What can I tow with a full ton SRW?

[rvshrinker]

In a litany of other threads I had been pursuing a full ton DRW to handle a TC and maybe down the road a fifth wheel or large TT.

But as I've been properly educated by the forum and other reading, it's becoming apparent that a big long bed Dually is not really what i had in mind. My goal is to be able to take a camper off road and into the mountains in the winter, over snow, and be able to boondock for up to 1 week at a time. And a long bed DRW may not have the capability to do what I really want, especially with a heavy TC on the back.

So now I am backtracking and thinking about a SRW again. Throw out the fifth wheel because that is not a priority. But what can I tow as far as a TC or a TT with a full ton RAM 4x4 Diesel SRW crew cab short bed which has a listed payload of about 4300 lb? I'm looking at pop up campers, off road travel trailers, and the like.

I figure 5 passengers beyond the driver will add 750 lb (we are small people). Then 500 lb of gear. That leaves about 3000 lb of payload for the TC or TT (wet).

What do you think? Can I find a decent off road TT or TC at that weight or lower?

Thank you for indulging me and I apologize for the ambivalence. I didn't understand all the limitations of a dually (I see now that their primary strength is pulling, payload, and stability on the highway).

[rjstractor]

rvshrinker wrote:
I'm looking at pop up campers, off road travel trailers, and the like.

I had to back up to the beginning to see the original question. The short, simple answer is- any popup camper or off road travel trailer you want. I did a quick search and the biggest, heaviest popup camper I found was just 1910 pounds empty. Add water, food, beer, people, etc you'll maybe hit 3000, well under the capacity of a 3500 SRW. On the trailer side, I doubt there is a bumper pull travel trailer made that a 3500 or even a 2500 couldn't handle.

[atwowheelguy]

Ever consider a purpose-built unit instead of a slide in?

[JIMNLIN]

Higher rated tires can help but only if the wheel are rated that high.

The SRW has a 7000 GAWR that will be carrying all of a TC's weight or a TT's bumper pull hitch weight and about half or less of the occupants weight.

Same spec'd Gas or diesel trucks have the same 7000 rawr and both empty rear axles can weigh w/i 100 lbs or so of each other.
There is no 3500 SRW that can carry 4xxx pounds in the bed without exceeding RAWR (tire/wheel/rear spring pack). Most 3500 SRW rear axle can weigh in the 3200-3400 lb range which leaves approx 3600-3800 lbs for a max load in the bed.
Your looking at 19.5" wheels and tires and air bags for a 3500 SRW if your going to carry 4xxx lbs in the bed or on the rear axle.

[IdaD]

transamz9 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Air bags and off road may not be a great combination. One of the reasons I installed Timbrens on my truck rather than airbags is that they are only attached at one end so I don't have to worry about tearing a bag with too much axle droop.

The shocks limit the travel before the bags are hurt just like on the steel sprung trucks.

Wouldn't that depend on the shock?

[Me_Again]

transferred wrote:

You don't need to upgrade the tires from OEM as far as I know. E range and I think they're rated at 3750 lbs each, and that gives you a tire restricted GVWR of 15k, 2,700 more than the official GVWR. Check the sidewall though to be sure.

How about 3640 lbs each. Chris

[transamz9]

transferred wrote:

rvshrinker wrote:

transferred wrote:
You get a 12,300 GVWR with the latest Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 CTD 8' bed. I'd recommend adding the Aisin. You can tow or haul a whole lot. 15k of tire capacity and an 11.5"AAM rear rend.

Is that the 300mm rear axle?

Thtat was what I was looking at (though maybe the short bed) as it seems like I would be able to carry a decent TC and tow nearly any TT. If I got the LB I could handle a big fifth wheel but I would lose some maneuverability esp off road, so I was thinking SB.

So I'd have to upgrade the tires from OEM - what kind would I be looking for? And would I still get the factory rear air suspension option?

No, I believe the SRWs have the 292mm rear end, which is the same as Chevy and bigger than Ford. 300mm is just for the Aisin dually's.

the 6.4" bed trucks are the same exact specs as the long bed trucks (axles etc) except I believe they are limited to 11,500 GVWR.

I've heard good things about air ride, if you're often towing it's probably worth the outlay but not essential.

You don't need to upgrade the tires from OEM as far as I know. E range and I think they're rated at 3750 lbs each, and that gives you a tire restricted GVWR of 15k, 2,700 more than the official GVWR. Check the sidewall though to be sure.

