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jsrore's avatar
jsrore
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015

2015 Ram 2500 or 3500 6,7L, SB, GAWR question

Hi All,

i realize this question has been asked MANY times, but i still need to ask as there is ALOT of good information that comes from everyone on this site.
will going from a class A MH to a 5 this year
we have narrowed down our choice of the 5 to about 4 rigs all similar length and GVWR 13000 to 14500
if i understand correctly my pin weight on the above weight would be from 2600 to 2900..13000 x .20 = 2600 i understand that is DRY weight.. maybe add another 1K for loaded so anywhere from 3600 to 3900 for pin weight
in the next week i will be buying a 2015 ram 2500 or 3500
looking at the Ram spec sheet for the 2500 the GAWR for the rear axle is 6200
if i understand all of this correctly i would still be fine with a 2500???
Dodge is having some really good rebates this month so buying now for me is a good idea....if i could find a 3500 how i want it i would buy there are many 2500 that i like
i have read hours and hours of post about LB vs SB, dually vs single ETC.
dually at this time is not for me.
so i guess bottom line will a 2500 Cummings SLT automatic work for me.

appreciate all the great info i read on this site it has been very helpful

Jeff

50 Replies

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  • mkohler30's avatar
    mkohler30
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    I just bought a ram 3500 drw crew cab with the aisen tranny and 4:10 gears and I pull a 5er with a loaded weight of 11000 lbs. More is better because it leaves well within spec's on your ratings. Make sure you get the engine, tranny, and gears you want because that is where the gcwr gwr and rawr "rubber meets the road" per se. ...IMO the srw 3500 with the right driveline would be my choice.
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Dwight205 wrote:
    If you go with the 3500 dually 4x4 long bed, be ready to flip the axles. The SRW 3500 will be hard to find,up to a 6 month wait if you order it. The 2 WD is alot shorter truck. I had a 2500, had alot of problems with the front end. 3500 is more heavy duty, you will lose 10K pulling power with an auto tranny. I love my truck,Just my 2 cents.


    OP is talking 2015 trucks....I have a 2013 3500 4X4 Ram Dually (same tailgate height as new models), and I didn't have to flip the axles on my 5er, nor have quite a few others that I'm aware of on this forum and others. Tailgates are higher and it can be a pain...but adjusting the hitch and pin box and as close to level as I've been in the last 10 yrs towing 5ers.

    The newer Ram's, should the OP go that route, all have new front end suspensions...problem seems to be solved.

    I don't understand your last statement that "you will lose 10,000# pulling power with an auto tranny:h " The auto tranny in the Ram truck has a higher tow rating over the manual...My truck with the Aisin auto 6 speed and the 4:10 has a GCWR of 37,500#....how did I lose 10,000#?
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Based on the pin weights you are talking about possibly hauling...I would not even entertain the 2500. As stated above if its going to haul your 5th wheel then find a 3500. The 2500 "may" be within weights but why wonder every time you head out if passengers, booze, food, bikes etc is going to put you over a rating.

    Daryll
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2015
    NOT only that with the 3500 you can get the Aisin tranny vs the 68RFE. The Aisin is a much better tranny and well worth the extra $$. I would never buy a 2500 for a 5th wheel, especially for on the size you are talking about. Rear GAWR will be higher with the 3500 at 7,000 on most configurations. The 2500 varies from 6200 to 6500. That alone is a reason with a 5th wheel to get the 3500.

    Here are a couple links to look at:

    http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2014_RAM.2500.Towing.Specs.pdf

    http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2014_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

    The 2500 will have coil springs or air on the rear. The 3500 with have real leaf springs or leafs and air.

    With 5th wheels and SRW trucks the issue is ALWAYS pin weight and not the tow rating!

    Are you buying a truck to get groceries or haul a load/trailer?

