what kind of fifth wheel can I tow with a SRW?

[rvshrinker]

I am getting a full ton RAM but only want the SRW. It will have the diesel and the AISIN transmission, it is a short bed Mega Cab.

I just don't want a dually. I would rather have a smaller trailer or even a travel trailer than a dually.

[transamz9]

rvshrinker wrote:

mrkoje wrote:

rvshrinker wrote:
I am getting a full ton RAM but only want the SRW. It will have the diesel and the AISIN transmission, it is a short bed Mega Cab.

I just don't want a dually. I would rather have a smaller trailer or even a travel trailer than a dually.

I wouldn't spend the extra money for the Aisin unless you're getting a dually. There are a lot of reasons but mostly It's 3k that you're not going to get much extra use out of especially if you're a recreational rv'er. The 68RFE is solid tranny that is more than capable for the weights a SRW will be pulling.

I've got a 35ft toy hauler that I pull with a mega cab. I used to have a long box crew can but I switched to the mega because of the extra space in the cab. It's really nice to be able to recline those rear seats! I did buy a B&W slider hitch but I have yet to use the slider once. The way the front if the toyhauler is designed I can still make some sharp turns without hitting the cab!

I know I won't need the AISIN but I just love the way it sounds and drives. It is worth the $3000 to me and amortizes to only 5 cents per mile over 60,000 miles so I can justify it easily as a 'luxury purchase.'

I'm feeling really confident now about what I can pull with the SRW and glad to be going that direction.

I really like your truck by the way!

I tow a 72' long trailer that weighs 20,000+- with my SRW Mega Cab so I think you'll do just fine.

[rvshrinker]

mrkoje wrote:

rvshrinker wrote:
I am getting a full ton RAM but only want the SRW. It will have the diesel and the AISIN transmission, it is a short bed Mega Cab.

I just don't want a dually. I would rather have a smaller trailer or even a travel trailer than a dually.

I wouldn't spend the extra money for the Aisin unless you're getting a dually. There are a lot of reasons but mostly It's 3k that you're not going to get much extra use out of especially if you're a recreational rv'er. The 68RFE is solid tranny that is more than capable for the weights a SRW will be pulling.

I've got a 35ft toy hauler that I pull with a mega cab. I used to have a long box crew can but I switched to the mega because of the extra space in the cab. It's really nice to be able to recline those rear seats! I did buy a B&W slider hitch but I have yet to use the slider once. The way the front if the toyhauler is designed I can still make some sharp turns without hitting the cab!

I know I won't need the AISIN but I just love the way it sounds and drives. It is worth the $3000 to me and amortizes to only 5 cents per mile over 60,000 miles so I can justify it easily as a 'luxury purchase.'

I'm feeling really confident now about what I can pull with the SRW and glad to be going that direction.

I really like your truck by the way!

[schlep1967]

It depends so much on the 5th wheel design. I'm currently pulling a 38 footer with a 2500. Empty weight of the trailer is 10,600. I have never had any bad feelings while towing with my combination. Weight and axle location on the trailer matter much more than length.

[mrkoje]

rvshrinker wrote:
I am getting a full ton RAM but only want the SRW. It will have the diesel and the AISIN transmission, it is a short bed Mega Cab.

I just don't want a dually. I would rather have a smaller trailer or even a travel trailer than a dually.

I wouldn't spend the extra money for the Aisin unless you're getting a dually. There are a lot of reasons but mostly It's 3k that you're not going to get much extra use out of especially if you're a recreational rv'er. The 68RFE is solid tranny that is more than capable for the weights a SRW will be pulling.

I've got a 35ft toy hauler that I pull with a mega cab. I used to have a long box crew can but I switched to the mega because of the extra space in the cab. It's really nice to be able to recline those rear seats! I did buy a B&W slider hitch but I have yet to use the slider once. The way the front if the toyhauler is designed I can still make some sharp turns without hitting the cab!

