Thinking about getting a Ram and trying to decide if the 3500 mega cab is a good choice for towing a fifth wheel. By my measurements my 2017 F350 and the dodge mega cab have within 1/2 inch or identical distance from the back of the cab to the goose neck ball.It would appear the Mega cab will work... my new to me 5ver is 14500 empty and also want to know the difference between the 3500 and 2500 ram. Is it the springs... axel size what is the difference.Thoughts are welcome....I don't regret getting the f350 .. but never had a F250 so hard to tell..Thanks for input.

Not sure why you are measuring to the GN ball, but your Ford will have several more inches of clearance, than the Ram, measuring from back of cab, to axle center.A FW, weighing 14,500 empty, will be 16K+ when loaded. That is getting to the limit of a SRW. Yes, the springs are different between the 25/35. Some hitches work better than others, when using a truck with a 6.4/6.75 ft bed truck. Lots of options, so do your research, or ask more questions here.Jerry

MFL wrote:Not sure why you are measuring to the GN ball, but your Ford will have several more inches of clearance, than the Ram, measuring from back of cab, to axle center.A FW, weighing 14,500 empty, will be 16K+ when loaded. That is getting to the limit of a SRW. Yes, the springs are different between the 25/35. Some hitches work better than others, when using a truck with a 6.4/6.75 ft bed truck. Lots of options, so do your research, or ask more questions here.JerryI think the OP is using this measurement to indicate that he will have enough clearance with the RAM when compared to the Ford. This will be accurate especially if he is going to use something like a Reese Goosebox. Gooseball location relative to the cab should also be a good indication of the distance to the rear axle.Rob

For a FW that heavy you want a dually. Even if the "numbers" technically work for a 3500 SRW you still will want a dually for that load. The added stability and improved handling will be well worth it. I'm not knocking the mega cab, just get the dually version. However, I would want a long bed for FW towing. I wouldn't want to have to deal with the extra complexity of a slider hitch and I would surely need the room for tools, firewood, generator, bikes, etc.

fowlthing wrote:Thinking about getting a Ram and trying to decide if the 3500 mega cab is a good choice for towing a fifth wheel. By my measurements my 2017 F350 and the dodge mega cab have within 1/2 inch or identical distance from the back of the cab to the goose neck ball.It would appear the Mega cab will work... my new to me 5ver is 14500 empty and also want to know the difference between the 3500 and 2500 ram. Is it the springs... axel size what is the difference.Thoughts are welcome....I don't regret getting the f350 .. but never had a F250 so hard to tell..Thanks for input._____________________________________________________________2004 2500HD duramax allison tran.Cedar Creek 33lbhts So a bit confused your signature states 2004 GM 2500, but you reference a 2017 F350 as your current TV.I would be great if you made it clear what you are currently towing with, and what 5er you just purchased.The 3500 Mega Cab short box will likely be a bit shy on GVWR at 11,700#. The Mega Cab also says that you have a family, not just a couple.I passed on a post 2013 Ram 3500 SRW LB with a GVWR of 12,300# as I would be right at GVWR. We now have a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW, and tows and carries our 13,000# 5er like a dream.

Yes, the measurements are for cab clearance and axle.. I use an anderson hitch so the gooseneck spot is important.I will work to amend my signature... I have 2017 F350 SRW and just got a Grand Design Solitude 375res. Thanks

Mega Cam Ram 3500 and towing fifth wheel | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

cummins2014
Explorer
Feb 07, 2021
MFL wrote:
Not sure why you are measuring to the GN ball, but your Ford will have several more inches of clearance, than the Ram, measuring from back of cab, to axle center.

A FW, weighing 14,500 empty, will be 16K+ when loaded. That is getting to the limit of a SRW. Yes, the springs are different between the 25/35.

Some hitches work better than others, when using a truck with a 6.4/6.75 ft bed truck. Lots of options, so do your research, or ask more questions here.

