Which Truck? help

[Cattiva72]

Hi everyone, my hubby and I are looking to purchase a 41ft 5th Wheel (total weight when full about 24K lbs).
We've had two rv before but nothing this big.
We're going full time this time #ad

Question:
TRUCKS!?...we like Dodge RAM 3500 dually HO but very hard to find at decent price unfortunately.

-What other dually models do you suggest based on capability and reliability for our set up?
We know that RAM trucks improved substantially in 2019 and up... is it true or older models are good too?
Hard to believe that a truck costs so much!!...the one I really like is about $88k!! ) lol.
Tell me your experience n knowledge about these big daddy trucks please...whats the cheapest most reliable year and model? etc..

Thanks in advance for your help #ad

 

[Cummins12V98]

My RV is 24k. Truck 2015 LongHorn DRW 4.10’s Cummins/AISIN. Factory Rear Air Ride. 6k pin weight.
Truck HANDLES the load extremely well West Coast

can’t get rid of extra pics. GRRRRR

 

[AH64ID]

You can’t find anything at a decent price anymore. I recently traded my ‘18 for more than I paid for it 3.5 years and 50K miles prior… it is what it is.

I don’t think you can find another manufacturer with a better quality/performance per dollar than Ram.

Compared to GM/Ford the Dodge/Ram pickup hasn’t been lacking in quality since 2003. The features of the Ram really caught up in 13-15, and they are hard to compete with since then. Reliability wise they haven’t wavered in a long time.

If you can wait I’d suggest ordering what you want. With the right dealer you will save substantially. I ordered my ‘22 last December and the price was at least $11K less than it would have been buying the same truck off the lot.

 

[NIsaacs]

I recommend you buy the truck you like, the $88k one. Then save some on a smaller/cheaper RV. To go north in the summer and south in the winter with a huge RV is one thing but to full time in something that large might become work. Full timing requires a truck that will get you there, maybe more important than the RV even.

 

[Timd32]

Yep they are super expensive right now.

Not having the crystal ball, IMO it's not going back down ever, they are really good at this.

Similar to what the above, there are quality used trucks out there that are super clean looking, not sure never physically looked under them.

But this is just from May of this year, I ordered a '22 SRW in May, but if I was doing a DRW, I would have jumped right on this one. There was a second one a few months prior just as clean looking.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/2016-ram-3500-limited.272657/

Option wise I'm thinking you want Rear Air Suspension, 5th Wheel Prep, Bed Camera, I don't have the Trailer Technology or the extended tire monitor forget how that's ordered and what's included.

Try Costco for your order packages and can build on there.

On an older rig all that can be added as needed. Finding one is hard. Used values are dropping a bit, but interest rates are super high if your not paying cash, so issues all around.

 

[Cattiva72]

My RV is 24k. Truck 2015 LongHorn DRW 4.10’s Cummins/AISIN. Factory Rear Air Ride. 6k pin weight.
Truck HANDLES the load extremely well West Coast

can’t get rid of extra pics. GRRRRR

View attachment 135902

View attachment 135903

View attachment 135905

WOW! Thats exactly what we are wanting to buy (rear kitchen How do you like traveling with that big set up? Tell meee! lol

 

[Jim W]

For a different approach would you consider a Cab and Chassis set-up with a towing body installed. See this thread on using a C&C set-up. 3500 vs 45/5500 | Turbo Diesel Register

Several members on this site towed with a C&C set-up. Since you are going fulltime this might be a better alternative for you.

I would check out the C&C section on this site for more informative discussion on this line of trucks.

 

[Cummins12V98]

WOW! Thats exactly what we are wanting to buy (rear kitchen How do you like traveling with that big set up? Tell meee! lol

Honestly until you hit a big grade you don't know it's back there. Getting ready to head from COLD NW WA to SoCal next week.

 

[Jim W]

The weight police on another web site (an RV forum) may have scared her off. The police are claiming she needs a Light MD truck tow what you are towing with your 3500.
just saying.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Jim the problem is some of the weight police think the 14k GVWR actually means something. I was kicked off a forum because a mod didn’t like me pointing out that I could load my rear to SAE 9,750 and 5,250 front and be 15k and not be overloaded.

 

[Timd32]

Not mine but just popped up in the Classifieds. To put the price in perspective, that 1500 I have with 3k miles is like $67k sticker, so you get a whole lot more truck for $15k.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ga-cab-4x4-dually-6351-original-miles.273301/

But do some research, check the VIN, check for recalls, do some homework for hidden damage. Service records should be up on the web or at a dealer can look them up possibly.

On the weight thing I just went thru this, my 2500 is commercial and NY registration so could not use that as a reference, I had never registered a larger personal truck in NJ.

I think my new 3500 SRW is registered 12,300 or 12,800 either way, no-one in the dealer MVC office could figure out my question if I needed to register the combined weight of the truck and trailer or do the max on the sticker of the truck.

They just did the sticker weight.

 

[Topzide]

The DMV in Md, when I registered my truck had 7k GVW on registration! They had the VIN correct. I opted for 14K GVW to avoid being impounded crossing a state line were if a DOT was having a bad day, I would be easy pickings! Yes, I know being private and not commercial, It's just that the truck would be considered overweight without anything in it! Go figure!

 

[SnoKing]

I will throw in a couple thoughts.