    Chris
  • Dwight205's avatar
    Dwight205
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    If you go with the 3500 dually 4x4 long bed, be ready to flip the axles. The SRW 3500 will be hard to find,up to a 6 month wait if you order it. The 2 WD is alot shorter truck. I had a 2500, had alot of problems with the front end. 3500 is more heavy duty, you will lose 10K pulling power with an auto tranny. I love my truck,Just my 2 cents.
  • RustyJC's avatar
    RustyJC
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Unfortunately, few dealers stock trucks that have all the options to optimize them for towing. Many of us (myself included) order our trucks configured to get maximum GVWR and GCWR for towing along with the options we want.

    Rusty
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jan 14, 2015
    For the size trailer you mentioned the 3500 is a better choice. I agree there is confusion in your post between GVW and dry weight nevertheless it appears you need a 3500.
    Don't let availability cloud/confuse the issue. Yes there are lots more 2500's on the lot because 90% of the buyers are not looking to tow a large RV trailer. That does not change the ratings of the truck or suddenly make it the right truck simply because it is more available.
    Without getting to deep into the towing parameters since the actual data is not posted. A 3500 truck is generally what is need to tow a large fifth wheel.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 14, 2015
    I agree with NC Hauler. GVWR is the maximum, not dry weight.

    I do think the 3500 would be a better choice, for the size trailers mentioned. The diesel engine is heavy, and will use up much of the GVWR of the truck. By going to the 3500, you will stay within all ratings, not just the RAWR.

    Jerry
  • MTPockets1's avatar
    MTPockets1
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Your stated GAWR for the RAM is 6200. You need to know the payload rating. That 6200 number does not allow for the weight of the truck on the axle which probably leaves the payload at 3000 or so depending on specific truck and options. My 2012 F350 SRW payload rating was 3450 lbs, which was too low for our 14,000 GVWR Bighorn which has a loaded pin weight of 3400 lbs. by the time I added other cargo and passengers, (plus I wanted an auxiliary fuel tank) I was well over the 3450 posted limit. I now have the F350 DRW with 5400 payload rating, so I was able to add that fuel tank. A truck for Fifth wheels is all about payload rating. If the truck is rated to handle the payload, all the other numbers will fall in line. A 2500 does not have the payload rating you need ; A 3500 SRW will be borderline depending on how you load.
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    jsrore wrote:
    Hi All,

    i realize this question has been asked MANY times, but i still need to ask as there is ALOT of good information that comes from everyone on this site.
    will going from a class A MH to a 5 this year
    we have narrowed down our choice of the 5 to about 4 rigs all similar length and GVWR 13000 to 14500
    if i understand correctly my pin weight on the above weight would be from 2600 to 2900..13000 x .20 = 2600 i understand that is DRY weight.. maybe add another 1K for loaded so anywhere from 3600 to 3900 for pin weight
    in the next week i will be buying a 2015 ram 2500 or 3500
    looking at the Ram spec sheet for the 2500 the GAWR for the rear axle is 6200
    if i understand all of this correctly i would still be fine with a 2500???
    Dodge is having some really good rebates this month so buying now for me is a good idea....if i could find a 3500 how i want it i would buy there are many 2500 that i like
    i have read hours and hours of post about LB vs SB, dually vs single ETC.
    dually at this time is not for me.
    so i guess bottom line will a 2500 Cummings SLT automatic work for me.

    appreciate all the great info i read on this site it has been very helpful

    Jeff


    You stated that the GVW of the 5er's you're looking at is 13,000 to 14,500, then you state that is"dry weight":h..GVWR of the 5er is just that, the MOST it should weigh. GVWR is not "dry weight"...So that is the one confusing part of your post...but going with 13,000# and a pin weight of 2600# or more and the 14,500# 5er having a pin weight of 2900#, or possibly more, (one never knows until they get everything hooked up, loaded and weighs everything.

    I believe a 2500 would work...and doubt you would exceed your rear axle weight rating, but would recommend, if at all possible to try to find a 3500 SRW truck that will handle more payload, just in case, down the road, you decide to "go bigger"...that is if you can find one....BUT, I do believe the new Ram 2500 will handle this weight 5er, whichever one you decide to purchase.

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