But for off road tires that are good on road I'd recommend Nitto Terra Grapplers. Superb and in range E a high weight rating.

Short bed trucks are 11,700# gvwr

[transamz9]

IdaD wrote:
Air bags and off road may not be a great combination. One of the reasons I installed Timbrens on my truck rather than airbags is that they are only attached at one end so I don't have to worry about tearing a bag with too much axle droop.

The shocks limit the travel before the bags are hurt just like on the steel sprung trucks.

[IdaD]

Air bags and off road may not be a great combination. One of the reasons I installed Timbrens on my truck rather than airbags is that they are only attached at one end so I don't have to worry about tearing a bag with too much axle droop.

[transferred]

rvshrinker wrote:

transferred wrote:
You get a 12,300 GVWR with the latest Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 CTD 8' bed. I'd recommend adding the Aisin. You can tow or haul a whole lot. 15k of tire capacity and an 11.5"AAM rear rend.

Is that the 300mm rear axle?

Thtat was what I was looking at (though maybe the short bed) as it seems like I would be able to carry a decent TC and tow nearly any TT. If I got the LB I could handle a big fifth wheel but I would lose some maneuverability esp off road, so I was thinking SB.

So I'd have to upgrade the tires from OEM - what kind would I be looking for? And would I still get the factory rear air suspension option?

No, I believe the SRWs have the 292mm rear end, which is the same as Chevy and bigger than Ford. 300mm is just for the Aisin dually's.

the 6.4" bed trucks are the same exact specs as the long bed trucks (axles etc) except I believe they are limited to 11,500 GVWR.

I've heard good things about air ride, if you're often towing it's probably worth the outlay but not essential.

You don't need to upgrade the tires from OEM as far as I know. E range and I think they're rated at 3750 lbs each, and that gives you a tire restricted GVWR of 15k, 2,700 more than the official GVWR. Check the sidewall though to be sure.

But for off road tires that are good on road I'd recommend Nitto Terra Grapplers. Superb and in range E a high weight rating.

[rvshrinker]

transferred wrote:
You get a 12,300 GVWR with the latest Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 CTD 8' bed. I'd recommend adding the Aisin. You can tow or haul a whole lot. 15k of tire capacity and an 11.5"AAM rear rend.

Is that the 300mm rear axle?

Thtat was what I was looking at (though maybe the short bed) as it seems like I would be able to carry a decent TC and tow nearly any TT. If I got the LB I could handle a big fifth wheel but I would lose some maneuverability esp off road, so I was thinking SB.

So I'd have to upgrade the tires from OEM - what kind would I be looking for? And would I still get the factory rear air suspension option?

[transferred]

You get a 12,300 GVWR with the latest Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 CTD 8' bed. I'd recommend adding the Aisin. You can tow or haul a whole lot. 15k of tire capacity and an 11.5"AAM rear rend.

[transamz9]

spoon059 wrote:
OP, just curious if you would consider the gas engine rather than diesel. That will buy you another 800+ lbs of payload.

Not in the Ram SRW 3500. The GVWR is upped on the diesel to account for it's weight. Depending on how the truck is configured you can get a diesel with more payload than the gas version.

[KD4UPL]

I guess I can see going SRW for off roading but I'd sure keep the long bed. You will have a much larger selection of campers for a long bed truck, particularly with that many people going.
Your main weight limitation will be the tires and rims as the axle will likely be the same as the dually version of the same truck. I would say if you add 19.5" rims and tires you could due fine with the SRW. It will probably not be a stable as a dually on the highway but it doesn't sound like that's your goal.
If you try to stay under the GVWR you're really going to find this unworkable. Most people hauling hard side truck campers, especially on a diesel 4wd SRW are going to be over the GVWR. That's just how the math works. As long as you aren't over your axle and tire ratings it should be fine.

[rvshrinker]

Steeljag wrote:
I read six people......TC.....Cold.......and up to a week! I'm thinking where are six people sleeping, and or getting out of bad weather ? Water for six, propane for six, winter clothing for six, food for six, generator, fuel, general camping gear, fire wood, grill, coolers, chairs, etc.

sorry not clear... the six people would be for summer camping, we'd throw up a tent or two and we would also be able to cook outside.

For winter it'd be 3-4 people and only for a weekend (skiing).

[spoon059]

OP, just curious if you would consider the gas engine rather than diesel. That will buy you another 800+ lbs of payload.