Upgrading to a Newmar Kountry Aire

[jtguyton]

I am thinking about upgrading to a 2008 Kountry Aire 5th wheel that weighs-in @ 19,100 (empty weight). My 2011 Ram crew cab Dually (3.73 gear) can manage 21,000 lbs. Not a full timer so the most cargo I would carry is <200 pounds.

I know most folks that own these heavy 5'ers have class 8 tow vehicles. Any danger towing with the Ram? Getting a 4.10 rear gear would allow 22K towing capacity.

Thanks!

[Roger10378]

A friend just bought a similar trailer. When he called about it the first thing the dealer asked was what he would be pulling with. When he told him he had a Volvo he was glad to hear and made a very good deal because most people don't have enough truck to handle it.

[mbutts]

2011 Ram Tow Guide shows you'd probably be over on payload.

[calewjohnson]

One of those came through last week. What caught my eye...the trailer axles had two tires per side on each axle (like a semi trailer). I snapped a pic, because I have never seen one like that, which begs to question, why don't the big three axle TH have two bigger axles with that tire set up.

They were towing their's with a Ram 3500...I did not ask what year, but it looked to be a newer model.

Cale

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98, run a 5er about that size states 27,000 GCVW, with the same year Ram 3500.

[garysol]

Going to be an awful lot of pin weight. All the gear in the world won't help that.

[We_Cant_Wait]

Even with the upgrade in gearing I'm afraid that you'd still end up with a case of "The Tail Wagging The Dog" issue. IMO I'd tow something that heavy with nothing less then a MDT truck, i.e. a Kodiak 4500, Ford F-650, and maybe a Dodge 550.