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 yearwe have narrowed down our choice of the 5 to about 4 rigs all similar length and GVWR 13000 to 14500if 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 weightin the next week i will be buying a 2015 ram 2500 or 3500looking at the Ram spec sheet for the 2500 the GAWR for the rear axle is 6200if 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 helpfulJeff

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 yearwe have narrowed down our choice of the 5 to about 4 rigs all similar length and GVWR 13000 to 14500if 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 weightin the next week i will be buying a 2015 ram 2500 or 3500looking at the Ram spec sheet for the 2500 the GAWR for the rear axle is 6200if 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 helpfulJeffYou 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.

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.

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

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.

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

2015 Ram 2500 or 3500 6,7L, SB, GAWR question | Good Sam Community

50 Replies

gtsum
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
certainly go with the 3500 SRW. I ordered mine (megacab) in March and had it by May (right at 8 weeks). I have a fully loaded Laramie with all options and payload sticker is 4075. I almost made the mistake of ordering a 2500 until I learned on here and other places about payload capacity and the ability of toy haulers pin weight to quickly eat that up....
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2015
Russ, with the Walker Airseps the engine room has stayed free of oil film over the years and clean. Things do not look that much different today than they did it 1996 when we bought the boat new. Have about 2500 hours on the engines now. Couple thermostats, one water pump, couple starter relays and solenoids and routine rebuilds of raw water pumps. Starters are a real pain to R&R for service. The bolt behind them is a real chore. Chris
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2015
Me Again wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

"If I had the money it would be in my drive way!"

You just need to just go buy it your self! Just sell one of the Cummins engines out of your Yacht and your 2nd gen, the new truck will be covered.

No way, those little B150's have been to good to me!!!!

Chris

Nice, could almost server as the Dinner table if it is always that clean!!!

Very, Very nice!:C
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:

"If I had the money it would be in my drive way!"

You just need to just go buy it your self! Just sell one of the Cummins engines out of your Yacht and your 2nd gen, the new truck will be covered.

No way, those little B150's have been to good to me!!!!

Chris
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2015
Me Again wrote:
In an early post, I posted the RAWR's

"Rear GAWR will be higher with the 3500 at 7,000 on most configurations. The 2500 varies from 6200 to 6500."

Reason for a 3500 SRW vs 2500

1. RAWR
2. Much higher GVWR at 12,300
3. Aisin Tranny
4. Higher output Engine
5. You get away from rear Coils or grocery getting rear air of the 2500
6. Higher resell value

Here is a left over 2014 with Aisin Tranny, that is not that far from you. They should be ready to go lower than the posted price. If I had the money it would be in my drive way!

http://www.dodgechryslerjeepofbellingham.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-b3a21f410a0a00de7fbfab52cb6dd3c4.htm

"If I had the money it would be in my drive way!"

You just need to just go buy it your self! Just sell one of the Cummins engines out of your Yacht and your 2nd gen, the new truck will be covered.
FireGuard
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2015
Get the 3500.
I was going back and forth and wanted a 2500 for a nicer ride as a DD.
The 2500 only has around 2400 lbs of payload, way too little for the 5vers you are looking at. GVW of 10k lbs
3500 is 11,700 lb GVW for sb and 12,300 LB.
I ended up with a 4x4, CC, SB 3500 and was able to get the Aisin and H.O motor. 385hp/865Tq. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Truck is WAY better than my 03 and I'm getting aroung 18 mpg combined, low 20s on the freeway.
Best part besides upgraded power train is nearly 4000 lbs of payload and solid reliable leaf springs. Im surprised how smooth and quiet it is. It can be a little bumpy on a rough road though.
I would find a 3500 with Aisin for your needs.
transamz9
Explorer
Jan 15, 2015
Me Again wrote:
transamz9 wrote:

I'm going to venture to say that the TC was overloading the bags.;)

No they held it up, it was a stability issue on the road. Chris

Just because it held it up don't mean they were not overloaded. Did the truck have a sway bar? If it didn't have a sway bar then it was not rated for a TC.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 15, 2015
transamz9 wrote:

I'm going to venture to say that the TC was overloading the bags.;)

No they held it up, it was a stability issue on the road. Chris
transamz9
Explorer
Jan 15, 2015
Me Again wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
In an early post, I posted the RAWR's

"Rear GAWR will be higher with the 3500 at 7,000 on most configurations. The 2500 varies from 6200 to 6500."

Reason for a 3500 SRW vs 2500

1. RAWR
2. Much higher GVWR at 12,300
3. Aisin Tranny
4. Higher output Engine
5. You get away from rear Coils or grocery getting rear air of the 2500
6. Higher resell value

Here is a left over 2014 with Aisin Tranny, that is not that far from you. They should be ready to go lower than the posted price. If I had the money it would be in my drive way!

http://www.dodgechryslerjeepofbellingham.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-b3a21f410a0a00de7fbfab52cb6dd3c4.htm

Grocery getting rear air? So if the rear of a truck is riding on air it's now a grocery getter.:h

Ask the guy that tied to carry a small Lance Camper! Chris

I'm going to venture to say that the TC was overloading the bags.;)
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 15, 2015
transamz9 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
In an early post, I posted the RAWR's

"Rear GAWR will be higher with the 3500 at 7,000 on most configurations. The 2500 varies from 6200 to 6500."

Reason for a 3500 SRW vs 2500

1. RAWR
2. Much higher GVWR at 12,300
3. Aisin Tranny
4. Higher output Engine
5. You get away from rear Coils or grocery getting rear air of the 2500
6. Higher resell value

Here is a left over 2014 with Aisin Tranny, that is not that far from you. They should be ready to go lower than the posted price. If I had the money it would be in my drive way!

http://www.dodgechryslerjeepofbellingham.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-b3a21f410a0a00de7fbfab52cb6dd3c4.htm

Grocery getting rear air? So if the rear of a truck is riding on air it's now a grocery getter.:h

Ask the guy that tied to carry a small Lance Camper! Chris