Contemplating trading

I bought a 16 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 gears figuring that would be plenty of power when I get a toy hauler and hit the roads with the family. I'm primarily using the truck as a DD back and forth to work. Since I got 7 years until retirement, towing the hauler would only be about 4 times a year. I didn't do so much research on the trailer weights prior to buying my rig and now I think it's coming back to bite me in the butt.

Looking at a Keystone Fuzion 5er and the weights are easily 13k empty and up. Info for my truck reads, 10k GVWR, 2910 payload, 22,800 GVWR and 15,240 max trailer.

Now I'm thinking I should have went with the CTD. Thinking I might also have to upgrade to a 3500.

What's your .02?

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If that's the one you have your eyes on then yes- I see a 3500 CTD in your future.

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I own an rv transport company and we pull factory to dealership and dealership to end user so I have some insight.

My best advice is if you "think" it'll be enough truck - look deeper. Remember, to be considered legal by strict definition you must be within ALL weight catagories. All. Weight. Categories.

You have to start at the ground and move up.

Start with gross axle weight ratios (GAWR), front and rear.
Then payload.
Then towing capacity
Then GVWR
Then GCWR

These numbers can't be changed by adding airbags, different gears, etc. They are what they are. In michigan for example, we have a state law that clearly spells out that all vehicles pulling a trailer must be within manufacturer declared weight limits.

All scales, transportable (in patrol car trunk) and stationary can weigh each axle, combination of axles and the newest ones will tell them how much each tire weighs.

Weigh in motion scales now weigh you as you drive by and ignoring red light waves ins is a ticketable offense, even for private owners in many cases. South dakota, for example, any vehicle with a GVWR of more than 7,000 lbs must pull in to weigh.

With all that, it's rare you will have to worry if you're pulling your own. You WILL be weighed and inspected if you are involved in an injury or fatal crash. Over weight and you'll likely face civil and or criminal charges.

If you want to get a general idea of these numerous Google "20xx ram 2500 payload" put in whatever year and if it's a 2500 or 3500 and you'll find this site..... it's a PDF, it's easy to use and I'll show you a page and what the Google link to click on looks like below.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...TwPvKBrbyX7CLGvTQ&sig2=biABs1o6s-AYRTZf2FC3eA

Short answer - 13k 5ver EMPTY? Yes your in one ton truck territory. Possibly even a dually. That thing must be a monster. I'd not tow that with my truck. Even if i had a 4.30 gear and i have over 3100lbs of pay. Good luck.

GsRAM said:

Short answer - 13k 5ver EMPTY? Yes your in one ton truck territory. Possibly even a dually. That thing must be a monster. I'd not tow that with my truck. Even if i had a 4.30 gear and i have over 3100lbs of pay. Good luck.

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Just a little bit.. Lol



Double axle


Triple axle

I like the 6.4 and the 2500 and hate to beat the dead horse, but you either need a more capable truck or consider a smaller TH. Some of us learned the hard way too.


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drittal said:

I like the 6.4 and the 2500 and hate to beat the dead horse, but you either need a more capable truck or consider a smaller TH. Some of us learned the hard way too.


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Yeah talking to my dealer to pretty much order my same truck just in 3500 with CTD.

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I went back two years on a trade to a 3500 to keep payments same


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Unless you pack really light most of those are going to overload a SRW. By the time you get a hitch in the bed any anything at all in the truck and 5th you're going to be over. I see a DRW in your future.

I went to an RV show recently and can't believe how big all the 5th wheels are. When I got my 35' I thought it was ridiculous. That's actually on the smaller end. Many/most are 38-42 feet. I guess we Americans just keep getting richer and fatter

mtofell said:

Unless you pack really light most of those are going to overload a SRW. By the time you get a hitch in the bed any anything at all in the truck and 5th you're going to be over. I see a DRW in your future.

