Fleg

Hey guys, new here and need some info. I was searching for a 2nd gen Dodge 2500 to purchase but hit a small snag. I guess a little background is in order first;
The primary purpose of the truck will be to pull my Jeep wrangler (7K lbs total with trailer and equipment) and to carry my 1998 Lance camper. The camper is supposed to weigh about 3,300lbs "wet" but if you have any experience with slide-in campers then you know they almost always weight more then advertised. I've never weighed mine so that is the only number I have to go by.
So my big question is can the 2500 do it or is it possible to add a set of air bags and rear sway-bar to get it to handle the weight in a safe manner. If not, what is the big difference between the 2500 and 3500 suspension (besides the DRW's) that enable the 3500 to carry so much more weight in the bed? I had always heard that the difference between Ferd F-250's and 350's was just the leaf springs, is the same true with the Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks?
As it sits right now I have a 2001, 3500, 4x4, 5 speed (I think) on hold with a couple 2500, 4x4, auto and manual trucks possible for a little less $$$ but I have to make my choice on the 3500 tomorrow. I know the 3500 will do what I ask but I like the SRW's of the 2500 for the less maintenance and less width. Honestly I think the 2500's look a tad better without those "hips" on the back also. What it boils down to is I just need to make the best choice here.


Thanks,
Michael

Towrig

Go troll around on the Towing and RV section.....some great info on there about what your asking. I have an 2500 and will be doing an upgrade for my New (used) Camper. She is about 2,000 lbs dry.

flippinfred

Get the dooly. That's what its made for...has wider "footprint" (very helpful
in 40 mph crosswind) and you won't have to play games w/aftermarket upgrades to springs.

I've got a 2500 w/overload leafs added, pulling a 10k+ fiver w/2100+ tongue
weight......wishing I'd just bought the dooly.

Fleg

Well, I told my friend to concentrate on DRW 3500 instead of SRW ones. The last truck we owned was a dually and hauled the camper just fine. I was really wanted to get away from the DRW trucks.

Fleg

I just noticed that we have a RV section. One thing never changes from one forum to another, weight police.

blord

The 2nd gen 2500 trucks had a "camper" option that added 2 overloads and a sway bar in the rear. If it had a CTD then the truck had the 1T front end and the heavy duty rear axle added. This was by today's offerings a 1T SRW.

They don't offer the camper option on the current 2500. They just rebadge it as a 3500 SRW.

Bryan

Towrig

They move it over to that section. Its all good this BB its one of the best, just about everyone is really cool, no flaming and just a great home style type of Board.

Fleg

So only a 2500 with the Camper option and CTD had the 1T front and rear ends?

high country

if it is a manual it will have a dana 80
if it is an auto it will have a dana 70
both axles are plenty heavy for your load, the biggest factor is going to be tires and the rear sway bar option, as for extra springs, if you put bags on it you will have all the carring capacity in the world, but you are still limited on tires.

Rare1

My 2500 with air bags I consider my Lance 8.5' the maximum safe load, about 2600 pounds. Any heavier and I would want the dually. There's just too much sway with all the weight up there. Pulling a trailer is a non-issue. You need mucho stability for a cab-over slide-in.

Fleg

Looks like a 3500 it is. Narrowed it down to 3 or 4 today and will probably pick one up this weekend.

Thanks guys.


Now I'll need to look around in the performance forum to help a little with the mountain grades!!!

Clayten

I have a 2500 with a 3200 lbs dry Fleetwood slide in. With full fuel and water I am over 10,300 lbs. I have air bags and that is it. It is not a camper speacial. I went to the DOT said I wanted to upgrade the weight to 11,000 lbs. all they wanted was more money and I was away. I have had this all over the Rockies and I have had no problems. I put 70 lbs in the air bags and 80 in the tires. Tires E class are good to over 3000 lbs each. My tires don't get hot. A real interesting thing is the DOT was going to let me go all the way to 12,500 lbs.Of course just more money. That is more than I would need but I am still scratching my head over that.

WildBill

It's not an issue of holding the weight up, it's an issue of stability, and stability = safety, buy a dually and you will have no regrets.

blord

Yup, the gasser 2500 had a 3/4T front end and a 6000 or 6500 lb rear axle. When the CTD was ordered you got the heavy duty front end to handle the weight of the engine and the 7500# rear axle. I think it was a Dana 70 in the rear. The camper option added the 2 overloads on each side and the rear sway bar. So the truck had a 1 ton suspension but rear payload was limited to the rating of the 2 rear tires.

Just sold mine (2001) and ordered a 3500 Laramie dually. No question about what it is now!

Superbee Jim

I have a 98 diesel 4x4 DRW and it weighs 7300 lbs, with my 11 ft Lance PU camper fully loaded it weighs 11,400, so with a 10,500 GVW on the truck, I am already 900 lbs overweight without adding whatever I am going to tow!! Get the duelly!!! Jim