investagator2

My current truck is a Chev 2500HD with ext. cab, LB, auto, 6.0L gas. We're getting a new fifth-wheel Rv Toy Hauler, that's about 14,000 lbs empty. So want a SRW, LB, CTD, auto, with the mega cab. What else will I need to order to handle the towing? What would be the nice to haves (towing mirrors, etc). And, I'm thinking about getting it without the bed, and adding an aftermarket one. Help!!! And, about how much will one cost me?

Jeff in TD

What do you think the pin weight of that thing is going to be, loaded with tanks full? I'm thinking upwards of 2800 pounds or more, plus the weight of the hitch, and people and gear in the truck you might be getting into dually territory...

Anyway, folding towing mirrors, and of course the trailer tow package are must haves. With the short bed, a sliding hitch may be needed, and a good brake controller.

Cost wise, there is a big range between the basic cloth and the loaded Laramie H package with nav, DVD and sunroof, so it is hard to give a cost w/o knowing what equipment you want.

As far as the bed goes, they don't give much of a discount if you order without bed, so it's possible the dealer or a body shop might give you more for the bed than you save.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with whatever you choose.

92'1stGen

4.10's if you have an auto, but I believe it's been changed so that the only choice with the auto 08's is now 4.10's, but dont hold me to it.

investagator2

Thanks for the info. I might have to go with DRW, but I kind of dread parking that thing in town!

92 1st gen - what is a jake brake, and why did you buy? Is that factory equip. or aftermkt?

Rednecktastic

The 08 comes with a factory exhaust brake. I'm betting you're going to need/want a DRW.

With the short bed mega you'll probably want a sliding hitch.

Pirate

The Jake Brake is the factory installed exaust brake. I beleive all are equiped with it but the extra cost is to have it activated and the switch kit. Others more familiar with the newer 3rd gens can confirm or correct this.

Evil Genius

There is no extra cost for the exhaust brake on the '08's with the 68FRE auto.

The default gears are 3.73 but the 4.10s are an inexpensive option.

The Mega is not available with a LB (8') from the factory. That trailer will be more than the OEM ratings for even a DRW Mega but with a few suspension mods (19.5 wheels/tires, airsprings, slider hitch) it is doable.

The problem with adding an aftermarket bed is that if it is heavier than the OEM bed you lose even more payload to the heavier bed.

There are a number of threads in the Tow Vehicle forum over at www.rv.net that will give you some more specific info and real world experiences.

Good luck

Spooler

Way to much weight for a SRW. It's a dually or no new trailer so to speak. Actually you will be well over a 3500 dually's GCVWR with 4.10 gears(23,000lbs). With an empty rating of 14,000lbs you are actually in the 4500 C&C class of truck for sure. If you attempt it with a 3500 dually you will also need airbags or Timbrens. Warranty, you will have none if the dealership figures out how much you weight you are towing. If you have a wreck, well that is another story....

92'1stGen

I don't think you'd be over the weight with a 3500 DRW w/ 4.10's. If anything I would think these numbers would have increased by now, but the maximum tow rating for the 06's was:

Mega, 4.10, 4x2 - 15,900
Mega, 4.10, 4x4 - 15,450

But, that doesn't leave much room for the toys in your toy hauler too.

As the previous have already said the 08's come standard with the exhaust brakes. I don't know if there jakes still or not, but from my understanding there built right into the turbo now. It's activated by a nice button on the center of the dash below the temperature controls. When towing a trailer it comes in real handy, it will stop it pretty much without being on the brakes at all. Also, if the truck hasn't been plugged in, if you just let it idle there for a min or 2 with it on the truck will act like its been plugged in.

Don't sweat the extra width on the dually. I worried about it when I first got it but people tend to get out of the way quickly and it's not that much different to park. And, when you get any kind of weight behind a dually you'll think your driving a caddy it's so smooth, atleast mine gets that way. Empty though it's easy to go airborne.

Evil Genius

I agree that he will have enough tow cap, but I think he will still be short on payload for the pin weight of that trailer with a stock Mega.

ChrisM55

also, the 08's are not available without the bed unless you get the cab&chassis. If you put a flatbed or aftermarket bed of any kind it will void the factory frame warranty.

Chris

Colo_River_Ram

Screw the dodge 3500 buy a Sterling 4500 hopefully they will stand behind it better than Dodge does..

Colo_River_Ram

You are correct it is actually part of the Regen system on the emissions control..it only added $500 to the truck price for the factory install..HMMMM go figure..

Rednecktastic

So... you have to have the switch installed?

Colo_River_Ram

No it comes with a dash mtd. switch and it is fully functional, the advantage to a Jake E-Brake is it gives you approximately 170 braking horse power, which save a lot of wear and tear on the service brakes.

Here is a link to the Jake E-Brake site:
http://www.jakebrake.com/products/ld.php