Test drove a Cummins last night.

IdaD wrote:
The coils definitely ride and handle nicer. The 3500 isn't bad and I'd get it if you're planning on a bigger fifth wheel at some point, but for a bumper pull or smaller fiver the 2500 is plenty. And truthfully as has been discussed at length here, that payload rating is understated.

Go drive a 3500 and compare for yourself. Buy the right one for you and don't look back. That cummins also has the best exhaust brake in the biz and remember you miss out on that with the hemi.

You know you want it... :B

Exactly. The 2500 vs 3500 is a bigger change than it was 10 years ago. There are some distinct option differences on the two with Ram so aside from the door sticker payload (joke anyhow) look at what is available with either. At the end of the day they are both capable at the same weights considering the frame/axles are the same. The suspension difference is there but may not be huge depending on the type of load so it really boils down to wanting coils or leaves, and the Aisin or 68RFE.

transferred wrote:
Even at low speeds w/ big weight with the optional Aisin in the 3500 SRW has no issues. 1st is geared differently. I've had no issues getting a 32k GN moving on a recent airport job site. On public roads, I stick to the 17k max and that has also been a-ok I'm happy to report. Looking fwd to getting my 2016, 2015 has gone to a family member.

Under most circumstances no it doesn't have any issues getting the load moving. I am talking more about miles and miles of sustained 5-15 mph driving up 6-12% grades in 1st gear which is a lot different scenario than getting moving. The truck with the 3.42's has to make 20% more engine torque to do the same work and that is where the 3.42's are lacking. The higher gears will generate more heat in the engine and trans to dissipate which is harder at slow speeds. With 4.10's you can get into 2nd gear sooner and 2nd will lock the TCC reducing the heat generated in the trans. This doesn't apply to 95%, or more, of the users. It just depends on how one uses their truck.

The Aisin has a 16% lower 1st gear than the 68RFE which is great for getting things moving.

All part of the decision making matrix.

There are some AWESOME deals on 15's out there. Cousin bought this loaded LongHorn Aisin, rear air, 4:10, including Mopar bed cover 56 out the door with Oregon's fees.

The coils definitely ride and handle nicer. The 3500 isn't bad and I'd get it if you're planning on a bigger fifth wheel at some point, but for a bumper pull or smaller fiver the 2500 is plenty. And truthfully as has been discussed at length here, that payload rating is understated.

Go drive a 3500 and compare for yourself. Buy the right one for you and don't look back. That cummins also has the best exhaust brake in the biz and remember you miss out on that with the hemi.

You know you want it... :B

OP, you don't need a 3500 if your current rigs specs have done you fine all these years. The 250/2500 trucks today are essentially the 350/3500 from back when you bought your 2005 going by their specs, but most here do not know that so they will just tell you get the 3500 because they don't know any better and are going off of how it was 10-15 years ago.

For example, your 2005 2500HD has a GVWR of 9,200 lbs while the 3500s back in 2005 had a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. These numbers are the the same for all manufacturers three-quarter and one tons and not just GM so essentially back then the 350/3500 SRW trucks were in the same class as 250/2500 trucks. Today, I don't think you can find a 2500 diesel truck with a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs which is higher than the 3500s of 2005.


Also back when you bought your truck, the GM 2500s had a FGAWR of 4,800 lbs and a RGAWR of 6,000 lbs while the GM 3500 SRW had a FGAWR of 4,800 lbs and a RGAWR of 6,500 lbs. My 2014 Ram 2500 has a FGAWR of 6,000 lbs and a RGAWR of 6,500 lbs which is more than the 3500s back in 2005. So again, if a 2500HD specs has served you well all these years then no need have to step up to a 3500 if you liked the way the coil springs on the 2500 rode. You would essentially be stepping up into a truck that has higher ratings than the 350/3500s of ten years ago. It has more than enough ratings and capabilities for your purposes. Some of these guys are just going off of an old school mentality of bigger is always better, and are applying how it used to be to modern trucks because they don't know the real specs. I can assure you that bigger is not always better and many who say that are just compensating for something else.

Has anyone driven both the 2500 and 3500 and can chime in on the ride quality difference?

CampingN.C. wrote:
Sorry for the late follow up, been a long day at work. I'm considering the 3500 for the extra payload. Especially since I'm already over 1400lbs tongue weight, and possibly a golf cart in the future one day.
Since I typed the OP I've got three dealers fighting for my biz. One's at $44 out the door for a CCLB Tradesman, haven't heard from the others.
DW has said "lets go big or go home" so I've got the green light from mamma. Black mountain did her in. Maybe that was my plan, maybe not!
It's funny, I've had two dealers tell me I'd be fine with a 1500 after telling them what trailer I have, but that's another well beaten topic.

"DW has said "lets go big or go home""

Show her this pic! 32,500# combined all within truck axle and GCVWR.

CampingN.C. wrote:
Does anyone know if there's an X-Chevrolet support group that I can attend? I'm sitting here looking at it in the driveway and it's still an awesome looking truck. If it only had the Duramax I'd probably grow old with it.

You won't need it.

You have seen the light and now are driving a Cummins.

Within days Chevrolet will be nothing but a distant memory. :B

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
Make sure you are gettinga true Line-X. had a dealer say it was Line-X, but was a knock off when we bought our '10 CHEVY (subliminal! Lol) 1500. Luckily we ended up stepping up to our CHEVY (subliminal! Lol) 2500HD after just over 3yrs. Now have a LINE-X bed liner.

Which color are you leaning towards?

LOL!
I'm still on the black/white, long bed/short bed, Hemi/Cummins, 3.73/4.10, Chevy/Ram keep what I got fence. :S

GeoBoy wrote:

CampingN.C. wrote:
Does anyone know if there's an X-Chevrolet support group that I can attend? I'm sitting here looking at it in the driveway and it's still an awesome looking truck. If it only had the Duramax I'd probably grow old with it.

NC, did you drive the new GMC or Chevrolet yet? Don't forget about the mayjor Recall/Buy Back that Dodge is doing, maybe thats why they are calling themselves Ram Trucks now. I just bought a new GMC and it is very nice also made in the USA, Ft. Wayne, IN as opposed to Mexico. You are going to miss your GM truck!

Everyone knows the toughest GM HD trucks are built in Flint, Mi!!! Lol

I know the interior of the new trucks are AWESOME, even compared to our GMT-900!

Make sure you are gettinga true Line-X. had a dealer say it was Line-X, but was a knock off when we bought our '10 CHEVY (subliminal! Lol) 1500. Luckily we ended up stepping up to our CHEVY (subliminal! Lol) 2500HD after just over 3yrs. Now have a LINE-X bed liner.

Which color are you leaning towards?