'03, 3500 SRW towing an Arctic Fox 27-5L Fifthwheel?

[Buffalo]

I have an '03, 3500 SRW, 4X4, NV-5600 with a 100 gal. auxiliary tank in the bed, tow with a Smarty Jr. on the 70 HP Towing Mode (runs very cool), with a suspension kit that raised the truck about 1-1/2" but, removed the overload springs on the rear, 3.73 rearend, HO engine (305/555 before the Smarty Jr.).
I'm thinking of buying an Arctic Fox, 27-5L fifthwheel and am wondering if I can legally/safely tow that trailer with my truck. Anyone with experience towing that trailer with a similar truck? The suspension kit came with the Bilstein B-5100 shocks and came out of CA. I can't remember the name of the company, now but, the kit made the truck ride much nicer on rough terrain. However, I don't know if it affected the towing capacity, especially, with the fuel tank in the bed.
Is this a situation where I would really need or benefit from a daully? My truck runs great and I'd just as soon keep it.
Buffalo

 

[Deleted member 995608]

What's the specs on the trailer? Weight? Length?

 

[SnoKing]

[h=1]Specifications:[/h][FONT=&quot]Dry Axle Weight (approx. Lbs.): 7782
Dry Hitch Weight (approx. Lbs.): 1868
Net Carrying Capacity: 3750
Gross Dry Weight – Lbs.: 9650
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) – Lbs.: 13400
Exterior Length (approx. w / hitch): 29’5″
Exterior Height (approx.): 13’3″
Exterior Width (approx.): 8’6″
Tire Size: ST235/80R16
Load Range: E
Fresh Water Capacity (w/water heater, approx. gal.): 82
Gray Water Tank (approx. gallons): 67/35
Black Water Tank (approx. gallons): 65
LPG Capacity (approx. lbs): 80
Sleeping Capacity: 4
CSA – Canadian Dealers Only: Yes
Auto Ignition Furnace (1,000 BTUs): 35[/FONT]

 

[Deleted member 995608]

http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_to_weight.jsp?year=3

 

[Buffalo]

JHAWES,

I'm the original poster and would like to ask you a question, or two. I'm in a similar situation as you. I now have an '03, 3500 SRW, Q-cab, 4X4, NV-5600-6 speed stick, 3:73 rear end, less than 100,000 miles, used primarily to tow a 25' Nash 25-S bumper pull travel trailer. Mostly highway miles. Truck looks & works great!!! I'm getting older and am thinking that it might be nice to treat myself to a new RAM with the Aisin trans. People seem to really love them.
How do you like your new truck as opposed to the '04.5? Do you regret getting rid of the old truck? What do you tow? Did you have a 3:73 rear end in the old one? What rearend do you have in the new truck? I'd like to buy an Arctic Fox 27.5' fifthwheel trailer. Would you go with a 4:10 rearend ratio? Sorry to ask so many questions of you but, that's the only way to learn from those walked down the same road. If anyone else with expertise in this area would like to comment, I'd appreciate it, also.
Thanks for the help.
Buffalo

 

[Deleted member 995608]

We don't have the big 5ver anymore but something might be in the works towards the years end. Our former trailer was a triple axle toy hauler that weighed 11400 dry and 36' long. Loaded with toys, 150 gallons of water and everything else, it tipped just over the 15K mark. We pulled it with a 04.5 2500 that I converted to DRW. The pin weight was just too much for the 2500 SRW configuration in my opinion. However, with my current truck, I have no doubt that I could comfortable and safely tow our old trailer with it. The 2016 is leaps and bounds above the old 04 as far as power, torque, breaking, and stability.

So far my biggest load I've towed has been 2 tons of alfalfa on my 16' flatbed trailer with a ton in the bed of the truck. It's not a lot of weight, but I do feel that it's every bit as stable as my old 2500 DRW converted truck, if not slightly better.

The newer SRW RAM trucks 2013+ are only available from the factory with 3:42 gears, but lower gears are available from the aftermarket. Only the DRW trucks have gear ratio options from the factory. When I'm towing with the new truck, I simply lock out the 6th gear and cruise in 5th. Essentially, it's the equivalent of towing in 6th gear with a truck that has 4:10 gears installed.