Payload: Ram 2500 Diesel vs. Ram 3500 Diesel

Greene728 wrote:

otrfun wrote:
I was hoping to keep this thread from turning into another numbers debate on this obviously worn-out subject.

Was also hoping, at some point and time, there was somebody out there who had loaded their Ram 2500 DIESEL (with rear coils) to its rated payload and took the time to look under their truck to check out the amount of space remaining between their axle and the rubber frame/axle stop. Same thing for the Ram 3500 DIESEL.

Why?

We have tentative plans to purchase a new 2016 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW CC in the next day or so. Not interested in a gasser. Our absolute minimum payload requirement is 2500 lbs. based on current and future needs.

Test drove a new Ram 2500 diesel (rear coils with a 2,200 lb. payload sticker) and a Ram 3500 diesel (with a 3,950 lb. payload sticker) back-to-back over some very bumpy railroad tracks near the Ram dealership several times. Although I personally thought the Ram 2500 was only slightly less herky-jerky over the RR tracks, my wife thought otherwise---she felt it was much smoother. My wife understands the safety implication of not having enough payload; however, I did promise her I'd check further on the Ram 2500's realworld payload capability before we commit to the Ram 3500.

Typically, I'm a numbers guy. If the payload sticker says x amount of payload, then I attempt to match components accordingly and head to the scales to verify. However, I've been hearing for years the Ram 2500 has an underrated GVWR. I'm willing to give this theory the benefit of the doubt and appease my wife's preference for the way the Ram 2500 rides . . . IF I can get some credible evidence to substantiate it.

In addition to visiting a nearby CAT scale, I've always made a point of checking the distance between the axle and the rubber frame/axle stops before carrying/towing any substantial load. Based on my personal observations, I've concluded most trucks (without airbags) seem to have approx. 20-25% of the "empty" distance between the axle and the rubber frame/axle stop remaining when loaded to maximum payload.

IMO, if you don't have enough space between your axle and the rubber frame/axle stop to allow the suspension to function properly while loaded---you're overloaded . . . regardless what numbers, specs, or opinions may say to the contrary.

Let me ask you this. Did you check the air pressure's in the tires of both vehicles during the test drive? What about tire sizes and brands between the two? Reason I ask is me and the DW went through the exact same thing except in our instance we actually liked the ride of the 3500 better. I know this is quite the contrary to everything you read, but it's the truth in our experience. After the test drive found the pressures between the two to be quite different. The 3500's were set right at max of 80psi and the 2500 was 65-70 front to rear. The 3500 had HT tires and the 2500 had AT tires, although im not sure how much difference that made as both were 18in LRE tires. And with the 3500 I don't have to fool with those aggravating TPMS! My SRW 3500 with nitrogen filled tires rides exceptionally well given it's a 1 ton 4x4 truck. They are now set at 65psi on all four and during towing season I'll bump them up some for towing the fifth wheel. I also liked the fact the 3500 parked right next to the 2500 sat almost 1.5in lower as the height was a concern getting under our rig and not being nose high which I still am just a hair. I'd go for the added payload if I were you cause with a good set of tires not maxed out will ride just fine on the 3500. I know I'm glad I did! Roughly 1500 to 1800lbs of added capacity was a pretty big deal IMO.

Best of luck!

Excellent point about the air pressure, thanks!

I do remember thumbing through the EVIC display on both trucks. I believe air pressure was approx. 70-80 psi on both trucks. Not sure how accurate the EVIC TPMS sensors are though.

In any case, I think we're pretty much leaning towards the Ram 3500 diesel. The 3950 lbs. of realworld payload completely erases any concerns about payload for our needs.

Any idea how low you can drop the pressure when unloaded without any issues?