Ram 3500

[Knight1]

Hi everyone, I know I’m going to open a can of worms on this, but looking at at 2018 Ram 3500 as a new TV. It’s a Mega Cab, SRW, 4x4, HO diesel. Everything I’m reading says 16,600 max towing. Currently have a 2020 Montana 3760FL with a GVWR of 16,800. Not doing a lot of travelling at the moment but would like to upgrade the TV to be able to do some distance in the next few years. I don’t really want to go to a DRW since the truck will be a daily driver most of the time but want to be sure that what I end up with will be enough.
Thanks all!

[DQDick]

it all depends on your pin weight. We had a SRW Mega and had to go to a DRW due to the pin weight of our 2017 being too much for the rear tires. One thing they don't tell you is that almost all truck tires only have two ply sidewalls no matter how many plys or on the road.

[DutchmenSport]

I coined this statement several years ago. i think it's still pertinent today:

“You really need to think in terms of what is the ultimate extreme usage you'll be experiencing with your tow vehicle, not what is the lightest usage and hope it's OK when the extreme happens."

[Knight1]

So, haven’t scaled the trailer to know exactly, but specs say 2880 pin weight and truck is rated at 4070 payload. I have no intention of travelling with water/waste in the trailer but I know it will be over minimum. Only my DW and myself in the truck with a small dog and a minimum of stuff, (more Space in the trailer than we will ever fill).
I’m thinking that this will do everything we want, but thought a wider view maybe a good idea.

[Knight1]

I believe in that statement. Thought that when we had a 19’ Coachmen and bought a 2014 F150 with Ecoboost and Max Towing. Have stayed well below maximum until we upped to the Montana and now need a truck that will handle the trailer. At this point in time, and with this trailer, will never go bigger or heavier, next step down the road would actually probably be smaller.

[Dam Worker]

I am not positive but it seems that TV would tow more weight than that 16,600 rating. As others stated it is usually the GVW and RAWR that do not meet the ratings for towing fifth-wheels.

Tom Marty

[sourdough]

Since you haven't scaled use what you know. 16,800 gvw on trailer, 4070 payload on truck. At 20% figure 3360 pin weight. At 25% figure 4200 pin. Either one, IMO, put you out of the range of a SRW 1 ton. I know many do it but that doesn't make them fit the weights or safe.

You are falling into the same "rationalization" trap that so many do; "I'll go light; I'll never carry anything in the tanks". That's wrong...you won't and you will at some point. "Not doing a lot of traveling at the moment but would like to upgrade the TV to do some distance in the next few years" more or less sheds a lot of light on the situation to me. If the proposed 3500 SRW is an upgrade what have you been using for a TV?? If you are looking to do some distance traveling, with that trailer, and are able to upgrade trucks the DRW is the only option to me to be safe.

I always say this - if you have the truck, its limits dictate the trailer you can have; if you have the trailer, its weights will dictate the truck you have to have. In your case your trailer dictates the truck. Also, you never size TV/trailer based on "I'll always go light/I never carry water/we don't need anything" etc. You will and you do. Always use gvw (maximum weights) for an RV. Will you hit them? Maybe. If you don't you just have a bit of safety cushion because you didn't vs waiting for something to break.

A DRW is not an option for me because I don't want one....it won't fit in my garage and I don't leave anything outside...and I'm not rebuilding my house. If a DRW, as I suspect, is like moving from a 1/2 ton to 1 ton and worrying about a daily driver....I wouldn't. My issue with one is the parking space, not the "daily driver" worry. New HD trucks ride like Cadillacs compared to the 80/90s. As I mentioned, MY personal limitations on a truck totally dictates the trailer I have; just got it a few months ago. Actually wanted a Solitude or regular Montana but my unwillingness to go "bigger" in truck puts a "lid" on what I could have unfortunately. In your case you made the "RV decision", now you need to get the truck for it. JMO/YMMV

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

I coined this statement several years ago. i think it's still pertinent today:

“You really need to think in terms of what is the ultimate extreme usage you'll be experiencing with your tow vehicle, not what is the lightest usage and hope it's OK when the extreme happens."

AMEN!!!! If you want an SRW daily driver then buy a camper small enough that the SRW can tow it within weight limits. Otherwise get the dually.

I still say people that HATE duallies are overplaying their hand. The new duallies ride just fine. Yes they are SLIGHTLY more difficult to maneuver but my wife drives ours around town with ZERO issues. You gotta be a real whimp to use that as an argument.

[432bartman]

Have you considered a newer truck? I don't know what a new 2020 Ram SRW 3500 will tow, but the Chevy crewcab 4x4, 3500 Duramax will tow 21,300 in a 5th wheel configuration, the 2500 model 18,500.

[Knight1]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

Have you considered a newer truck? I don't know what a new 2020 Ram SRW 3500 will tow, but the Chevy crewcab 4x4, 3500 Duramax will tow 21,300 in a 5th wheel configuration, the 2500 model 18,500.

