RRC

Man I wish I could have got my dually with out them!

ChrisM55

No, it has the side marker lights on the fenders and probably the lights on the tailgate

chris

MikeRP

Man what a pretty truck. It is just fun to talk about these great trucks isn’t it?

Naively, when I ordered the truck I thought a 2500 would handle anything I wanted to haul but then after I bought it I realized that payload is an issue. However, the numbers are interesting:

2500 SRW: 12450 Towing; 9000 GVWR; 1590 Payload w 3.73’s or 4.10’s

3500 SRW: 13500 Towing; 10100 GVWR; 2690 Payload with 3.73’s

3500 SRW: 16500 Towing, 10100 GVWR; 2690 Payload with 4.10’s

All the above tells me the 2500 is conservatively rated which is why people tow much more with these trucks. Seems the limitations are two fold:

1. Overload springs
2. Steel Wheels versus polished Al
3. Tires

So it seems like with a 10000 dry 5th wheel trailer I would usually be at around 1800 lbs on the pin and that probably would leave me enough room between 1800 and 2690 for cargo, propane etc with the addition of air bags. I also will be close to the 12450 towing capacity. So that probably the biggest trailer I could look at for this truck.

Do you all agree? Just would ike to make sure I'm not missing anyhing big. i'm not worried about the door sticker except the GAWR's.

Anyway, I like the cab lights. My brother had them put on his 2500. But the wifey doesn’t likem.

n2moto

The DOT does require the cab lights on a dually if yours doesn't have them Dodge screwed up (not there's a first). MikeRP your wife doesn't like the marker lights? Sounds like she's the brains of the outfit. JUST Kidding

shep1

When I ordered my SRW 3500, the top cab lights were an option. Not sure about the DRW. Will have to look at my 2006 brochure for load specks.

jam1on1

there was a recall on all duallys tat did not have cab lights the dealer will put them on for free

ChrisM55

Think if I borrow the wheels off my buddies truck we could get the dealer to install the cab lights on mine

Chris

Evil Genius

I've got my OEM Polished wheels and E rated Michelins listed on Craigslist.....cheap.

flimmy

Doesnt the 3500 have a larger rear axle the the 2500 when you get the auto. The 2500 6 spd's get the bigger rear but not the auto's

ptgarcia

Nope. If it has a Cummins, it has the 11.5 AAM in the rear whether its auto, manual, 3500 or 2500.

TTDiesel

In my experience there is no reason to buy a 3500 SRW unless you are pushing the GVWR and afraid to get caught by the man.
The 3500 DRW does have a heavier axle and spring pack.
I have examined and called many dealers in the last year as I had to make the same decision (2500 or 3500). The over load springs and bump stops are the only difference. However, I do believe that the 3500's do ride better but that will be taken care of by the air bags listed below.
I went with the 2500 for these reasons.
1. The 2500 was $1000 cheaper then the exact same truck only a 3500.
2. For $250 I can put air bag helper springs on the rear and actually get a better payload then the 3500SRW.
3. I have great credit and a decent driving record and the 3500 was still $450 more a year for insurance. PS. don't tell the insurance company idiots that a 2500 can pull just as much weight as a 3500 or my rate will go up.
4. I can't do a blank blank thing about the crappy fuel economy but I don't have to pay for a 3500 when a 2500 will do.
5. My buddy got a 3500 so now I can laugh at him because I have extra money for fuel.
Thanks

Jim W

I pull a Ameri-Camp, F27RKS Summit Ridge with a 2500HD Chevy Silverado EXT Cab 6L Auto 4x4 (gaser) all last year. Trailer GVWR is 12,450 per the manufacture rating, actually 10K. I do not pull with all tanks full. Traded for a 2500HD Dodge CTD 6SPD auto Mega Cab to pull this year. I could not afford to pay for the gas in the CHEVY getting 7 to 8 MPG and trying to pull into gas stations and out is a pain with a 5er. DW almost died (joke) on the Il tollway trying to get out of the station, took 5 mins going back and forth to get out of that station the way it was designed.
If I need to I will put air bags on this TV, also will try to pull with stock springs for now. My DW feels that the Dodge rides better than the Chevy did with the my set up for now.

MikeRP

Well TTdiesel and JimW. I guess you guys are confirming what I've thought.

Maybe that's the answer I'm looking for confirmation of but I really think it is the truth.

The so called weight police would have you beleive a pound over 9000 lbs GVWR aand your going to jail but I don't beleive it and I think it can be fairly shown in a court of law that the 2500 with additions is the same truck as a 3500. although, I don't understand the suing thing the weight police are worried about. that's why one has insurance and liability protection.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

Mike

rjm022

jam1in1 is correct- dodge did screw up and deliver some duallys to the dealership without cab lights. they are required by dot. you can verify that by calling dot. cab lights on the 3500 srw trucks are now an option, like on the srw 2500 trucks. 3500 trucks have an extra over load leaf spring when compared to the 2500 trucks.

ptgarcia

If going strictly by the numbers, I overload my truck every time I hook up and load the golf cart, especially since I removed all the overloads and replaced them with a more compliant spring pack. But the truck handles it no problem.

Numbers don't mean squat to me. I go by what feels comfortable and what doesn't.