2017 Ram 3500

[Billnagy]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a new 2017 Ram 3500 Laramie Limited SRW. It has the cummings diesel mega cab, short box with the Aisin tranny. It also has the auto-level system and option for the 5th wheel prep package.
I currently have a 2012 Ram 3500 short box SRW and the 18k pull-rite slider. I would like to keep my pull-rite but will require an adaptor to fit the Ram prep package hole pattern. My 5th currently rides a few inches high on the 2012 and the adaptor will add another 3 1/2" to the height.
My question is does anyone know if the auto-level option can compensate for the additional height in manual mode?
There isn't much info out there regarding the mopar 5th wheel hitch option with a slider.

[jlb27537]

While you can manually adjust the ride height, my concern is maintaining the proper drive-line U-joint angles.

My '12 Ram 3500 DRW, when loaded, when the rear squatted too much, I would get drive-line shudder on take off.

While a normal thing, I decided to eliminate the squat, and thus have no drive-line vibrations.

I also question why spend the money on a HO Cummins/Aisin combo with a SRW truck. A 68RFE will provide all the tranny the truck will need for it's weight limits and the std. Cummins will provide plenty of power.

NOW, if you were buying a 4dr, 8'box, DRW and towing 30K, yea, spend the money.

[jfaberna]

I have the 2014 3500 DRW 8' bed Crew cab. Standard tranny and 373 rear end. I pulled my 16,000lb Monty over 11,000' mountains at 65mph with no issues. If you had a 24,000lb 5th wheel then spring for the Aisin.

The key observations I've noted about the 3500 SRW vs. DRW is height. the DRW use the 17" heavier load capacity wheels than what you get on the 20" wheels on the SRW. That extra height of the 20" wheels makes towing the Monty level a real challenge. My 3500 from the factory rides high in the back, but when I hitch up the Monty, it's perfectly level and so is the RV.

It's not clear to me why the SRW trucks have to sit so high off the ground. That's just bad for heavy weight towing or hauling.

[dhenry3]

We currently pull with a 2016 RAM, DRW,Cummins/Aisin Crew Cab. Maybe it is a little more than we have to have, it is good to know the power will be there when needed. I previously pulled with a 2013 RAM, DRW, Cummins w/o Aisin. I had nothing but problems with that trans. I look at it this way, just as putting disc brakes on the Monty is for those times when you need something better, the elect. drums work just fine in normal driving conditions. The HO engine and Aisen will come in handy just when you need them. In this case, more is better.

[mhs4771]

Much better to have those extra goodies and never need them than to not have them and get into a situation where you need them.

[Beau2010]

We also pull with a '16 CTD 3500 DRW w/Aisan. Previous truck was CTD 2500 6 speed manual. Never had a problem with the old truck pulling; just got down to 2nd or 3rd gear a few times on I-70 between Grand Junction and Denver. New truck doesn't even know its pulling anything. Between the Aisan transmission and the automatic exhaust brake, truck practically drives itself. Would never consider a SRW or lighter truck unless we go to a popup.

[Mr Pachu]

I went to the local Dodge Ram dealer the other day and ask the sales person who came over if they had any 3500 drw trucks there. He replied NOBODY wants a 3500 so we don't have any here. He then said "you must pull a trailer". I said yes, he asked for the weight and told him my Monty weighs 16,300lbs with a tongue weight of 3,750lbs. He then replied that all I would need is a 2500 and that they have quite a few of them. I said no and that I need a 3500drw. He then looked on the computer and said that they had a 3500 on order and that it was shipped already and that it would be the perfect truck for me. I asked to look at the order sheet and told him that this truck would not work as it was a short box srw and I had told him I wanted a long box drw. His response,"Absolutely NOBODY wants a long box dually". I looked at him and he said oh by the way I'm (his name) and you are? I said my name is NOBODY ABSOLUTELY NOBODY as I got up and walked out the door.

[jfaberna]

Sounds like a salesman who was told to sell inventory and not order stuff until the inventory was sold.

[dfb]

Originally Posted by jfaberna

Sounds like a salesman who was told to sell inventory and not order stuff until the inventory was sold.

Same here... all srw, shortbeds.... I bought one and it tows fine... put a pullrite superglide in the truck...

[PackerFan]

That was a good salesman to walk away from!

We have a 2016 3500 Dually and love it. As far as towing...I describe it as "It tows like an Angry Freight Train"! Best truck I have ever owned!

[Mr Pachu]

Originally Posted by dfb

Same here... all srw, shortbeds.... I bought one and it tows fine... put a pullrite superglide in the truck...

I need the 3500drw for my trailer weight.
The 2500 crew cab 4x4 has a payload of 2,380lbs.
The 3500 crew cab 4x4 srw has a payload of 3,920lbs.
My trailer pin weight was 3,750lbs when loaded for a one week trip and probably would be even a bit more if we were going on a month long trip.
I would be way over weight with a 2500 and I know that some would say that I would be fine with the 3500srw but I would still be over the payload on it.
3500 srw payload: 3,920lbs
Tr. pin weight: -3,750lbs
leaves me: 170lbs of payload left for the hitch, my wife, myself, the dog etc.
This shows that I need a 3500drw.

[Beau2010]

Our DRW 3500 came from the dealer in Dublin, GA. When we were there about a year ago, they had at least 6 longbed duallys on the lot. Its farming country so lots of buyers are looking for that truck.

[dfb]

Originally Posted by Mr Pachu

I need the 3500drw for my trailer weight.
The 2500 crew cab 4x4 has a payload of 2,380lbs.
The 3500 crew cab 4x4 srw has a payload of 3,920lbs.
My trailer pin weight was 3,750lbs when loaded for a one week trip and probably would be even a bit more if we were going on a month long trip.
I would be way over weight with a 2500 and I know that some would say that I would be fine with the 3500srw but I would still be over the payload on it.
3500 srw payload: 3,920lbs
Tr. pin weight: -3,750lbs
leaves me: 170lbs of payload left for the hitch, my wife, myself, the dog etc.
This shows that I need a 3500drw.

Could look into a 4500 or 5500 chassis cab...

[PackerFan]

One of the drawbacks of the 4500 & 5500 is you get the derated Cummins engine and not the one with 900 lb. ft. of torque since it is considered a commercial unit.