2018 Ram 2500

Coil springs are often touted as giving a smoother ride (not a feature for which I buy a heavy duty pickup). The new Ram 2500s can have as little as 2,2010 lbs. payload rating depending on configuration according to the Ram web site. I would guess that coil springs have something to do with that. The 3/4 offerings from "the other two" usually have around 3,000 lbs. payload. I don't know what state you live it, but it cost me only slightly more to register our 1-ton DRW in Texas than it did our similarly valued (one year newer than our 1-ton) 2500HD. Insurance went up about 10 - 15%, though.

Rob

I had a 2007 Ram 3500 SRW and went to a 2014 Ram 2500 with the coil springs. The 2500 squatted less with the same load, and rode way better. It also didn't have axle wrap/hop in low traction conditions. Take a look under the rear above the rear diff. There's a 3rd shock absorber up there.

I also compared squat, using my friends 2014 3500 SRW and a 14,000# 5er. The 3500 squatted about 3/4" less than my 2500. The 2500 rode level with a 14k 5er on it.

My 2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi had 3000# payload. The diesels are less - in all 3 brands as any 2500 series truck is limited to a 10k GVWR.

If the springs bother you too much, you can install airbags to firm them up, or buy it factory equipped that way.

I don't tow "heavy" but I noticed the springs on my 2500 are a LOT stiffer than the 1500 I had previously

3300 lbs payload on my Tradesmen. Guys complaining about low payload on the 2500 need a less bling model

Second Chance wrote:
Coil springs are often touted as giving a smoother ride (not a feature for which I buy a heavy duty pickup). The new Ram 2500s can have as little as 2,2010 lbs. payload rating depending on configuration according to the Ram web site. I would guess that coil springs have something to do with that. The 3/4 offerings from "the other two" usually have around 3,000 lbs. payload. I don't know what state you live it, but it cost me only slightly more to register our 1-ton DRW in Texas than it did our similarly valued (one year newer than our 1-ton) 2500HD. Insurance went up about 10 - 15%, though.

Rob

With all due respect, you're way off. I owned one, and tested it as I was a skeptic too when they first came out.

ib516 wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
Coil springs are often touted as giving a smoother ride (not a feature for which I buy a heavy duty pickup). The new Ram 2500s can have as little as 2,2010 lbs. payload rating depending on configuration according to the Ram web site. I would guess that coil springs have something to do with that. The 3/4 offerings from "the other two" usually have around 3,000 lbs. payload. I don't know what state you live it, but it cost me only slightly more to register our 1-ton DRW in Texas than it did our similarly valued (one year newer than our 1-ton) 2500HD. Insurance went up about 10 - 15%, though.

Rob

With all due respect, you're way off. I owned one, and tested it as I was a skeptic too when they first came out.

Point taken.

Second Chance wrote:
The new Ram 2500s can have as little as 2,2010 lbs. payload rating depending on configuration according to the Ram web site. I would guess that coil springs have something to do with that. The 3/4 offerings from "the other two" usually have around 3,000 lbs. payload.

The very low payload 2500's are either 5.7 engine with an 8800 lbs GVWR (not even sure if they are offered in 2018) or the Power Wagon models which are designed as off-road vehicles, not tow vehicles and have a softer and taller suspension. Unless you get the smaller motor or the Power Wagon, a 6.4 Hemi Crew Cab should have about 3300 lbs payload before options. That puts it right in line with GM and Ford.

The coils are surprisingly compliant and I don't see any real downfall to them. They keep the rear end planted across highway joints, where my older leaf spring pickup would get a little jittery. They are rated for 6500 lbs, just a little shy of the 3500's leaf springs.

They're pretty stout, based on the 2014s we had.
The one disadvantage I've read about, but no personal experience is due to having a track bar, the chassis shifts side to side a bit during suspension cycling.
Issue with high c of G loads like a truck camper. Don't think it's an issue towing. Sure see lots of them rolling down the road with big RVs behind them. The drivers don't seem like they have a full time job keeping it between the lines though.

The 2 downsides I see with a 2500 ram is the above issue (for me, with a TC) and the stupid tpms thresholds which are now infinitely more difficult to adjust.

Low sticker payload is not a real thing. That is a result of keeping the gvw below 10k. Truck will haul more than the sticker payload on the heavy rigs without modifications.
Real world seems the rear coils are designed around about a 3000lb load in the bed.

Grit dog wrote:


The 2 downsides I see with a 2500 ram is the above issue (for me, with a TC) and the stupid tpms thresholds which are now infinitely more difficult to adjust.

Glad to hear that I'm not imagining how fussy the computer is about tire pressure.

Want to run 80 all around, nope computer will nag.

Overshoot 80 by a few psi on the rear, computer will nag.

spoon059 wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
The new Ram 2500s can have as little as 2,2010 lbs. payload rating depending on configuration according to the Ram web site. I would guess that coil springs have something to do with that. The 3/4 offerings from "the other two" usually have around 3,000 lbs. payload.

The very low payload 2500's are either 5.7 engine with an 8800 lbs GVWR (not even sure if they are offered in 2018) or the Power Wagon models which are designed as off-road vehicles, not tow vehicles and have a softer and taller suspension. Unless you get the smaller motor or the Power Wagon, a 6.4 Hemi Crew Cab should have about 3300 lbs payload before options. That puts it right in line with GM and Ford.

The coils are surprisingly compliant and I don't see any real downfall to them. They keep the rear end planted across highway joints, where my older leaf spring pickup would get a little jittery. They are rated for 6500 lbs, just a little shy of the 3500's leaf springs.

I had a '14 Ram 2500 Laramie with the 5.7l and it only had 2200lbs of payload. The same model with the 6.4l was about 800lbs higher. Nobody could explain the difference. I now have a '17 Ram 2500 Laramie with the 6.7L diesel and it only has 2240lbs of payload. So yes, they do have low payloads but sure rides nice ;) even with the 80psi I have to keep in the tires to keep the TPMS happy.

I have a 2016 Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi and 4.10 rear. It does a good job towing for a gas truck. Previously had a 2008 Ram 2500 with Cummins TD and leaf springs. I really don't see any real world difference in the rear springs towing the same 12.5 K fifth wheel. Both do a fine job.