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Any downside to a 1 ton SRW vs 3/4 Ton?

christopher

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Just set up a friends 2015 SRW 1 ton... with the Kelderman 2-Stage Rear Air Suspension. (NOT the 4 link).

The 2-Stage does not add additional capacity... but it did transform night/day the ride of the truck when empty... rides better than most SUV's out there.

He ordered it bare steel and had the local shop clean-up welds and powdercoat to a really high standard... I have the same unit on my 2500HD... and the pow coat from Kelderman went bad in one year.

We both went with the upgraded compressor and added a tank so we have onboard air.

The Kelderman 4-link systems are the best riding/loading setups I've seen...they DO add capacity and also have amazing ride quality... but have a premium price over the 2-stage rear setups. The auto level system works very nicely.

http://kelderman.com/chevy_gm_gmc_silverado_2_stage_rear_air_suspension

https://kelderman.com/silverado_sierra_heavy_duty_4_link_rear_air_suspension_towing




.
THAT is one sweet setup!
 

milehighassassin

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Just set up a friends 2015 SRW 1 ton... with the Kelderman 2-Stage Rear Air Suspension. (NOT the 4 link).

The 2-Stage does not add additional capacity... but it did transform night/day the ride of the truck when empty... rides better than most SUV's out there.

He ordered it bare steel and had the local shop clean-up welds and powdercoat to a really high standard... I have the same unit on my 2500HD... and the pow coat from Kelderman went bad in one year.

We both went with the upgraded compressor and added a tank so we have onboard air.

The Kelderman 4-link systems are the best riding/loading setups I've seen...they DO add capacity and also have amazing ride quality... but have a premium price over the 2-stage rear setups. The auto level system works very nicely.

http://kelderman.com/chevy_gm_gmc_silverado_2_stage_rear_air_suspension

https://kelderman.com/silverado_sierra_heavy_duty_4_link_rear_air_suspension_towing




.


What year of truck do you have?

Curious how the 4-link adds capacity. Any info? I can't seem to find anything on their site.
 

richracer1

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People really think the 3500 SRW trucks have a rough ride????? I had an 09 Chevy 3500 4x4 SRW and now have a GMC 3500 4x4 SRW. I think they ride great compared to the way older models.

Of course while not towing, the rear tire are aired down to 45 PSI and the fronts are at 55PSI. When I tow the sled trailer it's up to around 60 F&R. When I hook up to the 5th wheel the PSI goes to around 70 to 75 for the F&R.
 

mountainhorse

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What year of truck do you have?

Curious how the 4-link adds capacity. Any info? I can't seem to find anything on their site.

My Truck is a 2006 3/4 ton... I do not have the 4 link.

The 4 link adds capacity because the airbags actually suspend the axle... My unit, the airbags support the springs.


.
 

milehighassassin

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My Truck is a 2006 3/4 ton... I do not have the 4 link.

The 4 link adds capacity because the airbags actually suspend the axle... My unit, the airbags support the springs.


.

Looking at that 4-link, it looks nice but the install is anything but simple.

If you have a plat for a gooseneck/5th wheel it has to be removed and then welded differently. This system looks great, It would be nice to talk to some people that have it. You better be in the truck for a long haul (see what I did!!). Your frame/suspension warranty is gone once you install this.


https://smhttp-ssl-53780.nexcesscdn.../0/2001_newer_chevy_gmc_3500_4_link_rear_.pdf


Also, if you keep your spare in the OEM location your exhaust has to be re-routed.
 
Last edited:
U
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Speaking from the Ram/Dodge side point of view if you're considering one, the towing capacity between a 1 ton and 3/4 ton crew cab/swb is 40 lbs. Yes, 40lbs in favor of the 1 ton. In mega cab/swb form it's 90 lbs. In crew cab/lwb it is 120 lbs in favor of the 3/4 ton, unless you get the heavier duty Aisin transmission then it is significantly more for the 1 ton. So take that for what it's worth..


Unloaded ride quality, in years 10, 11, 12, & early build 13 the empty ride quality between the two was virtually the same. Both 2500 & 3500 had leaf spring rear ends, 3500 simply had overload springs as well. 14 and newer the 3/4 ton has a lot more forgiving ride quality while empty due to a coil spring rear end, where as the 1 ton still has the leaf springs. Even with the coil springs it still feels like a heavy duty truck, but doesn't buck over bumps nearly as bad as an empty leaf spring rear end.


When loaded I haven't noticed any squat or sag difference between the coil spring rear and the leaf springs.


This info I have from my own experience and the attached Ram towing chart for current year pickups. I get a new pickup every year or so and have owned a 10- 2500, 11- 3500, 12- 2500, currently own a 13- 3500 and a 15- 2500. All in crew/swb or mega/swb form. I can't speak for crew/lwb versions.
 

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MX86

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Another thing to keep in mind. Tabs for a 1 ton is $120 a year renewed every year in Feb. a 3/4 ton runs standard plates = more $$$ every renewal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

richracer1

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Remember, registration costs are relative to your state/location. My '97 GMC 2500 costs around $50-55 a year and my '15 GMC 3500 is around $75-80 a year.
 

summ8rmk

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Washington state tabs are based on weight of the vehicle.
3/4 ton are cheaper to license.

GS6
 

Scott

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Washington state tabs are based on weight of the vehicle.
3/4 ton are cheaper to license.

GS6

Curb weight or payload/towing capacity weight?

The F-250 and F-350 curb weight difference is negligible.
 

summ8rmk

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I don't know for certain? I think scale weight?
My f250 is nearly identical to my brothers f350. CC LWB 4x4 diesel. Sway bars front and rear, same spring pack in the rear with overloads. Limited slip rear axle,(i put in the 4in block) etc. Mine has leather his is cloth.
My GVW is 8,800lb his is 9,900lb.
Reg says my trucks scale wt. 5,572lbs Gwt 10,000lb. His reg says scale wt 6,410 Gwt 10,000lb.
Truck Scale says im over 7k lb. With very little fuel. Same with his f350
I pay $68 for tabs he pays $101.

GS6
 
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