Real experiences towing 3.73 gears

mowin · Jul 6, 2015

I'm pulling a 38' 11, 000# 4 slide 5er with my 3:73's. It does better than expected coming from a dmax. Granted, I'm not conquering the Ike gauntlet, but I'm impressed..

cptwing · Jul 7, 2015

mowin said:
I'm pulling a 38' 11, 000# 4 slide 5er with my 3:73's. It does better than expected coming from a dmax. Granted, I'm not conquering the Ike gauntlet, but I'm impressed..

Did your truck come with the fifth wheel / goose neck prep package? If so what did you need to buy to install the hitch? Can you post some pics an part numbers for the hitch and install? Mine came with the package and I know there is some sort of kit you need along with the hitch.

Thanks

mowin · Jul 7, 2015

cptwing said:
Did your truck come with the fifth wheel / goose neck prep package? If so what did you need to buy to install the hitch? Can you post some pics an part numbers for the hitch and install? Mine came with the package and I know there is some sort of kit you need along with the hitch.

Thanks

My truck did not come with the pucks. I added them myself.
I have a curt E16 that fits the OEM pucks. B&W also has a hitch that fits the OEM system.
If you already have a hitch that fits the universal rails, you will need a picture frame adapter.
The adapter fits the OEM pucks and the hitch hooks onto that.
Here's a pic of the Curts legs hooked to the pucks. I don't have a pic of the hitch w the head installed.
Liked this hitch as its easier to remove the hitch as it brakes down into two pieces. I'm not getting any younger. Lol

avolnek · Jul 7, 2015

Trailer Hitches & Vehicle Accessories (800)298-8924 has hitches with legs specific for the OEM pucks, otherwise you can buy what they refer to as a "picture frame" It snaps and locks into the oem pucks and creates the industry standard rails for a typical hitch to drop into. either route works well. My father has the "picture frame" and i was worried about the extra joints causing rattling but the frame snaps in very snug.

cptwing · Jul 7, 2015

In looking things over I'm thinking the Curt 20K it appears that I just screw it down to the 4 pucks I should already have in my truck and when not installed nothing left behind. I have a 3500 DRW with fifth wheel prep pkg, not to sound naïve as my truck currently came with a bed liner, am I correct in assuming I already have the pucks?

avolnek · Jul 7, 2015

cptwing said:
In looking things over I'm thinking the Curt 20K it appears that I just screw it down to the 4 pucks I should already have in my truck and when not installed nothing left behind. I have a 3500 DRW with fifth wheel prep pkg, not to sound naïve as my truck currently came with a bed liner, am I correct in assuming I already have the pucks?

If you have the 5th wheel gooseneck prep you better have it!

otherwise you paid for little to nothing extra...

If you have the pucks utilizing a hitch that drops straight into the holes is the way to go... My father went with the picture frame as his is a 2013 and the aftermarket hadn't yet caught up with Ram and he NEEDED to get goin...

mowin · Jul 7, 2015

cptwing said:
In looking things over I'm thinking the Curt 20K it appears that I just screw it down to the 4 pucks I should already have in my truck and when not installed nothing left behind. I have a 3500 DRW with fifth wheel prep pkg, not to sound naïve as my truck currently came with a bed liner, am I correct in assuming I already have the pucks?

The legs don't actually "screw" into the pucks. Just a 1/4 turn locks them into place.
What kind of bed liner? If its a spray in type, no problem. If its a plastic drop in liner, it will need to be trimmed/cut around the pucks.

cptwing · Jul 7, 2015

The plastic OEM one I had the dealer install it prior to taking delivery. The dealers "TRIMMED IT" in way of the in bed 7 pin plug and the tie down points. They did a big hack job, I should have followed through but let it go. Thinking of having a bed rug put in anyway to replace it, and it will be fit much better.

I like the 1/4 turn pins in the pucks nice and easy, after I looked at some pics I did notice that.

RoadDog66 · Jul 7, 2015

mowin said:
I'm pulling a 38' 11, 000# 4 slide 5er with my 3:73's. It does better than expected coming from a dmax. Granted, I'm not conquering the Ike gauntlet, but I'm impressed..

That thing is sweet! What is your pin weight on that monster?

What is your payload #? Your truck looks similarly optioned to one I'm interested in.

Did you cut the holes in the bed yourself or have a shop do it?

mowin · Jul 7, 2015

RoadDog66 said:
That thing is sweet! What is your pin weight on that monster?

What is your payload #? Your truck looks similarly optioned to one I'm interested in.

Did you cut the holes in the bed yourself or have a shop do it?

Pin wt is a tad over 2k. Per the door sticker, I have just shy of 4100# of payload.
I cut the holes myself. Install was rather easy.

Btw, the 2500 puck system is different than the 3500. My dealer ordered one for a 2500. Neither of us knew they were different till I got home and tried to install it. Mine was the first kit he had ordered, so I didn't bust on him too bad...

RoadDog66 · Jul 8, 2015

mowin said:
Pin wt is a tad over 2k. Per the door sticker, I have just shy of 4100# of payload.
I cut the holes myself. Install was rather easy.

Btw, the 2500 puck system is different than the 3500. My dealer ordered one for a 2500. Neither of us knew they were different till I got home and tried to install it. Mine was the first kit he had ordered, so I didn't bust on him too bad...

Ahh you have a 3500...much bigger load ratings on those. That's a nice rig, glad to hear if pulls well. I'll be looking for a bit smaller 5th wheel in a couple yrs.

avolnek · Jul 9, 2015

Mowin, isn't the GVWR of the 3500 something like 11,300? Giving you roughly 4,000 pounds of pay load?

my 2500 has a GVWR of 10,000 with a dry weight of just under 7,000 giving me 3,000 +/-...

My campers pin weight is just under 2,000 pounds...

way off topic, what type of hitch are you using? any sort of slider?

mowin · Jul 9, 2015

avolnek said:
Mowin, isn't the GVWR of the 3500 something like 11,300? Giving you roughly 4,000 pounds of pay load?

my 2500 has a GVWR of 10,000 with a dry weight of just under 7,000 giving me 3,000 +/-...

My campers pin weight is just under 2,000 pounds...

way off topic, what type of hitch are you using? any sort of slider?

I have a little over 4k payload. I've got a tradesmen, so less overall weight than other better equipped rigs.
I'm using a Curt E16 non slider. I can get about 85* before she'll hit. I loose some more due to my backrack

Real experiences towing 3.73 gears

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