Yeah, well thats not stock... and my previous rig was a 92 toyota setup for crawling.. I got about 23" per wheel out back So 1 tons dont flex

 

I believe it has to do with the width, 80" wide or wider must have them

 

I wanted a 3500 SRW when I was looking 2.5 years ago. I buy my wood pellets by the ton and the 3500 would give me more gvwr and iirc, it was only $600 more than the 2500. I read the only difference was the over load springs and the cab lights. I couldn't find one with the NV, but did find a 2500. The bean counters must have made the cab lights an option.

FWIW, if anyone wonders what 2500 looks like with 2K in the bed, there's a pic of mine in my gallery.

 

Yeah, I've had at least a ton of clay and sod in the back of my 2500 on one occasion when it was stock... I wouldn't be exaggerating if I say it might have been closer to 2 tons. Rode like a caddy for 80 miles on the freeway, country roads, and through a few ditches to get it into the yard . It was squating though but never hit the bumpstops.

If I had found a 3500 with the price and options I wanted I would have bought it. But I'm indifferent really although a 3500 DOES cost more on insurance around here and it was notable, like a couple hundred IIRC.

 

That's a nice pic 12 pack. Another example of how well the 2500 is put together! How did the truck do with that load?

Also, I did check out the axle on mine and it is the 11.5 one.

Mike

 

Thanks for this quote. Only thing is I don't think legally the GVWR means anything. I think in an accident you'd have to be found guilty of gross negligence for this to have an effect. Speed would be the first poblem in an accident. Towing a trailer 80 mph in a 65 zone might be an example of gross negligence. Being on a cell phone in an accident would not qualify. DUI or drugs would qualify for example.

I see the Manufacturers rating as guidance. Tires are my number 1 concern.

I think I can use the ratings for a 3500 SRW MegaCab CTD; add air bags, timbrens or the like and be well within the saftey factor of my truck.

Anyone disagree with this?

 

The website has been making that error since at least 2004. It will happen because the 2500 w/ hemi comes with a 10.5 axle (as stated above). The website doesn't change the axle to 11.5 when you change the motor spec from hemi to CTD.

As stated before, if your truck is a 2004.5 or newer 2500 or 3500 CTD, it has an 11.5 AAM Rear axle.

 

My early '04 has the rear 11.50 AAM axle....

 

The differance that I saw was the gross combined weight rating of the 2500 was 20k, 3500 was 21k, both with 3:73 gears. but does it really matter? I would say no.. If you want a little more weight rating in your truck get 4:10 gears i think it ups the limit by 2k

 

OK Bearhunter you bring up an issue that really just seems not ridiculous but just leaves me scratching my head.

OK we've all agreed that the 2500 CTD has the 11.50 axle. Why would a 3500 SRW have a tow rating of 13500 lbs with 3.73's and then have a whopping 16500 lb tow rating with 4.10's?

Now I know this doesn't increase the payload capacity but 3000 lbs difference between 3.73's and 4.10's with this motor /transmission?.......just seems tooooooooo much.

What's you all think?

Mike

 

When I was buying my truck I went to dodge web site and looked at weight ratings between 2500 and 3500 srw. if you got the 4:10 gear ratio the truck was rated to tow 2 k more the total gross combined weight rating was 23,000 pounds, 3:73 was 21,000 pounds. Gear ratio really makes a difference in weight that can be towed!! This was in 2005 however and I havent looked at the tow rating at the dodge sight since. I wish I had 4.10's but you also get less fuel milage with them.

3500 srw 4:10 gears you would be able to tow around 15,500 pounds.
3500 srw 3:73 gears 13,500 pounds.

 

I've read the towing capacity on the trucks are rated at how fast you can accelerate up an entrance ramp. The 4.10's help with acceleration so you can tow more with them. As long as the truck meets a certain criteria I guess you could continue to put lower gears in until the thing would barely maintain highway speed but you could tow a bunch of weight! These criteria don't apply to commercial vehicles just personal ones. That's why a semi crawls up a hill and forces his way into traffic.

 

I would agree that the gearing vs rating is based on acceleration.

 

I kinda agree, kinda disagree. I think what you say follows most people's insticts. It's really a judgement call though. Just make sure you have good insurance .

I've *heard DOT is going to look at your tires if they pull you over. I've never been pulled over though. If I can support it and stop it then I'll pull it... That equals about what the truck is rated for anyway so i'm good to go.

 

I've been told by CHP they'll check tire and axle ratings and that's about it. When they check your tires, they'll also check the pressure and adjust the rating based on what pressures you have in your tires. So be sure to keep those tire pressures at the max.