Ram long bed vs short bed - Page 2

SouthCo · 01-22-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palle-man

Didn't mean frame. Meant to say axle. But I love seeing the comments.

Same axle as well. On GMC difference on SRW 2500 and 3500 is one extra leaf spring. Axle only different between SRW and DRW...

tuckerdog1 · 01-22-2016, 11:09 PM

Quote:

I guess maybe they could be trying to get better fuel mileage?? I'll find out in another 10 years when maybe I can afford a 2016 LOL. I priced out a 2015 DRW a few months ago 72k
WOW

I'm with ya WVDusty. I've never owned a truck. I'm kinda stunned by what they cost. And to me cost matters. I suspect I'll wind up with a 2500 because of cost. But I have somewhat of a benchmark of what is possible, based on what my brother lucked into. About two months back, when dealers were working at getting the 2015s off the lots, he found a new 2015 3500 SRW 4x4 cummins long bed in the SLT trim. 42K drive away. He lives in Oregon, so no sales tax.

I do not expect to find that.

Tuckerdog1

spoon059 · 01-23-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

. I suspect I'll wind up with a 2500 because of cost.

When the time comes to buy a truck, do yourself a favor and research the price difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton. It is usually pretty minimal, but the payload ratings are substantially different.

3'senough · 01-23-2016, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

Looking to buy a Ram 2500 or 3500 with the crew cab. My brother has a 3500 with the 8 ft ( long ) bed. Says it's great for his 5th wheel. He thinks backing a 5th wheel into a tight turn with the short bed would possibly cause the trailer to hit the cab. So for that reason he's glad to have the longer bed. However, he says the truck is so long, he has trouble parking sometimes. In fact, he says he's given up sometimes on parking & just gone home.

So my question is to anybody with a crew cab short bed. Any problems backing your 5th wheel? Do you ever wish you'd gone with a long bed?

Thanks,
Tuckerdog1

If this has been covered, sorry. I tried to search, but having issues with this tablet.

As far as backing up goes, I mentioned in another thread that there might be times where you need to slide the hitch back. These times would be when you are in tighter campgrounds with narrow access roads or obstacles that require you to be 90 degrees with TV and trailer. Yes the caps on the trailers are rounded, but king pin distance from the front cap and where your specific hitch and TV setup sit is also a factor in clearances.

If you go SBed then I would definitely get a slider hitch, so that if and when you need it you have the ability.

On edit: the 3500 SRW Cummins is still only available in 3.42's. I thought they changed that option in 2016, but not the case. If you go here Ram Trucks - Contact Us and enter the specific vin of the vehicle you are looking at, the build sheets are available with all options ordered.

3'senough · 01-23-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

I'm with ya WVDusty. I've never owned a truck. I'm kinda stunned by what they cost. And to me cost matters. I suspect I'll wind up with a 2500 because of cost. But I have somewhat of a benchmark of what is possible, based on what my brother lucked into. About two months back, when dealers were working at getting the 2015s off the lots, he found a new 2015 3500 SRW 4x4 cummins long bed in the SLT trim. 42K drive away. He lives in Oregon, so no sales tax.

I do not expect to find that.

Tuckerdog1

I have always found Aug and Sept to be the best months for trucks as all the new options entice the current owners and the new leftovers are discounted with incentives. Bought my current truck and previous 2 in those periods and did very well.

SouthCo · 01-23-2016, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoon059

When the time comes to buy a truck, do yourself a favor and research the price difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton. It is usually pretty minimal, but the payload ratings are substantially different.

This is true. I have been looking at DRW 3500's. Even the DRW option doesn't add much...

Sledgehammer · 01-23-2016, 03:40 PM

From what I've seen, MSRP on a SRW 3500 is about 1000.00 more than a 2500. DRW option is 1200.00. Thats msrp....

Paintinfool3 · 01-23-2016, 05:18 PM

Well for me I went used and bought what I wanted for about half of what it sold for new. 93000 miles isn't much on a diesel and its like new. Plus you pay less in usage tax each year. If you plan to pull a lot I would go dually for the stability. I went from dually to single rear wheel and a F350 to aF250 but difference in what this pulls is a lot compared to my old 1 ton and I am not on the road all the time with it so I opted for two less wheels and tires this time

Paintinfool3 · 01-23-2016, 05:26 PM

On the 3.42 ratio maybe it is to limit what you put behind it, but with the grunt these new diesels have I would agree it doesn't matter you would run out of gcvw before you wouldn't be able to get it rolling.

kiwaon · 01-23-2016, 06:03 PM

Responding to the original poster......... I have a Six and a half foot box with a manual slider (Husky). Towed two Fifth Wheels over the past 7 years and have only used the slider about 1/2 dozen times. I can turn to 90 degrees safely without using the slider portion, but will use the slider if the ground is excessively uneven. Moving the slider only takes a minute.

cheers

SouthCo · 01-23-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer

From what I've seen, MSRP on a SRW 3500 is about 1000.00 more than a 2500. DRW option is 1200.00. Thats msrp....

I forget the exact numbers I saw but those prices seem reasonable and you don't pay msrp. So the price difference is not much. You can get a DRW 3500 Denali for under 65 grand. My brother in law is looking and I forget the dealer I showed him but they were having good sales about two weeks ago...

NC Hauler · 01-24-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3'senough

I have never had a short bed truck to pull a 5'er so cannot give you a difference in towing comfort. If you are going strictly with the Ram there are few considerations to take into account based on current model year. If buying used then you really need to do some homework.

2500:
Does not give you an Aisin option only 68rfe
Rear is only 3.42 with Cummins
Cummins is the same as 3500
Frames are same as 3500
Air suspension for rear
5th wheel prep option
exhaust brake with Cummins

3500 SRW:
Rear options are limited to 3.42 and 3.73 with Cummins
Rear air bags are option
Aisin 69 version in 2014 and newer. Beefier shaft.
5th wheel prep option
Exhaust brake with Cummins

3500 DRW:
Every rear is available, but come mostly with 3.42 or 4.10 if max tow. Very few 3.73's out there.
Aisin option
Rear air bag option
5th wheel prep option
exhaust brake with Cummins

Then there are the mega cab options too.

What you did not mention was the weight and/or length of the 5'er you were looking at which might give you even more specific information from a member with a similar setup.

Is it easy to park, no. But I do it and get a little extra exercise in the process.

There are some comments that a long bed is better for towing comfort vs a short bed, but again I have not done both so cannot confirm.

I would go with more truck than you need when it comes to 5'th wheel towing. Some have said the 3.42's struggle with 10K plus towing and pull in 5th gear to compensate.

3500SRW only has one gear option, 3.42, been that way since 2013.

The Aisin tranny was available in 13' for 3500SRW & 3500 DRW. The Dually can be had with 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10 gearing.

I've towed with both long bed and short bed and prefer the long bed.. If you notice, comparing like Rams, the long bed normally has a higher GCWR than the short bed..

I have B&W 3600RVK, and it works great with Ram 5er/GN prep package.

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