Much asked question/difference between 3/4 ton and 1 ton?

[ramyankee]

I searched the forum but found nothing. I may be asking the question the wrong way.
Several people have told me "just install air bags OR an extra leaf". But I have seen this question here a few times.
A few times I have said to people when talking about upgrading our 5er that "it is over what we can safely tow" and they just say the old add this or add that because a 3/4 and 1 ton are THE SAME TRUCK. I have forgotten how I have seen this question answered.

IF all I need is an added leaf then we will go out and buy that Open Range 3X386FLR that we saw in Reno over the weekend..... 😉

[Fireman02]

I can only speak for 2010-2012 2500-3500 srw Rams. They are exactly the same except the 2500 has 5 thinner rear leaf springs and the 3500 has 4 thicker leaf springs. Otherwise engine, trans, frame, brakes, axles, tires, etc are the same.

[therink]

Acei wrote:
For the current GM truck, does that extra leaf in the 3500 cause rougher ride when not towing?

No. I have had both.

[DaveF-250SD]

ramyankee wrote:
I am aware the GVWR's are different. The reason being a 2500/F250 vs a 3500/F350 .But structurally what is the difference? I really can't believe it is just the "springs/extra leaf". But also, my knowledge of the structure of the truck is LIMITED!
So then my truck MAY be able to carry the 5th wheel I noted.....2840# hitch and 12410 "dry weight". And a dually will give WAY more stability. My Grandson's friends are the ones that really brought up the question. They have a Dodge 2500 (2010) and they pull a 36' Montana. All they did was change the leafs and install air bags.....AND chipped the truck. oh boy!!!

So the frames may be more sturdy as well as the brakes, ETC.

With the trailer dry weight at 12,410, and pin weight (dry) of 2,840, that RV will have a GVW of at least 14,000 lbs. and loaded tongue weight will be well in excess of 3,000 lbs. even if you don't max out the trailer GVW with your stuff. In my opinion, I would look for a dually to haul that much weight around. For that setup, you will ideally want a truck with at minimum a 4,000 lb. payload capacity.

[Acei]

For the current GM truck, does that extra leaf in the 3500 cause rougher ride when not towing?

[wintersun]

It depends on the model year and the make of the truck. The 2011 and newer GM/Chevy trucks are identical except for extra leaf springs on the 1-ton trucks and different cab and bed length options. With Ram the 2014 and later trucks are also virtually identical. With Ford the F-250 is different from the F-350 and the F-350 is actually part of a Ford subclass of F-350/F-450/F550 trucks.

It is too expensive to make two different models with the relatively small number of units sold. Engines, transmissions, brakes, frames, suspension members, axles and wheel bearings, are usually identical between these pickup trucks.

When you get to the F-450 and F-550 Chassis Cab versions the frames are stronger as is the front suspension and rear axle and there is a big difference in both payload and towing capacity. The F-450 pickup version actually has a lower payload rating than the F-350 pickup trucks.

[ib516]

The differences between a 2500 and a 3500 SRW depend on model year, and what vehicle brand you are asking about.

[wandering1]

No a 3/4 and 1 ton are not the same. If you want to know the difference go to the manufacturers site and read the truck specs.

[Drew_K]

To capture what's been discussed above, the differences between a 250/2500 and 350/3500 depend on the manufacturer and specific year model. With the current Ford's, the main practical difference I see is the overload springs on the F350, which helps to keep you off the bump stops with heavy loads. I suppose the higher weight ratings on the F350 sticker is another practical difference, although I view that as somewhat artificial.

At least with Ford, I recommend buying an F350 because the price increase over an F250 is negligible. The problem is there are a lot more F250's out there, so it's easier to find one that meets your criteria.

[goducks10]

My 2012 Ram 2500 is exactly the same as a 3500 except for the rear spring pack.
That all changed in 2013. Can't speak for Ford or GM.
I would have no problem towing what a 3500 does, since the running gear is identical. But the OR has a dry pin of 2850lbs and would likely be over 3000lbs loaded. IMO it's 1 ton territory.

[JIMNLIN]

ramyankee wrote:
I am aware the GVWR's are different. The reason being a 2500/F250 vs a 3500/F350 .But structurally what is the difference? I really can't believe it is just the "springs/extra leaf". But also, my knowledge of the structure of the truck is LIMITED!
So then my truck MAY be able to carry the 5th wheel I noted.....2840# hitch and 12410 "dry weight". And a dually will give WAY more stability. My Grandson's friends are the ones that really brought up the question. They have a Dodge 2500 (2010) and they pull a 36' Montana. All they did was change the leafs and install air bags.....AND chipped the truck. oh boy!!!

