Comparing The Ride Of Ram 2500 HD Versus 3500 HD For Towing And When Not Towing

Updated 07/10/2015 | Published 07/08/2015

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5035)

$1099.00

Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(20)

$599.00

Firestone Air Command Heavy Duty Air Compressor - Analog - Dual Path

(359)

$784.38

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3012)

$423.61

Question:

Thank you for taking your valuable time to put an Ole Mans mind at ease whats left of it at my age that is. I concur with your response & ordered a 2015 Ram 2500HD Long Bed with the Cummins Diesel & six speed transmission. Im going to take you up on your offer & ask for your recommendations on the best fifth wheel hitch and the best after market air bag suspension system for towing a 2016 Alpine 3535RE. The B&W brand has been recommended since, with the pull of a lever in the fender well, the center mount can be reversed leaving you with a flat truck bed and no fifth wheel hitch rails to contend with when not towing the camper. I would appreciate your recommendations on the hitch & air bag suspension.

asked by: Johnny V

Helpful Expert Reply:

The ride on the Ram 2500 HD will be more comfortable than the ride of the 3500 HD due to the coil suspension on the 2500 versus the leaf spring suspension on the 3500. With that being said, you will have more squat with the 2500 when the trailer is hooked up.

You can put an aftermarket air bag system on the truck and deflate it to a minimal level when not towing to get a more comfortable ride. You could then inflate it to help when the truck is placed under a heavier load such as when towing or carrying cargo.

The 3500 would have a heavier suspension and would handle the towing of a trailer if you were going to tow often, but it sounds like the 2500 would do the job you are describing as well as provide a better ride when you are not towing.

When you decide on one of the trucks let me know and I can make some after market fifth wheel and air suspension recommendations that will work for you.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

Johnny V.

7/8/2015

Jeffrey L.

7/10/2015

The B&W Companion, part # BWRVK3500-5W would be a great choice for the Ram 2500 HD you said you are going with. This is a dual-jaw 20,000 lb fifth wheel hitch that has 3 height settings and will give you full bed-access when the hitch is removed. The Custom Underbed Installation Kit, part # BWGNRK1384-5W mounts under the bed of your truck bed and requires no frame drilling for installation. For an air suspension system I recommend the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs, part # F2598. These have adjustable air pressure from 5 to 100 psi and help prevent sagging when carrying heavy loads or towing. Using an air suspension system will not increase the weight carrying capacity of your truck. To be able to adjust the air pressure in the suspension system from the comfort of your cab I recommend the Firestone Level Command II, part # F2219. This system has a dual-gauge control panel that mounts in the cab. You just push the switch up to inflate the air springs and push it down to deflate the air springs.