I've done some more digging into why the 2018 3500's towing capacity is so low. Turns out that it was a full redesign for 2019. Apples to Apples - 2018 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab = 16,600lb max - 2019 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab=24,060lb max. Payload stayed about the same.
So, will be on the lookout for a 2019 or 2020 3500 SRW.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Knight1

I've done some more digging into why the 2018 3500's towing capacity is so low. Turns out that it was a full redesign for 2019. Apples to Apples - 2018 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab = 16,600lb max - 2019 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab=24,060lb max. Payload stayed about the same.
So, will be on the lookout for a 2019 or 2020 3500 SRW.

You need to completely ignore/throw out/disregard any "max tow" number published by any truck manufacturer; pure sales hype/gimmickry. Your weights drive your truck/trailer decisions, not hypothetical, smoke and mirrors sales numbers. I have a 3500 SRW with a payload very near what you were initially looking at - it's a 19. As you said, the payload between the one you were looking at and the new ones are still about the same so choosing a newer one to get the advertised higher "max tow" number is pointless. The Montana you have is too big for my truck and it will be for any 3500 SRW you buy.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by Knight1

I've done some more digging into why the 2018 3500's towing capacity is so low. Turns out that it was a full redesign for 2019. Apples to Apples - 2018 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab = 16,600lb max - 2019 3500 HO, SRW Mega Cab=24,060lb max. Payload stayed about the same.
So, will be on the lookout for a 2019 or 2020 3500 SRW.

I've crunched a few numbers. It would be helpful to get the loaded pin weight and total weight of the trailer. Then you'll have what you need to select the truck. The specific truck in particular. The door jam sticker will be your guide. GVWR on trucks are different even if comparing only 3500s. Don't know about Fords and Chevys are too light being as close as you are to having a max load. My hunch is DRW but only the numbers can determine that.

[dfb]

We had a 2017 ram 3500 megacab srw. . The problem IS NOT THE 16600..The problem is the rear axel weight..we were over weight. we had the aisin ,auto level. 3;42 gears.. this is the reason for the 16600.. The 4;10s push the rating over 30k lbs..With a trailer that size, my advice is the drw.. we traded ours for the dually 4;10s..The tow rating has to do with the aisin and gearing..Get a cheap car for your driver..

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by Knight1

So, haven’t scaled the trailer to know exactly, but specs say 2880 pin weight and truck is rated at 4070 payload.....

4070 lbs truck payload
-------------------------
2880 lbs pin (empty trailer)
150 lbs DW
25 lbs small dog
225 lbs hitch (you don't say what you have, have so I'll worse case it.)
500 lbs gear in your trailer carried by the pin (assumption based on you comment about longer trips in the future)
-------------------------
290 lbs still available...

for other gear or payload in truck , plus anything else not accounted for... just an approximation. You'll be surprised how quickly that will get eaten up. I'm guessing you are right on the edge. If you full time with it, you'll likely be over truck GVWR or RAWR.

FWIW

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by Dam Worker

I am not positive but it seems that TV would tow more weight than that 16,600 rating. As others stated it is usually the GVW and RAWR that do not meet the ratings for towing fifth-wheels.

Tom Marty

Remember... published tow rating are under ideal towing conditions and a preferred truck/trailer set up. RV's are NOT ideal towing situations. Typically nose heavy and high frontal area. Now a gooseneck flatbed with 15% on the pin and a low height load on it would be considered as fitting the published numbers.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

AMEN!!!! If you want an SRW daily driver then buy a camper small enough that the SRW can tow it within weight limits. Otherwise get the dually.

I still say people that HATE duallies are overplaying their hand. The new duallies ride just fine. Yes they are SLIGHTLY more difficult to maneuver but my wife drives ours around town with ZERO issues. You gotta be a real whimp to use that as an argument.

But what about the drive thru window, or puttin' it thru the car wash... they gotta do those things... to heck with properly towing the house.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

AMEN!!!! If you want an SRW daily driver then buy a camper small enough that the SRW can tow it within weight limits. Otherwise get the dually.

I still say people that HATE duallies are overplaying their hand. The new duallies ride just fine. Yes they are SLIGHTLY more difficult to maneuver but my wife drives ours around town with ZERO issues. You gotta be a real whimp to use that as an argument.

I understand what you are saying above but just wanted to put a little different spin on it.

I used to hate the thought of a HD truck. I drove them at work for years and they pounded you to a pulp. When I was 32 I hurt my back. Seemed like it got better but as the years went on it got worse and worse. Docs just said I had damaged the muscles and that's the way it was. Couldn't straighten up and had a hard time walking. I loved my 1/2 ton and bought a trailer. Had to air tires up to the max. That wasn't pleasant but we liked the trailer. I was one of those that complained about the harshness of the ride of a HD truck. After much discussion we decided to get a 3/4 HD truck knowing I was going to be miserable but we needed it for the size trailer we had - and it was painful. Then, miracle of miracles, I had some issues and the doc said you need to remove that gallbladder, so I did. Said it was full of stones. After I recovered....no more back pain!! Unbelievable (after 33 years). Now I drive a 1 ton and wonder how I could have thought they were so "rough" back then when every bump felt like someone was severing my spine....so there can be reason to worry about them riding rough......