2011 Ram 3500 Mega SRW 5th Wheel Towing 17K?

wrasse wrote:
I currently have a 2011 SRW Ram 3500 Megacab with cummins 6.7 and looking to purchase a new 5th wheel toyhauler. The size I'm looking at 34-36ft will likely have a wet/loaded weight approaching 17,000 lbs.

I fully understand DRW is best but it's not an option for me as this is a multipurpose truck and I live in a crowded city.

According to factory specs...

My 2011 SRW Ram 3500 Megacab has payload of 2600 lbs, max trailer of 12,950 lbs

Interestingly the 2013 SRW Ram 3500 Megacab (basically the same truck frame, axle, brakes, rear tire rating) has payload of 4410 lbs, max trailer of 16,840 lbs

According to cummins forum guy, the changes from 2011-2012 to 2013 Ram were

Originally Posted by Jim W
The engine and torque converter were redesign for the 2103 model year. New cooling piston jets, a redesigned piston and if I remember correctly a new bed plate was added. Also the cooling system was redesigned to improve cooling; dual radiators, a redesigned charge air cooling upgrades along with dual transmission oil coolers. So the tow ratings were improved over the 2012MY by these changes. This was made very evidently to us at the CMEP plant when Cummins/Ram held the rally in June 2013.

None of these changes were to the frame, rear tire rating, axle, brakes, etc, yet the factory tow rating on the 2013 jumped up by a huge margin.

So it's a little confusing if it's worth the upgrade to the 2013 model or if it's just a marketing gimmick and the 2011 model tow rating was under rated.

I am thinking I am ok to go for it with my current truck but wanted to get more thoughts on people who have actually towed this weight with a similar SRW 1 ton truck.

As stated the 2011 you are talking about ISN'T the same as the 2013....the 13' has a brand new frame, new front and rear suspension, MUCH higher GVWR, along with a 7,000# rated rear axle....It's NOT the same animal as the the 2011, The 13 could even come with the Aisin tranny which would give one 385HP and 850 ftlb of TQ on top of everything else. Again, the 11, isn't anything at all like the 13....Your information is wrong.

The problem with the Mega cab is it eats up a lot of it's own GVWR, as well as some of it's rear axle weight....Figure you will exceed your trucks GVWR and cut into it's RAWR fairly decently with a 17,000# 5er.....the 5er could have a pin weight of 3400# that you'll be dropping in the bed of your truck...

I'd be looking for a lighter 5er, but it's your truck, your towing experience..

The "cummins forum" guy got some of it right, but neglected to tell about the brand new, much improved frame and suspension....that "sorta" makes the BIG difference in why the 13' has a higher GVWR and probably a higher GCWR...it's NOT the same as your 11.