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Old 11-08-2006, 05:08 AM   #1
GlobalDouglas
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TV and wt. limits?

It was easy to pick the 3400 as the 5th wheel I wanted....the hard part is picking a new TV! I want: to tow within wt. limits, 4x4, DRW and am looking at Dodge 3500 but it seems like the only way to do so is to have a 4.10 axle ratio. How bad is the fuel consumption w/ 4.10? What other TV options are out there if one does want to tow within TV limits? THANKS
 
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Old 11-08-2006, 05:15 AM   #2
Amps
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I took delivery of a 2006 RAM 3500 Laramie 4X4, DRW with a 4.10 axle. That was 3 weeks ago or 600 miles. So far did mostly city driving and the average mileage is just under 15mpg (us).
I really enjoy this TV and would buy it all over again.
WHY did I buy a 3500 DRW. Simple far too many are overloaded or have to buy add-ons. I bought this TV for a long term and am betting that the States or Provinces will soon take a good look at this issue who knows what will the outcome be.
Choose carefully. Good luck.


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Old 11-08-2006, 06:10 AM   #3
illapah
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I went for the Ford F350 SRW due to its load rating. I also don't want dual wheels. My thought anyway on this is that duals are not so effective on other than trailers attached to the rear hitch. That is just my opinion and others have theirs.
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Old 11-08-2006, 06:24 AM   #4
Fordzilla
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I have the 4:10's in my F350 and I get 14-16 driving empty depending on if I am in a hurry or not. Keep it close to 55-60 and I get closer to 16+ Otherwise I get 14-15 most of the time. I got about 11 pulling the Monty going to Goshen for the fall rally this year.
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Old 11-08-2006, 06:34 AM   #5
DarMar
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We are onside with Amps on this one. After many, many, many, months of thought we just took delivery of a 2007/dodge/4x4/3500/drw/laramie/mega cab/short box and also went for the 4:10's which gave us 2000lb. more towing cap. than the 3:73's. We also wanted to tow within limits. Sooner, rather than later, I believe rv's will be ask to pull in at weight scales!!! The on board computer says we are getting 18.7 mpg (Canadian).
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Old 11-08-2006, 10:24 AM   #6
pud2
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We have the 06 f350 d/w p.s. This truck has a gvwr of 13,000 and a tow rating of 16,500. We live in in ours and my weight was 11,400 at the flying j scale. There is still plenty of room for more weight and no problem with towing capacitiy. Good luck
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Old 11-08-2006, 10:43 AM   #7
Montana Sky
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DarMar,
How does your coach do on cornering with the new Dodge MegaCab? I believe the MegaCab has the shortest bed out there, any issues??
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Old 11-08-2006, 10:46 AM   #8
snfexpress
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We tow with a 2006 GMC 3500 LB Duramax. The 3400, when hitched, sits level - no rear end sag. Power is more than enough and towing we get 10 - 11 mpg at about 63 mph, and 17 - 18 mpg at 80 mph when not towing. We currently have 14,000 miles on our March '06 delivered GMC, and estimate 8 - 9,000 miles have been used for towing our 3400.

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Old 11-08-2006, 01:07 PM   #9
DarMar
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Montana Sky you are correct the Dodge has 4" less clearnce between the cab and centre of the rear axle and that is why we went with the new Hijacker AutoSlide hitch. Hooked everthing up last night, was concerned about clearances and how level the Monty would be with the higher 3500. The monty sat perfetly level once all the weight was put on the truck. We also have large chrome pipe type box rails but upon measure we have 5 7/8" of clearance. GlobalDouglas, we went with the short box because BOTH of us couldn't bring ourselves to buy a longbox after so many years of Chevy shorts. GM doesn't offer this option on 3500's, so along came the RAM. We just love this rig after years of Chevys. Can't wait to head to the RGV in January!!!
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Old 11-08-2006, 01:29 PM   #10
Wrenchtraveller
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The Hijacker Hitches are awesome but Hijacker has a disclaimer on their autoslide hitch with boxes that are shorter than 6 1/12 ft. You can read this disclaimer on the Highjacker website so be forewarned and be careful.
Best of luck with the new truck.
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Old 11-08-2006, 01:32 PM   #11
Cat320
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by GlobalDouglas

It was easy to pick the 3400 as the 5th wheel I wanted....the hard part is picking a new TV! I want: to tow within wt. limits, 4x4, DRW and am looking at Dodge 3500 but it seems like the only way to do so is to have a 4.10 axle ratio. How bad is the fuel consumption w/ 4.10? What other TV options are out there if one does want to tow within TV limits? THANKS
Congrats on the 3400, you'll love it.

Re the TV...it's not hard. You have stated you want to tow within limits and you want a Dodge...thus you have no choice...get the 4.10.

However, if you could stand a Chevy, my 07 Silverado, DRW, D/A, has a max cargo rating of 4257 and a max tow rating of 16,400
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Old 11-20-2006, 02:58 PM   #12
The_McCullochs
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With 4.10s [ours is 4WD] and a 48RE automatic, we get 10-12 towing @ GCVWR [GVWR on the Montana] and 15-17 "unloaded" [~500# of tools, etc.] highway.

BTW, don't forget to have them put on a Jacobs Exhaust Brake before you take possession: you'll love it! (We love ours!)
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Old 11-21-2006, 01:43 AM   #13
bobgay
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I have the Ram 3500 DRH with the 3.73 rear end and manual 6-speed tranny. We've pulled thr RV on trips from Fla to Labrador and to Alaska with no problems. I figure the only time I may need a lower gear ratio is when climbing a steep grade, which is far less than 1% of my travels. I'd rather shift down to 5th gear on the steeps than listen to the engine revving the rest of the time. Just my preference.
Bob
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Old 11-21-2006, 04:02 AM   #14
sreigle
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I think you can still get the 19,200 lb tow rating with 26000 lb GCWR if you get the Ford F350 powerstroke diesel with the Tow Boss option. That's a dually diesel with TorqShift automatic. The nice thing is that with this transmission and the variable geometry vane turbo you won't need a separate exhaust brake. And the builtin brake controller (part of the Tow Command option) is far, far better than any other controller I have ever used, including the Prodigy. Amazingly smooth controller. And the 6.0 with 3.73 axle will very easily tow any Montana on the road. I think the Tow Boss option may have a 4.10 axle but I'm not sure about that.
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Old 11-21-2006, 05:11 AM   #15
richfaa
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The tow boss package has the 4: 30 axle, I have it....Since you have no truck and you know what Montana you will pull you are in the perfect position to get the TV that meets your needs instead of having others attempt to convince you of what you need or you need what they have. Information from others is a valuable informational tool but should have no bearing what-so-ever on your choice.Take your time, List all the things you need the truck to do..be completely objective , let none of your personal likes or dislikes enter into the equation (for now) see what leaps out at you.Once your needs tell you what TV you need you can interject personal likes or dislikes..My only advise would be in reference to Wt limits..stay safe..stay legal..The weight limits are posted it does not take a rocket scientist to stay within them. I our case . We did not get the diesel because did not want one. My personal choice would not have been a Dually, Long bed, Crew Cab but our needs said that is what we needed so that is what we got. MPG is crappy towing with all brands and Motors..8,9,10,11 MPG is nothing to be bragging about..that is horrible and will cost us $.. It goes with the territory,But look at what we are doing with these trucks..this is not your Honda Civic hauling the groceries home from Giant Eagle..If we Want great MPG take up another hobby. MPG was low on my list of things I needed in a TV. Good luck and good hunting..this is the fun part.
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