TRC51

I went from a Silverado 1500 to my sig truck. I have to say it took some getting used to, but now I find it easier to drive. Getting used to the 4spd is what took the most adjustment. Truck handles pretty good too for a near 4 ton monster.

RacenutSB

This is sorta funny to me since when we had a 1500, I hated driving it. The steering was too twitchy, I couldn't just sail down the highway, I had to stay on it all the time. On a long drive, I felt tired.

The 2500 has nice smooth steering, and can sail down the road with one hand on the wheel and enjoy some scenery without drifting into the other lane.

Yes, the suspension is stiffer, but it's still plush compared to my car

Dieseljunkie

A 1500 rides like a car, even if it is a truck. a 2500 is a TRUCK, and has a truck suspension.. it is going to ride like a truck.
Scott

kayjh

You already own it don't you? I have a 2004, 2500 with Cummins. My girlfriend who has endured ongoing vehicle testing over the years and takes no notice at all when it comes to the subject of cars and trucks commented when I picked her up in a 2500 Cummins demo: "Gee this truck has a hard ride!!".

Driving a 2500 diesel is more fatiguing than driving a 1500 Hemi. It has a harsher ride, more cumbersome steering with a larger turning radius, more engine noise and more vibration. The steering is less precise and requires more attention than when driving the 1500. All of this means more fatigue than when driving a quieter, smoother easier steering vehicle.

However, if you tow heavy loads, or like the extra margin of capacity a 2500 Cummis offers, the question is really academic as the Cummins is the right tool for the job!

04ctd

Agree- that is the answer to his question.

here's a DUMB QUESTION

is a Hemi smaller than a CTD? i don't think so

but i can't wedge my CTD into drive thru's at BK, McD's, banks, carswash, i mean it's too dang BIG, wheelbase length wise, to get in most places.

i've chewed the white letters off both sides in last week, being in rush and going thru drive thrus (buying tires soon, so did not care)

how are folks with Hemi 1500's feeling about this? seems like all stuff is made for tiny toy trucks.

SafeHarbor

I moved up from a Dakota to a CTD, but here's the other side... I worked as transport parmedic for ten years, and I've driven PSDs probably 200K miles. I thought they were WORK to drive. My CTD drives like a dream compared to a PSD with a unaerodynamic box on it. We also had a Navstar that I inherited because nobody else wanted to use it. (I was happy to have it.) It was pure truck, and those big wheels wandered all over the road. The thing about it was that it hardly broke down, and when it did, parts were cheap, all things compared.

kayjh

I can get into most places except smaller parking spaces but it is definitly more work to do so (back a forth a few more times), given the longer wheelbase and the larger turning radius. I'm not sure how Dodge compares to the others on turning radius. I used to use Dodge Ram Vans (3500) in my business until they stopped making them . We now use the long wheelbase GN product. the drivers were concerned about the longer wheelbase, but with the much tighter turning radius (compared to the Dodge), manouvering into parking spaces in parking lots is much easier.

DBLR

Both my wife and me feel that my 05 1500 4X4, 4.7 was much harder to stear than this 06 2500. Heck even my wife likes the way it rides, but when empty it does rid a bit stiffer then the 1500.

Oilguy

I find myself having to work harder BECAUSE I bought the 2500... nothing to do with steering! It is for paying it off! hahaha

OG

mjsandt

No complaints here, I love my truck. I can put a good 15 hours of driving in a day without being wore out. I even put 19 hours in straight once. Yeah its a little stiff suspension unloaded, but its a truck. I just put it on cruise and enjoy the ride. My .02.

M Sandt

35" 05'

a leveling kit makes a big difference in steering. takes off the downweight going to the front.

Jc9995

Biggest difference = 1500's have a rack and pinion steering system. The 2500/3500's have a recirculating ball set up. The rack and pinions are far more accurate, but cant hold up with the almost 1000 extra pounds that the CTD adds to the truck. With a Recirc system, you have more "play".

Ace

There's so many different combinations of steering and suspension out there it is like comparing apples to oranges. It boils down to the market they are designed for. The 1500 is an "entry-level" offering, whereas the 2500s and up are "real" trucks, and designed as such.

I have a good comparo example sitting in my driveway/garage: 2000 1500 5.2 5sp. vs. 1991 W250 CTD 5sp. The only fundamental difference between the two vehicles besides GVWR is the front springs. The 1500 has coils, the 2500 is leafs. The steering is recirc ball with a solid front axel on both. Neither has a rear sway bar. The difference in the ride, handling and overall feel of the vehicles is incredible, despite their similarities. Every time I get in one after driving the other I am amazed at how different they really are.

I sum it up like this: W250 - work truck, 1500 - play truck.

SafeHarbor

Actually, don't all 3rd generations, 1500, 2500, or 3500, have rack and pinion steering and isn't the actuator mounted in front of the axle?

Peterbilt

The 2500 is not "more work" it "works more"

Pete