My 2010 3500 SRW just got totaled. I wanted to hear from any members who tow with the 2014 and how your experiences have been with the rear suspension. And what size/weight your pulling. I have a 32ft bunkhouse 2 slides around 12,000 lbs. Since its so new all I have been reading is either Rams press release or people casting doubt on this platform. Took a test drive was impressed with the system it is very robust. i just placed an order and want to be sure I made the right move. The 3500 SRW Aisin seem to be on restriction forever.

I would not go backwards to a 2500 - you will run out of payload fast. Even with my little trailer I have gotten to within 900 lbs of my payload, which means I would have maxed out a 2500.

I tow a 35' cougar with my 2013 3500 ccsb diesel. Coming from an F250 it is night and day difference. The Ram has very little squat and is as smooth and strong as any truck I've ever had. I will not be adding airbags or any other mods to the rear. Tows my 5th wheel just fine. Scott

the 3500 Ram extended cab 8 foot bed dully is rated for 22,000 pounds with the Aisin you are looking at an extra 20% so look close to the fine print, if you tow more then recommended you could have problems with service repairs laterHORSEPOWER385 ENGINE TORQUE850LB-FT MAX TOWING+30,000LBS MAX PAYLOAD+6,570LBS2014 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Capability 68 RFE Six Speed Automat68RFE SIX-SPEED AUTOMATICThe available 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission is a sophisticated, multirange, electronically controlled transmission that combines optimized gear ratios for responsive performance and state-of-the-art efficiency.2014 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Capability G56 Six Speed Manual TraSTANDARDG56 SIX-SPEED MANUALModified for increased torque load of the base-output diesel engine, the G56 six-speed manual transmission also carries a wear-compensating clutch for like-new clutch pedal performance throughout the life of the drivetrain.2014 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Capability Aisin AS69RC Six SpeedAISIN AS69RC SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe available AISIN AS69RC six-speed automatic transmission is an electronically controlled automatic rear-wheel-drive transmission designed to handle higher engine output and increase vehicle weight ratings. With wide overall gear ratios for enhanced drivability and shaft-driven Power Take Off, this innovative transmission will quickly put your work into high gear.PreviousNext

Timesquare- I tow a 2014 Winnebago Lite Five 30FWRES with my 2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi and I love it. I haven't weighed it out yet being fully loaded but I max out the RV at a little over 12K. The one issue you have to take into consideration is the 5th wheel rail adapters. Presently (as of last month) no maker has an adapter for the new rails in the 2014 as they changed everything with the new suspension. Initially I was concerned until we researched the Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel adapter. This piece of equipment is a dream. Very easy to remove from the bed of the truck when not in towing configuration, no plate popping noise you get in a typical fifth wheel either.Good luck in your decision and hopefully this will help your process.

oweninthekeys- Thanks for the info, Pullrite has an adapter out also. How bad does the bed drop (sag) when your hitched up? Notice any difference in the corners? (which seems to be the concern) As with any early adapter of new systems there is a lot of anxiety about whether it will work as advertised. I tow occasionally so the promise of a better unloaded ride sounds pretty nice, but not at the expense of towing ability. Any plans of installing aftermarket airbags when they become available.

5th Wheel towing with the 2014 Ram 2500 6.7 | Good Sam Community

NC_Hauler
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

The 14' Ram 3500 SRW with the 68RFE is more than enough tranny for the truck...I had two trucks with the 68RFE, a 2010 Dually and a 12' dually, both with 4:10 and 12 was HO...I towed my 16,000# 5er through the mountains of WV, TN, NC, SC and VA and never had a problem. Nothing wrong with the 68RFE if you can't find a 3500 SRW with the Aisin.

The 14' 2500 also has the new frame, but for no more than it cost to go to the 3500 SRW, if you ever decide to go bigger with a 5er, you're pretty much set....Both could tow your 5er if only weight of 12,000#....shouldn't be an issue even with 2500...

If you get the 5er/GN prep package, you could probably keep the hitch you have now, as stated in an earlier post and buy a picture frame adapter to mount into the prep package. mount your hitch to it and you're ready to go.

As also mentioned, if you get the GN/5er prep package...the Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch and a drop in ball (made by Reese, fit's perfectly into GN hole), and you have a nice set up. quite a few on the cummins forums have went this route, be it short bed or long bed truck, it appears the Andersen is a good set up, it's considered a 5er hitch and not a GN, and in most states around here, you don't need safety chains, (again, it's considered a 5er hitch, not a GN).
bironacad
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

I went through this and finally bought a dually for not just the payload buy the piece of mind.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2014
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

Well if you could live with a long bed, you should call Kingman, Az RAM Dealler and buy the 2013 they have been setting on. I talked to the saleman there and he said it is not a problem selling into California and that they do it quite often.

