Towing question

[Brutal_HO]

The height of a 5th wheel creates much more wind resistance than a TT.

Modern diesel engines with long oil service intervals (15K) aren't really any more expensive to maintain.

The up front cost is recouped on the back end with higher resale values.

Towing with a diesel is a joy to behold.

If you're going to run a 5th wheel, you need a 3500.

 

[RAM_Dad]

I’d also say that a diesel tradesman can be had for 55-60k, MSRP. With the right dealer, you’d be close to your budget.

Just for reference, Mark Dodge has consistently been 11-12% off MSRP.

 

[dm6]

Wonder what the payload would be for a gas Big Horn? Not going to get a lot of bells and whistles. Probably level 2/B group

I have a Big Horn Hemi with just about every option except the sunroof and the payload is 2900 something pounds. One thing I noticed is that with these different trim levels, you can get just about every option on any of them, but it does seem like there is a larger gap between a Tradesman and Big Horn than between a Big Horn and Laramie. The Tradesmans just seemed more bare bones and like a work truck but then again, it is a truck and maybe that is a good thing. When I optioned out a Big Horn, it was pretty close in price to a Laramie, but going back and forth between the two, I decided I actually liked the Big Horn seats better. I am probably in the minority here, but they are really nice cloth seats (they actually feel more like a denim and are very sturdy and comfy).

 

[DRAGRAM]

Be sure the truck has the factory installed trailer brake control. I think this is standard on many modles but perhaps not all. This is super important because of the integration to the Transmission programming etc.....

 

[dm6]

Be sure the truck has the factory installed trailer brake control. I think this is standard on many modles but perhaps not all. This is super important because of the integration to the Transmission programming etc.....

Correct. I think it is only not standard on Tradesman.

 

[Limey]

Wonder what the payload would be for a gas Big Horn? Not going to get a lot of bells and whistles. Probably level 2/B group

Our 2019 2500 Bighorn has a 3033 payload - on yellow door sticker.
We switched to a Hemi from our old 2004 Ram CTD. We see little difference in MPG (probably about 10 overall when towing) and it pulls out 5th wheel like a charm.
coming from our old 2004 the bells and whistles of this truck blew us away.

 

[CdnHO]

The height of a 5th wheel creates much more wind resistance than a TT.

Modern diesel engines with long oil service intervals (15K) aren't really any more expensive to maintain.

The up front cost is recouped on the back end with higher resale values.

Towing with a diesel is a joy to behold.

If you're going to run a 5th wheel, you need a 3500.

I certainly agree that 95 percent of fifth wheels need at LEAST a SRW 3500. Pin weight adds up fast as most of the storage is forward of the trailer axles.

 

[sammyd]

I am new to this forum so take it easy on me.

We are looking at upgrading from travel trailer to 5th wheel and therefore we will need to upgrade from our F150 to a 3/4 ton truck. We're looking at the Ram 2500's. Of course so hard to find right now so may need to build one. I'm in no hurry. Won't be camping til next spring.

But my question is the 5th wheel we'll probably get is not a real big or heavy one and this one will be the one we stick with until we're done camping. We're in our 60's and it's just us two. The 5th wheel has a GVWR of 10,995. So this is loaded. Hitch weight is about 1500lbs dry. I'm trying to stay around $50,000 or less for this truck. Looking at the Tradesman or Big Horn. Don't need a lot of bells and whistles but do want crew cab and 4x4. What I'm wanting to know is what is something I should have on it if pulling a 11,000lb 5th wheel? Looking at the 3.73 axle to get the little bit better MPG although I know it won't be great while towing.

I DO NOT want a diesel or dually so those are out of the question. Thanks in advance.

I have a 2018 Tradesman 2500 6.4 4x4 Crew Cab with the 6sp tranny and 3.73 gears. Payload is 3300 and max towing is 13100. I do not tow right now but haul a 2500 lb truck camper and the truck actually rides better with that weight than when it is empty. I average 11-12 mpg when loaded up. I purposely went with the Tradesman for the extra payload but I really like having a basic truck instead of a higher trim level. Vinyl seats and floor are way better for my use of the truck and I do not worry about the interior like I did on my Laramie with leather and carpet.

 

[gpattikjr]

I have a Big Horn Hemi with just about every option except the sunroof and the payload is 2900 something pounds. One thing I noticed is that with these different trim levels, you can get just about every option on any of them, but it does seem like there is a larger gap between a Tradesman and Big Horn than between a Big Horn and Laramie. The Tradesmans just seemed more bare bones and like a work truck but then again, it is a truck and maybe that is a good thing. When I optioned out a Big Horn, it was pretty close in price to a Laramie, but going back and forth between the two, I decided I actually liked the Big Horn seats better. I am probably in the minority here, but they are really nice cloth seats (they actually feel more like a denim and are very sturdy and comfy).

That's where im stuck. Premium cloth or cheap leather. Plus a few other options.

 

[gimmie11s]

I appreciate all your information and time. Not sure if you would get better MPG towing a larger/longer TT verses a 5th wheel, but my daughter tows a 34 TT with her gas Ram 2500 and gets about 9mpg. It's weight is similar to the 5th wheel we are looking at. Currently our F150 gets about 10-12 towing our 31ft bumper pull. Without pulling it's about 17-18 city without pulling and hwy low 20's. This is one thing my husband is not looking forward to is the MPG. But to address your diesel info. It would cost about $9-$10k more up front plus the maintenance is so much more. So that is one reason why we don't want to do it. Plus we've never owned a diesel and don't really know too much about them. It's just not within our needs.

