2014 Ram 2500 vs 3500 Ride Quality

[houseoffools]

Looking for feedback from folks who have driven both. My original plan was to keep our 2005 Expedition and get a 25-30 ft TT, but I just don't feel comfortable with the limited gears and soft suspension.

Now thinking about a smaller FW in the 30ft range, and going with a new Ram CC SWB 4x4 w/ CTD. I know everyone says to skip the 2500 and go with the 3500, but I've read the ride quality on the 2500's is really pretty good with the coil springs. This vehicle would be a DD as well. Downside is total weight of occupants would be pushing 1000 lbs, which doesn't leave much for pin weight. Reality is we would probably be over payload by a small amount.

So how much better is the unloaded ride on the 2500 vs 3500?

[FLY_4_FUN]

my take on this would be how important is the ride quality vs being over your weights with your anticipated passenger load.

I wouldn't want to use my Ram 3500 as a daily driver (cost,size,ride)but since I bought it to tow my 5er I don't worry about the occasional "unloaded" drive around town.

I say drive each, determine if you can live with the harsher ride of the one ton and if not you live with the possibly overloaded situation if you tow heavy. Its a personal decision and I doubt you will be unsafe being slightly overloaded.

Daryll

[down_home]

New trucks I dunno. We had an 01 2500 diesel. The seats were large and comfortable not hard hunks, of foam. We rode all over the Country and never got sore bottoms or back pains.
Rode in Wife's Cousin's GM3500 diesel and on the way to the fair I thought my spine was going to snap.
02 and 05 F350 Dualies rode good and the seats were large but hard and flat. Thought they would turn me into a eunich, on several trips.
I need a new Truck but all the seats are small and hard as rocks in 3/4 and 1 ton and all trucks. I'm still thinking of Dodge and maybe after market seat.

[IndyCamp]

The 3500 is definitely a stiffer ride than the 2500 with the coils. I like the ride of the 2500 a lot better.

[Mote]

IdaD wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
The problem is, "just get a 3500 (SRW)" is easier said than done.

Unless you special order, 3500 SRW's are rare as hen's teeth. Dealers have 2500's running out their ears, and a few 3500 DRW's, but few if any SRW's.

The dealers in our area have more SRW 3500s than DRW. Quite a bit more, actually. It's just the short bed part that can be hard to find.

Kind of the opposite around here. The dealers have 3/4 and one ton crew cab short beds. If you ask for a long bed they just give you a blank stare.

[stro1965]

My '14 3500 rides stiff. My wife is always complaining about it but it doesn't bother me. My F250 before this one was just as bad or worse. Cannot comment on the coil spring 2500's though.

[gtsum]

I have a 2014 Ram 3500 Laramie Megacab SRW with 4074lbs payload. It is my daily driver and it does ride stiffer than the new 2500's for sure. Most of the time it is no big deal, but going through Ohio this past summer some of the interstates were so rough it about rattled my kidneys out (this was empty..not towing anything). If I was driving rough roads every day to and from work, I am not sure i would like it. All that being said I love the truck. The interior on the new Rams (Laramie and Longhorn) are by far the nicest out of all the big 3 IMO. It is quiet in the interior, but not quite as quiet as the Chevy. The Cummins is most certainly louder than either the Duramax or PSD...the Cummins SOUNDS like a diesel...the others you can barely hear them idleing.

[jus2shy]

The Cummins is a noisy motor relatively speaking. The Duramax and Powerstroke are both very quiet motors. If low cabin noise is your thing and you don't like hearing the subdued roar of an engine, then maybe the RAM isn't for you. However, It is a subdued roar and I actually enjoy the cacophony of noises it makes.

[houseoffools]

Thanks all for the comments, please keep them coming.

I am also considering a Chevy w/ D/A, but Rams seem like they can be gotten cheaper (at least in lower trim levels). The Chevy seems to get kudos for being the quietest, although slightly down on HP and torque compared to others. How do you rate the noise level with the Cummins? I've never owned a diesel before so venturing into new territory.

[MM49]

You want the coil spring five link suspension!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 2500 coil spring suspension will pull a TT better than any, any leaf spring suspension truck. Get the 20" wheel package also.

You can expect to pull a well set up trailer and experience No sway, no push, no nothing.
MM49

[mowin]

IdaD wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
The problem is, "just get a 3500 (SRW)" is easier said than done.

Unless you special order, 3500 SRW's are rare as hen's teeth. Dealers have 2500's running out their ears, and a few 3500 DRW's, but few if any SRW's.

The dealers in our area have more SRW 3500s than DRW. Quite a bit more, actually. It's just the short bed part that can be hard to find.

Same here. Plenty of 3500 SRW to choose from.

[fla-gypsy]

Ride quality is a completely subjective idea based on personal criteria biases. The only person who can judge that is you. Go to a dealer and drive both and determine what works for you.

[Shadow_Grey]

My dad just got his 14 3500 SWD CC long bed CDT in 2 wheel drive. It has 4000# payload. There are no overload springs any more they just have progressive springs that when loaded they suspend based on the load. As far as ride it is tight and firm but still very smooth. A lot smoother than my brothers 07 3500 CC Long Bed CDT 4x4.

[IdaD]

mkirsch wrote:
The problem is, "just get a 3500 (SRW)" is easier said than done.

Unless you special order, 3500 SRW's are rare as hen's teeth. Dealers have 2500's running out their ears, and a few 3500 DRW's, but few if any SRW's.

The dealers in our area have more SRW 3500s than DRW. Quite a bit more, actually. It's just the short bed part that can be hard to find.

[mkirsch]

The problem is, "just get a 3500 (SRW)" is easier said than done.

Unless you special order, 3500 SRW's are rare as hen's teeth. Dealers have 2500's running out their ears, and a few 3500 DRW's, but few if any SRW's.