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Old 08-10-2008, 05:30 PM   #1
jaybird
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The biggest 5er for 2500 Deisel

I've had a new Montana 2955RL w/ 2 slides for 2 years (quessing 10,000lbs) with a '06 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. I have no problem hitting any speed over mountain passes getting 15-18 miles per gallon. Someone please tell me (besides an RV or truck Dealer) how big of a 5er I can pull (how many slides or length or weight). I want to get as big a 5er I can for the $50,000 I have invested in the Deluxe Dodge Ram.
Thanks
jay



 
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Old 08-10-2008, 05:48 PM   #2
rames14
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Jay, you will find many answers from many knowledgeable people. This will boil down to experience versus pure data. If you want the absolute answer, you will need to measure your truck, trailer and pin weight. You will also need to know the specs on your truck - gcwr, gvwr, etc. I have towed my 3400 with a Chevy 2500 and now with a 3500. I have not noticed a difference in handling (or braking) and we have traveled around the country quite a bit. Good luck with your next trailer. You can also search to find out what others have said in the past.
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Old 08-10-2008, 06:22 PM   #3
bsmeaton
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If you're getting 15-18 mpg pulling any speed over mountain passes, I wouldn't change a thing!
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Old 08-11-2008, 02:28 AM   #4
richfaa
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There is a difference between "pulling anything and staying within the manufacturers specifications. As mentioned above look at all the specs of the truck and camper. Now the specs on my 08 1 ton ford say it will pull 15,200lbs... My guess it would pull 18K maybe more"with no problem." But I choose to stay within all manufacturere spec's for many reasons. It is my opinion that everyone should.
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Old 08-11-2008, 04:00 AM   #5
Emmel
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Keeping within the specs for your Dodge, I would imagine you could pull any Montana. Now, stepping up to the Big Sky may be a problem, I don't know the specs for them. Model 2955 dry weight is 9895 per brochure and the 3600 is 11995 which should be in your range. These are '06 numbers and the '09 numbers should be within a few hundred lbs of that.
Also, I might add, if you get that kind of ,mileage while towing , especially over mountain passes, I wouldn't change anything either.
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Old 08-11-2008, 04:02 AM   #6
ols1932
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With that kind of fuel mileage, I wouldn't change a thing!

Orv
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Old 08-11-2008, 05:28 AM   #7
Glenn and Lorraine
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Ditto on the fuel mileage thingy. Stick with watcha got.

I have a 2500HD w/Duramax pulling a 3485SA. Towed it from Florida to Northern NY to Northern Calif and back to Florida with absolutely no problems other than a bad fuel filter.
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Old 08-11-2008, 07:58 AM   #8
c214dick
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My '03 Dodge 3500 diesel is rated to pull 15,900#. What is your rear end ratio? I'm assuming that you have the economy rear end to even get close to that mileage which means you're pretty close to max now. I had the 3:54 in my '01 Dodge 2500 diesel pulling 10,000# never got above 12mpg.
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Old 08-11-2008, 08:29 AM   #9
TLightning
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jaybird

how big of a 5er I can pull?
Thanks
jay



jaybird...you have asked the wrong question. Any diesel pick up will "pull" any 5th wheel on the market, even the 20k+ Teton. However, if you want to stay within specs, do the numbers. By that I mean check the amount of weight in your truck...pin weight, weight of the hitch, cargo, passengers, tools, etc. The key number is the truck's GVWR...I think you will find you are most likely over the manufacturer's rating with the 2955.

As for 15-18 MPG towing...I think you must be a Dodge salesman! Actually, I get that kind of mileage all the time...down hill with a tailwind and the engine off.
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Old 08-11-2008, 10:01 AM   #10
dsprik
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by TLightning

As for 15-18 MPG towing...I think you must be a Dodge salesman! Actually, I get that kind of mileage all the time...down hill with a tailwind and the engine off.
... without pulling anything. Is that truck for sale???
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Old 08-11-2008, 10:57 AM   #11
SlickWillie
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Just what would a "Deluxe Dodge Ram" be? I looked at a 2007 3500 4X4 Mega-cab(Laramie IIRC) with every bell and whistle you could imagine. Complete with navigation and power moonroof (I think we use to call those sun roofs in my day.). It only listed in the mid fifties. I'm not a Dodge man, not bashing, just curious.
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Old 08-11-2008, 11:23 AM   #12
c214dick
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There's a lot of jokes that this is opening up for but being a Dodge guy I can't beat up another one. But please don't stop as this thread is very amusing.
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Old 08-11-2008, 11:41 AM   #13
c214dick
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OK you doubters (sp), 2006 Dodge 2500 SLT 4x4 Mega Cab listed at $37,480. Add to that all the options that us truck guys want plus tax plus transportation and you could easily pay $50,000 . FYI, 2 years ago we looked at a new Mega Cab at the Denver auto show. All tricked out it was almost 50 grand (tax included) So there!!!!!(LOL)

Now about that mileage.......... Maybe with the 3.73 rear end and not the 4.10???????? Maybe with the 6 speed manual w/overdrive????????

