New fusion420 or new XLR 420?

#NC Hauler #taken,

Thank you both for your input and yes I understand the DRW would be the best/safest way to go.

But if I run airbags and go to G rated tires on the 2500 Mega, other than some sway from the coil springs would that still be unsafe?

The SRW 2500 has the same Axles, brakes, motor & tranny as the SRW 3500 and the 3500 has E rated tires. So other than some possible sway in heavy wind, why would the 2500 with bags and G rated tires not be as safe as the 3500 SRW?

My whole point here is I don't want to drive a buck board everyday for work and I'm only going to tow the trailer 6-8 times a year and a small trailer will not work for us.

I'd go XLR if you are looking to stay with a SRW truck. I specifically started investigating XLR's due to their lighter pin weights than their competition with the same floor plan. Not only are XLR's listed weights lighter on the pin due to forward axle placement, they also are VERY accurate on their weights. My 395's dry pin is listed at 2647. Loaded and ready to camp with the garage empty it is at 2850#. Load the garage and it goes down to 2650#. All well within a SRW 350's specs. I am under on my truck's GVWR, tire rating, and RAWR. The only number you can't fight with a SRW is GCWR.

On the 2500 vs. SRW 3500 deal, the current generation Ram is a completely different setup between the two. Ford on the other hand is identical when comparing a 250 to SRW 350.

As to service after the sale, I can't say enough about XLR. They have been outstanding in every way. I did have a Keystone product two trailers back and can't say the same but that was 5 years ago with a different division so it's not an apples to apples comparison. If you decide to go XLR, do yourself a favor and shop Jeff Couch's RV Nation in OH. They were an 800 mile trip for me but beat my local dealer by $9500. You can always try to get your local dealer to come close to Couch's price first but mine wouldn't return my calls after I gave them Couch's number. They have a great build and price setup on their website where you can select all your options and get a no haggle price that's over 35% off MSRP. We are too fussy to take one off the lot and loved the big discount on an ordered rig. If you have any questions about XLR or Couch's, please feel free to PM me anytime.

BFMC69 wrote:
Ugh ! I'm a realtor and really don't want to haul my clients around in a 3500.
The dodge dealer said the 2500 mega has Everything the 3500 has except the stiffer suspension. He said the brakes are the same as well so that's why I thought by adding the air bags I could accomplish both a decent ride and still tow the trailer I want?

So if the only difference is the suspension then why would a SRW 3500 be better than a SRW 2500 with bags if the bags hold the truck level?

Is it because the 2500 springs are just too week even with bags ?

Solutions / Thoughts ?

What is the difference in taking clients in a 2500 vs a 3500? The interiors are the same.

That aside, for the toyhauler size and weight you are considering, I wouldn't tow those with less than a 3500 dually. You are looking at a lot of weight. A 2500 will be grossly inadequate, not to mention unsafe.

BFMC69 wrote:
Ugh ! I'm a realtor and really don't want to haul my clients around in a 3500.
The dodge dealer said the 2500 mega has Everything the 3500 has except the stiffer suspension. He said the brakes are the same as well so that's why I thought by adding the air bags I could accomplish both a decent ride and still tow the trailer I want?

So if the only difference is the suspension then why would a SRW 3500 be better than a SRW 2500 with bags if the bags hold the truck level?

Is it because the 2500 springs are just too week even with bags ?

Solutions / Thoughts ?

Again, the airbags will level the load....nothing more.....IF you told your auto dealership that you were going to tow either of those 5er's and mentioned the weights of them and they told you, no problem with the Mega 2500...they're idiots...I know, there are those towing heavy with 2500's, exceeding some of their weight ratings......doesn't make it right or safe.

suspension is a big part of the towing equation.. Crawl underneath a dually and compre front and rear suspension to your 2500.....it'll be an eye opener

BFMC69 wrote:
Hi all,

I'm a newbie and I've narrowed my search down to a new Fusion 420 or new XLR 420 and would like any constructive advise from how good the warranty service is from each company to pros and cons of each trailer?

I've chosen these two because of the floorplan / side porch that both offer. They are almost identically equipped and the only thing that seems to stand out to me is the cabinet hinges are resessed on the Fusion and the hitch weight is about 1100 lbs more ?

Also, I plan on towing it with a new Dodge 2500 megacab 4x4 diesel and plan on using the firestone airbags to help make up for the lack of payload.

Hopefully someone has some actual working knowledge to share :)

I don't know if I'd even try towing either of those units with a 3500 SRW much less, a Mega cab 2500... The fusion has a GVWR of 19,000#, dry weight of 15,095#...GCWR on your 2500 is just 25,000#..The XLR has a GVWR at 21,000 #.....I personally wouldn't tow either with anything less than a dually.

Pin weight could be approx. 3800# on the Fusion, and up to 4,000-4200# on the XLR..If you don't want a 3500 SRW or DRW truck, I believe for safety sake, I'd set my expectations on a much lighter TH.

As stated, air bags LEVEL a load, they don't add any additional cargo carrying capacity; read the manufacturers disclaimers on their product.

Ugh ! I'm a realtor and really don't want to haul my clients around in a 3500.
The dodge dealer said the 2500 mega has Everything the 3500 has except the stiffer suspension. He said the brakes are the same as well so that's why I thought by adding the air bags I could accomplish both a decent ride and still tow the trailer I want?

So if the only difference is the suspension then why would a SRW 3500 be better than a SRW 2500 with bags if the bags hold the truck level?

Is it because the 2500 springs are just too week even with bags ?

Solutions / Thoughts ?

My dealer says working with the Fuzion folks on warranty issues is great. Probably the best one the service guys recommended. But that being said, a lot of that has to do with your own dealer and their relationship with each manufacturer. My dealer sells a LOT of Fuzions but usually only carries a few XLRs at a time.

On the other hand, if you're going to keep the 2500, you gotta go with the XLR. In my opinion, hitch weight is THE biggest factor when hauling with a single rear wheeled truck. I've gone from an F450 back to an F350 SRW. The XLRs are high on my list for our next toy hauler because they seem geared toward lighter pin weights; even on the triple axle models.

I've also had great success with all my Forest River campers.

X2 You should be looking at a 3500 Ram. When I bought my 2010 Ram 3500 4x4 SRW megacab the base price for the 2500 megacab was $38,900 plus $7K for Cummins. The base price for the 3500 was $47,100 and the Cummins was included and they took off $980 for the dual wheel delete. The 3500 did not come with the tire pressure monitor system. The ride is a little stiffer. You will want the 3.73 or 4.10 (best) diff ratio and have heard the Aisin trans is the hot ticket.

Air bags do not increase payload. Payload is determined by axles, wheels, tires, brakes and suspension. You should weigh your truck with a full tank of fuel and with what ever you plan to haul on a trip - spouse, kids, tools, toys, etc. Subtract that weight from the GVRW of your truck. The difference is the payload you can use to haul your trailer. It appears that the pin weight is over 3000 pounds. You have to add to that the weight of the fifth wheel hitch.