New Member - Which Truck?

[Dogpatch]

I just bought a 16,000lb Cardinal 5th Wheel. I need a truck for work as a daily driver. I have boiled it down to one of two trucks. I only tow the 5th wheel about 5 times a year. We live in BC so basically everywhere I go is big hills and mountains. Most grades are 8% max.

First one is the 2015 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7 SRW SB with 370hp and 800fp torque and 3:42 rear end.

Second one is the 2015 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7 SRW SB with 385hp and 865fp torque and 3:42 rear end.
This one has Aisin trans, auto level rear suspension, 5th wheel prep and cargo box cam.

The second truck costs $5,000 more than the first mentioned. I wish either came with 3:73 gears but off the lot they only come with 3:42 gears without ordering from factory.

What would you buy?

Any thoughts on either truck?

 

[Slow Six]

I would buy a dually crew cab long box. There is no such thing as to much truck.

 

[Dogpatch]

The truck is my daily driver. DRW isn't an option and would be a waste for towing my 5er 5 times a year.

 

[Tuesdak]

I wouldn't tow a 5er on a short bed. Too much risk of damage to the truck and trailer.

Many, many miles on 5er towing with SRW. Less rubber expense and slightly better MPG in trade off for stability of the DRW. The Aisin trans is the more HD unit. With that much power you don't need the lower rear end esp. during DD use.

 

[silverwolf]

hey guys new to TDR, just totaled out my 2011 Mega 2500 4x4, in the market for another, scanning through so many used is not a concern or new, just wanted some input, I am still new to the diesel world, have a 38' wildcat GVWR is 13810lb. Hitch weight is 1815lb. any recommendations would be appreciated, also this truck will be daily commuter.

 

[SnoKing]

hey guys new to TDR, just totaled out my 2011 Mega 2500 4x4, in the market for another, scanning through so many used is not a concern or new, just wanted some input, I am still new to the diesel world, have a 38' wildcat GVWR is 13810lb. Hitch weight is 1815lb. any recommendations would be appreciated, also this truck will be daily commuter.

3500 SRW short bed("also this truck will be daily commuter"), with manual or auto slider. Hitch weight is most likely dry at 1815. Figure 20% of GVWR so 2762 and you want a 3500! SNOKING

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253025-New-Snoking-Laramie

 

[Dogpatch]

What SNOKING said X2.

There are those that are going to say DRW or nothing! LOL

You should be alright with an SRW Ram 3500 4x4 but you need to run all the numbers.

 

[w6pea]

hey guys new to TDR, just totaled out my 2011 Mega 2500 4x4, in the market for another, scanning through so many used is not a concern or new, just wanted some input, I am still new to the diesel world, have a 38' wildcat GVWR is 13810lb. Hitch weight is 1815lb. any recommendations would be appreciated, also this truck will be daily commuter.

3500 SRW short bed("also this truck will be daily commuter"), with manual or auto slider. Hitch weight is most likely dry at 1815. Figure 20% of GVWR so 2762 and you want a 3500! SNOKING

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253025-New-Snoking-Laramie

What SNOKING said X2.

There are those that are going to say DRW or nothing! LOL

You should be alright with an SRW Ram 3500 4x4 but you need to run all the numbers.

I would not tow a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Short Bed Truck. You are asking for trouble.

 

[Dogpatch]

I would not tow a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Short Bed Truck. You are asking for trouble.

I have absolutely no issue with towing my 15,000 lb 5th wheel with my 2015 Ram 3500 SRW SB 4x4 truck. I am under on all Max. weight numbers and my hitch is a Slider.

The newer trucks are better set up to tow larger units.

Unless you now own or have owned a new truck like the 2015 Ram 3500 SRW SB 4x4, you are likely speaking from experiences with older trucks with standard hitches not suited for towing a 5th wheel.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I have attached a poll on SRW trucks. I see now that I forgot to put in SB (short box) as part of the criteria.

 

[Flash1034]

Go with #2

 

[Jim W]

I am towing with a 2008, 6.7L, 4X4, Mega Cab short bed truck a 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL, I am using a manual slider hitch for my needs. I have towed three different 5er's for over 36,000 miles using this truck and hitch with no problems at all. The truck has 105K+ miles on the OD and this maybe my last truck since I am retired.

 

[w6pea]

I have absolutely no issue with towing my 15,000 lb 5th wheel with my 2015 Ram 3500 SRW SB 4x4 truck. I am under on all Max. weight numbers and my hitch is a Slider.

The newer trucks are better set up to tow larger units.

Unless you now own or have owned a new truck like the 2015 Ram 3500 SRW SB 4x4, you are likely speaking from experiences with older trucks with standard hitches not suited for towing a 5th wheel.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I have attached a poll on SRW trucks. I see now that I forgot to put in SB (short box) as part of the criteria.

In California aka Taxafornia I hear is now requiring all trucks towing trailer to go thru the CHP Scales. I don't know how true it is but a few years ago Gov. Moonbeam started all U-haul and rental trucks to go thru the scales.

 

[SnoKing]

In California aka Taxafornia I hear is now requiring all trucks towing trailer to go thru the CHP Scales. I don't know how true it is but a few years ago Gov. Moonbeam started all U-haul and rental trucks to go thru the scales.

Been in the moonshine again?

 

[Jim W]

In California aka Taxafornia I hear is now requiring all trucks towing trailer to go thru the CHP Scales. I don't know how true it is but a few years ago Gov. Moonbeam started all U-haul and rental trucks to go thru the scales.

One more reason to stay out of Kalifornia if this is true!

 

[Redemption]

I have a 2017 3500 DRW WITH 3.73's and I am pulling a 39 ft., 15,000 5th wheel...while I am NO expert, I have pulled stock trailers, travel trailers and several 5th wheel trailers with everything from old 1970's vintage F-100's to this new beast....including several Ford F-250's (gas and diesel) , 350's, and four different Dodge 2500's and 3500...(all diesel...and all my trucks have been 4x4's)). I've lived and pulled these different set ups from Oregon to Houston and everywhere in between and now live in Colorado....so I've pulled some hills and I've been pounded by wind...my last truck was an early '07 3500 Mega-Cab SRW WITH 3.73's....I was taken by surprise by this 2017! The stability with the DRW has been amazing! I never realized what a difference the DRW could make! I will not go back to a SRW as long as we are full-timing. If you are only pulling your 5th a few times a year, I think you will be fine with a SRW....personally I have no problem driving my DRW as my DD...other than for off-road and snow travel...I'm sold on my DRW. As an aside....my '07 SRW couldnt handle the tongue WT. of our loaded 5th wheel...thus the change to a DRW...