1. I would not tow a trailer that heavy with a short box truck, as finding a slider 5th wheel hitch to handle that much pin weight is an issue.
2. We full timed in a 39' 4" fifth wheel for two years. Older State Parks and camp ground can be an issue. Newer RV Resorts and up scale newer RV camp grounds are not an issue. The resort that I have wintered in since 2008 has 40'w x 50'd sites with wide streets. The resort was built in 1999, older resorts in the Phoenix area can have 30-35 foot wide sites and very narrow streets.
3. Listen to Cummins12V98. Crew Cab 3500 dually 4x4 with Aisin and rear air suspension. 3.73 or 4.10's is your choice. B&W puck mounted 5th wheel hitch. If you find a truck without pucks in the bed, they can be added, like I did to my 2015.
4. I would look for a 2016 or newer. As 2016 got front park sensors and ability to move cameras between screens. I would avoid 2019-2020 that have not yet had the injection pump recall completed. I did love my 2015 however.
5. Enjoy the journey, many like my wife and I did, return to the same winter location South and then venture around the North in the summer. I say stay put in the winter down South as the parks fill up and finding a temp spot can be an issue. And like my resort, the owners would like to fill it with park model homes up to the allowable limit. We build a park model with Arizona room and man cave on a lot I knew was 50x50(current management and sales did not know) in the 2016-2017 winter.
6. Enjoy your time while you can.

On edit: A dealer once told me that if you are going to travel a lot and moving a lot, then a Motorhome makes more sense, if you are stay put a lot, then a trailer and truck makes more sense.

Snoking - RIP DW of 40 years - July 5th 2021

Park model to left - Ram and Big Horn to the right! And yes the street has been repaved!

I still live in the BIGHORN in the summer in Washington State in a membership park.

 

[SnoKing]

can’t get rid of extra pics. GRRRRR

View attachment 135902

Nothing wrong with that "fish" boat!!!! Been there, have the merit badge, T-shirt and Hat![/QUOTE]

 

[Timd32]

The DMV in Md, when I registered my truck had 7k GVW on registration! They had the VIN correct. I opted for 14K GVW to avoid being impounded crossing a state line were if a DOT was having a bad day, I would be easy pickings! Yes, I know being private and not commercial, It's just that the truck would be considered overweight without anything in it! Go figure!

They gave me 2 options, sticker or shipping weight. Shipping weight was listed 8k they told me. Cost me another $400 for 4 years at sticker vs what ever they added to the original paperwork.

Yeah don't follow me on the 5th Wheel set up.

Looking at it again it does look like a pretty short bed, plus has a decent size tool box in the back. So not sure how much room all that needs for adjustment and how that all plays nice with the trailers. I know the Mega is not for all set ups, and the short bed could be wrong fit for sure.

 

[AH64ID]

@SnoKing while I’m not an advocate of a short box, the B&W slider is rated for more pin weight than the truck is. The issue might be the 20K trailer weight thou.

The max pin weight is 4,500lbs for a 5th wheel and 5,287 for a gooseneck. Seems to be that the puck setup should be able to hold more weight than the gooseneck, but I’m not the engineer. 4,500 also seems light, and I know folks are going higher, but that’s all the truck is rated for.

 

[Jim W]

SnoKing, for my model year (2008) truck the Mega Cab has the same wheelbase and overall length as the Quad Cab long bed truck. No Crew Cab was available for this MY. So, what is the difference between the two trucks? The hitch placement is the same on both trucks in relation to the rear axle.
Also, I could have gone with a DEMCO Hijacker auto slider of 21K but didn't see the need so, I choose the 18K slider. This is more than enough hitch to tow my 34RL Cedar Creek 5er.

 

[Killer223]

@SnoKing while I’m not an advocate of a short box, the B&W slider is rated for more pin weight than the truck is. The issue might be the 20K trailer weight thou.

The max pin weight is 4,500lbs for a 5th wheel and 5,287 for a gooseneck. Seems to be that the puck setup should be able to hold more weight than the gooseneck, but I’m not the engineer. 4,500 also seems light, and I know folks are going higher, but that’s all the truck is rated for.

I suspect the lower rating is from the higher connection location on a 5er then a ball. More torsional load maybe. Ball is at bed height, 5er is 8-12" above. Just speculation, but it's what my old engineer brain comes up with.

 

[bcbender]

Been towing my 5er with the B8W turnover GN ball and a air ride pinbox from Reese (20k)... Love it, rides great and never have to take the hitch in / out anymore. Downside is no slider so no shortbeds, but then again I like my LB.

Not sure about in MD, but in NC you do not have to account for tow weight on your tag for a rec vehicle. I pay for 17k which cover's my boat and my GN trailer, but loaded my truck and RV are over 25k. I am not a DOT expert, but I dont think states you travel through can enforce their regs on you if you are compliant and not a resident? Im sure someone else can chime in, but pulling doubles are not legal in NC, but I see out of state RVs and trucks pulling them through on occasion.

 

[SnoKing]

SnoKing, for my model year (2008) truck the Mega Cab has the same wheelbase and overall length as the Quad Cab long bed truck. No Crew Cab was available for this MY. So, what is the difference between the two trucks? The hitch placement is the same on both trucks in relation to the rear axle.
Also, I could have gone with a DEMCO Hijacker auto slider of 21K but didn't see the need so, I choose the 18K slider. This is more than enough hitch to tow my 34RL Cedar Creek 5er.

OP plans on towing a 24K 5th wheel. Much different league! Pin weight could be 5K +/-!