[rvshrinker]

megacab only comes in short bed.

Definitely not looking at anything over 15k GVWR! How about length - from a stabiity standpoint, it sounds lilke there is uniform agreement that a 25-30' length would be comfortably handled by this vehicle?

[tinner12002]

rvshrinker wrote:
payload is around 4300 so think I'm good there. I read that longer and heavier fivers deserve a dually for stability; up to what length and/or weight would you consider a SRW ok?

Nothing over 16K GVWR.

[leggy]

Personal experience, 40 ft 5er 16000 gvw with f450 DRW, traded it for f350 short bed SRW and truly felt no difference in towing. Now we have a 37 ft grand design reflection 15000 gvw and have not had a single issue. No slider hitch either, but I am definitely cautious when turning tight.

[rhagfo]

You might check, but I think you gain about 600# to 800# payload with a long bed.

[Old-Biscuit]

TxGearhead wrote:

rvshrinker wrote:
payload is around 4300 so think I'm good there. I read that longer and heavier fivers deserve a dually for stability; up to what length and/or weight would you consider a SRW ok?

If you got that 4300# of the Ram website, it will likely change when you get the truck. Leather trim, bed spray, etc. will drop it. I'm at 4018#. Our 5th is 12,500 GVW, any heavier and I would go dually.

And I tow a 14K (13,873# scaled) 5th wheel with an old 2007 3500 SRW and don't need a dually


2016 Megacab.....good for 15K easily and not be unstable, over loaded, white knuckling OMG tow

[TxGearhead]

rvshrinker wrote:
payload is around 4300 so think I'm good there. I read that longer and heavier fivers deserve a dually for stability; up to what length and/or weight would you consider a SRW ok?

If you got that 4300# of the Ram website, it will likely change when you get the truck. Leather trim, bed spray, etc. will drop it. I'm at 4018#. Our 5th is 12,500 GVW, any heavier and I would go dually.

[Veebyes]

So what is wrong with a DRW? OK, it does not fit a standard size parking bay. The long box doesn't either. So you park a little further from the store door & get some much needed exercise hiking the extra 10 seconds.

No matter the trailer you will love the extra stability & security of DRWs. No tail wagging the dog. Hardly any motion when a big rig blows past you.

[RustyJC]

GVWR (and payload, which is calculated from it) is often just a legal number for registration, licensing, insurance, etc. purposes. The GVWR of my truck (see signature) is 14,000 lbs which makes it a Class 3 truck. If it were 14,001 or higher, it would be a Class 4 truck. The combined GAWRs, on the other hand, are 6,000 + 9,750 = 15,750 lbs.

The rear axle GAWR is a hard limit that I wouldn't exceed, especially if it's based on tire ratings. The trailer length is irrelevant - my "38 foot" (actually 40') trailer has a 19,000 lb GVWR. The same model Elite Suites has a 21,000 lb GVWR. There are similar length 5th wheels on the market that may only have a 15,000 or 16,000 lb GVWR. Loaded pin weight of the trailer and the truck's rear axle GAWR will be what determines your maximum trailer weight with a SRW truck.

Rusty

[rvshrinker]

payload is around 4300 so think I'm good there. I read that longer and heavier fivers deserve a dually for stability; up to what length and/or weight would you consider a SRW ok?

[laknox]

work2much wrote:
As the math has been explained to me add 20% of the GVWR of the trailer to all the weight that will be in the truck i.e.: people,luggage, dogs, full tank of fuel. That combined number should be under the cargo carrying rating of the truck.

As an example a trailer with a 15, 000lb GVWR. 20% = 3000ponds. + adults and 2 children 500 pounds. 20 gallons of fuel 250 pounds. Total 3750 pounds. Many SRW one tons are equipped to carry this much.

Frankly, the GVW of the truck isn't the worry as much as RAWR and, especially, max tire capacity. I have no problem towing a bit over my truck's GVW, but I'm below both my rear axle and tires.

Lyle