1500 towing a 5th Wheel

GPG52! wrote:
Hi Water Bug...
I again totally agree that my 2006 Mega Cab had an 8 bolt pattern and that it was built on a 2500 chassis.
But...
You need to take your 2500 axle argument up with Dodge, as both I and the RV dealer did go directly to the manufacturer who assured us that the axle rating was used to designate the vehicle as a 1500 series and not a 2500 series.
You can get the Mega Cab in a 2500 series, which I suspect would have the larger capacity axles.(this I did not research and do not know as being factually)
PS: There is a similar argument to be made with the Ford F250 Super Duty single rear wheel and its big brother the F350 single rear wheel in that they have very similar components but the manufacturer rating are different.

Pretty sure the actual axle is the same component. Often it seems the suspension (and tires) are included as part of the package when talking about axles. As already noted it has softer springs. Choose to interpret that as you see fit. If it were mine, I would realize that I could upgrade the springs/tires and effectively have a 2500.

GPG52! wrote:
Hi Water Bug...
I again totally agree that my 2006 Mega Cab had an 8 bolt pattern and that it was built on a 2500 chassis.
But...
You need to take your 2500 axle argument up with Dodge, as both I and the RV dealer did go directly to the manufacturer who assured us that the axle rating was used to designate the vehicle as a 1500 series and not a 2500 series.
You can get the Mega Cab in a 2500 series, which I suspect would have the larger capacity axles.(this I did not research and do not know as being factually)
PS: There is a similar argument to be made with the Ford F250 Super Duty single rear wheel and its big brother the F350 single rear wheel in that they have very similar components but the manufacturer rating are different.

All Dodge did was take a 2500 extended cab long bed Hemi and put a short bed on it then made the cab bigger. The 1500 MC and the 2500 MC Hemi both have a AAM 10.50 rear axle and the 2500 with the Cummins has the 11.50.

GPG52! wrote:
Hi Water Bug...
I again totally agree that my 2006 Mega Cab had an 8 bolt pattern and that it was built on a 2500 chassis.
But...
You need to take your 2500 axle argument up with Dodge, as both I and the RV dealer did go directly to the manufacturer who assured us that the axle rating was used to designate the vehicle as a 1500 series and not a 2500 series.
You can get the Mega Cab in a 2500 series, which I suspect would have the larger capacity axles.(this I did not research and do not know as being factually)
PS: There is a similar argument to be made with the Ford F250 Super Duty single rear wheel and its big brother the F350 single rear wheel in that they have very similar components but the manufacturer rating are different.

We are probably only discussing terminology. I think that Dodge considers the axel, spring and shock combination as an axel assembly. The actual axel components are the same as a 2500 or 3500 PU. It wouldn't make economic sense to make a unique 8 lug axel for a single low volume model.

Edit. The only difference in a Dodge 2500 and 3500 are the springs.

Hi Water Bug...
I again totally agree that my 2006 Mega Cab had an 8 bolt pattern and that it was built on a 2500 chassis.
But...
You need to take your 2500 axle argument up with Dodge, as both I and the RV dealer did go directly to the manufacturer who assured us that the axle rating was used to designate the vehicle as a 1500 series and not a 2500 series.
You can get the Mega Cab in a 2500 series, which I suspect would have the larger capacity axles.(this I did not research and do not know as being factually)
PS: There is a similar argument to be made with the Ford F250 Super Duty single rear wheel and its big brother the F350 single rear wheel in that they have very similar components but the manufacturer rating are different.

TomHaycraft wrote:
derek_gardner, in 2009, had I known I'd be in a position to purchase a trailer in 2012, I would have likely bought a bigger truck.

Since I couldn't afford both, I did my homework, very happy with my purchase. I'm right at my rear GAWR, within 10% of my GCWR. It tows well, brakes well. I know I won't go to Colorado, but have 10 more years of work before I can retire, so don't have the time to be on the road long enough to get there.

I've been all over Texas with lots still to see. Davis Mountains in West Texas, Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle (with its 10% grade in/out ... no too long though). The weak link is holding 65mph with a good headwind, lots of dropping to 3rd gear and winding up the engine to 3,500 rpm! I just find a slower speed.

All in all, I'm happy with what I have. At my current rate of saving, I'll be able to pay cash for a 3/4 ton with diesel in a few years. I'll get there!

