RAM 6.7 Cummins 2500 OR 3500

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Biggest reason to get a 3500 SRW or DRW is the fact that's the only way to get the Aisin trans with the lower starting gears and more HP and TQ.

I would highly recommend the factory rear air ride on the 3500's it really does a great job!

The biggest reason to get a 3500 SRW or DRW is for the extra payload. Not everyone needs or wants the Aisin, which is evident by the fact that 2 other transmissions are offered in them.

I don't know why they even bother making a 25 series truck any longer. The 15 series has pretty much covered the payload for lighter functions. 35 covers the bigger payloads. The 25 is just there confusing people.

spoon059 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I would agree on the back to back comparison. BUT Make sure both rigs have the SAME air pressure in all 4 tires. If testing a Dually have them lower air to 40psi on the rears.

GREAT point... the air pressure on the rear tires really affects ride comfort. Make sure one truck (usually the more expensive one) doesn't have lower air pressure to give a false assessment of ride quality.

I told the salesman I would have had second thoughts on my ordered truck the first time I drove it if it was actually just a test ride because the boneheads had the rear air pressure at 80 psi on the rears. He appreciated my comment and said he would set pressures on all trucks for a proper unloaded ride.

The rear air ride actual cost is around $1,355.

rbos57 wrote:
Going From RAM 2500 6.4 HEMI Gasser to either RAM 2500 6.7L C or RAM 3500 6.7L C
What do you all think, is there a huge difference?

Currently pulling 29RKS jayco tt
Looking to get a 5er about 14000#

The Ram 2500 Cummins has approx. 2200 lbs. of payload. The Ram 3500 Cummins has approx. 3900 lbs. of payload.

About two months ago we were also going through the process of considering the Ram 2500 diesel and the Ram 3500 diesel. Sure, the Ram 2500 rides a bit smoother, but that's a completely moot point when you consider the payload numbers. The Ram 2500 simply doesn't have the payload numbers to support a 14k 5th wheel's pin weight. Yes, lotsa folks pop a set of airbags on a Ram 2500 and do it all the time, but hey, do you want to do it right, by the numbers, or not? Your choice.

FWIW, we ended up purchasing a Ram 3500 SRW before we started our search for a 5th wheel toy hauler. All said and done we ended up purchasing the SMALLEST 5th toy hauler Voltage sells . . . just to keep the numbers good. Realworld pin weight on this unit was almost 2600 lbs., loaded, with no toys. Overall weight with no toys, 12k. The 2600 lbs. of pin weight at first glance may seem like nothing for the Ram 3500 SRW, but not really. Got to add another 250 lbs. for the hitch assembly. Add another 300 lbs. for passengers, then another 250 lbs. for gear. Guess what, now we're up to 3400 lbs. of payload. Only 500 lbs. of payload remaining. That's as close as I want to get. And again, this is pulling the SMALLEST Voltage toy hauler.

And for those who care what's happening underneath the truck, the Ram 3500 SRW has 5 1/2" of suspension travel empty. With the above toy hauler hitched up, the suspension drops 2 3/4", with 2 3/4" of travel remaining. Just enough travel left to let the suspension actually work.

Me Again wrote:

IdaD wrote:


The only difference is the rear suspension so there's not a huge difference, and they'd both handle the trailer the same.

If that was true then RAM would have put the coils on the SRW 3500.

Oh wait! One has to add air bags to the 2500 to handle the load!

Why would some want to do that. RAM has created nice options to avoid having to put bandaids on them.

2500 = NO AISIN OPTIOIN
2500 = Lower HP/torque ratings.

I seriously doubt you'd need to supplement the coils with that trailer. Yes the Aisin/HO option is only on the 3500, but again neither would be necessary with that trailer.

As I said, in OP's case I'd recommend the 3500. Stop trying to pick a fight.

Get the 3500 in a dually and never look back. Also get the air ride suspension option.

IdaD wrote:


The only difference is the rear suspension so there's not a huge difference, and they'd both handle the trailer the same.

If that was true then RAM would have put the coils on the SRW 3500.

Oh wait! One has to add air bags to the 2500 to handle the load!

Why would some want to do that. RAM has created nice options to avoid having to put bandaids on them.

2500 = NO AISIN OPTIOIN
2500 = Lower HP/torque ratings.

rbos57 wrote:
Going From RAM 2500 6.4 HEMI Gasser to either RAM 2500 6.7L C or RAM 3500 6.7L C
What do you all think, is there a huge difference?

Currently pulling 29RKS jayco tt
Looking to get a 5er about 14000#

The only difference is the rear suspension so there's not a huge difference, and they'd both handle the trailer the same. The difference is the 3500 will do it within its paper rating, whereas you'll be over your ratings on the 2500. The advantage of the 2500 is that the coils ride and handle quite a bit nicer unloaded, but since you're contemplating that size fiver I'd recommend the 3500.

I have a 2500 diesel, and if you're thinking of a 14K (probably 15K) 5ver, get the 3500. As others have said, payload is a big consideration. Payload on my 2500, which is also 4wd (and of course that takes away payload) is 2100lbs. No way you can stay below that payload with the 5ver weight you want.

Mike

rbos57 wrote:
Going From RAM 2500 6.4 HEMI Gasser to either RAM 2500 6.7L C or RAM 3500 6.7L C
What do you all think, is there a huge difference?

Currently pulling 29RKS jayco tt
Looking to get a 5er about 14000#

Looking to get a new 5th wheel!

Your only questions should be:

1. What trim level do I want on the new 3500?

2. What color do I want on the new 3500?

3. I know I want the Aisin tranny, can I afford it? It really only cost the difference between it and the 68RFE, not the line item cost.

4. Am I concerned about ride enough to op for the 3500 rear air ride for $1595.

Either way you want the 5th wheel/goosenect hitch prep.

If buy from stock, you can add the factory pucks like I did later, it cost more however.

Here is our 29'er heavily loaded for snowbirding this winter. A 2500 would have been way over weight. In fact we need to put things on a diet for the new trailer we are looking at to stay within the 3500's ratings.

We do not have the rear air. On the 3500 you can lower the rear tire pressure to improve ride while empty without alarming the TPMS. I may also install adjustable Rancho 9000 rear shocks. They worked well on our 2001 RAM to soften the ride empty.

GET THE 3500!

Chris