AUTO v.s 6 - SPEED (again)

[PFreeman]

I am the very satisfied owner of an 03 quad cab short box SRW 4wd with 6 speed. I also now own a 35 foot triple axle fifth wheel which weighs a little over 16k. I'm seriously considering trading the 03 SRW for an 05 DRW QC 2wd with the auto trans. My thinking is this:

a: largest slider fifth wheel hitch I can find is rated at 15k

b: with the 16k behind me, and apx 3k of tongue weight, a failed rear tire at

speed would be a really bad situation.

Will the auto in the 05 handle my fifth wheel? (before the 03 SRW I pulled the fiver with a 7. 3 powerstroke/auto and the tc failed at 35k)



Also, Dealer's order sheet for a new 05 shows the auto trans code as DG8, which is, I think, a 48RE. What about the code G56 for the Mercedes/dodge transmission that I'm hearing about?



Thanx!

 

[Bertram65]

Pretty sure the auto is rated to tow slightly more than the 6 speed. They are both just under 16K lbs.

 

[DPelletier]

No the auto isn't rated to tow more than the 6 spd. GVWR and GCWR's are the same regardless of transmission choice. Do a search for hours of reading on this subject. I applaud your decision to go with a dually for your trailer. You are in a good position to rationally decide whether or not you want to go with an auto this time as you've been driving a 6spd. As far as reliability goes, the 48RE has been holding up well (for an automatic) and shouldn't give you any problems for a long time.



Dave

 

[Bertram65]

Check out Dodge's towing guide,

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/TowingGuide.jsp?vehicle=ram_truck

if you configure the same truck the only difference being auto or six speed, in this case a quad cab, 3500, 8' bed, 2wd, the auto is rated to tow more weight.

 

[whamby]

The DRW is a good choice for a camper that size, but in regards to not finding a slider over 15k Pullrite makes a Supergilde rated for 24K. It is expensive though, but it is an automatic slider that some say is the best money can buy. They also make a 16K. Here is the link



http://www.pullrite.com/SuperGlide24K.html

 

[Bertram65]

Reese has a new line of 5th wheel hitches called the signature series, I have the 18K slider in my truck, it is a big improvment over the stardard Reese hitches, and still reasonably priced.

 

[RustyJC]

Check out Dodge's towing guide,

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/TowingGuide.jsp?vehicle=ram_truck

if you configure the same truck the only difference being auto or six speed, in this case a quad cab, 3500, 8' bed, 2wd, the auto is rated to tow more weight.

That's because the curb weight of the 6-speed (at least the NV-5600) is greater than the 48RE automatic. Towing capability is determined by GCWR minus curb weight, so a higher curb weight penalizes one in this fictitious rating - fictitious because it's based on an unrealistically low curb weight of a base vehicle (no options or accessories) with a 150 lb driver.



The realistic method to determine a truck's capabilities (within the manufacturer's ratings) is as follows:



Truck GCWR minus truck actual laden curb weight = maximum laden trailer total weight



Truck GVWR minus truck actual laden curb weight = maximum laden trailer pin/tongue weight



The actual laden curb weight of the truck is the scale weight of the truck with full fuel tank(s), options, accessories (like the 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch), driver, passengers, cargo, etc. just like the truck would see on the road.



Rusty

 

[SnoKing]

With that much towed weight, you will want an exhaust brake if you go into hilly country. Auto still is not approved for a brake as far as I know. SNOKING

 

[BRayls]

" What about the code G56 for the Mercedes/dodge transmission that I'm hearing about?"

the only auto in the dodge diesel will be the 48re, the 58re will replace it.

 

[DPelletier]

Check out Dodge's towing guide,

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/TowingGuide.jsp?vehicle=ram_truck

if you configure the same truck the only difference being auto or six speed, in this case a quad cab, 3500, 8' bed, 2wd, the auto is rated to tow more weight.

Let me be more clear: The GCWR and GVWR's are the same (23,000/21,000 depending on rear end ratios) regardless of transmission.

The "Tow ratings" are a complete waste of time IMO as they fail to account for how much the truck weighs in the real world. To get a true tow rating deduct the truck's weight from the GCWR. The guide that you linked to does show a difference of 200 lbs between the auto and the 6 spd, but that is due solely to the fact that the NV-5600 is heavier than the auto and is no reflection whatsoever on the relative strength of the two transmissions.



Dave

 

[DPelletier]

Sorry, I didn't see Rusty's post, he beat me to it!



Dave

 

[Scooby]

a: largest slider fifth wheel hitch I can find is rated at 15k

Since all DRW are long beds, why would you need a slider 5th wheel hitch? I thought people only used those for short beds, no?

 

[whamby]

I believe he is refering to the hitch in his current SRW short bed truck not being strong enough

 

[jimnance]

No way I'd give up my '03. It been the best CTD I've owned yet. With the Edge box it came alive and is a geat tow vehicle. I'm still leary of that kind of weight and an auto. Sorry, 6 speed for me. I have the B. D. exhaust brake which I also dearly love, and isn't available for the auto. I do wish I'd gotten the DRW as I'm pushing the Edge of the envelope on the rear axle weight, but I've beefed up the suspension and she tows perfect. Since she tows perfect and runs good, I can't see running down and getting a new DRW that I'll have to re-equip with all the goodies all over again. I did go to H rated tires for some safety factor.



I'm disappointed to be waiting so long for the Attitude/Juice, but hopefully it will be along soon.

 

[DPelletier]

I did go to H rated tires for some safety factor.

Jim,

You went to 19. 5" tires, then? If you found some 17" H's, I'd be interested to know the brand.

Thanks

Dave

 

[jimnance]

Jim,

You went to 19. 5" tires, then? If you found some 17" H's, I'd be interested to know the brand.

Thanks

Dave

Yes, I went with 19. 5" rims and commercial truck tires. I went with low profile tires to keep the diameter the same as stock as I like the stock gearing. Mine are 19. 5" cast rims with a 4500 lb rating. I got them from Les Schwab tires. The only downside is that during the winter if I'm not trailering I don't have enough rubber on the road for the amount of horsepower I'm putting out. So, in the winter I'm running the stock tires/rims. In the summer I go back to the 19. 5's. Summer heat is what is most likely what will kill a lesser rated tire so this works OK for me. Also, Les Schwab does free rotations, so I throw (well, maybe not quite throw) the other tires in the back of the truck and Les Scwab swaps them for free at the season change.