Ride quality of 3500 truck with light fifth wheel

CarlT100 wrote:
There will be very little, if any, ride difference. Go for it.

I agree especially if it is a Chevrolet and a srw.

I would recommend getting the pin weight as high as possible. It will make a big difference in how the trailer will handle and should help on the ice covered roads.

I bumper towed for years and decided to step up to a 5er, 10,000# with 1,800# pin weight. I have a Ram 2004 3500 dually. So I ordered a Patriot 16k installed the bed rails and set off. The ride was horrendous to the point that it was a deal breaker for the wife. The difference between 1 ton and 3/4 ton was the addition of an additional very short spring rack. 1,800 pounds was just enough to lower the truck on the helper springs which had no give whatsoever.

I removed the spring packs and lowered the rear tire pressure to 55 lbs from the 65 recommended and installed Bilstiens all around. This helped some but the only real cure was an air hitch. Note that the Patriot was 16" to the pressure plate and the air hitch is 14". This took me from nose up to about level which helped with the chucking. I have a 31 ft. trailer and I am sure the short kingpin to axle distance was part of the problem.

I figured the 3500 would handle a relative light weight trailer like a breeze but no. I have asked others with longer trailers and lesser trucks that have no problems with standard hitches. After my experience I tell anyone that asks to budget in an air hitch from the outset and really enjoy your towing.

harry and thea wrote:

Ideally looking for a used late model low mileage 2500. Just ran across a 2012 3500 srw at a great price with about 25000 miles on it.
My first concern is would the stiffer 3500 suspension create extra stress on the trailer frame in the pin box area?
Secondly, would the ride when not towing be significantly rougher?
Would appreciate input from those familiar with both 3/4 and 1 ton trucks

Buy the truck if every thing else checks out and it's what you want. If the ride is too stiff go talk to a spring shop. You can take out the overloads, or change the whole stack over to 2500 spec springs. Keep the parts for when you buy a bigger trailer, and go have them reinstalled.
If you have enough weight to set on the over loads good, your fine. If you are just above, or just making contact them you can get a rough ride. But at that point they aren't needed and can be removed.

There will be very little, if any, ride difference. Go for it.

I went from a 2010 Dodge 2500 to a 2015 Chev 3500 dually. I think the Chev rides better. Have no problem with it at all.

B.O.

Just get a heaver 5er!!! :B

Black ice is nasty, need to be very watchful when temps are near freezing and the road surface looks wet!
I will pull all day in fresh snow, but Black Ice conditions, I will stay put!!!

Trailer referenced in my signature lines, was all the truck at the time (1/2 ton) was rated to pull. In May, I found the 3500HD for sale, jumped on it. Trailer is only 7,700 lbs loaded, certainly not compressing the rear springs of the truck much!

Ride is comfortable, loaded and unloaded. Long wheel base likely helps. In time, we'll get a bigger trailer, but there are many good miles left in this one (and we really like the floor plan!).

Hope this bit of experience helps.

I went from a Tundra to a 3500 SRW and can't tell the difference non-towing. They are still trucks and won't ride like a sedan...Towing wise, big difference.

I've been driving F-350's for 12 years. Personally, I don't think there is enough of a ride difference to worry about it. Our current 5'er is just over 8,000 dry, our new one is considered "light weight" and will be around the same dry weight.

I'm not worried about it one bit. I like having more than enough truck! Same goes for the diesel engine with way more than enough power! I can't see that it would affect the trailer at all. Mine isn't harsh with the fifth wheel hooked up. I think today's longer springs take some of the harshness out of them.

Glad to hear you weren't hurt! Must have been scary!