2006 Dodge Ram towing capacity question

[CasaDelSol]

We currently have a 2955RL and tow it nicely with our 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, quad cab, 5.9 cummins diesel, short bed, 2X4. We would like to upgrade to a 3400RL but aren't sure if our truck can haul that much weight. Anyone out there with this setup? Gas mileage, etc would be appreciated. Thanks....Joanie

[clutch]

You should be ok for pin weight. The model you have is heavier on the pin than some of the longer models.

[Bob Pasternak]

There'll be a couple come on here and tell you need a MDT to tow anything bigger. We pulled an '03 2955RL for 1 1/2 years with an '01 Dodge 3/4 Cummins w/o problem. We traded the Dodge for a new '05 Dodge Cummins. We sold the 2955 and bought an '06 3000RK that we take anywhere w/o problem or fear. Enjoy.

[richfaa]

You will be advised to check the ratings and spec's of the truck and camper and that is good practice to stay within them. MPG will vary with conditions. We do 10/11 dragging the 3400 with the truck in our signature on the average interstate,,, However on this trip down to southern Ohio on two lane rolling terrain with many hills we averaged 8.5MPG.

"There'll be a couple come on here and tell you need a MDT to tow anything bigger"

The gvwr on the 09 3400 is 15,930lbs.. My truck as configured is rated at 15,200lbs
The gvwr on the 09 big sky is 16,535lbs My truck as configured is rated at 15,200lbs

Both numbers are over the ratings of my truck as configured. Not my opinion..those are the numbers.
I do not have the book in front of me but I believe that the 4:30Diff would allow 17,700lbs gvwr.

Do the Numbers, make the decision.

[JimF]

I pull an 07 3400RL with a 2001 2500 Dodge, no problems. Pulling with the 3.55 rearend which is a bit to tall for the hill country but okay on the flats. Have towed about 12 or 14 thousand in the last 2 years. The 06 model should be fine.

[Amps]

Here is what the DODGE 2006 truck Specifications Guide says for your truck with an auto trans.
AXLE = GVWR = Payload = GCWR = Max Trl.wt. = Base curb wt.
3.73 = 9,000 = 2,630 = 20,000 = 13,500 = 6,368
4.10 = 9,000 = 2,630 = 20,000 = 13,500 = 6,368
These are Dodge's numbers not mine.
Hope this helps.

[rexo]

We are full timers who have pulled our 06 3400 from Alaska to Mexico and Calif to Michigan, with a 2004 Dodge 2500 Cummings w/o any poblems. go for it, you will love it. Rexo

[ALAN]

This is almost the same question I am dealing with. I have a 2005 F250 CC and my concern was pin wt. I figure I can watch the wt of the trailer relative to how I load it, but not sure I can control pin wt. You might want to do the calculation for both the capacity of your truck, trailer and combined to see which number(s) give you concern. See the discussion on this site for the same question I raised last month. There were some good answers for your consideration, as one can expect on this forum.

Alan

[billhoover]

I hate to be a naysayer here, but you asked the wrong question and, as a result, are getting some incorrect information. Any diesel truck can pull any Montana fine. However, the majority of the 3/4 ton trucks on the road will exceed their GVWR with a 3400. Using my rig as an example, the empty pin weight of the 3400 is 2,000#, loaded is 2,500#. I have about 1000# of other things in the truck when ready to travel...passengers, extra fuel, hitch, tools, cargo, ice chest, tour books, pet, etc. That puts 3,500# in the truck. Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left rear door post, it will tell you the actual cargo capacity of THAT truck to the nearest one pound...it will be about 1,000# under what I need to remain within the manufacturer's specs. Do not believe anything but that sticker...the information on the internet, in brochures, etc, is not accurate and shows the numbers as greatly inflated. The only correct number is the one on that sticker.

[ALAN]

I looked up the discussion on my situation that may help you. Search under Towing Capacity 8/11/08 under my member name of ALAN. A lot of good information was provided in response to my question.

Alan

[hookman]

I could not find the 2006 charts but here is the 2007 chart. You could probably find it on google. The ratings should be close.

http://www.trailerlife.com/towratings/07towratings.pdf

[TLightning]

As noted in an earlier post, tow ratings are totally irrelevant. Check the cargo capacity...that is the weak point of 3/4 ton trucks.

