SWR 5th wheel towing

[rb2boxer]

I am really getting close to pulling the trigger on a Chevy 3500 Duramax crew cab short bed. This will be my first diesel and hope I can pull it off. I current have a 2500 gas. We want to upgrade to a fifth wheel in the not so distant future. We are not full timing however we would like to take some longer trips. The truck will mainly be used as an all around vehicle which is why I am leaning toward SRW. I really don’t want a Dually although I’m sure when towing it’s the ultimate.

How do your SRW short beds handle the 5th wheel? I would obviously buy a trailer within the specs the truck could handle. See a lot of SRW out there pulling them.

[rhagfo]

IdaD wrote:
There's not really a question here. Get a dually if you need the weight carrying capacity. If you don't, get a SRW because they're better in every other way.

IdaD, that is your opinion, something we all have. :B

So I am not sure I would have done well with a SRW Ram even with is 12.300# GVWR and my stuff.
Currently we have a 2,700# pin on a 32' 12,500# 5er. As stated in other post in this thread, on our DRW we have a sticker payload of 5,411#, when we last scaled the truck with us, the tool box, hitch and adapter, full fuel and DEF, we scaled 9,950# leaving a payload of 4,050# less the 2,700# leaving 1,350# of spare payload.
That said had I bought a Ram 3500 SRW the difference in GVWR is 14,000 - 12,300 = 1,700#, so a spare 350# of spare payload, not really any room to grow.

The other part is towing comfort, I always felt comfortable pulling with our 2001 Ram even at 1,700# over GVWR, but within axle and tire ratings, felt solid even on two lane state highways, able to comfortably go around tighter curves about 10 mph over the suggested speed with 5er in tow.
With the DRW even more rock like!

The rest is all Personal OPINION, bed length, Cab size, engine, transmission, all personal preference.

I am a left handed Norwegian so have a pretty strong opinion.

What I will never understand is those that when buying a new or new to them TV only get enough for today (maybe). Way too many see a 3,500# payload and think that that means the pin on a 5er can weigh 3,500 and they will be fine.

enough for this rant. :B

[cummins2014]

IdaD wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Better ride, no slider hitch, more room for STUFF or a bigger toolbox to name a few.

Most newer trailers will pull behind a shortbed with no slider. The choice of short or long is more a preference these days than a necessity.

Yup UNTIL........

Yup UNTIL , when ?? 14 years towing with one. NEVER hit the cab. NEVER used the slider. NEVER needed or wanted a tool box in the bed .

Ron, YOU need a long bed , many don’t, it’s simple they don’t want or need one . There is no UNTIL.

I love the NEVER comments as it has come back to bite many on this Forum and others.

I simply gave MY reasons for having a LONG BED.

Kinda like short man syndrome when the SB guys get all twisted with simple opinions and facts. Then they start the gang mentality to reassure each other that their compromise truck won't ever be an issue.

Everything involves compromise. Short bed or long bed, half ton or HD, SRW or DRW, etc. Some of us are fortunate don't need a dually's load capacity to haul our wife around. :B

I’m sure you mean the stuff she needs :B

Compromise, I Suppose having to have a slider is a compromise . The bigger compromise for me would have been getting a long bed to eliminate the slider.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
HEY nothin better than cruisin around in a BIG HIP Luxury BEAST.

That’s better, this is a no win , and there doesn’t have to be.

[Cummins12V98]

HEY nothin better than cruisin around in a BIG HIP Luxury BEAST.

[IdaD]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Better ride, no slider hitch, more room for STUFF or a bigger toolbox to name a few.

Most newer trailers will pull behind a shortbed with no slider. The choice of short or long is more a preference these days than a necessity.

Yup UNTIL........

Yup UNTIL , when ?? 14 years towing with one. NEVER hit the cab. NEVER used the slider. NEVER needed or wanted a tool box in the bed .

Ron, YOU need a long bed , many don’t, it’s simple they don’t want or need one . There is no UNTIL.

I love the NEVER comments as it has come back to bite many on this Forum and others.

I simply gave MY reasons for having a LONG BED.

Kinda like short man syndrome when the SB guys get all twisted with simple opinions and facts. Then they start the gang mentality to reassure each other that their compromise truck won't ever be an issue.

Everything involves compromise. Short bed or long bed, half ton or HD, SRW or DRW, etc. Some of us are fortunate don't need a dually's load capacity to haul our wife around. :B

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Better ride, no slider hitch, more room for STUFF or a bigger toolbox to name a few.

Most newer trailers will pull behind a shortbed with no slider. The choice of short or long is more a preference these days than a necessity.

Yup UNTIL........

Yup UNTIL , when ?? 14 years towing with one. NEVER hit the cab. NEVER used the slider. NEVER needed or wanted a tool box in the bed .

Ron, YOU need a long bed , many don’t, it’s simple they don’t want or need one . There is no UNTIL.

I love the NEVER comments as it has come back to bite many on this Forum and others.

I simply gave MY reasons for having a LONG BED.

Kinda like short man syndrome when the SB guys get all twisted with simple opinions and facts. Then they start the gang mentality to reassure each other that their compromise truck won't ever be an issue.

Please ,compromise truck , could of bought whatever I wanted. You have blinders on my friend. It appears your way or the highway .

And I gave you my reasons. Ron, been doing this a long time. The never is just like you , never do a pull test , UNTIL

[Cummins12V98]

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Better ride, no slider hitch, more room for STUFF or a bigger toolbox to name a few.

Most newer trailers will pull behind a shortbed with no slider. The choice of short or long is more a preference these days than a necessity.

Yup UNTIL........

Yup UNTIL , when ?? 14 years towing with one. NEVER hit the cab. NEVER used the slider. NEVER needed or wanted a tool box in the bed .

