RAM options for towing 5th wheel - advice requested

[SnoKing]

Come on now, didn't you see the smiley faces, just some friendly banter here. Its okay to go back, and forth here.

Except it usually

turns into this!

 

[Cummins2014]

Except it usually View attachment 117199 turns into this!

Well, lets get back to the topic then , I still didn't understand what you meant I thought the OP wanted a short bed with 4K payload, and a DRW. I thought that Megacab fit the bill .

 

[Cummins2014]

I thought the difference was only 140 lbs

 

[sag2]

They all break, who is fooling who here !!!

Actually they don't. I can count the Aisin failures I have seen since they started offering them on both hands. And that just isn't the ones on TDR, that's while I was still working too.

 

[Cummins2014]

Actually they don't. I can count the Aisin failures I have seen since they started offering them on both hands. And that just isn't the ones on TDR, that's while I was still working too.

I think you took me literally , no they ALL don’t break , but you more or less proved my point , yes they will break. The statement “ they don’t break” , really ,as said they can break .

 

[TCDiesel]

JR, I've have had Customers that would run the balls off a Dog if the Dog would let them...and the 68 has failed them some multi times , costing 1000s to upgrade...Yes they are deleted with added HP , My 2013 around 480+-20HP with emissions.

I'm not disputing that the 68 Junk, its just NOT as strong as the 69....Look how many 69s are abused ( in Some cases Daily) in the commercial world were the 68 not offered.

I've taken many trucks (New even 2019) off the lot for demo' purposes ,and I still don't care for the 68.

On edit Big fingers changed 5-4...Yep wishing thinking 580HP OEM....intact

 

[Ozymandias]

Everything can fail.

I would choose the Aisin if I tow heavy year round with 30K+
For just leisure pulling 15K a couple times a year it really doesn't matter at all.

And the TO want's an SRW to my knowledge, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Cummins2014]

Everything can fail.

I would choose the Aisin if I tow heavy year round with 30K+
For just leisure pulling 15K a couple times a year it really doesn't matter at all.

And the TO want's an SRW to my knowledge, but maybe I'm wrong.

I usually make two trips per year with my fifth wheel , which is right around 13,500. One for six to eight week trip to Montana every summer, and to Arizona for a month to get out of the cold in the winter . 600 mile round trip to Montana ,and 1400 round trip to Arizona. No I don't need the Aisin.

 

[JR]

Its too bad someone in the know (and I know he's reading this ) can't post up warranty failure % rates on both transmissions.

 

[SnoKing]

Well, lets get back to the topic then , I still didn't understand what you meant I thought the OP wanted a short bed with 4K payload, and a DRW. I thought that Megacab fit the bill .

I made a typo, OP does NOT want a duallie. A duallie would have a 6K plus capacity on the rear axle.

 

[DesertRiders]

I have opened up to the idea of a duellie. We are retired and have no commute. We go into town (North Scottsdale) perhaps a couple of times a week (20 minute drive each way) for groceries or the occasional doctor appointment. So, I figured that perhaps a duellie wouldn't be a big deal for us and it would add a significant level of stability and safety when towing a monster mobile house around. To me, even a 35' 5th wheel is a monster of a thing to drag around behind you.

I test drove a 1000 ft lb/Aisin Mega-Cab duellie today and, yeah it drives a lot stiffer than my 2019 Ram Limited 1500, stiffer ride, stiffer steering, less smooth transmission, but it wasn't uncomfortable in any way. Parking can require a bit more care and/or a bit of a longer walk into a store. One needs to be a little more "precise" in staying within one's lane driving down the road. But all in all, I very much enjoyed driving it.

(I've put in many thousands of miles driving 43' diesel pushers towing 1/2 ton American trucks behind, so compared to that, the duellie is kind of like nothing. Of course, strap a 35' 5th wheel on the back... and that's a whole 'nother story!)

So, there's a pretty good chance we may wind up with a duellie. I'm still kicking it all around. The duellie doesn't add a LOT of extra payload capacity - just a few hundred pounds is all. But when you're right up to the max with a SRW, a few extra hundred pounds and having four rear wheels can give a small bit of comfort.

Question - does the RAM air system make the ride (when NOT towing) more comfortable than without?

And, are aftermarket air bags as desirable (or as nice) as factory-installed air bags?