With gassers, you =need= to run at the higher RPMs to make h.p. They're =designed= to run there, so don't be afraid to rev it up. You'll actually get better mileage in most cases by running that lower gear and higher RPM/speed because the engine's making =more= h.p. more easily, rather than lugging down. I had this practically demonstrated to me on a trip to CA with my dad, towing a 3-axle gooseneck with my old 3/4 ton small block, Turbo 400 and GearVendor OD. Dad would run 1 gear lower, about 600 more RPM, and would consistently get 1-1.5 mpg better than me, trying to "save gas" by running at a lower RPM.

Lyle

As ShadowGrey says, do your homework. Not all 1/2 tons are alike in their capabilities. Ford had both Max Tow and HD Payload options that can make the F150 very capable of towing light weight fivers. HD Payload was not available for the 2011 model, but I got Max Tow rated for 11K towing and my fiver is 9500 lbs loaded. However, I am 500 lbs over on the rear GWAR and would not be had I gotten the 2012 with HD Payload and Max Tow. Most F150s would be way over their limits with my fiver as would most other 1/2 tons.

Water-Bug wrote:

GPG52! wrote:
Totally agree with WaterBug but for the comment on the rear end.
We and the dealer did some research directly with Dodge. Dodge confirmed the Mega Cab was built on a 2500 chassis but added that the 1500 rating was based on axle capacity. As I mentioned our RV dealer is very reputable and would not sell us our first trailer of choice as it was to heavy and directed us instead the KZ 1500 Durango series. As noted on my signature line we upgraded to a factory ordered 2014 Ford F250 and also upgraded to a Cougar 325 RES. YEP... put our faith back in the hands of the same RV dealer who perfectly matched this new combo also.
PS: The Mega Cab had a short box so the dealer had switched us to a Reese Sidewinder 5th wheel pin box and Husky 16K articulated 5th wheel. No charge.
GPG

Go to Google Images and bring up a picture of a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 MegaCab and count the lug nuts on any of the wheels. There are 8 lugs all around. Dodge (or anyone else) doesn't make an 8 lug 1/2 ton axel. The only difference in that truck and a 2500 or 3500 (1 ton) is the springs and maybe tires.

I have seen a couple, badge , maybe softer springs , same wheels, didn't look closely at tires could be C or D rated instead of E.

GPG52! wrote:
Totally agree with WaterBug but for the comment on the rear end.
We and the dealer did some research directly with Dodge. Dodge confirmed the Mega Cab was built on a 2500 chassis but added that the 1500 rating was based on axle capacity. As I mentioned our RV dealer is very reputable and would not sell us our first trailer of choice as it was to heavy and directed us instead the KZ 1500 Durango series. As noted on my signature line we upgraded to a factory ordered 2014 Ford F250 and also upgraded to a Cougar 325 RES. YEP... put our faith back in the hands of the same RV dealer who perfectly matched this new combo also.
PS: The Mega Cab had a short box so the dealer had switched us to a Reese Sidewinder 5th wheel pin box and Husky 16K articulated 5th wheel. No charge.
GPG

Go to Google Images and bring up a picture of a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 MegaCab and count the lug nuts on any of the wheels. There are 8 lugs all around. Dodge (or anyone else) doesn't make an 8 lug 1/2 ton axel. The only difference in that truck and a 2500 or 3500 (1 ton) is the springs and maybe tires.

Totally agree with WaterBug but for the comment on the rear end.
We and the dealer did some research directly with Dodge. Dodge confirmed the Mega Cab was built on a 2500 chassis but added that the 1500 rating was based on axle capacity. As I mentioned our RV dealer is very reputable and would not sell us our first trailer of choice as it was to heavy and directed us instead the KZ 1500 Durango series. As noted on my signature line we upgraded to a factory ordered 2014 Ford F250 and also upgraded to a Cougar 325 RES. YEP... put our faith back in the hands of the same RV dealer who perfectly matched this new combo also.
PS: The Mega Cab had a short box so the dealer had switched us to a Reese Sidewinder 5th wheel pin box and Husky 16K articulated 5th wheel. No charge.
GPG

If you are going to do a 5er you have to do your homework. We have a payload of over 1800 and a pin weight of 1190 on our Cougar X-Lite. The pin weight is 13-15% on X-Lites and not like the bigger heavier 5ers. We are first time RV weekend campers and not full timers so the X-Lite is a good choice for us (so far). We have about 10k miles of towing this one... all over the Midwest and from upper state NY, through the Smokey Mountains to Florida.