So the frames may be more sturdy as well as the brakes, ETC.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/techspec.html
and
http://www.rambodybuilder.com/year.pdf

Read the specs from both and then you will know what many of us know and that is the 3/4 ton trucks you mention are identical to the 3500 SRW trucks with exception to higher rated tires/wheels and rear suspension components.

Ford markets the F250 at 10k GVWR/6200 RAWR and a F350 SRW at the same 10k GVWR but a 6290 RAWR. Fords specs in the clicky says both trucks share the same frame/drive train/brake specs/FAWRs.
Ford markets about a dozen different GVWR from 10k up to 11.5k in the same F350 SRW package. Now you know why GVWR isn't the holy grail a few folks makre it out to be.

Same with the Dodge/RAM 2500 vs 3500 SRW. Frames in the new 2500 and 3500 SRW are the same with exception of wider hips in the area on the frame wher the coils are located. So far no one has come up with any input if the frame is stronger...or weaker...but the trucks use the same axles/engine and drive train. Pre '14 trucks are the same other than wheels/tires and rear suspension components.

GM ???
I've never found GM website with as much specific info as the RAM or Ford body service specs shows us.

Take a few days and read all the specs. You may have questions but they have been answered before....many times. 🙂

[spud1957]

brholt wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
Speaking of the current model Ford F250/350, the physical difference is the F250 has 2" rear blocks between the axle and spring pack, where the F350 has 4" blocks. The F350 comes standard with a rear overload spring. On the F250, the overload spring is optional (camper package). The camper package does not change the GVWR or axle ratings. ALL other components are identical (brakes, axles etc.)

The f350 has a higher GVWR and axle ratings with the 18"+ tires.

It mostly addresses registration fees in some states if the GVWR is over 10k they pay a considerable higher fee.

This used to be true but not so much anymore in the new trucks. For example, in Dodge you get a different suspension between the 3/4 ton and the one ton. In Ford, 3/4 ton diesels get vacuum braked, one ton get hydro boost.

As stated at the beginning of my post, I was only referring to Ford. Understand the difference with Ram.

Regarding the brake difference, the gas and diesel in the F250 use vacuum. The F350 SRW also uses vacuum with the gas engine and hydro in the gas/diesel DRW.

[brholt]

spud1957 wrote:
Speaking of the current model Ford F250/350, the physical difference is the F250 has 2" rear blocks between the axle and spring pack, where the F350 has 4" blocks. The F350 comes standard with a rear overload spring. On the F250, the overload spring is optional (camper package). The camper package does not change the GVWR or axle ratings. ALL other components are identical (brakes, axles etc.)

The f350 has a higher GVWR and axle ratings with the 18"+ tires.

It mostly addresses registration fees in some states if the GVWR is over 10k they pay a considerable higher fee.

This used to be true but not so much anymore in the new trucks. For example, in Dodge you get a different suspension between the 3/4 ton and the one ton. In Ford, 3/4 ton diesels get vacuum braked, one ton get hydro boost.

[Thunderbolt]

On the chevy trucks of that body style the differences between a 2500HD and a 3500 when both equipped with either an 8.1 or Duramax are the wheels, an extra leaf spring and of course the sicker on the door.

ramyankee wrote:
I searched the forum but found nothing. I may be asking the question the wrong way.
Several people have told me "just install air bags OR an extra leaf". But I have seen this question here a few times.
A few times I have said to people when talking about upgrading our 5er that "it is over what we can safely tow" and they just say the old add this or add that because a 3/4 and 1 ton are THE SAME TRUCK. I have forgotten how I have seen this question answered.

IF all I need is an added leaf then we will go out and buy that Open Range 3X386FLR that we saw in Reno over the weekend..... 😉

[caberto]

It used to be, until very recently such as in the Dodge options, that most SRW 3/4 and 1 ton trucks shared the same frame, axles, engines, brakes, etc. The only difference being the added leaf springs, blocks, and higher capacity tires. For the most part, it is the tires that limit the RAWR of most trucks, as all other structural parts are equal. You can "unofficially" equalize the difference with higher capacity tires to increase your RAWR, springs and/or air bags. This is also why there is not a big price difference between the two trucks, as structurally, they are basically the same. The real difference comes with the duallies, as obviously you get more stability and much more weight capacity with four tires vs two.