my buddy test drove both the 2500 and a 3500.. he said the 3500 road better.. i told him he was nuts.. he did his research and confirms the only difference is one leaf spring on the rear..

for handling a heavy load.. Timbrens are an option.. depending on how and where you drive when you arent hualing a load.. i loved them on my half ton.. for a 4x4 i would think they would limit your suspension travel.. so they wouldnt be good for offroading.. but loaded down running down the road.. they felt like airbags and accomplished the same thing for a fraction of the cost.. and it takes about 5 minutes to install/uninstall them

 

So the only thing making the differance ( besides the pesky sticker, Drew) between hauling 13100 and 15950, and putting over 3k in the bed instead of a tick over 2k is one peice of steel? We all agree on that? So that then if one were to add another spring, an airbag or a complete kit like the others mentioned in this post, the only other differance between say mine and say a 3500 is a pesky sticker. I can stop the same amount as a 3500 and motorvationally pull the same amount, its one peice of steel....

 

well....technically.. 2 pieces of steel (2 leaf springs).. but those2 springs do a lot in the way of keepingthe maximum load equalized so the front tires have enough weight on them to stop the load.. keeping the front end down so the headlights arent blinding on-coming traffic.. etc..pretty important safety issues..i would imagine they impact the ride quality at some level... with lighter loading they might cause some "bounce" .. where that same load with a 2500 would ride fine.. things like that..

 

Well sure, I think I plan on finding some 3500 springs or a new system to get me to where I want to be.

 

One thing to note, though, is that the 3500 has a mount built into the frame to hold the overload springs. The 2500 doesn't have this, so I'd be interested in how one can get a set of overload springs mounted onto a 2500.

 

I beleive I have decided on the Helwig LP-35 system, It's a progressive rate four spring pack of add on overloads and they boast a level load at 3500 lbs!!

www.hellwigproducts.com

 

The real problem is the Gross Vehicle Weight rating. If you are in an accident it would get really sticky. Even if you weren't at fault, in the eyes of the law you would still be negligent and would have a difficult time collecting from the other guys insurance company. You would also probably be cited for being overloaded. God forbid, but if it were your fault and someone were to get hurt you may be looking at serious jail time.

Adding aftermarket equipment is probably not going to help with the law.

I went ahead and got a 3500 for that very reason. I want that door sticker covering my back side.

Be careful - Frank

 

One other thing, more of what I was getting at when I first started this: Air bags and springs are great, but that extra set of wheels is insurance I would want... I have heard that pulling 5th wheels and goose necks without a dually can (if not loaded properly) be sketchy and any issues with tires (a blowout) can make for a VERY bad time...
Just a thought

 

Thanks Frank, and Sereguial I agree a second set of wheels does add some security to the back of your mind. Without I would think one would want to be very mindful of tire pressures and temps and speed. But again It's the same stuff that's on a one ton, tire wise. A good E rated tire would get the job done.

 

I got a 3500 2001 dually and im almost always at the payload limit, ive tryed a 2500 loaded to max too and beside springs one extra set o wheel add much more stability on the road and less truck shake dues to heavy weight