Do I really need a 4500 for a 5,500 lb TC?

[Boj300]

Not another weight question.....

My 2008 Dodge 3500 dually is not handling my Arctic Fox 1140 well. Lots of sway. Per advice of the forum, I have Rancho 9000s on it along with a set of Super Springs on the stiffest setting. I finally weighed it and I am very close to my rear axle limit of 9350. Let's not even discuss GVWR, way over there.

So I went truck shopping today....While the new Dodge duallys have a much better GVWR, the rear axle only has a few hundred pound higher rating. Ford does not seem any better. I want to add a superhitch and small motorcycle trailer to my setup, so I think I need more rear axle.

Do I really need a 4500 to haul a 5500 pound(loaded) TC and a small motorcycle trailer with less than 300 pound tongue weight? That seems crazy...... What am I missing here?

[racedrvr]

You have two goals, correct?
1 reduce sway
2 comply with axle ratings

To comply with axle ratings you must have a heavier axle rating or reduce weight.
A gas powered truck, not a diesel, might be the answer to your goals.

I am confused. How does a gas engine help him with a REAR axle rating issue?

[bighatnohorse]

Boj300 wrote:
I thought everybody agreed not to exceed the axle rating? If I add a leaf or two (and remove the superspring) and the sway bar i can probably make it ride good but those additions alone will put me at the axle weight limit. Once I add a superhitch and tongue weight, I will be 400 lbs over.

Confused I am.

You have two goals, correct?
1 reduce sway
2 comply with axle ratings

To comply with axle ratings you must have a heavier axle rating or reduce weight.
A gas powered truck, not a diesel, might be the answer to your goals.

[JIMNLIN]

Boj300 wrote:
I thought everybody agreed not to exceed the axle rating? If I add a leaf or two (and remove the superspring) and the sway bar i can probably make it ride good but those additions alone will put me at the axle weight limit. Once I add a superhitch and tongue weight, I will be 400 lbs over.

Confused I am.

Looks like your OP has been hijacked.
If your already 9000 lbs plus on the rear axles and plan on adding a heavy hitch and pulling another trailer then the 4500 truck makes sense with those big 12000 RAWR numbers and 19.5" truck tires.

[KimandChris]

This is the OP, apparently I have two profiles depending which computer I am using.....


Half of you are missing my point. I am sure I can bolt this or that on or add something else to make my truck handle better. In the end, if I add a trailer I will be over my rear axle rating. I know Internet forums do not agree on much, but it seems most people here seem to think that is the line not to cross on how much weight to carry.

Not sure what I was/am looking for in this thread. No changing the weight of my rig (unless I can get my wife to get rid of some shoes) and no changing the limit of my current rear axle. We are full tiing in this rig and travel a bit. I won't be comfortable this close to the axle limit andn this far over the GVWR. May still be happy with the newer 3500 and their higher GVWR, but that is alot of $$$$$

Thanks for the opinions.

[805gregg]

I have a Lance 1071 on a single wheel 3500 Dodge, with Big Wig, Ranchos and Stable loads, handles like a sports car, I'm always looking at the dash and seeing I am going 75, I need to slow down, get some Big Wigs a world of differance

[Harleybullet]

I have a 1150 AF with a 99 dodge Ram diesel dually, air bags and Rancho shocks...never had a problem with the truck and we have been in some pretty rough off the road areas and covered about 40K miles.

[jimh406]

If you have one of these, (2014 RAM 4500 TRADESMAN CHASSIS CREW CAB 4X4 197.4" WB), do you use a pickup bed or something else?

[Capt_Eddie]

Jfet wrote:
2014 RAM 4500 TRADESMAN CHASSIS CREW CAB 4X4 197.4" WB

Max Payload 8,726lbs

Sounds like a winner to me.

That is exactly what I have. No problems. Total gross weight of 16900. That is with a Lance 1040. 3200LB.HA HA.

[805gregg]

It's not the truck it's the extra tall and extra heavy AF

[BoilerEE]

elkhornsun wrote:
At a certain point it should be considered whether a very long wheelbase pickup truck with DRW is a smarter approach than going with a class C motorhome that is a much better integrated solution.

"Better integrated" = "less versatile" to me and most TC'ers. We just went through this recently after having owned a TC, then a 42' 5th wheel for a while - my wife really wanted to try a Class C. However, after thinking through all of the pros/cons, we're back to getting a larger TC (prob Host Everest or EC 1160). One of the final factors that made it easy is just that Class C's/A's just aren't safe for passengers in the back in anything other than a minor crash.

A Class C is just a different animal completely IMO ...

I will admit as well to being slightly concerned about weight on my '07.5 GMC dually, but I've run it in the past with the S&S 11DB fully loaded, wet + towing a 30' 10k# trailer and been very happy with the results. My personal limiting factor that I use is actually not the limit of the AAM1150, but the limit of the factory Accuride steel wheels which is 2440/each (which is less than the limit of the tires).

[jimh406]

I'm shopping somewhat as well, but I'm seeing a 6000 or more payload on some 350/3500s. I have noticed that different payload options are available on chassis trucks and those can come with different gearing as well.

What is the highest payload anyone on here is planning for?

[elkhornsun]

David Okkema wrote:
Look at a new chev...dually...there new box frame is great...go with an extended cab dually and get more weight over the front axle..

It does not actually work that way. I have a GM extended cab and all but 200 lbs. of the camper weight is carried by the rear axle. Campers are designed to have the COG directly over the axle.

At least with the F-450 trucks in the past the gain was in towing capacity and not payload which was no better than with the F-350. One needed to go to the F-550 to get the gain in payload.

At a certain point it should be considered whether a very long wheelbase pickup truck with DRW is a smarter approach than going with a class C motorhome that is a much better integrated solution.

[billtex]

A couple of questions come to mind;
* It doesn't say in your post...but do you have air bags? Might have too much psi...

* If this is your first TC...maybe you're just not used to the feeling of having a TC back there.
How long have you had this setup?
You might just get used to it after some miles...

Hauling a TC is different than a TT or 5er.
I can't imagine your truck is not up to the task.

Bill

[Bedlam]

The AAM 11.5" is rated for 10,000 lbs. if you are finding that you are close to that actual rear weight, A truck with a Dana 110 or something equivalent is in your future.