What, in your opinion, would make a 3500 necessary over a 2500 for pulling a trailer? I guess I am asking weight-wise, trailer size, etc. Just looking for opinions. Kind of wondering if I would be better off with a 2500 instead of my 3500 flatbed. I pull an 18' trailer nearly every day that weighs (on average) probably 4K total.

 

For that size a trailer you won't find any difference in the way they ride or pull. Your not even touchin the limits of a 2500 for that trailer.

The only big difference comes into play in the difference between the dual and single wheel. If the majority of your miles are spent pulling trailers down the highway then a dually is nice to have. They cut down on the road sway considerably. They are also nice if your using one of the RV type Campers for the stability. But the drawbacks to a dually are the extra cost of tires and decreased fuel mileage. Your actual carry capacity also goes down because the axles themselves are heavier which takes away from your legal load limit capacities.

I haul heavy loads pretty regularly with my 2500 and have never had any problems. I have a triple axle 40' Gooseneck that I have had pretty close to the 30,000 pound mark between the trailer weight and load and have never come close to bottoming out the rear suspension. My biggest issue with it is the low end torque and getting the load movin. It always goes, I just wish it would it with a little less effort.