Jerry

What is your measurement to axle center , I'm thinking where one wants to measure is about half way up the rear window, thats about where at the minimum these newer fifth wheels are going to make contact. About any dent in the cab itself I have seen ,it seems like they are fairly high up on the cab.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2021
TXiceman wrote:
First off, do not use dry or unloaded weight in your weight decisions. Use the trailers GVWR and 20% of the GVWR for pin weight.

Now the issue of towing clearance. Get the 8 ft bed and you won't be sorry.

Ken

20% is actually on the light side. My last two have been 25%.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2021
First off, do not use dry or unloaded weight in your weight decisions. Use the trailers GVWR and 20% of the GVWR for pin weight.

Now the issue of towing clearance. Get the 8 ft bed and you won't be sorry.

Ken
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2021
Personally never understood the need for a "MegaCab". Tons of room in my CrewCab in the back seat.

OP with that weight I would consider a DRW.
fowlthing
Explorer
Feb 07, 2021
Yes, the measurements are for cab clearance and axle.. I use an anderson hitch so the gooseneck spot is important.

I will work to amend my signature... I have 2017 F350 SRW and just got a Grand Design Solitude 375res. Thanks
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2021
fowlthing wrote:
Thinking about getting a Ram and trying to decide if the 3500 mega cab is a good choice for towing a fifth wheel. By my measurements my 2017 F350 and the dodge mega cab have within 1/2 inch or identical distance from the back of the cab to the goose neck ball.

It would appear the Mega cab will work... my new to me 5ver is 14500 empty and also want to know the difference between the 3500 and 2500 ram. Is it the springs... axel size what is the difference.

Thoughts are welcome....I don't regret getting the f350 .. but never had a F250 so hard to tell..

Thanks for input.
_____________________________________________________________
2004 2500HD duramax allison tran.
Cedar Creek 33lbhts

So a bit confused your signature states 2004 GM 2500, but you reference a 2017 F350 as your current TV.

I would be great if you made it clear what you are currently towing with, and what 5er you just purchased.

The 3500 Mega Cab short box will likely be a bit shy on GVWR at 11,700#. The Mega Cab also says that you have a family, not just a couple.
I passed on a post 2013 Ram 3500 SRW LB with a GVWR of 12,300# as I would be right at GVWR. We now have a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW, and tows and carries our 13,000# 5er like a dream.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2021
For a FW that heavy you want a dually. Even if the "numbers" technically work for a 3500 SRW you still will want a dually for that load. The added stability and improved handling will be well worth it.
I'm not knocking the mega cab, just get the dually version. However, I would want a long bed for FW towing. I wouldn't want to have to deal with the extra complexity of a slider hitch and I would surely need the room for tools, firewood, generator, bikes, etc.
CaLBaR
Explorer
Feb 07, 2021
MFL wrote:
Not sure why you are measuring to the GN ball, but your Ford will have several more inches of clearance, than the Ram, measuring from back of cab, to axle center.

A FW, weighing 14,500 empty, will be 16K+ when loaded. That is getting to the limit of a SRW. Yes, the springs are different between the 25/35.

Some hitches work better than others, when using a truck with a 6.4/6.75 ft bed truck. Lots of options, so do your research, or ask more questions here.

Jerry

I think the OP is using this measurement to indicate that he will have enough clearance with the RAM when compared to the Ford. This will be accurate especially if he is going to use something like a Reese Goosebox. Gooseball location relative to the cab should also be a good indication of the distance to the rear axle.

Rob
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 07, 2021
Not sure why you are measuring to the GN ball, but your Ford will have several more inches of clearance, than the Ram, measuring from back of cab, to axle center.

A FW, weighing 14,500 empty, will be 16K+ when loaded. That is getting to the limit of a SRW. Yes, the springs are different between the 25/35.

Some hitches work better than others, when using a truck with a 6.4/6.75 ft bed truck. Lots of options, so do your research, or ask more questions here.

Jerry

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Mega Cam Ram 3500 and towing fifth wheel

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