I went to an RV show recently and can't believe how big all the 5th wheels are. When I got my 35' I thought it was ridiculous. That's actually on the smaller end. Many/most are 38-42 feet. I guess we Americans just keep getting richer and fatter

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Nooooooo! Can't do the DRW. Don't get me wrong, I like a girl with a big rear end. [emoji16] it's difficult enough trying to maneuver this thing around and find parking let alone I have to worry about dual rear hips [emoji23]

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tojo said:

Nooooooo! Can't do the DRW. Don't get me wrong, I like a girl with a big rear end. [emoji16] it's difficult enough trying to maneuver this thing around and find parking let alone I have to worry about dual rear hips [emoji23]

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I don't think your going to be happy with a SRW while towing that TH.

Don't make the same mistake twice.

Lol. The training wheels hit the curb when you parallel park?

Keep your truck and get an outlaw class motor home/toy hauler. Then you can even take your boat or jet skis.

Tojo

This could be an answer here Why You Need It | The Automated Safety Hitch

Look here at their testimonials.
http://www.automatedsafetyhitch.com/testimonials/braking-system/

I have seen these around for a few years,there are several different manufactures making these. I have not seen one in person or know of any one using.

They are similar to tow dolly axles used by truckers pulling doubles and triples.
http://www.equipmenttrader.com/Trailers/listing/2015-CUSTOM-Trailer-116960719

This could be a cheaper alternative to replacing your truck.

Although as others have mentioned,Diesel is preferred power and more importantly torque is at lower rpms where you need it.

Not like the hemi where the truck must rev higher rpms to get in the power band and this decreases fuel mileage.

I love our all Diesel family, Ram 2500,VW Passat TDI, 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee eco diesel.

Yeah for something that big I do see a DRW, as they say, " pay the cost to be the boss".

I appreciate all the help guys. Guess I'll just have to lower my expectations and see what I can pull with the Hemi or "worse" case (lol) get the 3500 Cummins.

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tojo said:

I appreciate all the help guys. Guess I'll just have to lower my expectations and see what I can pull with the Hemi or "worse" case (lol) get the 3500 Cummins.

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I'm in the same camp.... I just don't want a DRW. I know all the folks with them say they are way more stable and they'd never go back. I'm sure they are right but I just don't want the liability when it comes to being in cities and parking lots. Also, in a pinch my wife may need to drive the truck and there is absolutely NO way that would work. She may start with a DRW but it would come back a SRW, minus mirrors and other equipment, I'm sure.

As I plan and scheme for my next RV someday I'm trying to keep dry weight in the 12-13K range. Loaded up hopefully not much more than 15K. That still leaves a little breathing room with a modern SRW diesel.

mtofell said:

I'm in the same camp.... I just don't want a DRW. I know all the folks with them say they are way more stable and they'd never go back. I'm sure they are right but I just don't want the liability when it comes to being in cities and parking lots. Also, in a pinch my wife may need to drive the truck and there is absolutely NO way that would work. She may start with a DRW but it would come back a SRW, minus mirrors and other equipment, I'm sure.



As I plan and scheme for my next RV someday I'm trying to keep dry weight in the 12-13K range. Loaded up hopefully not much more than 15K. That still leaves a little breathing room with a modern SRW diesel.

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Unfortunately 15k fifth will eat up your payload fast. 3-4K. If you play big you have to tow big.



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drittal said:

Unfortunately 15k fifth will eat up your payload fast. 3-4K. If you play big you have to tow big.
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Around 4000# for the configuration I'd be looking at. A bit over 3000# loaded pin weight + 250 for a slider hitch + me and the wife still gives me a bit of room. I was just at a show and the size of the trailers is getting pretty ridiculous. Most are over 40'. I did find quite a few nice units under 13,000#.

mtofell said:

Around 4000# for the configuration I'd be looking at. A bit over 3000# loaded pin weight + 250 for a slider hitch + me and the wife still gives me a bit of room. I was just at a show and the size of the trailers is getting pretty ridiculous. Most are over 40'. I did find quite a few nice units under 13,000#.

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FYI, my 3500 SRW longhorn has a sticker payload of 3793


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