mstarjames wrote: We are looking for a truck and are undecided on a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton diesel. Leaving out brands, powertrains etc as it would be a dodge megacab SRW for either, what are the differences or benefits of one over the other?
Either one would be more than enough for our current toyhauler (9000 lb GVW). Our thought was to find a 1 ton and less chance we would have to upgade in the future, but there are not as many used 1 ton SRW megacabs.
Also could the 3/4 ton be easily upgraded in the future to 1 ton capacity?
I would just go with the 1 ton and take the safe road.
Sometimes there are small visual differences that make up the difference such a springs and frames. For example for the 2007 commercial E-250 and E-350 both frames has the same 36,000 frame yield strength, but the frame section modulus for the E-250 is 3.3cu in and for the E-350 it is 5.4cu in.
Supercharged wrote: The one tons I have ridden in are hard on my back.
Try a GMC or Chevy 1 ton. Heated seats, electric lumbar support, and a ride that equal's my Mercedes E320; even smoother when yer hitched up and towin!
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
USAF RETIRED '92, "EITHER LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUTTA THE WAY"!!!
"THE SILVER FOX" 06 GMC 3500 CC DRW D/A LBZ 4X4 SLT
"THE BEAST", 00 DODGE 3500 QUAD CAB DRW CTD LARAMIE
04 HR 30SCD 5'ER OPTIONS? EVER DANG'ED ONE OF'EM!!!
You are not going to be doing yourself any favors by getting a 3500 over a 2500 (With Dodge Cummins powered Ram 2003 and later) Sure, the Ford and GM owners will chime in and talk about suttle differences, but with that vehicle, there just aren't any with the exception of the overload. Whatever an SRW 3500 can tow, a 2500 can tow just as good. So, for all those who say "don't take chances" I would like to know what that sticker with an extra 900#'s of GVWR does to the truck to make it stronger. There are NO differences aside from the one spring.
All that said, as long as the price is right, just buy a 3500 anyways, then you won't need to put on airbags, you get the really cool clearance lights (for you older guys) and that classy feeling of carrying the "3500" badge on the side of the truck. Most states would license it the same way.
2008 Cougar 310SRX 5th Wheel
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 4x4 CTD
2008 Nissan Armada LE
Supercharged wrote: The one tons I have ridden in are hard on my back.
Try a GMC or Chevy 1 ton. Heated seats, electric lumbar support, and a ride that equal's my Mercedes E320; even smoother when yer hitched up and towin!
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
It's not the seats. It is that grandpa version of IFS candy-cane-lane 4WD.
There is more to it than springs. We put lots of miles on trucks in my company and the 250/2500 wears much better than a 150/1500. I got my first 3500 srw and it wears much better than a 2500. I have 162,000 miles on the original brakes. It drives like new as compared to my new 08 dually. I don't know all the facts, you must check this out for your own knowlage. Get FACTS on frame material, frame thickness, axles, brake components, ect. Dont believe me or anyone else. A 1500 gets old at 150K to 180K, a 2500 at 250-300k, and the 3500 still drives new at over 160K. If you have the choice on which to buy the time spent on research will pay off, even if you figure out the 3/4 ton is truley best for your application. Then whatever comes your way as far as the TV is concerned, at least you know it was the best choice. Remember, there is a reason that 3500 chassis cab is rated to haul more than my 3500 reg. dually. Different truck. I did my best to leave brands out of this.
For now, we do not have a 5'er, it is a bumper pull toyhauler, but who knows what the future will bring.
I will check to see exactly what the difference is between the 2500/3500 on the dodge diesel megacab. If it IS only the rear spring that helps. The difference in price between a new 2500 diesel megacab and a similarily equiped SRW 3500 diesel megacab is about $500, so if I was buying new it would be easy, get 3500.
I had been told that the difference could be suspension, brakes, axle, frame, it's time to know for sure. I will check further.
CharlyG wrote: Can't speak to Dodge, but in the Chevy arena, the 2500HD doesn't have the same axle, even though it is the same chassis. At least that is what I was told. Just thought I'd mention it so you could check that on the build sheet.
The chevy 3/4T and 1T are the exact same truck, except for an additional rear spring when they have the duramax/allison. If you get a 3/4T with the small motor/tranny it has lighter duty components since it can't do what the diesel drivetrain can do.
Personally I would not have a Dodge Mega Cab as the bed is just too short for 5er towing in my opinion. Also, the Mega Cab suffers from lower payload capacity. get a standard extended cab and a long bed for a better truck.
ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
Vintage 1989 Avion Silver, 34V, toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
Several posters claim that the only difference between a 3/4 and one ton is? remember these people are not truck or compliance engineers, so they are giving you an opinion and nothing more. The difference between the two trucks is in reality the door sticker and what ever the manufacturer adds or subtracts to achieve that particular weight rating. If YOU are comfortable loading beyond what the manufacturer certifies a truck to carry, then by all means load away and quit asking for support in your decision from people with little or no actual knowledge of the truck in question. If on the other hand YOU do not feel comfortable towing exceeding the trucks numbers as certified to the feds by the manufacturer, then look for a truck that is capable of hauling the load in question to YOUR safety standards.
Donn,Lorri,Max (rescued Lab)
Saigon International Airport 1966/67
Go to this link at the TDR http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forum........s/186815-2500-vs-3500-how-different.html and read on the differences between the 2 trucks. On the 3rd Generation Dodge/Cummins 2500/3500 SRW Trucks, from '04.5 to present, the only difference is the overload springs and the GVWR/GCWR rating. Only the '03 and early '04 2500 automatic and standard output Cummins(California and a couple other states, emissions related) engine, got the 10.5" 14 bolt rear axle, whereas the high output Cummins in those years got the 11.5" rear axle. All 2500's with the Cummins and manual transmission from 03 to '04.5 got the 11.5" rear axle. All 3500 SRW's from '03 to '04.5, regardless of engine output or transmission, got the 11.5" rear axle. Mid year '04 to present, Dodge/Cummins went to the high output engine in all the 2500/3500 trucks in all states and therefore, all those trucks come with the 11.5" rear axle regardless of which transmission was used. So basically, from '04.5 to present, the only difference is the overload springs on the rear. Axles, brakes, frames, are all the same.
Rich
'09 Dodge/Cummins 6.7 3500 Quad Cab DRW SLT Laramie Auto, Timbrens & Overload Bump Stop Spacers; Tork Lift Super Hitch, Tiedowns and Fastguns, ExtremeAir 12 Volt Air Compressor
'04 Arctic Fox 990; 91 Jeep Wrangler ARB's TeraLow 4.5" Rubicon Express Lift
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