Ram 4500

[cjohnson]

Any one utilizing a RAM 4500 to tow with, been looking at a 2015 with 444 rearend - problems, concerns, fuel mileage. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[DQDick]

What advantages would it give you over what you have?

[tomNtrisha]

I would check the horsepower and torque foot-pound ratings on at 4500 because some I have seen Were derated on horsepower and torque because of commercial uses. The 3500 with ainis tran. Have a385 hp and 865 foot- torque. Get one with 4:10 rear end get better mpg and pull what ever you hook on to 2015 model 2014 with ainis tran. 4:10 rear end have 385 hp /850 torque . My money went on new 2014 3500 dully ainins tran. And 4:10 rear end. Tom happy trails

[davidaf]

I looked real hard at a 5500 Chassis Cab (CC) with custom pickup bed. My motivation was for Payload capacity thanks to my heavy truck camper. Lots of benefits with the commercial build that I don't see being anything but a positive for a tow vehicle. Only real issue I found was the ride unladen is a bit rough to say the least. Ended up with the Ford 450 PU non chassis cab. It drove better thanks to it being a "hybrid" of sorts with some commercial duty parts and standard PU parts. Payload is lower by far than the 5500 (or 550 and similarly equipped 350 for that matter) but I still get the 19.5 wheels/tires and much larger axle plus it's not detuned for commercial "long life". Who knows what else is different from the 350 and CC models Ford can't seem to get their specs aligned. One site says A another says B.

[cjohnson]

advantages:
1. max trailer weight-23650
2. GCWR - 32500
3. 325 HP, 750 lb-ft
Since we will be full time starting June 26th, we have looked but not decided on DRV Mobile Suites. How ever the more we look in to everything our little 3100RL & 3500 looks better and better. All in all 3500 will pull just about anything, problem is being with in or under weight numbers and legal.

[jcurtis934]

Gcwr on my 2012 f350 dually is 30000. I, too, lust over the suite...but the wallet says no. My opinion is to get a better tow vehicle, whatever make that you can live with and love. For me, it would be a new f450 or a mountain master...but someone would have to buy it for me. John

[Captain Joe]

For the price of the new RAM, you could buy TWO trucks like mine and you can safely and comfortably tow any RV.

[davidaf]

One of the primary reasons we are in a Montana, mind you I like the Monty just fine and she's not going to be replaced anytime soon, was that I my 05 DRW Ram wouldn't tow any of the "fulltime" units and be within tow rating. This limited what I would even look at. I made sure the new truck could tow most anything that is manufactured. Having said that all the 2015 DRW trucks have a lot more capacity than my 05 had. Even the SRW trucks have higher tow ratings. What a difference 10 years makes.

[H. John Kohl]

I have a Ram 3500 dually with the 4:10 rear end. I dropped about three MPG and see about 9 towing and 12 when emptyil. I too wanted the CGVW of 28K.

[Artemus Gordon]

Before I did anything I would contact these folks. Many years experience and they build nice rigs including 4500 Rams.

http://www.classychassistrucks.com

[Captain Joe]

These guys are custom builders also. http://rvhaulers.ca/

[Eagleback]

I have a 2013 Ram 3500 DRW with the 4:10 and the Aisin trans. I get 20MPG empty and around 14MPG pulling the 310rl at around 17000 or so loaded with the Q20 curt. and I have 0 problems with the rig or the TW. I bought my truck when the 2014's were on the lot and got a really good deal on it. if I buy another truck again I recommend going to Memphis there are some good deals to be had there.

[Willy Bee]

I have a Dodge 4500 DRW for work trucks. i love them but they do ride very ruff, they are not great on fuel mileage. Also they run about 15% to 25% more then a 3500 fully loaded.