[Okie Guy]

It is completely up to you. Do you feel safe with the weight combo going 65 miles per hour down the interstate? Only you can answer that question. A lot of people do use 3/4 tons to pull their rigs. Also take into consideration how far your pulling the rig and how often your pulling the rig.

[guru1961]

I pull my 2006 'Tana 3400RL with a 2004 2500 Hemi 4x4 and I have not had any problems. I agree with the post about it has to do with what you are comfortable with. I try to keep my speed around 60mph to conserve fuel...if I go 65+...I get

[billhoover]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

As noted in an earlier post, tow ratings are totally irrelevant. Check the cargo capacity...that is the weak point of 3/4 ton trucks.

As usual, these threads get confusing.

The above is true...as long as it is a diesel or big block gasser. If it is a small block gasser (5.7 Dodge, 5.4 Ford or 6.0/5.3 GM), the 3/4 can handle the pin weight (no heavy diesel engine), but will be way over the GCWR. Most of the small block gassers have GCWRs of around 16k...so if you have a truck at 9k and a 14k Montana, subtracting 2k for pin weight so we don't count it twice, you are still 5,000 over GCWR.

My suggestion is educate yourself...learn what the definitions are, do your own numbers, decide if you want to remain within the manufacturer's specs and go from there. Lots of information on the forum is just plain incorrect, you are better off to figuring it out yourself.

A while back, prior to my joining (I was told this by another party), a member bought a 3/4 ton diesel to pull a Montana based on advice received here. After purchasing the truck, the member did the numbers and realized the truck was way over weight. So now the member had a brand new $45k truck that would not do what the member wanted it to do. I don't know the outcome...the member quit the forum.

[CasaDelSol]

Thanks to all who answered my post. Now I have to get DH to read all this and decipher the info. I am just the beautiful assistant!!

Joanie

[sreigle]

Good or bad, lots of people are doing it, including us, without a single problem or even a single problem with stability or anything else. You saw Bob Pasternak's post. I believe he used to be an over the road trucker and I value his advice.

Interestingly, my 2005 Ford F250 had higher ratings than does my 2007 Dodge 3500, both diesel automatics with 3.73 axle. 3/4 ton and 1 ton labels don't mean what they used to. You have to check the numbers. We towed this 3400 with both the above trucks without a problem at all and did it for many thousand miles of fulltiming. All I can tell you is my experiences. You'll have to look at numbers and real world experiences and do whatever makes you comfortable.

[chas]

quote:Originally posted by CasaDelSol

We currently have a 2955RL and tow it nicely with our 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, quad cab, 5.9 cummins diesel, short bed, 2X4. We would like to upgrade to a 3400RL but aren't sure if our truck can haul that much weight. Anyone out there with this setup? Gas mileage, etc would be appreciated. Thanks....Joanie

I pull a 12000 dry weight Mountaineer with a 1500 dodge ram 2005 -- put firestone airbags on and a heavy duty sway bar and e rated 3000 lbs per tire -- it pulls great and handles great also an extra transmission cooler and deep oil pan I have put 10 thousand
miles on the truck this is twice what dodge recomends . started in PA to florida across the rockies to california , back across to change lisences to SD and down to arizona for this winter and no mechenical problems whatsoever .

[billhoover]

quote:Originally posted by chas

[quote

I pull a 12000 dry weight Mountaineer with a 1500 dodge ram 2005 -- put firestone airbags on and a heavy duty sway bar and e rated 3000 lbs per tire -- it pulls great and handles great also an extra transmission cooler and deep oil pan I have put 10 thousand
miles on the truck this is twice what dodge recomends . started in PA to florida across the rockies to california , back across to change lisences to SD and down to arizona for this winter and no mechenical problems whatsoever .
[/quote]

Me thinks Chas is a troll...pulling a 14k (loaded) trailer with a 1/2 ton truck!!!

I had a 1/2 ton Chev a few years ago that had a GCWR of 14k...not to mention a cargo capacity of 1300. With a trailer of that size, I'd have been three plus tons over weight.

[tennisdg]

i have a dodge 3/4 ton long bed that i pull a 3400 monty, ive pulled all across the us from calif. to florida to maine to washington and back to so cal with no problems. hope you enjoy your new truck.