engine is a upgrade only available in a 3500 with the Aisin Tranny updage.

RAM just chose to take the two platforms in different directions. Because a class 2 truck is limited to 10k GVWR, there was no need for a heavier rear suspension, as they are limited by such high tare weights. So they went for a cushy ride. Some 2500 owners have a hard time understanding this, Thinking bandaids make them into 3500 vehicles. Chris

My 06 has the same everything that a 3500 has, the difference is the duallies, fender flares, and spring package! They have added "options" like your "HO" engine, it is the same engine, just a different computer program giving it a little more output! There is very little difference between a Dodge 2500 & a 3500, price being the major difference, which does not effect capabilities!

RAM just chose to take the two platforms in different directions. Because a class 2 truck is limited to 10k GVWR, there was no need for a heavier rear suspension, as they are limited by such high tare weights. So they went for a cushy ride. Some 2500 owners have a hard time understanding this, Thinking bandaids make them into 3500 vehicles. No the "ban aids" do not make them into anything, they come from the factory that way. If you change the spring package on the 2500 you essentially get a SRW 3500, that is the long and short of it!

Russ the 2500 rear air is a completely different system from the 3500 system.

Me Again wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
OK, I do not want to start anything,but it has been my observation tha Ford & GM upgrade their ½ ton pick ups to have their 2500/250 models, and there are concerns about overloading them. Dodge on the other hand takes their 3500 trucks and "downgrades them" to get their 2500 models. My 2500 has the same engine, transmission, rear end, frame and brakes as the 3500 in that model year. The difference is the wheels and tires. Check their capacities and you should be ok. Upgrade if necessary , and if you still need to add an extra leaf or two in your rear, (I.e. 3500 spring package). 1800 lbs. pin weight should be no problem. Good Luck!

Could you provide anything to support your off the wall statements? They are some of the strangest statements I have read here recently. My HO engine is a upgrade only available in a 3500 with the Aisin Tranny updage.

RAM just chose to take the two platforms in different directions. Because a class 2 truck is limited to 10k GVWR, there was no need for a heavier rear suspension, as they are limited by such high tare weights. So they went for a cushy ride. Some 2500 owners have a hard time understanding this, Thinking bandaids make them into 3500 vehicles. Chris

X2

Not where Coach-man is coming from all big three 3/4 tons are simply downgraded one tons. Ram has the biggest difference with 3/4 tons having coil springs and one tone leafs , but I think both can be ordered with air assist.

2500 rear air is a complete 5 link air setup without leafs.

3500 rear air is a hybrid air leaf spring combination.

Any engineers on here? Isn't a spring, just a spring, either coil or leaf? If it is meant to handle 2000 lbs, it should feel the same either way? I went from a 2011 Chev 2500HD to my current 2015 2500 Ram with coils and it's maybe softer ride, but I would have to drive one, then jump in the other over the same road to know. I think if you go to a Magacab 3500 you might find it ride as good or better than your CC 2500 as I think the longer wheelbase will help. Anyhow, this thread is getting a bit off topic from the OP.

mtofell1 wrote:

MudChucker wrote:


Im guessing the jump to leafs really depends on the model ? My 3500 rides like a Cadillac unloaded and hardly settles with a little over 2K of hitch weight in the bed

Yep - 3500 = leafs, 2500 = coils.

From my understanding the air is just a supplement so it won't do anything to soften the ride. I use my truck mainly as a daily driver and even the coils are jarring. I can't imagine getting even stiffer (most who have driven both report this is the case). I also just like the way the coils track and handle. I remember when moving out of my old truck (2006 Duramax with leaf springs) the change to the coils was night and day in favor of the coils.

3500 SB = 11,700 GVWR
3500 LB = 12,300 GVWR
2500 = 10,000 GVWR

MudChucker wrote:


Im guessing the jump to leafs really depends on the model ? My 3500 rides like a Cadillac unloaded and hardly settles with a little over 2K of hitch weight in the bed

Yep - 3500 = leafs, 2500 = coils.

From my understanding the air is just a supplement so it won't do anything to soften the ride. I use my truck mainly as a daily driver and even the coils are jarring. I can't imagine getting even stiffer (most who have driven both report this is the case). I also just like the way the coils track and handle. I remember when moving out of my old truck (2006 Duramax with leaf springs) the change to the coils was night and day in favor of the coils.

Gee! I never realized that Engineering was that simple and I spent 40 years doing it.