Tow Vehicle for 14,300 lbs GVWR toy hauler fifth wheel

[scottkeen]

I hope to join the club of RV owners! My intentions are to live full-time in a Montana Mountaineer 347THT toy hauler fifth wheel trailer (14,300 lbs GVWR), moving to a new site every 3-8 weeks or so.

I don't yet have a tow vehicle, so my first step is to get a truck. I'm looking for a used 2003-2010 Dodge Ram 3500 CC 4WD DRW which seem to be in my price range.

I've got a couple of questions, hope ya'all can help:

1) How important is it that I get a DRW vs SRW? I understand the DRW is more stable for towing, however I don't plan to tow a lot, maybe every 3-8 weeks. When I'm not towing, the truck will be my daily driver, as will my motorcycle (on nice days!)

2) Should I go by the numbers for the axle ratio for the max trailer weight, or can the 3500 DRW 3.73 tow this without problem regardless of the specs? The specs I've found for this truck say 3.73 = 13,350 lbs, and 4.10 = 16,350 lbs. The GVWR of the trailer is 14,300 lbs so doesn't that exclude the 3.73 axle ratio (about 1,000 lbs short)?

3) Is the Exhaust Brake and 6.7L motor in the 2008+ Dodge Ram 3500 models worth the additional cost? It's about $7,000 more for the 6.7L models that have the exhaust brake vs the older 5.9L models which don't.

Thanks very much

[996Pilot]

kzspree320 wrote:
124,000 miles is just good and broke in IF it's been well maintained and has not had a tuner installed that added too much power. If its had a tuner/chip that added 250 HP most of those miles, and been used hard, the transmission and engine components could have issues sooner rather than later. That engine should get 500,000+ if well maintained and stock (or close to stock) power levels. Bottom line - do the research on this specific truck as much as possible.

I owned a 2006 Dodge RAM and purchased it with 86,000 miles and drove it to 240,000 miles. Nice truck but a few weaknesses to look at. Suggest you go onto the Turbo Diesel Register Forum and look under 3rd Generation RAM Forum and spend some considerable time reading. Off the bat, be careful of the 48RE/48RFE automatic transmission as they were weak and needed considerable beefing up to tow/haul heavy loads for some periods. Also, diesel fuel filters on 3rd Gen. RAM's was woefully inadequate and would cause premature injector wear leading to having to replace injectors ($500.00 each for rebuilt injectors plus about $1000-$2000 labor). Consider adding the Baldwin frame mounted fuel filter / water separator - immediately!! Interiors on 3rd Gen will wear out before the drive train (if mods above are made). Drivers seat bolster cushion disintigrates due to sharp welds on the seat frame - PITA to replace. Consider adding a supplementary fuel lift pump (frame mounted) as the stock in-tank pumps can be problematic. I could go on but as I said - go to TDR Forum 3rd Gen and READ.

All of that said I switch from my 2006 RAM CTD to a 2015 RAM CTD and it's like night and day. Suggest you look for a used 2013 (or newer) RAM 3500 SRW or DRW and never look back.

[Durb]

The PacBrake I had installed was the single best investment in my truck for towing. The 4 speed auto and lack of compression braking makes the truck a coasting son of a gun. Don't know about VA but the mountains in the Northwest makes an exhaust brake when towing mandatory in my mind. $2,000 net installed. It was more but PacBrake had a $250 promotional rebate.

A 2006 5.9 in good condition is wise purchase decision. According to KBB my 2004.5 has depreciated $700 in the 4 years that I have owned it.

[C_Schomer]

What axle ratio? I've always read that the 48RE auto and 4.10 is a great towing beast. The 06-07.5 Dodge auto trans is supposed to be exh. brake ready... a big plus. I added a Pac brake inline to mine and I'd hate to be without it, now. Craig

[APT]

That pin weight will put that generation dually close to its ratings. The 2008+ GVWR and axle ratings went up a little.

You can add an exhaust brake to the 5.9L for well under $7000. There are other things driving up those values, like age, mileage, power, etc.

[Old-Biscuit]

Here is my real world experience

2007 Dodge 3500 SRW QC LB 5.9L 48re 4:10 (scaled weight 7980#)
2007 HH II 5th wheel........(Scaled weight 13,783#)
Wet pin at 22% for 2980# on rear axle and 150# added to front axle (hitch set 2" froward of centerline)

Over on trucks GVWR
At trucks RAWR
Under rear tire max load ratings

Great towing combo.....towed weekly for 7 yrs FT
Stable, no 'white knuckle rides', no 'dang I wish I had a dually moments' (had duallies in past so I know the difference). No issues.

Had an Exhaust Brake installed (US Gear) that in tow/haul mode would hold 55 mph on downgrades of mtns roads.

5.9L would Purrr holding 62 mph in cruise control going up 6% Grades (21,763# combined)

So YES...a 3500 SRW is very good towing platform for 14K 5th wheel

[DutchmenSport]

Just one word of advise: It doesn't matter if you move your camper once a year, only 1 mile, or tow it every day and never unhitch... in that 1 mile anything can happen. Get the vehicle that can tow safely and comfortably, 1 mile or 1 million miles, and you'll adjust to it as a daily driver.

[kzspree320]

124,000 miles is just good and broke in IF it's been well maintained and has not had a tuner installed that added too much power. If its had a tuner/chip that added 250 HP most of those miles, and been used hard, the transmission and engine components could have issues sooner rather than later. That engine should get 500,000+ if well maintained and stock (or close to stock) power levels. Bottom line - do the research on this specific truck as much as possible.

[Cummins12V98]

Well maintained in good condition that is a good price. Those miles for the engine are nothing. That era trans is good as long as it has been maintained.

