Ram Diesel 2500 vs 3500

[L'Sinclair]

Are there any Ram Diesel 2500's out there towing an Avenue 30RLS or even 32RLS? Payload is just under 2k on the 2500 with the Cummins. Would love to hear your feedback on towing experience and the so called "wiggle" on the 2500 vs 3500 (as the 3500's have leaf springs and the 2500 does not). I would prefer the drive quality of the 2500, but still trying to understand the wide varying opinions on payload/towing capacity. Lastly, I am in California and hear that the 3500 has extra fees vs the 2500...anyone know about this?

 

[Focker]

Are there any Ram Diesel 2500's out there towing an Avenue 30RLS or even 32RLS? Payload is just under 2k on the 2500 with the Cummins. Would love to hear your feedback on towing experience and the so called "wiggle" on the 2500 vs 3500 (as the 3500's have leaf springs and the 2500 does not). I would prefer the drive quality of the 2500, but still trying to understand the wide varying opinions on payload/towing capacity. Lastly, I am in California and hear that the 3500 has extra fees vs the 2500...anyone know about this?

The 3500 is rated with a higher weight capacity in California and does incur additional fees however it isn't that much dough. About $40 extra per year.

 

[Steve]

Are there any Ram Diesel 2500's out there towing an Avenue 30RLS or even 32RLS? Payload is just under 2k on the 2500 with the Cummins. Would love to hear your feedback on towing experience and the so called "wiggle" on the 2500 vs 3500 (as the 3500's have leaf springs and the 2500 does not). I would prefer the drive quality of the 2500, but still trying to understand the wide varying opinions on payload/towing capacity. Lastly, I am in California and hear that the 3500 has extra fees vs the 2500...anyone know about this?

Been towing 32 rls all summer with a 2500 ram, had to put air bags on truck, truck has coil springs on rear end, needed only like 15 lbs of air to keep truck from sagging

 

[JWalker]

Are there any Ram Diesel 2500's out there towing an Avenue 30RLS or even 32RLS? Payload is just under 2k on the 2500 with the Cummins. Would love to hear your feedback on towing experience and the so called "wiggle" on the 2500 vs 3500 (as the 3500's have leaf springs and the 2500 does not). I would prefer the drive quality of the 2500, but still trying to understand the wide varying opinions on payload/towing capacity. Lastly, I am in California and hear that the 3500 has extra fees vs the 2500...anyone know about this?

We have a 30rls. I think GVRW is 12k. Taking a standard 20% for pin weight, that would be 2400 lbs just in pin weight. Then add weight of hitch, fuel, passages etc….

 

[Guidotheguide]

That's pitiful payload for a 2500, it must be loaded to the gills with extras. My 2020 Silverado 1500, crew, 4wd, standard bed has a 2000lb available payload.

To paraphrase JWALKER; nope, nada, not going to happen. 2400lbs for pin weight, 200lbs for hitch, 300 - 400lbs for 2 passengers, 100 - 200lbs for extra cargo, that's 3000lbs minimum.

One correction. The available payload number on the door post sticker includes all truck fluids, including fuel.

Also, the payload number is what was available when it left the factory. Any items added to the truck after it left the factory have not been taken into consideration, so you'll need to subtract the weight of those additional items from the payload number on the sticker. Or better yet, take it to a CAT scale and weigh it.

Good luck

 

[L'Sinclair]

Been towing 32 rls all summer with a 2500 ram, had to put air bags on truck, truck has coil springs on rear end, needed only like 15 lbs of air to keep truck from sagging

Hi Steve, Thanks! I have factory air suspension. What Hitch system do you use?

 

[HCL]

"so called "wiggle" on the 2500 vs 3500"

I can tell you that going to a 19.5, G or H rated tire will do away with about 99% of that wiggle. That wiggle is not in the suspension it is in the sidewall of the tire. Most 19.5 are a full steel casing tire and the sidewalls are very stiff. We don't notice when a semi passes and they are very stable in corners/turns or hard winds and ride is every bit as good as the BG Goodrich KOs (E rated) the 19.5s replaced.
Besides single rear wheel or dually, the weak link in carrying weight is the E rated tire.
The folks pulling trailers with 4500/5500 that come stock with 19.5 will most likely agree.