This is my first posting but I've been reading and learning from the wealth of knowledge exchanged on this message board. I'll be soon ordering a truck to pull a 5th wheel and have been researching Ram 2500 and 3500's 4x2, SWB Quad, Cummins HO Turbo with 6-speed manual, trailer package, pullrite superglide, 3:73 gears, no spin differential. My question has to do with what each truck can pull. From the Dodge towing guide the 2500 has GVWR of 9000 lbs and a curb weight of 6514 lbs witch leaves a payload of 2490 lbs, and when we minus the passengers at 300lbs, the hitch att 250 lbs and misc. other stuff ( ie toolbox) of 150 lbs, I.m left with a hitch weight allowed of about 1786 lbs.

If I do the same calculation with the 3500 with a GVWR of 9900 lbs and a curb weight of 6598 lbs it leaves a payload of 3302 lbs and when I minus the other stuff I get 2602 lbs allowable hitch weight.

So If I'm calculating this right, the 2500 might be able to pull a 11000 lb 5er but at 20% figured for hitch weight it comes to 2200 potential lbs on the hitch meaning I'd have to go to a 3500 to pull it. Am I figuring right?

I'm finding that slide-outs in the bedroom area of a 5er adds a lot more weight but of course my wife has her heart set on a slider.

Artk

 

artk,
I think that realization has lead to many a long thread on this and all the truck websites.

 

First of all WELCOME to the site. There are a great many who will be more qualified to answer your questions than I am, but, here goes. You have done a lot more homework that the average person (seems like it anyhow). The numbers that you give I believe are the factory weights. The "real" weights are a tad more. My '96 weighs about 6700lbs so you need to adjust your numbers a little. Some others know the weight of the 3500. Other than that the numbers look good.
I pull a 26' fiver with a 14' slide on and the shiping weight says 6350lbs. By time you add everything in you can understand why there are two 5000lb axles under it. By the time I put my 16' boat behind that I am about 16,000lbs cgvw. It pulls the two trailers great. You will be very happy with the Cummins.
Tom

 

Art,

Your math is pretty good. Most 2500s with fivers will push the gross weight rating of the truck itself long before you reach the published max trailer weight. A bedroom slide pretty well leaves out a 2500 as the pin weight is too heavy. For the slight extra cost go with the 3500 for the extra payload. You will not regret it. And as Tom said, you WILL love the Cummins ...... and the six speed. With the single rear wheel 3500 you will not be getting a super heavy trailer so your chosen axle ratio should be fine. You can count on the pin weight being around 20% to 25% of the trailer gross vehicle weight rating. So if you get a SRW 3500 you are probably looking at a trailer no heavier than around 12,000 pounds if you want to stay within the legal limits of the truck. And don't trust what the trailer brochures tell you, their figures are usually light. Try to weigh the trailer before you buy it if possible. Some salesmen will try to tell you that your Volkswagen will pull the Titanic. So continue to do your homework and get a rig you and your truck can live with.

Welcome to the forums and have fun camping.

Casey

 

As always, I appreciate the information. It looks like its time to go with the 3500.

Thanks.

Artk

 

[quote author=artk link=board=11;threadid=21421;start=0#msg200952 date=1067022791]
So If I'm calculating this right, the 2500 might be able to pull a 11000 lb 5er but at 20% figured for hitch weight it comes to 2200 potential lbs on the hitch meaning I'd have to go to a 3500 to pull it. Am I figuring right?[/quote]Art, I think you've got it. Somewhere, one of your old math teachers' is smiling.

Please don't ask about SRW vs DRW in this thread....

 

Go 3500 - - you will be disappointed when you run the 2500 across a scale and find it weighs quite a bit more than you anticipated after you load it up. The 3500 gives you a little more leeway.

 

The weight of the truck usually posted by all manufacturers include a 150# driver and 1/2 a tank of fuel.

You may want to ask on rv.net about the pin weight of a loaded 5er of your choice. My 29' Automate single slide 5er has a hitch weight of 18%. If I had looked closer at GVWR I probably would have purchased a 3500. Now that there is a SRW 3500 I definately would get one to pull my existing 5er. I might even get a stick shift.

I've put 31,000 miles on my 5er with a loaded 2500 and have not had any problems.

 

Go with the 3500 SRW Sortbed. You won't be dissapointed, I have the 3500 QC Shortbed with the SO (Cali) 47RE Auto and I pull a Komfort Trailblazer with the SuperGlide hitch. You can look at pictures under the member's pictures #45 SuperGewl.
If yougo with the HO Auto & 4.1 gears you gain 4000lbs more than I can tow. My trailer weighs about 8800lbs as loaded with full potable water and perosnal goods inside.
You will just love the ride and the hitch ;D ;D ;D

 

My truck weighed empty with half tank a fuel, me, tool box and nerf bars at 8120. With trailer(unloaded) Gross was 21500. Pulls like a dream. DRW much more stable than my trade 03, 2500. Dual wheels really make a stable platform

 

I have the short bed 3500 with a trailer tow rating of 16500lbs from the factory. cant comment on the training wheels for towing but if your are going to tow a fifth wheel witht he short bed you will need a special hitch or a modified tounge on ur trailer to accomidate sharp turn in order to save ur cab from being bumped. just something to think about...My truck is great im very happy with it I havent had any big trailers behing it yet maxed out at about 5000lbs towed like it wasnt even there and got 15.5mpg.

check my sig for link to some photos
Dan

 

I've got to throw in my experienced opinion in here. I tow a 32' Hitchhiker II triple slide. I just traded my PSD in signiture for a 2004 3500 SRW, long bed, quad cab. The trailer has a GVWR of 14000# and I towed with a scaled GCWR at 20,500#.

I had about 15000 towing miles on my PSD and it towed as steady as any truck I have ever driven. I have driven duallys and semi's an the SRW trucks are as good as it gets.

I do prefer the long bed and longer wheelbase vehicles. I think they add a lot of sway control with long trailers and probably are a big reason that I think the SRW are just as good as the DRW.

Before someone jumps on this let me say that you will lose some GVWR but my trailer and truck will not exceed 9900# GVW on the truck even with the bedroom slide and if it does I will add air bags.

Now I gotta change my SIG.

 

ARTK, Go to the forum section at www.woodalls.com You will find a lot of info there on fiver's and towing.

 

After reading the previous posts on this thread, it seems to me some of your pin weights are very high. Is this due to the particular type /model of trailer? Check my signature. My pin weight is 950#. I've got a 30 footer with large slider and the manual says it's 9,500# empty...no sweat for a 3/4 Ton CTD.