Ron, YOU need a long bed , many don’t, it’s simple they don’t want or need one . There is no UNTIL.

I love the NEVER comments as it has come back to bite many on this Forum and others.

I simply gave MY reasons for having a LONG BED.

Kinda like short man syndrome when the SB guys get all twisted with simple opinions and facts. Then they start the gang mentality to reassure each other that their compromise truck won't ever be an issue.

[cummins2014]

rhagfo wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do your self a favor and get a LONG BED.

Please tell us what favor will he be doing for himself , if a long bed is not needed. That statement makes absolutely no sense . I have had both. Will never have a long bed again, just not needed.

Lots of arguments about this, 8 foot bed needed for hauling 8 foot material, it goes on ,and on from there .Not once in just over twenty years with a short-bed have I wanted or needed a long bed. These short-bed crew cabs are stable, and like many have said its all about the weight, if a 3500 or 350 SRW short-bed fits the bill then go for it .

This is a bit personal opinion, but also much easier and less worry towing a 5er with a long bed. more in bed storage, FAR LESS chance of cab to cap contact.

The desire of those to have SB TV's have forced the manufactures to create the highly curved front caps which to me create wasted space in the cap area.

Personal opinion or not, I towed 9 years with a 7.3 350 Superduty short bed. I bought the 2014 Ram for ONE reason ,power . At that point don’t you think I bought whatever truck I wanted ? I bought both trucks new, choice was mine , and I certainly didn’t consult anyone on this forum . I knew what I needed and wanted . There never was any concern in what you are saying . It’s simple if there was then I would have went with a long bed.

I had 9 years with the first one and 5 years with the present one . If I decide to go get that 1000 lbs. of torque in a new Ram it will be another short-bed :B

[Grit_dog]

^ There is here. It's UNTIL you agree with the unwavering, at all costs, impending doom, everyone is wrong but me, old fart that says it's going to be a problem for you. Mark his words, cause you're gonna eat em someday sonny boy....
Hahahaha

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Better ride, no slider hitch, more room for STUFF or a bigger toolbox to name a few.

Most newer trailers will pull behind a shortbed with no slider. The choice of short or long is more a preference these days than a necessity.

Yup UNTIL........

Yup UNTIL , when ?? 14 years towing with one. NEVER hit the cab. NEVER used the slider. NEVER needed or wanted a tool box in the bed .

Ron, YOU need a long bed , many don’t, it’s simple they don’t want or need one . There is no UNTIL.

[spud1957]

ooops

[Cummins12V98]

Come on, GVWR is all about licensing and Insurance. Stay within axle ratings and license truck fur max weight carries on tires.

[rhagfo]

Grit dog wrote:
"There is always two sides, the main thing to remember is the Payload Number on the trucks yellow sticker is the TOTAL of what the Truck can carry on it's wheels, not just how much pin it can carry. If your current TV is 2006 or newer, load as ready for a camping trip and go to the scales.
Take the total weight and subtract it from the Trucks GVWR, take that result and subtract that number from the maximum payload number from your yellow sticker, the result will be approximately how much of available payload you have already used before adding the weight of a 5er's pin."


Wow man, you've really changed yer tune since you upgraded trucks!

Still pot calling the kettle black if you now believe what you're saying after years of being cool with your ole 01....
But it's ok, prolly need to justify the purchase?

No, No need to justify the purchase, very happy with it and realize that while the 2001 was within axle and tire ratings, I was 1,700# over GVWR! I am sure some accident injury lawyer would have loved to go after me if involved in an accident my fault or NOT!

In addition I always advised those buying a new or new to them TV, to get one that would cover what the planed on towing.

There are surprises when it comes to that magic "Yellow Payload" sticker. Our 2016 Ram DRW states 5,411# payload available well once I moved my in bed tool box, and added a bed cover,and 90# hitch adapter my available payload went from 5,411# to about 4,050#! I guess I carry too much stuff in my tool box! Then on top of that I added a VIAIR on board compressor, I missed the on board air that the PacBrake gave me.

PS, ON EDIT: While the 2001 felt fine towing our 5er, and the drive was relaxed, the new to us 3500 DRW is heaven! Just the right amount of options in the Laramie package, seat heaters and coolers, park sense, the Aisin and 3.73's, gets moving much better than the 5.9 and 3.55's and 5 speed manual.

[Grit_dog]

"There is always two sides, the main thing to remember is the Payload Number on the trucks yellow sticker is the TOTAL of what the Truck can carry on it's wheels, not just how much pin it can carry. If your current TV is 2006 or newer, load as ready for a camping trip and go to the scales.
Take the total weight and subtract it from the Trucks GVWR, take that result and subtract that number from the maximum payload number from your yellow sticker, the result will be approximately how much of available payload you have already used before adding the weight of a 5er's pin."


Wow man, you've really changed yer tune since you upgraded trucks!

Still pot calling the kettle black if you now believe what you're saying after years of being cool with your ole 01....
But it's ok, prolly need to justify the purchase?

[rhagfo]

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do your self a favor and get a LONG BED.

Please tell us what favor will he be doing for himself , if a long bed is not needed. That statement makes absolutely no sense . I have had both. Will never have a long bed again, just not needed.

Lots of arguments about this, 8 foot bed needed for hauling 8 foot material, it goes on ,and on from there .Not once in just over twenty years with a short-bed have I wanted or needed a long bed. These short-bed crew cabs are stable, and like many have said its all about the weight, if a 3500 or 350 SRW short-bed fits the bill then go for it .

This is a bit personal opinion, but also much easier and less worry towing a 5er with a long bed. more in bed storage, FAR LESS chance of cab to cap contact.

The desire of those to have SB TV's have forced the manufactures to create the highly curved front caps which to me create wasted space in the cap area.