The diesel will not be "so much more" to maintain. There is a higher initial cost, yes.

That said, the truck you have pegged will probably be fine for the specific 5th wheel you mention. However, you'd be stuck with that trailer and realistically could never go much larger.

 

[P.A.]

I ordered a Crew Cab Long Bed with the 50 gal tank. I wanted as much payload as I could get. No plans to tow larger than a 12k trailer, but a 5er has a typical pin weight of 20-25%.

Ignore the pin weight stickers that the RV manufacturers put on the trailers, those are typically calculated at 15% for a 5er. Not typically realistic.

Anyway, from all the research I’ve done over the past 6 months, you can usually expect 2800-3000 lbs of payload on a gas 2500 BH.

A 3500 in the same configuration would be about 1000-1200lbs more, typically.

Hmm..may need to get the Tradesman then. I know my SIL has a 2020 Tradesman 2500 and his payload is 3100. 2800-3000 may work for us since there are just two of us and we don't usually have a lot of stuff in our truck/bed and no water in the tanks of the trailer, no firewood, etc. Really the only thing that is heavy to speak of besides of course the LP tanks and batteries is our Blackstone grill, 75 lbs, and we can even put that inside the trailer to get off the pin weight if we have to. Thanks for the info.

 

[P.A.]

That's where im stuck. Premium cloth or cheap leather. Plus a few other options.

Yes. I've only set in a Tradesman but seats did seem cheap. Heard the BH was more comfortable. Really would like the BH if can get the best payload.

 

[P.A.]

The diesel will not be "so much more" to maintain. There is a higher initial cost, yes.

That said, the truck you have pegged will probably be fine for the specific 5th wheel you mention. However, you'd be stuck with that trailer and realistically could never go much larger.

We would never need or want a bigger trailer. Just looking at the payloads and I know that is what we need is payload. Thanks.

 

[RedBull]

We've been pulling our 5th wheel Durango 8,500lb dry, 10,500 lb loaded this season with our 2021 2500 Tradesman 6.4L without a problem. We made several trips (over 6K miles) this year including Smoky Mountains. The truck was pulling like a champ averaging 10-12 depending on winds. Our truck payload is almost 3,200. Thruck never sagged or I never felt overloaded or unsecured while towing, even with high winds or heavy rains. My Tradesman came equipped with 5th wheel, goose neck trailer prep package. I travel with wifey, 2 kids and small dog. I love my set up and looking forward for a lot more camping next year!

 

[P.A.]

We've been pulling our 5th wheel Durango 8,500lb dry, 10,500 lb loaded this season with our 2021 2500 Tradesman 6.4L without a problem. We made several trips (over 6K miles) this year including Smoky Mountains. The truck was pulling like a champ averaging 10-12 depending on winds. Our truck payload is almost 3,200. Thruck never sagged or I never felt overloaded or unsecured while towing, even with high winds or heavy rains. My Tradesman came equipped with 5th wheel, goose neck trailer prep package. I travel with wifey, 2 kids and small dog. I love my set up and looking forward for a lot more camping next year!

Glad to hear that! Enjoy!

 

[Firewall]

So my new 5th wheel is 16K with a pin @3200 (both loaded weights not dry). I was towing a 12K 5th with my Tradesman with a 6.4 Hemi and it did fine, slightly struggled on steep grades but no big deal. The truck itself has plenty of payload for the 16K 5th at 4300 plus lbs. However it is just too much weight to pull, especially on long trips with grades. As was stated the trailer is a sail and wind resistance plus the weight killed my MPG. A recent trip from New England to Ohio I averaged 6-7 miles per gallon. For the most part I was able to maintain 65mph but get behind a semi that is struggling on a hill and there is little chance of safely passing it. Solution? Ordered a 3500 HO dually a couple of weeks ago, anxious to get it but don't really need it until next camping season. I'm really looking forward to a diesel and to learn more about them from the experienced folks on this forum!

 

[gimmie11s]

So my new 5th wheel is 16K with a pin @3200 (both loaded weights not dry). I was towing a 12K 5th with my Tradesman with a 6.4 Hemi and it did fine, slightly struggled on steep grades but no big deal. The truck itself has plenty of payload for the 16K 5th at 4300 plus lbs. However it is just too much weight to pull, especially on long trips with grades. As was stated the trailer is a sail and wind resistance plus the weight killed my MPG. A recent trip from New England to Ohio I averaged 6-7 miles per gallon. For the most part I was able to maintain 65mph but get behind a semi that is struggling on a hill and there is little chance of safely passing it. Solution? Ordered a 3500 HO dually a couple of weeks ago, anxious to get it but don't really need it until next camping season. I'm really looking forward to a diesel and to learn more about them from the experienced folks on this forum!

Yep. No way i'd be pulling that kind of weight with a gas truck. My hat is off to you. Your foot must be planted to the floor the whole trip at 6 mpg.

Nice move getting into a new diesel. The change for you will be DRASTIC.

 

[Brewbud]

Yep. No way i'd be pulling that kind of weight with a gas truck. My hat is off to you. Your foot must be planted to the floor the whole trip at 6 mpg.

Nice move getting into a new diesel. The change for you will be DRASTIC.

Gimmie is right here. And you are going to love having an exhaust brake!

 

[Bill2e]

Go straight for the Long Bed 3500 and don’t look back.

 

[Dmbecke]

I tow a 11k fifth wheel and chose the tradesman 3500 SWD Cummins and im very happy . You’ll be happy with the diesel coming down the mountains