Hello all,My fiance and I are beginning the process of shopping for a toy hauler. I've started reading and looking around on different sites just trying to get my basic knowledge and understandings of all the amenities and information on the haulers. One of the largest concerns for me, is my current truck. I have a 2012 Ram 3500 drw (3.73 ratio) mega cab.... And that's where I worry... I heard a few years ago that people with mega cabs had turning problems and would forget and put the cab of the truck into the front of the hauler. I'm wondering if there is still that problem with the 2012's or did Dodge fix that issue.My next question, and I know its based off preference, but I'm kind of torn between the Heartland Cyclone 4100King or the Keystone Raptor 4014LEV. Just looking the Raptor doesn't seem as "real" in material and stability as the Cyclone does. I also read a couple of people say that the dealings with Heartland was a magnificent experience. I'm just trying to get some input. We are still a ways out on purchasing and as most I'm sure know, its an investment with some of these haulers. So we are trying to check everything to ensure its best for our family and our traveling requirements.Thank you for any help,

HendricksK9 wrote:I heard a few years ago that people with mega cabs had turning problems and would forget and put the cab of the truck into the front of the hauler. I'm wondering if there is still that problem with the 2012's or did Dodge fix that issue.This was never a "Dodge" issue. It's because you have a Megacab which means a short box. It doesn't matter which brand of truck, anyone pulling a FW and not just a TH FW can run into that issue. Just keep yourself aware of when your turning. I think most people with FW and shortbox pickups run into the issue when trying to backup. I know that Heartland FWs in general and the Cyclone too have the special front cap that can allow you to turn 88 degrees or something in a shortbox without hitting the front of the FW. You might look into that as an option. Otherwise do a search on here for short box pickups and FWs. That topic has been discussed many times over. As for Keystone vs Heartland? I'd take the Cyclone. Only one I've really heard horror stories about is the Dutchman brand I believe on their Voltage is it?

I can put my 5er 90 degrees to my truck and not touch my cab. I don't have a problem.That Megacab from Dodge killed the long bed.

Before you buy, I would recommend you check your towing and payload capacities. I don't know what your payload is but have read where some people are quite surprised at how little payload capacity the Megacabs have. The big 5'er TH's have some heavy pin weights, like over 3,000 lbs.

AXLE RATIO3.73GVWR10,500PAYLOAD2,980BASE WEGHT7,525BASE WT. FRONT4,465BASE WT. REAR3,060GAWR FRONT5,500GAWR REAR9,350GCWR21,000MAX TRAIL13,350Exactly what weight are we supposed to be using for the pin weight?? I've been reading forums all day today trying to get this nailed down and this topic is a HUGE discussion topic...The Cyclone 4100King shows a hitch weight of 30000lbs dry weight at 14,595 and a GVWR of 18,000 lbs.thanks,

I believe payload capacity would be your pin weight.I had a short bed F250 (with slider hitch) and hit the corner of the trailer with the cab twice. Both times pulling into gas stations, going forward. I was turning at the same time as pulling into the station and when the trailer went over the little grade in the driveway it tilted the trailer right into my cab. I have since got a long bed and no more problems. Good luck and have fun

Newbie Toy Hauler Questions | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

rayford118
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
5130 sounds more like the payload for the 3500 DRW. the other number sounds more like a SRW payload capacity. Any of the newer big 3 trucks with DRW should handle the TH
HendricksK9
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Thank you all... Now the interesting part, the book in the truck says the payload is 5130 for my truck... That's interesting since the website says 2980. I hate the idea of having to look for another truck as I spent months looking for this one. Its a great work truck, but at the same time, has all the ammeneties for the family.
HendricksK9
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
I've been continuing my research and after further discussions am hearing that dodge is known to put their weights lower so that they are safe from "overloading" issues. But I'm being told that the truck should handle that trailer with no major issues. But if I was surpassing the 20,000 GVWR then it would be more of an issue.
Alabama_Campers
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
I can say from experience, the RAM 3500 DRW Mega Cab has payload issues...I had one. Loved the truck, but when I traded up to my current 410LEV Raptor TH, the hitch (Pullrite Auto Slider), Pin Weight and misc stuff, I was way over payload capacity. So much as I was highly concern about legal issues if an accident had ever occurred. The truck would TOW just great, but major weight capacity issues.

This was a costly mistake on my part, as I had to go truck shopping...again. The RAM was to be my last truck...oh well! So I will say, please check the pin weight carefully of any 5vr you purchase.

Steve
720Deere
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Those specs look like SRW and the OP did state DRW. I don't know the exact numbers, but I believe the payload is at least 1,000 lbs more than the SRW specs shown above. Overall your truck is acceptable for the trailers that you mentioned, but a sliding hitch would be a good investment!
TxTiger
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
2,980 lbs of payload rating is the total you can carry. That goes pretty fast by the time you add fuel, people and stuff. The 5th wheel hitch also adds weight. The 3,000 lb dry pin weight on the Cyclone exceeds your total capacity before you add anything else.
Bedlam
Moderator
Aug 09, 2013
Don't be surprised if a 18K GVWR TH has a pin weight of over 3500 lbs once loaded. You will be under RAWR but over GVWR and GCWR. I am surprised that your ratings are that low for a DRW - My 3/4T SRW has 9800 lb GVWR and 23K GCWR.
raroberts
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
I believe payload capacity would be your pin weight.

I had a short bed F250 (with slider hitch) and hit the corner of the trailer with the cab twice. Both times pulling into gas stations, going forward. I was turning at the same time as pulling into the station and when the trailer went over the little grade in the driveway it tilted the trailer right into my cab. I have since got a long bed and no more problems.

Good luck and have fun
HendricksK9
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
AXLE RATIO
3.73
GVWR
10,500
PAYLOAD
2,980
BASE WEGHT
7,525
BASE WT. FRONT
4,465
BASE WT. REAR
3,060
GAWR FRONT
5,500
GAWR REAR
9,350
GCWR
21,000
MAX TRAIL
13,350

Exactly what weight are we supposed to be using for the pin weight?? I've been reading forums all day today trying to get this nailed down and this topic is a HUGE discussion topic...

The Cyclone 4100King shows a hitch weight of 30000lbs dry weight at 14,595 and a GVWR of 18,000 lbs.

thanks,
TxTiger
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Before you buy, I would recommend you check your towing and payload capacities. I don't know what your payload is but have read where some people are quite surprised at how little payload capacity the Megacabs have. The big 5'er TH's have some heavy pin weights, like over 3,000 lbs.