If we get a duelly, I'm pretty sure it will be Mega Cab, Short Bed.

As for the 1000 engine and Aisin, am I likely to be just as happy with the 850 engine and the "68"?

 

[dieselshadow]

I’ll give you my $.000002.....

A dually will seem HUGE at first. Then the size melts away with time. The truck isn’t any wider than any other truck out there. If the mirrors fit through before, then a dually will fit through at the same time. How many times did you knock your mirrors off in your 1500? Yeah, it does have a wider turn radius and it’s not super drive-through friendly nor is it the easiest parking lot fairy. But it isn’t nearly the animal it seems the first time you drive one. Once you’ve conquered the mental obstacle of owning and driving a dually, it’s really not a big deal. The biggest thing I’ve had to overcome is the fact there’s zero car washes setup for a real truck. LOL

Buy it once and cry once. Buy it wrong and you’ll cry everyday until you feel the pain and pay again for that mistake. So, know what your needs are and set your minimums.

I don’t currently own a 5th wheel, but I know I was going to upgrade my trailer I use for hauling my tractors around. I initially wanted a SRW truck but slowly came around to the realization that a dually would do everything I wanted without limitations. I’m not saying it’s for you, all I’m saying is examine what’s your real needs are and establish a needs list and wants list. Then you can accurately find the truck that’s suits you and your needs.

 

[DesertRiders]

Considering, MegaCab, short bed, 1000 ft lb, Aisin
#ad


#ad


#ad

 

[SnoKing]

. The duellie doesn't add a LOT of extra payload capacity - just a few hundred pounds is all. But when you're right up to the max with a SRW, a few extra hundred pounds and having four rear wheels can give a small bit of comfort.

5359 payload is a lot more than a few hundred pounds. Buy it and you can get the first trailer you wanted and not worry about weight. SnoKing

 

[DesertRiders]

Yeah... that sure surprised me. I wonder if someone made a typo somewhere.

NO air bag system, though. Would I regret not getting that?

All the other aspects of the build are just what I would want.

 

[pwr2tow]

I go through touchless car washes all the time with my mega cab dually. Never fold in the mirrors either.

 

[pwr2tow]

My garage is 28' deep and have enough room to perform all necessary maintenance.

The garage door is a standard size 7x9 roll up. The mirrors have about 2" on each side, the dually fenders approximately 5" on each side.

Have about 60' of driveway and in winter I put it in 4x4 as I go up the driveway, don't want no slipping sideways going through the doorway.

My dually is my DD, well since retiring 2-3 times a week driver. Sold all my other cars and trucks, don't need the extra expense of multiple vehicles anymore.

 

[pwr2tow]

Aisin transmission. Let me say this, I had a 2009 Cummins 68rfe with a smarty programmer set on 60 extra Hp. Towed flawless and with the programmer made it a nice towing machine. I had a 2016 Cummins 68rfe towed flawless as far as transmission, FCA programming down shifting transmission sucks.

My Aisin truck just feels more capable, solid, then the 68rfe. Just feels more right as a towing truck. It feels like FCA is allowing more Tq/Hp through the transmission on the aisin compared to the 68fre. For a mega cab dually with the Aisin she just gets right up and scoots better compared to the 68rfe crew cab srw.

 

[DesertRiders]

Auto Leveling Airbag system???? I don't know enough about this feature - can you help?

This truck has more than enough towing & payload capacity for my 5th wheel needs, BUT... it does NOT have Auto Leveling Airbags. Should I pass on it for that reason?

Or - am I likely to do just fine WITHOUT auto leveling air bags?

Or - can I do just as well installing an aftermarket airbag system?

I can wait for another truck to come along that has factory airbags, if they are something that I am quite likely to want to have.

Lastly, will airbags make for a more comfortable ride when we are not towing?

#ad


#ad

 

[MRFost]

Thinking outside the box, pun intended...how heavy is a pickup bed? Just saying if you had an easy way to pop the box off when you go towing...you can't bash up the side rails nor tailgate if they are at home. That would gain you some axle capacity. To take it to the ridiculous, with a 5er back there, who needs a rear bumper? On second thought, removing the bed would require mods to the tank refilling tubing.
I know...in one of the star wars movies C3PO didn't have all his "coverings" on and he was accused of having his parts showing. I suppose a pickup without a bed would look like it's parts are showing.