After doing some research it appears that the only gear ratio I can get in a 3500 SRW Ram is 3:42. My wife and I bought a 2017 Redwood 38rl and are going to be getting a different TV. She doesn't want a dually and I would rather not have one but may have to get one if the SRW doesn't cut the mustard.

After doing some research it appears that the only gear ratio I can get in a 3500 SRW Ram is 3:42. My wife and I bought a 2017 Redwood 38rl and are going to be getting a different TV. She doesn't want a dually and I would rather not have one but may have to get one if the SRW doesn't cut the mustard. I definitely would get the dually, Cummins HO, Aisin transmission and at least a 3.73 if not 4.10 axle ratio.

I would get the dually as well. That's too much trailer for a SRW, IMHO. I bought my first dually in 2006 and haven't looked back because of the much more stable tow and no worries about overloading rear axle and tires.

Well you can get 3.73s in a Duramax srw and multiple gear options in a Ferd.If you're not set on Ram.

I agree with grit dog. Look at chev as well. How heavy is the trailer? If you don't want a dually because it is used for other things then you don't need to get one. There are options.

3.42s would be fine with the CTD, but you're pushing the limit of SRW. The max GVWR on that trailer is slightly heavier than the tow rating on a SRW Ram. It would work if you didn't load up to max but close, imo. I think the new Super Duty has a higher tow rating with the Powerstroke so you might check that out if you can live with the CP4 injection pump. Or check out the new Dmax - I'm not sure what the ratings are on them, but they finally went away from the CP4.I understand not wanting DRW. I'll never own one unless it's a dedicated tow vehicle - they're worse at literally everything other than towing/hauling compared to SRW.

Ram SRW | Good Sam Community

ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Feb 10, 2017
I am a bit late to the party..
The OP may have purchased an early "17" they carry a 16,500GVW..

Mid year they changed to 8k axles standard and 17.5 wheels and tires standard, that would increase the GVW of the trailer.. The basic weight stayed the same, he can now toss more STUFF in it if need be.

I have "15" Ford SRW with the 6.7 ..AND a "16" Redwood 38RL.. here are my weights -

My trailer, alone, loaded for camping (weekend warriors) is 15,960#
my pin weight is 3,280#
VERY CLOSE, but under my weights.. NOW WITH THAT SAID.. We have more cabinets that are empty, than that are full..

Will my next truck be a dually, -yes.. Do I feel the need to run out and buy one now - no..
No white knuckles...The truck/trailer combo is a dream to tow..

These new generation trucks ( ALL 3 brands ) are just that much better than the trucks of the past when it comes to ratings. I would not do what I am doing with an older model.
otrfun
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
OP started this thread two days ago. Haven't heard from him since. Five pages of yes, he can . . . no, he can't . . . heck no . . . maybe he can.

As I mentioned earlier: "15 minutes at a CAT scale could easily save the OP 15 percent, or more, in time, money, and frustration."

Till then it's all conjecture.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 18, 2017
spoon059 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
http://redwood-rv.com/model/redwood/RW382/3821RL

So there appears to be some confusion. There doesn't appear to be a 2017 38RL, the model you gave is a 38 foot rear living model, but isn't a 38RL.

I found a 2016 Redwood 38RL that lists the GVWR as 16,500.
http://www.mcgeorgerv.com/product/new-2016-redwood-rv-redwood-38rl-344801-5

Not sure if the OP has the lighter 38RL, and would be within his limits even with a fully loaded 38RL, or if he has a heavier 3821RL and could scale back and stay within his limits.

He stated 2017!!! One should plan on the full GVWR of the trailer. Trailer has a 3304 CC, and it is not hard to use that up in a 40'+ trailer. Our 39'+ has 3050 CC and we used it all up. Chris
spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
FishOnOne wrote:
And the actual weight of the OP trailer shouldn't be trivial since he already owns it and can go to a scale.

Great point. OP should weigh it and know exactly what his hitch and overall weight is. With that info, he can make an educated decision about whether or not a SRW 1 ton can haul that weight.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
Me Again wrote:
http://redwood-rv.com/model/redwood/RW382/3821RL

So there appears to be some confusion. There doesn't appear to be a 2017 38RL, the model you gave is a 38 foot rear living model, but isn't a 38RL.

I found a 2016 Redwood 38RL that lists the GVWR as 16,500.
http://www.mcgeorgerv.com/product/new-2016-redwood-rv-redwood-38rl-344801-5

Not sure if the OP has the lighter 38RL, and would be within his limits even with a fully loaded 38RL, or if he has a heavier 3821RL and could scale back and stay within his limits.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jan 17, 2017
otrfun wrote:
These type of threads have a common, unspoken theme that inevitably seems to lead to a lot of conjecture. It's very hard to offer sound advice or make a sound decision without accurate data.

On the truck side of the house, we always seem to have more than enough accurate payload, axle, and tow data. On the trailer side, the vast majority of the time we only have the manufacturer's "empty" weight data---notorious for being inaccurate . . . low-ball numbers based on a unit with zero options---a guess-estimate. If I was getting ready to spend a ton of my hard-earned money on a truck for my TT, I would try hard to dig up some accurate, realworld numbers about my TT to help my cause.

If the OP elects to base his decision on guess-estimates, he may want to consider erring on the side of caution and purchasing a DRW. If he decides to throw caution to the wind, yes, there's a chance he might be ok with a 3500 SRW . . . then again, maybe not. There's always the possibility he may need to make a very hasty airbag purchase for his 3500 SRW right after his first tow. His sag would be looking good, but his numbers . . . maybe not so good.

15 minutes at a CAT scale could easily save the OP 15 percent, or more, in time, money, and frustration.

And the actual weight of the OP trailer shouldn't be trivial since he already owns it and can go to a scale.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2017
spoon059 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Simple fact is that OP's choice of trailer is beyond the RAM SRW CC 4x4 3500 ratings of 17050 for short box and 16860 for long box.

Chris

Chris, these are the weight ratings for that trailer...
Redwood 38RL

Hitch Weight 2828 Ship Weight 13672 GVWR 16500

The 3500 SRW is rated to tow 17K lbs. This is right at that limit, but 500 lbs below.

http://redwood-rv.com/model/redwood/RW382/3821RL
transamz9
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
blofgren wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Simple fact is that OP's choice of trailer is beyond the RAM SRW CC 4x4 3500 ratings of 17050 for short box and 16860 for long box.

Chris

Thank you. This is in addition to being over the GVWR and possibly over the GAWR of the truck and rear tires. I would not want to blow a rear tire on a SRW towing a trailer of that size!

IMHO it's downright irresponsible to condone overweight towing. As others have said, buy the right tool for the job.

I hate to blow tires anytime but every time I've blown one loaded and unloaded I've simply pulled over and put the spare on.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2017
Me Again wrote:
Simple fact is that OP's choice of trailer is beyond the RAM SRW CC 4x4 3500 ratings of 17050 for short box and 16860 for long box.

Chris

Chris, these are the weight ratings for that trailer...
Redwood 38RL

Hitch Weight 2828 Ship Weight 13672 GVWR 16500

The 3500 SRW is rated to tow 17K lbs. This is right at that limit, but 500 lbs below.
blofgren
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
Me Again wrote:
Simple fact is that OP's choice of trailer is beyond the RAM SRW CC 4x4 3500 ratings of 17050 for short box and 16860 for long box.

Chris

Thank you. This is in addition to being over the GVWR and possibly over the GAWR of the truck and rear tires. I would not want to blow a rear tire on a SRW towing a trailer of that size!

IMHO it's downright irresponsible to condone overweight towing. As others have said, buy the right tool for the job.