I been looking at ordering a 2018 2wd ram. (lets not go into the "you should buy 4wd just in case" argument, I have not needed 4wd in my truck ever, only off road is my stone driveway)anyway, I notice the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) on the front of the 2wd is 500 lbs lower, 5500 lbs VS 6000 for the 4wd.the same books show empty the front of the 2wd is 284 lbs lighter than the 4wd, but if the GAWR is 500 less, the 2wd actually has lost 216 lbs carrying weight on the front.Is this a problem? any weight slips I have for current truck (4wd), its running 5400 in front emptyrear is the same GAWR and 2wd weigh 58 lbs less in rear.But the 2wd is rated for 6030 payload vs the 4wd 5690.I guess I am looking at changing trucks because I can get a little more luxury for the same money with the 2wd, and I will step down from the 4:10 to 3:73 hopefully gaining a couple (or 3) MPG.

"I will step down from the 4:10 to 3:73"With these new (great) transmissions I not sure it will save you anything - 2018 4.10 vs. 2018 3.73.

I don't think it's an issue carrying the TC at all. Almost no weight from the TC is on the front wheels. In some cases, it's a negative number. I think someone here reported -150 if I remember right. :)

I ordered a 2wd gas 6.4 ram crew cab DRW last fall. I also had not used the 4wd in the 11 years I had the last truck and went gas because we are no longer towing a large heavy fifth wheel plus the added cost of over 10K or more depending on the transmission for the diesel and the diesels are getting so complex that it is scary after your warranty is up. The payload for my truck with the 4:10 rear end is a few pounds over 7K with a GVWR of 14k. I did not go all out but went with a big horn package bed liner,5th wheel prep, bucket seats(higher load rating on paper with the buckets LOL). on paper the ram has the most rated payloads and camper load ratings very close to the fords and the Chevy's and gmc's were the lowest when I was shopping. So far the truck has handled the host TC with only upper stable loads added. I did not go with the factory air bag system thinking I may want to add some aftermarket gear of which there are none available for the ram air system but I later learned that there are currently no sway bars available for a anything with the 6.4 hemi with out heavy modifications of the exhaust system due the routing of the exhaust system .so far 2wd and gas drw is working for us but we don't tow anything so that's where the diesel may be a better choice. my weight slips on both my last truck and this one show the front a bit lighter with the camper loaded.Mike

I am looking at maybe upgrading to the same truck, but with the Cummins and Aisin trans.can I ask what MPG your seeing with your Host loaded? my 990 is about the same wind load and close on weight. Current rig gets 10 mpg with 990 on, running highway speeds (55-70). towing my jeep or a 7x14 box trailer I still get 10 mpg.

4WD usually adds about 450 lb to truck weight. I went via the same dilemma over a year ago. -4WD in Ford adds 2" to already tall truck. That might need additional step for the camper-4WD cost quite few dollars to buy-4WD cost you more stops at gas stations. -4WD can add quite a bit to maintenance cost. I don't drive in the mud, when 2WD with LSD does quite fine where I drive. Actually don't recall LSD ever kicking in my camper driving, but the low cost to have it makes you feel better.

Ram 3500 dually 2wd vs 4wd weights | Good Sam Community

towpro
Explorer
Feb 28, 2018
I am considering a really big wench.

Good Sams club, $59.99 per year, they will spend up to 2.5 hours winching me out up to 60' off the road.
deserteagle56
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2018
ctilsie242 wrote:
I would consider having some type of heavy duty wench just to get your rig unstuck though.

Love them heavy-duty wenches. They can do so much more around camp than just get the rig unstuck!
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2018
I would consider having some type of heavy duty wench just to get your rig unstuck though.
towpro
Explorer
Feb 28, 2018
when I saw the build sheet for the truck I just ordered, I was pleasantly surprised to see the following

The dual rear wheel group includes option DJM = 6000# front axle.

but yet all the Body builder paperwork shows 5500#.
deserteagle56
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2018
HMS Beagle wrote:
On my 2WD dually (Ford F350), front is 4480 unloaded, 4550 with camper loaded. Two people and some stuff in the cab will add to the front, empty or loaded.

I used to have 4WDs but for the once every 3 years I engaged it, decided to leave it behind. An interesting data point is to look at the extended warrantee price of 4WD vs. 2WD. Apparently the manufacturers thing 4WD are expensive to repair.

My Dodge is 4x4 (6x6??) and I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't use the 4wd feature so much for the added traction from the front wheels, I use it for the transfer case. All the time! Whether I'm backing up with just the camper, the camper pulling the trailer - or maneuvering a big trailer loaded with 5 cords of firewood - the extra gearing of the transfer case is a BIG plus.
HMS_Beagle
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
On my 2WD dually (Ford F350), front is 4480 unloaded, 4550 with camper loaded. Two people and some stuff in the cab will add to the front, empty or loaded.

I used to have 4WDs but for the once every 3 years I engaged it, decided to leave it behind. An interesting data point is to look at the extended warrantee price of 4WD vs. 2WD. Apparently the manufacturers thing 4WD are expensive to repair.
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
My front axle w/camper is 4850 and 4780 without.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2018
I hit 5500 on my front axle heavily loaded and with a full water tank. I believe I added 350+ on the front axle. That doesn't give you much wiggle room on the front. My freshwater tank is pretty far forward, don't know about a AF.
I went with 3.73 only because towing the 5th with 3.42 I usually have to lock out 6th gear to prevent it from hunting. Not a big deal but...

I've about got my truck stripped of the TC equipment for the trade in. Bigwig came off OK. Maybe just my imagination but it seems to ride a lot better on bumpy city streets now. Torklift tiedowns are off. Jeez man those front ones are almost as hard to take off as to put on. I had a fish wire left over from something (Curt front receiver?) that fit the 1/2" bolts perfect, but I thought I would never get that back up plate pulled out of the frame. Finally got a little grip on it with small jewelers pliers and wiggled it out. I thought I would just leave it and the bolt in the frame. Called Torklift and they wanted $4 each plus postage. Naa, kept trying. I may try a 2 1/2" long bolt going back on. I barely have room to use needle nose vise grips to hold the bolt while I remove the fish wire, hold the bracket, and start the nut with one hand.
Only reason I have 4x4 is boat ramps and east Texas mud. I really needed it one time in the middle of nowhere. But that added front axle capacity turns out handy.
edit add: The Curt fish wire part# is 58400. Amazon has it for $2.10 "add-on". Anyone needing fish wire to install Torklift tie downs might try this rather than the Torklift supplied ones.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 10, 2018
Kayteg1 wrote:
Not my direct experience, but heard that from tow truck drivers.
They order 4WD not for the traction, but fro extra weight on front.
This way they can hook up heavier vehicles without lifting front in the air.
So yes, if you plan to tow heavy trailer on stinger behind TC, the extra weigh on front will help.
Not that the weight might be worth the money spend.

Edit, nevermind.
FireGuard
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2018
I wouldn’t worry about the weight difference. A TC only adds a little weight to the front axle.
If all you’re going to carry is a TC, you may want to consider 3:42 gears, with the Aisin you will have plenty of power.
I don’t think 3:73 will gain much if anything for mpg. Someone posted that 3:73 are a little to high to run in 6 th gear and low for 5th causing high RPM.
The Big Horn is a nice package.