New Truck's First Outing

[RustyJC]

Here's the new truck (see signature) out on its first towing assignment over the Memorial Day weekend. It handled our 19K 5th wheel without breaking a sweat. Even my wife (who drove for part of the trip) gave it her seal of approval.



Rusty

[RustyJC]

ACZL wrote:
Nice truck!! But what gets me is all the mfr's are rating their trucks close to 40,000 and no CDL is required. Then again, neither is one needed to drive a 45' diesel pusher. To me, it seems rather scary to think that some one who doesn't haul much weight often and chug down the road grossing 35-40k and not know what to expect.

Why should a CDL be required? C = commercial. I'm towing for private use; it has nothing to do with commerce.

Now, Texas DOES require a NON-commercial Class A license for towing at 26,001 GCWR or higher. At 26,000 and below, a standard NON-commercial Class C will suffice. Motorhomes above 26,001 GVWR require a Class B. Other states are different.

Rusty

[Cummins12V98]

ACZL wrote:
Nice truck!! But what gets me is all the mfr's are rating their trucks close to 40,000 and no CDL is required. Then again, neither is one needed to drive a 45' diesel pusher. To me, it seems rather scary to think that some one who doesn't haul much weight often and chug down the road grossing 35-40k and not know what to expect.

I don't know many hauling a combo of 35-40K, actually I don't know any doing so with a 350/3500 or 450. The problem at that weight you will have WAY too much pin if hauling a 5er. Those numbers are attainable with some of these trucks with a goose neck trailer since they run around 15 percent pin.

At 32,500# combined my rear axle is within 150# of the 9,750# rating.

Some states require a special endorsement of over 26K or so.

[ACZL]

Nice truck!! But what gets me is all the mfr's are rating their trucks close to 40,000 and no CDL is required. Then again, neither is one needed to drive a 45' diesel pusher. To me, it seems rather scary to think that some one who doesn't haul much weight often and chug down the road grossing 35-40k and not know what to expect.

[Cummins12V98]

RustyJC wrote:
Here's the new truck (see signature) out on its first towing assignment over the Memorial Day weekend. It handled our 19K 5th wheel without breaking a sweat. Even my wife (who drove for part of the trip) gave it her seal of approval.



Rusty

VERY nice Rusty!!! I guess I should say that since ours looks the same except you have MORE torque and front park SENSORS. Also your cargo cam shows in your 8.4 monitor. Dang almost ready to get a 3rd LongHorn....maybe 2017. :B

[Hunter11]

Congrats on the new truck Rusty. Nice setup you have there.

[RustyJC]

SabreCanuck wrote:

RustyJC wrote:


This is a "torque" rather than a "horsepower" trailer tower -

Rusty

Pretty much every single semi truck manufacturer out there learned that a few years ago.. Better fuel mileage, easier on equipment, etc. Now, if we could just teach the drivers to stop rev'ing the c r p out of those new engines (mostly due to habit).

Nice ride!

The 2011 was programmed to protect the drivetrain by using RPM to do the work and limiting the torque the drivetrain had to handle. Once Ram began to put the Aisin transmission in the pickups and upgraded the Aisin from the 68 to the 69 (greater torque capacity), upgraded the rear axle from the 11.5" to the 11.8" AAM, etc., then they could upgrade the Cummins to 900 ft-lb torque. This one did remind me of a big rig (don't laugh, all you drivers) pulling up the hill at 1700 RPM - it was like you could feel every power stroke and knew that some serious torque was passing right under your feet. That Cummins really sounded like that's where it liked to work!

Rusty

[jjj]

Nice. One day when I grow up I would love one of those.

[NC_Hauler]

Rusty, what's not to love? Looks great, as does your 5er...I was a Chevy guy for 35 years when it came to trucks..Only had Ram trucks for "right at" 6 years....love 'em!

Enjoy and keep us posted on some of your towing trips


Jim

[Splashers3]

x2 with greened.

[azjeffh]

Nice looking rig!

[SabreCanuck]

RustyJC wrote:


This is a "torque" rather than a "horsepower" trailer tower -

Rusty

Pretty much every single semi truck manufacturer out there learned that a few years ago.. Better fuel mileage, easier on equipment, etc. Now, if we could just teach the drivers to stop rev'ing the c r p out of those new engines (mostly due to habit).

Nice ride!

[MFL]

Congrats on the new truck Rusty!! That should tow that MS for many trouble free miles. I hope you enjoy your entire rig, for many years!

Many members towing heavy rigs, seem to be choosing the big Ram! I am thinking there is a good reason.

Jerry

[filrupmark]

Nice !!!!!!!!!!

[Coach-man]

All I can say is WOW, I want one when I grow up! Good luck I think you will enjoy many miles of happy towing with that TV!

[RustyJC]

The key elements of the drivetrain are listed in the signature. This is the "MaxTow" drivetrain for the Ram 3500 - the optional Cummins rated at 385 BHP and 900 ft-lb of torque available only with the optional Aisin AS69RC 6-speed automatic. This truck also has the 11.8" (300 mm) AAM rear axle with additional ring gear bolting, etc. and the optional 4.10 axle ratio whereas the standard Cummins uses the 11.5" AAM rear axle. It's rated at 39,100 lb GCWR, 14,000 GVWR and 30,050 lb trailer tow rating.

This is a "torque" rather than a "horsepower" trailer tower - my previous early 2011 Ram 3500 had the 350/650 Cummins, 68RFE 6-speed automatic transmission and 4.10 rear axle. Both get the job done, but the 2011 would "horsepower" up the grade when towing, downshifting and revving as high as 3000 RPM to hold speed (it was only down 35 BHP on the new truck). The new truck, however, uses its 250 ft-lb torque advantage on the same grade - it never revved past 2300 RPM to hold speed, and it wants to upshift and "lug" the load up the grade at 1700-1800 RPM riding the meat of its torque curve. Both scenarios are with the transmissions in tow/haul mode and the cruise control set at 65 MPH.

As far as the bells and whistles, this truck has everything except the rear air suspension assist and the rear seat DVD entertainment. Pretty much all of the options come on the Longhorn trim level.

Rusty