Advice needed -- will I regret a shortbed w/ 43' trailer?

Since the 5er "overlaps" your truck by few feet, your overall length will be longer but not by 10 feet. Backing and turns may feel a little different because the pivot point of the hitch is further forward but with a little time driving I'm sure you won't have any problems. If you were going from a 16' bumper pull to a 43' 5er that would be a big difference but a 33' bumper pull is a pretty darn big trailer already.

Thanks for all the feedback so far! I've been shopping for truck and trailer for the last year, so I'm pretty sure the numbers will work. The GVWR of the trailer is 16,000. The dry weight is somewhere around 13,500, but I know those dry weight numbers aren't always exact when your particular unit arrives from the factory. Fully loaded, I hope we would be less than 15,500, but we'd still have a little margin if we exceed my estimates.

The listed "max trailer weight" of the Ram 3500 DRW Diesel Mega Cab 4x4 3.73 that I'm looking at is 17,450 lbs. I believe that capacity for for TT and not 5th wheels. But if someone knows how to calculate or where to find the different capacities for TT vs 5th wheels, I'd appreciate it.

The max towing capacity increase by 150 lbs, if I were to switch to a crew cab with an 8' bed, all other things being the same. The max payload also increase 150 lbs to 5,600 lbs for the crew cab. Those numbers are so close that I'm willing to overlook them for my 3 kids comfort in the back.

However, I've never driven a 5th wheel before. I've been driving a 33' TT for a couple of years, but I recognize it will be a totally new experience for me pulling a 5th wheel that is about 10' longer. So, that's why I'm looking for some solid advice here before taking the next step.

I plan on getting a sliding hitch, and I'm sure that will help. But since I've never driven a 5th wheel I'm really reaching out here to see if I'm worried about nothing and would be just fine with a 6'4" bed in most circumstances, or if I would find myself instead really wishing for an 8' bed after the fact.

Thanks again,
Tom

Lantley wrote:
As others have mentioned be sure you have enough payload and beware many short beds have small 26 gallon fuel tanks

IIRC the truck OP listed will have a 14K lb GVWR and truck should be right about 9K lbs unladen weight. 5K should cover it I would think.
They did have to lower the tank size from 35 to 32 to make room for the DEF tank.
Yes prior years the Mega did have lower ratings, but I believe the ratings are now about the same.
I think you'll be fine without the slider OP if your RV has the rounded type cap on the front. Most new ones do unlike the old days when they looked like a box. I avoid getting into 90 degree turns anyway ( not great on the RV axles). Usually you can always pull forward a bit to keep em straight.

"First are you even sure you have enough truck for a 43' footer???" hmmm....appropriate question. My 37 footer is 19K loaded for travel....which led me to upgrade my truck...I found my 5.9 had plenty of pulling power, but no where near adequate stopping power.

And when you say "you can ask the salesman" for information...most of us have learned that is usually not a good idea, unless you want the moon and three acres of cheese along with your answer.

I see you joined this forum 3 days ago....I'd say keep reading and asking questions before you purchase anything.

Regards
Gemstone

I doubt you even have enough truck for a 43' footer...

doesnt the mega cab have lower tow ratings do to the extra weight of the larger cab?

Look at the crew cab - there is only a few inches difference in the rear. I, myself, would have nothing but a long bed.

Lantley wrote:
As others have mentioned be sure you have enough payload and beware many short beds have small 26 gallon fuel tanks

My Megacab shortbed has a 35 gal tank.

I think whether or not you need the long bed depends on the front cap / front end design of the 5er. I am ok to about 85* turning with mine. No slider hitch or anything else fancy.

If you're buying a 2013-14 Ram 3500 DRW you will have no issues what so ever with payload. However if you're getting a 2012 or earlier you won't have the payload for a 14,000lb dry weight 5'er.

Can't help you on the short vs long bed issue.

As others have mentioned be sure you have enough payload and beware many short beds have small 26 gallon fuel tanks