I have now done my duty for a fellow Dodge guy. Jaybird you may now respond.
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Old 08-11-2008, 12:14 PM   #14
billhoover
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Over on RV Net, I think Mr Jaybird would be called a troll.

-$50k for a 3/4 ton is way high...the sticker on my LT3 diesel dually was less than $45k.
-Most of us would be happy with that mileage NOT towing...nobody sees that mileage towing.
-If the truth be told, I think Jaybird knows he is over weight with his 3/4 and a 2955.
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Old 08-11-2008, 12:23 PM   #15
tjuhl
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I've had a new Montana 2955RL w/ 2 slides for 2 years (quessing 10,000lbs) with a '06 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. I have no problem hitting any speed over mountain passes getting 15-18 miles per gallon. Someone please tell me (besides an RV or truck Dealer) how big of a 5er I can pull (how many slides or length or weight). I want to get as big a 5er I can for the $50,000 I have invested in the Deluxe Dodge Ram.
Thanks
jay

I also have a '06 2500 Dodge CTD pulling a 3000RK. I believe the max weight spec to be pulled is 12900# However, the pin weight of the fiver,the hitch, people and and other loaded items will be the limiting factor. The factory sticker on my door frame shows a 2105# total loading limit. Empty my axles weight 6920#. With the hitch and loaded 3000RK attached the 2500 weights 9610#, 2690# added weight or 585# over the 2100# limit. (that equals a 2420# pin weight and a total trailer weight of 11120#) With Timbrens on the back the Dodge seems to handle the added weight fine but I wouldn't go any higher. I believe the 3400RLs, although longer, have a little less pin weight then the 3000RK. I think you need a trailer with a empty pin weight of no more then 2200#.
PS I don't think I've ever seen anyone claim as high as 15-18 mpg over mountains pulling a Monty. My computer registered 14.6 on my last long trip, no mountains, but actual mileage was 12.4. Don't believe that computer.



[/quote]
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Old 08-11-2008, 12:38 PM   #16
SlickWillie
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From Motor Trend magazine;

Look for a 1500 Hemi to start under $33,000, but a loaded 3500 Cummins model, with leather, DVD, Bluetooth, Sirius Radio, and 384-watt Infinity sound system should land near $50,000. Now that's Mega.

This was an article they did on the 2006 Mega Cab.

The 2955 is the lightest of the Montana line. The pin weight is even less than our Mountaineer. I would think the 2500 would handle that unit adequately. Of course, I don't crunch those weight numbers anyway. Plus, my dealer told me my 2500HD would handle anything Keystone makes. HA! HA!
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Old 08-11-2008, 03:35 PM   #17
c214dick
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Got to love those dealers' opinions. My friend bought a Travel Supreme in '99 that grosses at 16,000#. He was pulling it with a Ford 3/4 ton V8 and almost got stuck in the Badlands because the RV dealer told him he could pull it. Now he has a Ford 350 diesel.
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Old 08-11-2008, 04:42 PM   #18
jaybird
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You guys can't imagine the reaction I got on RVNet.com when I sent the same question. I get ripped beyond believe. I mistakenly stated the truck at 50K instead of 40K and i'm sure my mileage was off a titch but damn- I got screwed on that site. (Check it out for a laugh)

Thanks for being light on a rookie. To simplify my question, could we consider a third slide instead of 2 and maybe a foot or three over a 29'. That's all I was asking. Are the new 5er's possibly lighter with technology? I use it 12-15 weeekends a year and half of the years travel is flat on I-5. Please be gentle for the unknown!!!!!!
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Old 08-11-2008, 05:28 PM   #19
dsprik
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jaybird

You guys can't imagine the reaction I got on RVNet.com when I sent the same question. I get ripped beyond believe. I mistakenly stated the truck at 50K instead of 40K and i'm sure my mileage was off a titch but damn- I got screwed on that site. (Check it out for a laugh)

Thanks for being light on a rookie. To simplify my question, could we consider a third slide instead of 2 and maybe a foot or three over a 29'. That's all I was asking. Are the new 5er's possibly lighter with technology? I use it 12-15 weeekends a year and half of the years travel is flat on I-5. Please be gentle for the unknown!!!!!!
Welcome home, Jay! We're family here... There are many over there that are predatory buzzards (not all). Sometimes they darken the sky. We've all been there.
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Old 08-11-2008, 05:28 PM   #20
c214dick
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Jay, here's a quote. If you want to know specifics you need to tell us more than just your model.

"The 2500 series come in either 8800- or 9000-pound GVWR with a payload range of 1430 to 2620 pounds, depending on engine, transmission, trim level and choice of 2- or 4-wheel drive. Towing capacity ranges from 8100 up to 12,900 pounds. Mega Cab adds about 400 pounds over a 2500 Quad Cab."

Depending on whether you have the 3.73 or 4.10 rear end will make a big difference in what you can tow. Other variables include whether you have 4 wheel drive or not and your type of transmission. If you still have the price sticker that came on your truck, it should list some of these answers.

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