PULLING 20K OR BETTER

2016 RAM 3500 Dually with 3:73 gear---24K
2016 RAM 3500 Dually with 4:30 gear---26K


Sure the other two in 350 Dually are similar

prodeville wrote:
I'm hearing that you really need a MDT or HDT to pull a fifth wheel over 20k. The MDT is expensive and a used HDT is huge. Is there anybody out there pulling that weight with a 3500/4500 or 350/450 with no problem? What about breaking?
I'm looking at A DRV, Augusta or a Continental.

".....a used HDT is huge."

Do you mean the cost - or the physical size?

A singled HDT will be wider than a standard dually, but depending on the length of the bed (if you add one) -and whether you single short or long - the overall length can be about the same as a dually pickup.....at way less cost than a new pickup.
So - You won't be *breaking* your bank account.
And - Power and *braking* will be outstanding.

In (many) states where the HDT can be registered as a MH, license cost can be less than a new pickup - and only a std DL is needed.

You won't find owners on here, so suggest you visit the Escapees HDT forum - for some Q & A and info to/from the folks who own one.
(Knowledgeable folks who won't twist your arm, LOL!)

Escapees HDT forum

~

I think i read the 2017 f450 superduty was rated to tow up to a 27500 lbs 5th wheel.and something like 32000lb.gooseneck trailer

In years past, a bigger truck was needed to pull the biggest 5th wheel rv's. Nowadays, the pickup sized trucks, especially the class 4 and 5 models, have really huge towing capacity that was totally unheard of just 10 years ago.

Personally, I prefer the simplicity and sturdiness of an older, bigger truck, versus the overcomplicated and astronomically priced new diesel pickups, even though some of these new diesel pickups can probably pull as much as my class 7 MDT.

my 2016 f350 dually with the heavy tow package is rated for 26k lbs and the f450 has over 30k lbs.

there are plenty of options from the big 3 as I am sure there are plenty of MDT's available.

Check out the Automated Safety Hitch

With the appropriate rear end gear, this lets you pull (and stop) 20k+ with a 250/2500 or non-dually 350/3500.

id rather not!

Quite honestly im no weight police member but after towing 15k with a 250 and now the same trailer with a dually I will stick to what the manufacturer has rated for certain loads.

1jeep wrote:
id rather not!

Quite honestly im no weight police member but after towing 15k with a 250 and now the same trailer with a dually I will stick to what the manufacturer has rated for certain loads.

The limiting factor for towing a FW is rear axle load. Almost everything else between the various pickup classes is identical (or can be configured identical) except the rear axle. The ASHS removes that from the equation and gives you better stability and control.

Don't dismiss it out of hand until you've researched it well.

The specs for our 2016 Ram Longhorn 3500 dually are in my signature, but I'll repeat them here. Please note, however, that these ratings require the SPECIFIC drivetrain options shown in my signature. This drivetrain option package also gets you an 11.8" AAM rear axle (standard on 3500 DRW is 11.5") with additional bolting between the carrier and ring gear, specially heat treated components and a finned aluminum cover for additional cooling:

GCWR = 39,100 lbs
GVWR = 14,000 lbs
Rear axle GAWR = 9,750 lbs
Trailer Tow Rating = 30,050 lbs

These ratings are SAE J2807 compliant.

We have no problem at all handling our 19,000 lb GVWR Mobile Suites with our Ram.



Rusty

I would not want to tow that much weight with my 3500 duly diesel. It might pull it ok, but for how long?