[scottkeen]

I found one that fits my $23K budget:

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 5.9L 4WD LB DRW - $23,700

It has 124,000 miles. Is that bad for 5.9L Cummins diesel?

Also, I've noticed that some badging on Dodge Ram 3500 trucks say "Heavy Duty" and some don't. This truck doesn't have the "Heavy Duty" badging, the badge just says "RAM 3500". Is there a difference?

[Grit_dog]

Exh brake isn't a must have but it's probably the single best mod or improvement for towing when it comes time to roll down those long grades, imo.
Kzspree, you're correct there have been a lot of improvements in power and transmissions in 10 years, but from a weight carrying capacity they're still the same axles.
Towing weight is not dependent on whether the truck has training wheels or not , for the most part. Duallies are better payload and peace of mind. Power to the wheels, and chassis is the same as a srw, basically.
At 14klbs you're not in dually required pin weights yet. Given your budget, for the trucks you're looking for, I'd look for the best deal/condition truck from 2500 up to 3500 dually and buy it. No point in overkill on the dually if you have to buy a pos to get one. If the best deal is a 3500 or dually, then that's a bonus. Not that many old diesels that aren't high miles or beat up/clapped out anymore thanks to the recession and 2008 emissions resulting in a lot less new trucks sold for several years in a row.

[scottkeen]

My budget limit for my tow vehicle is $23K. That puts me in the Dodge Ram 5.9L 2003-2007. I was only considering the 6.7L 2008-2010 because of the diesel exhaust brake. But those trucks are around $30K, which really exceeds my budget. But if an exhaust brake is a "must have" then I'll have to figure out how to afford it.

So here's what I've found for max trailer weights for the Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4WD LB ST DRW:

2004 5.9L 3.73 axle ratio = 13,450 lbs
2004 5.9L 4.10 axle ratio = 15,450 lbs

2005 5.9L 3.73 axle ratio = 13,500 lbs
2005 5.9L 4.10 axle ratio = 15,500 lbs

2006 5.9L 3.73 axle ratio = 13,500 lbs
2006 5.9L 4.10 axle ratio = 15,500 lbs

2007 5.9L 3.73 axle ratio = 13,500 lbs
2007 5.9L 4.10 axle ratio = 15,500 lbs

2008 6.7L 3.73 axle ratio = 13,450 lbs
2008 6.7L 4.10 axle ratio = 16,450 lbs

Dry weight of the trailer is 10,700 lbs. GVWR of the trailer is 14,200 lbs.

Here's the math I figure:

13,500 lbs max trailer weight of tow vehicle with 3.73
-10,700 lbs trailer dry weight
-600 lbs water and propane
-400 lbs motorcycle
-----
= 1,800 lbs cargo

I don't think I'll have even 1,000 lbs of cargo. It's just for me, my dog and cat. I think that if the Exhaust Brake is not a "must have", then I'd rather save $$$ and buy a 2004-2007 5.9L and maybe not be concerned so much if it's a 3.73 axle ratio.

[DinTulsa]

If it were me and I was going to be pulling that weight and living full time, I would pick up a lightly used 2008+, 6.7, drw Ram. Having owned a 2006 5.9 that was a great truck, the 6 speed transmission and exhaust brake that come with the newer trucks are great. The 2007.5-2012 6.7 is a fine engine, but it doesn't have DEF which can create emissions related issues if the truck isn't worked. At 14k lbs you're going to be working the engine so I wouldn't be too concerned. If your budget will allow, take a look at the 2013 Rams, they have the newer ace technology and achieve better fuel mileage because of that.

[kzspree320]

I'll try to help some. You are looking at 2003 to 2010 models. For the record, there has been a lot of improvement in tow vehicles from these models to the 2017s.

1) A new 3500 SRW could probably handle the 14K toy hauler fine. The older the vehicle the less likely the SRW will be to handle it safely. The payload and tow specs have all improved markedly since 2003. In the age range you specify, I would stay with the DRW, unless you know you can stay within specs on one of the newer ones.

2) I would not be as concerned about this. You say you will move very week or so. If you move 100 miles or so weekly then it's no big issue. If you are moving 20K a year or more then get the axle ratio rated to handle the job well. If you plan on towing in mountains a lot, get the properly rated axle ratio. Almost all towing not in mountains it's less of a big issue. Can't help much more than that since I don't know your detail plans.

3) Where do I start. For the record I had a 2008 Ram with 6.7 and a 2015 Ram with 6.7 CTD. The exhaust brake is really nice towing in the mountains of Colorado. The 2015 had as much towing power with 3.42 rear end as the 2008 with 3.73. Power really increased between these years. The 2008 to 2010 years are before Cummins started using the DEF. The engines are prone to more emission issues than the new generation with DEF. The 2003 thru early 2007 5.9 models are prior to emission controls. That's a good thing. The bad things are that they are older and have less power. I suggest you research the changes in the Cummins from 2003 thru now so you can make an informed decision on this. Lots of pros and cons that you should consider.

Hope this helps some. Good luck.

[Second_Chance]

Our fifth wheel's GVWR is 13,990 and our pin weight hovers around 3,000 - 3,100 lbs. We moved up to a DRW to avoid being at, or just above, the rear axle weight rating on the truck. It's nice not to have to worry about what we put in the basement or front closet.

Our 2012 F350 6.7 doesn't have a true exhaust brake, but with the truck in tow/haul mode, the diesel does a good job of controlling downhill speeds. I rarely have to touch the brakes - and that only when the grade is above 6%.

Our current truck has a 3.73 limited-slip rear end. The previous truck was geared taller. With diesels, both were/are great tow vehicles.

Rob