RAM really seems to be behind the curve on 5th wheel prep if the new 2500 coil suspension takes different hitch pieces/picture frame.

BTW, the guys on the Tow Vehicle section think the new coil springs are the next best thing to toast. Chris
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2014
bironacad wrote:
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

I went through this and finally bought a dually for not just the payload buy the piece of mind.

I think your castle needs one bigger garage door. Chris
bironacad
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Me Again wrote:
bironacad wrote:
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

I went through this and finally bought a dually for not just the payload buy the piece of mind.

I think your castle needs one bigger garage door. Chris

I am downsizing the house that is how I can afford the truck, the truck still wont fit in the new houses garage lol
here are a couple of picks of the cottage and the two garages that it fits in:
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
NC Hauler wrote:

Andersen is a good set up, it's considered a 5er hitch and not a GN, and in most states around here, you don't need safety chains, (again, it's considered a 5er hitch, not a GN).

It's still a ball and not a pin. Me thinks this is a grey area with law enforcement. I had a nice officer remind me my chains on the GN trailer were not attached once. How could this be any different, the hitch is attached with a GN ball :H No link :B
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
45Ricochet wrote:
NC Hauler wrote:

Andersen is a good set up, it's considered a 5er hitch and not a GN, and in most states around here, you don't need safety chains, (again, it's considered a 5er hitch, not a GN).

It's still a ball and not a pin. Me thinks this is a grey area with law enforcement. I had a nice officer remind me my chains on the GN trailer were not attached once. How could this be any different, the hitch is attached with a GN ball :H No link :B

You're probably right Rick about some states...Chris stated the same thing also in one of his post, but I have a friend I work with who got an Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch, and in NC, he's not required to use safety chains due to the ball not being located on the floor of the truck, but at the top of the hitch that attaches to the 5er via the coupler...I know that about NC because we checked..If you remember I came 'within a hair" of pulling the trigger on one myself, and did the research for NC requirements, and they don't consider it a GN.

Don't know about links, I called DOT, then made a trip to Asheville DOT, Safety Officer brought up the link on the Andersen hitch, made a call to Raleigh and I didn't get an answer till the next day when I received a call and was told safety chains not required in NC for that particular hitch... that's what I was going by...
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Fifth wheel trailers with any ball mount will require a safety chain or cable while fifth wheel plate and kingpin styles will be required to have a safety on or locking of the operating handle. Please also refer to Motor Vehicle Regulation 14-137-123 and 124.

LINK

Could be a pain if your planning a multi state vacation. Guess it's like towing doubles, some states okay some not. Chances are nobody going to notice anyway.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
45Ricochet wrote:
Fifth wheel trailers with any ball mount will require a safety chain or cable while fifth wheel plate and kingpin styles will be required to have a safety on or locking of the operating handle. Please also refer to Motor Vehicle Regulation 14-137-123 and 124.

LINK

Could be a pain if your planning a multi state vacation. Guess it's like towing doubles, some states okay some not. Chances are nobody going to notice anyway.

Probably right.....Well, I don't have one, so I guess it doesn't much matter, but guess if someone were to purchase the Andersen, they might need to check their state laws as to if it needs safety chains or not.

(won't double tow and probably will never get to Connecticut either:))
timesquare
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Me Again wrote:
timesquare wrote:
After researching more, it looks like the Ram 2500 would tow my 5th wheel fine. Where I am running into trouble with the numbers is the payload. Add the hitch weight and the toolbox/tank combo and family of 4, and I am over. It seems like a lot of people must be over the vehicles payload numbers yet still be fine with the tow weight. Looks like I need to reevaluate. Sure wish the 3500 SRW Aisin were not on restriction.

Well if you could live with a long bed, you should call Kingman, Az RAM Dealler and buy the 2013 they have been setting on. I talked to the saleman there and he said it is not a problem selling into California and that they do it quite often.

RAM really seems to be behind the curve on 5th wheel prep if the new 2500 coil suspension takes different hitch pieces/picture frame.

BTW, the guys on the Tow Vehicle section think the new coil springs are the next best thing to toast. Chris

The 2500 does drive nice, if I didn't have a 50 toolbox tank combo and pin weight to worry about, I might have bought one.

How is the dually in the snow, really toying with the idea of buying one, planning on moving to Okanagan BC in the next year or so. But afraid snow could be an issue, but really more worried the Los Angeles freeways will make driving such a big truck tiresome?