tradeing in and up! advice

md2lgyk wrote:
You're kidding, right?? A 35-ft trailer has more floor space than some apartments I've lived in over the years. But if you've got the cash, go for it. If you need a loan, you're nuts to even consider this.

Why do you care how other people spend their hard-earned money?
Does it affect you or the enjoyment of your life in any way?

I have to add, since talking about exhaust brakes, the 13' Ram 3500HD trucks have a two stage EB...one is more aggressive, the other more for when in cruise control...The EB on the Cummins is more like a "jake brake" and is made for the Cummins engine..I've used it when in T/H and it will practically bring the truck and 5er to a stop, going down some of the steepest grades.

You're kidding, right?? A 35-ft trailer has more floor space than some apartments I've lived in over the years. But if you've got the cash, go for it. If you need a loan, you're nuts to even consider this.

wintersun wrote:
DEF is new for 2013 with the Ram trucks so they may have more problems with this new emissions control system than the GM trucks where it has been in use for 3 years.

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Dodge has had DEF paired with the 6.7 Cummins on 4500/5500 trucks for several years now, and it's been functioning quite well in the field, so this is a moot point.

Either will probably do the job, as long as they are well spec'd/optioned for the job.

If it was me, I would look more towards a MDT, or HDT.

The exhaust brake is a must have for me and cannot see buying a diesel engine without this feature. On long 7-9% downgrades the grade control feature with Tow Haul enabled on my GM truck the descent is controlled most of the time. When it gets really windy and I need more braking I switch on the exhaust brake and the truck slows another 10 MPH and control is maintained. Huge difference in driving comfort in the mountains with a heavy load.

I pull a 395RW with a 2013 Chevy 3500 dually. I like the way the truck rides and drives. It also has an exhaust brake which I haven't had to use yet. hwy 70-75 mph 17.5-18.4 so far empty. I only get 9-10 pulling the 395 at those speeds but I get worse at 55-60mph.I get 13.5-15 going back and forth to work. Chevy wins in the ride catagory and the seats are comfortable. but to each his own.

Kidding;)

Eco-Boost Max tow.

The GM diesel trucks all come with an exhaust brake as standard equipment. The GM also has an independent front suspension which makes for a less harsh ride and better handling. Duramax problems were related to the new DEF system with the early 2011 trucks. DEF is new for 2013 with the Ram trucks so they may have more problems with this new emissions control system than the GM trucks where it has been in use for 3 years.

Check the excellent test review of the 2011 heavy duty trucks with a 19K trailer in tow at mrtrailer.com and the Car and Driver tests of the trucks in 2012 with lighter trailer loads but still enough to be informative. Both follow the new SAE J2807 guidelines where you test a truck's handling, acceleration, braking, and towing performance with an actual payload instead of driving an empty truck around town. These provide a good idea of how well the engine, transmission, Tow Haul function, exhaust brake, etc. work in concert for towing.

GM has something they call grade control and I have had many mountain miles where it has provided complete controll of the truck's speed going down 7% grades with little input from me. There is also a trailer tow option that provides a control on the dash to adjust the relative braking of the trailer's brakes as you drive.

Hope you monster trailer works out for you. Most of the people I know who moved up to a longer trailer later regreted doing so as there were fewer places where they could camp. Same thing happened with a couple that added a toad to their MH and expected greater mobility once at a camping area but the downside was they could not get into any of the USFS campgrounds on their last trip.