CoastalDav

I think you missed the point of the post. The 4500 and 5500 are heavier than the 3500 which substracts from the weight it can tow in the gross combined area. The reason its heavier is frame size, brakes, fuel load with aux tank and what ever else.

There is no doubt the 4500/5500 can do much better towing a load than a 3500 but is limited to 26,000lbs GCWR. The 2010 3500 with the 4.10 rear
can do 25,400lbs combined. I would imagine they have beefed up the frame and brakes on the 3500 since all previous 3500's (o3 and up)were limited to 23,000lbs combined. They got real close to the F350 tow boss package which uses a 4.30 gear to get the 26,000lb combined rating. The F350 with a 4.10 is rated at 23,000lbs combined. So for now with the 4.10 Dodge has the most combined rating between the two.

To tow the 19,000lb toy hauler or the 23,000lb fiver, the 4500/5500 is not rated to do that, although I'm sure it would have no problem doing it with a 4.88 rear.

rraulston

wow, I did not think this would be that technical. Now I need to figure out what rear end ratio I have......

rammin sammy

Dont forget the tire ratings as well. I recently bought a 2500 mega cab and had the same idea with hopes of a 5er in the near future. The pin weight is the downfall on the 2500's. I see hundreds of people towing BIG 5ers with 2500's and I would bet that more than half are over there weight ratings. I for one wish I had gotten a 3500 instead. JMO This message will self destruct in 20 seconds or my wife will kill me. Good Luck

CoastalDav

Good looking Truck! Tires, your right. You should be albe to find a 30ft Fifth Wheel that will fit in your weight range.

alboy

You will need a decent brake controller as well.I just installed the new P2 prodigy,very nice and smooth.The nice part i like is it can be mounted vertically, so easy to monitor and activate manually.

ramcneal

Go to you local dodge dealer and ask for a print out on your truck based on the VIN. It'll give you the rear end ratio.