Ram 2500HD

jimmyfred wrote:

Retired07 wrote:
We have a 2016 Ram 2500HD with the 6.7CTD. Specs say it will tow 17,200lbs.
Looking at Forest River Surveyor 299RLOK. It will be our first 5th wheel, not our first RV, (previous 26ft bunkhouse and 34ft class A).
The 5er weighs in at 9038 with a hitch weight of 1498 and a carry capacity of 2860. Will we be able to tow this safely ?

.........Did they bother to explain how a 2500 will beable to safely , stop 17,200 lbs ? Stopping is more important than towing ! , jf

Lessee, in anything but an out and out emergency, the trailer should stop itself via its own brakes. Even a semi will have trouble with a full load should its trailer brakes catastrophically fail. In fact, if everything is working correctly, you should NOT feel anything other than normal braking when stopping. If you feel a push, then the trailer brakes aren't working right.

Lyle

transamz9 wrote:
The maximum 5th wheel capacity has more to do with cooling ability in the differential on the diesel. The higher the gear the more heat it will generate. It really has nothing to do with what it will handle nowadays.

Probably the reason why today's differentials come with synthetic oil.

The maximum 5th wheel capacity has more to do with cooling ability in the differential on the diesel. The higher the gear the more heat it will generate. It really has nothing to do with what it will handle nowadays.

Allworth wrote:
IdaD,

Would you mind explaining where you got your Mechanical Engineering Degree and what states carry your registration as a P.E. ??

LOL...

IdaD,

Would you mind explaining where you got your Mechanical Engineering Degree and what states carry your registration as a P.E. ??

Keep in mind here the 17k tow rating isn't specific to just a RV trailer. Other non RV industries use those tow ratings also.

Example... my 16k triaxle stock trailer and 18k flatbed trailer can be load placed to reduce hitch loads on trucks rear axle. Same with the flatbed trailer.
My 2500 Dodge/Cummins has a 6000 RAWR and a 5200 FAWR = 11200 lbs of braking performance and my 16k GN stock trailer with 7k axles= 21k lb of braking performance. Together thats 32000 lbs of braking performance.
Both of my tri axle trailers even at max loads stop one hell of a lot quicker than my 11200 lb RV trailer with tandem 5.2k axles using the same truck 3500 DRW crew cab chevy or my 2500 Dodge.

Some of the new 2500 Rams can have a 6500 RAWR with a 6k fawr for 12500 lbs of braking performance.

My point is those high tow ratings aren't just for RV folks pulling a 5th wheel RV trailers.

NC Hauler wrote:


Different rear axle weight rating and bigger spring pack on the 3500 SRW truck versus 2500. gearing is the same,

Sorry to make this quote pack any bigger, BUT yes I also agree that a 17,500# fiver is too much, for any SRW TV. Even if upgraded to 19.5's, I don't want a rear tire failure to put me in the ground.

Keep in mind that the 17,500# is the MAXIMUM, 5er weight based on the lightest configuration of TV. When you start adding options to the TV the Maximum trailer weight starts going down.

The stopping the trailer argument, is getting old. Trailer has it's own brakes and should stop the 5er, if they fail all new diesels have exhaust brakes, which will assist in stopping. It doesn't matter 3500 or 2500 the brakes will not stop the Truck and trailer, as fast as with trailer brakes.

IdaD wrote:


Literally the only difference between a the current crop of 2500 and SRW 3500 is the rear suspension (if that). Timbrens or airbags nullify that and then they're both capable of the same thing - same chassis, axles, brakes, drive train, tires and etc. The capability difference kicks in when you hit DRW. I'd say just my opinion, but it's not an opinion.

All of that having been said, if you want to pull 17,000 lbs, in my opinion you need a DRW truck.

Different rear axle weight rating and bigger spring pack on the 3500 SRW truck versus 2500. gearing is the same,

NC Hauler wrote:


A 17,200# 5er is too heavy for a 2500..just my own personal opinion from towing a CAT scaled 5er of 16,300#, and 3640# of pin weight with my 13' Ram Cummins/Aisin with 4.10...Some to many will disagree, but I wouldn't want to do it..At that weight, I'd want, at the least a 3500 SRW..

Some don't realize some of these ratings are based on a short bed two wheel, short bed truck with a 150# driver in the truck...most don't tow with that truck..

Literally the only difference between a the current crop of 2500 and SRW 3500 is the rear suspension (if that). Timbrens or airbags nullify that and then they're both capable of the same thing - same chassis, axles, brakes, drive train, tires and etc. The capability difference kicks in when you hit DRW. I'd say just my opinion, but it's not an opinion.

All of that having been said, if you want to pull 17,000 lbs, in my opinion you need a DRW truck.

Agree with NC Hauler, even the new 2500s could not carry the wt of a 17,200 lbs FW. It'd be a big load for a new 3500 SRW. Now if talking towing a flatbed full of bricks or sand, no problem.

Yes, that truck is capable of stopping that weight, due to all the reasons mentioned above.

Jerry