Aussie trying to understand your trucks
Going to be buying a FW with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds and hopefully under 30 foot. Need to know what can tow & more importantly stop it. 2 adults & 3 kids weighing under 500 pounds. So need a...
Forum Discussion
With a GVWR of less than 10,000#, you could use a 2500, but a 3500/350 without dual rear wheels (they are available, I have one) would be better IMO.
Dodge/Ram makes a big 4 door cab model, called a Megacab (I have one). It is indeed biggest in class. Google images can show you. It comes in short bed only (6 foot 3 inch). Without the biggest cab (they are called crew cabs) and they are all pretty close to the same size in the rear seat (Dodge, Chevy/GMC, and Ford) post 2010 models. 2009 and older Rams (Dodge) "quadcabs" were quite small in the rear seat.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) "Quadcab" longbed.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 DRW "Megacab" shortbed.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 Single rear wheel (SRW) like mine, shortbed only.
Here is the new crewcab size, available in short and longbed:
Note that the quadcab longbed (8' box) and the megacab shortbed (6'3" box) are exactly the same wheelbase and overall length. The only difference is the cab/box size.
I would suggest avoiding the 2003 - 2010 Ford diesels. In 2003 - 2007 they used the infamous 6.0L Powerstroke, and it is a trouble prone engine Here is some interesting reading - 6.0L diesel engine. In 2008 - 2010, they used a 6.4L diesel, and it was slightly better, but still not near as reliable as the competition.
I would suggest you shop for a petrol powered Ford, or a petrol or diesel Dodge or GMC/Chevy.
You will have no trouble pulling a 5th wheel with a shortbed model truck. I do. Here's a picture of my set up:
Dodge/Ram makes a big 4 door cab model, called a Megacab (I have one). It is indeed biggest in class. Google images can show you. It comes in short bed only (6 foot 3 inch). Without the biggest cab (they are called crew cabs) and they are all pretty close to the same size in the rear seat (Dodge, Chevy/GMC, and Ford) post 2010 models. 2009 and older Rams (Dodge) "quadcabs" were quite small in the rear seat.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) "Quadcab" longbed.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 DRW "Megacab" shortbed.
Here is a Dodge/Ram 3500 Single rear wheel (SRW) like mine, shortbed only.
Here is the new crewcab size, available in short and longbed:
Note that the quadcab longbed (8' box) and the megacab shortbed (6'3" box) are exactly the same wheelbase and overall length. The only difference is the cab/box size.
I would suggest avoiding the 2003 - 2010 Ford diesels. In 2003 - 2007 they used the infamous 6.0L Powerstroke, and it is a trouble prone engine Here is some interesting reading - 6.0L diesel engine. In 2008 - 2010, they used a 6.4L diesel, and it was slightly better, but still not near as reliable as the competition.
I would suggest you shop for a petrol powered Ford, or a petrol or diesel Dodge or GMC/Chevy.
You will have no trouble pulling a 5th wheel with a shortbed model truck. I do. Here's a picture of my set up:
