New Ram 2500 or 3500 for 14k toy hauler with 3000lb pin weight

[fourbybud]

Thanks in advance to everyone.
Looking in to getting a new truck with intentions of getting a 5th wheel toy hauler. Hauler will be around 13-15k with a 3000-3500lb pin weight. Looking for opinions on what size truck.

 

[kthaxton]

You're going to need a 3500. I'll let the 3500 owners advise on SRW vs DRW in your case.

 

[Brocky]

Definately a 3500 DRW.. That heavy on the pin needs DRW stability with a sudden flat tire..

 

[RustyJC]

Look at the GAWRs of the 2500 versus 3500 trucks. If you're going to be towing a 5th wheel with a SRW truck (2500 OR 3500), you'll hit the GAWR long before you reach the trailer tow rating. Are the trailer total and pin weights you quote for a dry trailer or at maximum trailer GVWR?

I'd go with the 3500.

Rusty

 

[TCDiesel]

Yep 3500, I'm SRW guy, if weight the Likes/Dislikes the SRW generally wins, SRW turn & rides ,parks better, pulls & mileage better, less maintenance cost less, DRW legal GVW less sway tats about it. go with air on the GVW, but if I was to order today I would go SRW 6102 and add Ridrite bags letter $350 Vs 1800 OE As-sit.

Adding the Ridrites give you 6-point setup instead of 4 ,awesome weight distribution and transfer .

 

[fourbybud]

Thanks to all. Really trying to stay away from a DRW as it will also be a daily driver. Really won't be towing more than a couple times a year. What's everyone's thoughts on short bed?

 

[Newsa]

My 2013 Ram 2500 has 2400-2470 lb payload. I think this includes the occupants of the cab. I forget the exact number for payload but it was between 2400 & 2470. My trailer tow rating is 16,300 ish. With a 2500, you hit the pin weight limit before the total trailer limit. You won't want to pull that trailer with a 2500 because you could easily be 1000 pounds over what it was designed for (weight in the cab & bed)(By the time you load the trailer and put your family in the cab.)

The 3500's have a 4 leaf suspension instead of 3 leaf. (2500's have 3 leaf and comparable weight coil if you have rear coil). Safest bet is 3500 DRW. You will always be watching your weight if you go with SRW 3500. You might check out these wheels http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/ and go with a stronger tire (f or g rated) if you must have a SRW 3500. They are a bit pricey.

 

[spoon059]

3500 is the only choice. A 2500 crewcab 4x4 would have max of 3100 or 3200 lbs payload with a gas engine, closer to 2300 or 2400 lbs with a diesel engine. The SRW crewcab 4x4 would have closer to 4000 lbs payload diesel. You may even find that isn't enough payload.

Shortbed vs longbed will depend upon hitch style and nose design on the trailer. Newer 5ers have a radius edge specifically designed for shortbed trucks. Slider hitches mitigate bed length as well.

 

[fourbybud]

Went and test drove a 3500 crew short bed diesel this evening. Pretty sure that's the ticket. If anyone wants to know, the ride is just a bit worse than my 2500 crew gas short bed. The rear end seems to take the bumps more "crisply" than the 2500, if that makes any sense.

 

[Newsa]

Went and test drove a 3500 crew short bed diesel this evening. Pretty sure that's the ticket. If anyone wants to know, the ride is just a bit worse than my 2500 crew gas short bed. The rear end seems to take the bumps more "crisply" than the 2500, if that makes any sense.

Rear air bags might help adjust to the load

 

[TCDiesel]

LB VS SB , better to have and NOT use, than to not have and need BC you are SOL on short and tows. only buy SB if it needs to fit somewhere.

 

[SnoKing]

Went and test drove a 3500 crew short bed diesel this evening. Pretty sure that's the ticket. If anyone wants to know, the ride is just a bit worse than my 2500 crew gas short bed. The rear end seems to take the bumps more "crisply" than the 2500, if that makes any sense.

How much air was in the rear tires. I run around 44-46 empty. Improves ride greatly, which reminds me I did to deflate them a bit after towing the loaded cargo trailer back from Washington after Christmas. Nice feature of the 3500 is you can lower the rear tire air with out alarms and dash warnings.

Chris

 

[fourbybud]

Snoking, the rear tires were set at 65psi with 60psi in the fronts. On my current 2500 crew short bed I found that running them 60psi in the front and 50psi in the rear when not towing makes a huge difference.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Had a 2500 Quad Cab for my Toy Hauler. In a cross wind it was a hand full. Upgraded to a 3500 Crew Dually. Night and day difference. Much more stable and pulls my ~17,000 Lb rig effortlessly.
Note: when you add toys your pin weight goes down. Toy Haulers are designed that way.

 

[S.Morris]

3500 SRW unless you are doing long days with the trailer. In that case, you will thank yourself at the end of every day that you went DRW.

 

[Bug Out]

I have a 16' RAM 3500 4dr,s/b 4x4. I go camping once a month etc. I have air bags on my truck to stop the "porpoise" effect and to level the rig. Usually 20lbs air does the trick. SRW works fine.If your going fulltime, or camping 2-3x a month, I'd go dually. I got the short box srw for around town, as its probably 80% no Rv vs 20%. My signature pic was before air bags. 40' 3 axle Toy hauler.

2500 will put you over weight right away.

 

[fourbybud]

Thanks to all that replied. 3500 it is, only towing big a few times a year so short bed will be OK. Now mega or crew cab is the question...

 

[Bug Out]

If you get the 3500, do yourself a favor and get the Aisin transmission. I had 3 68RFE (stock chrysler) trannies and it cant hold a stick to the Aisin. I had a mega cab for a year and it was nice but I never really used the room like I thought I would. Back seat folds down and make darn near a bed to sleep etc. Extra storage room. You'll have to toss a coin on that.

 

[Striper05]

Fourbybud, I was in the same position you're in. I got the 3500 short bed for the same reasons. I will be adding rear air bags prior to my 5th wheel purchase. I was also told to get a sliding hitch to eliminate the possibility of the trailer hitting your cab on tight turns FYI

 

[grabinov]

Fourbybud, I was in the same position you're in. I got the 3500 short bed for the same reasons. I will be adding rear air bags prior to my 5th wheel purchase. I was also told to get a sliding hitch to eliminate the possibility of the trailer hitting your cab on tight turns FYI

And for that, check out the Pulltite Superglide 5th wheel hitch. I've had the same hitch, in two short-bed Rams in a row, since 2006. Thousands of miles w a 33 foot 3-axle toy hauler and it still works like a charm.