Which Ram??

[Stevea1956]

Ok... I know the topic of tow vehicles has been discussed a LOT here but now I am the one looking for a new TV.
I am looking at getting a Ram 3500 but can't decide on the final drive. I'm leaning toward a single rear wheel 4x4 with a 3.73 gear.
My next choice would be a 2wd dually and lastly a 2wd single rear wheel.
I don't want a 4x4 dually.
The new RV I'm getting has a GVWR of 16000 and dry pin weight of 2400 pounds so I would need the 3500 over a 2500 Heavy Duty
What kind of fuel mileage and towing/driving issues do you experience?
Recommendations?

[M109Rrider]

The new ones are nothing like the old ones so my experiences wouldn't help much. If I was in the market for a new deisel truck and was looking at those weight numbers it would be a dually. 4.10s if your pulling all the time, 3.73s if you only tow occasionally and it doubles as your daily driver. I know you didn't ask for opinions but I'd also be looking hard at the new fords.

[crocus]

I'd have to agree on the dually with 4.10 gears.
Not so sure on the new Ford, as that is yet another unproven engine.

[biken201]

My 2011 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 (about 15,000 odo) is getting 15-16 hwy (rush hour mostly) without a trailer. I don't pull anything nearly as big as what you're gonna be towing, so I can't speak to the towing mileage you'd get. Pulling my considerably smaller Roo hybrid, I got about 8-9 mpg pulling it from IL to AZ.

[donn]

You really really need a dually. That 2400 "dry" pin weight can climb to way over 3000 pounds when you actually get the trailer home and start loading it up.
Now, I have a 2007 version of the truck you need. 4X2 quad cab dually 6.7L Automatic with 4.10 rear end. Yes, you read me right, 4.10. I can run all day at 65 pulling my 13K fiver with the cruise control on and not have to worry. Fuel economy I have seen so far (and the truck is still new with 15K miles on it) has bee as high as 11.5. Empty I have seen running at 70 as good as 17MPG. From what I have read a 3.73 rear end equipped similar truck will only gain you about 1MPG empty and possibly less when loaded. With the new 6 speed automatics you get a double over drive which helps keep the motors RPM a lot lower than in the old days.

[Stevea1956]

I appreciate all the input and because of it I think I'm going with the DRW Ram. I chose the Ram primarily because I am an employee (retired) and therefore eligible for employee discount. I haven't been able to locate a 4.10 gear but since 90% of my driving will be without the trailer attached, the 3.73 may be better.
I talked to an old timer today that has been towing with various pickup trucks for over 30 years and his advice to me was that any trailer over 36 feet in length should be hooked to a dually.
He owns the company that builds the TrailerMate hitch.. anyone familiar with them? I could use some advice on a receiver for the new ram
Texas 5th wheel hitch, CA trailer hitch, TX air springs, Colorado hitches trailer

Thanks again all.

[donn]

You wont be disappointed in your decision to get the dually. BTW the widest part of ANY truck is the mirrors, so don't let those wide fenders scare you when you first get the truck. The only negative I see with your choice of 3.73 rear end is that you will probably need to tow one gear lower (numerically higher) than I do. Meaning you will probably want to tow in 4th most of the time, maybe 5th on the flats, Where I can run in 6th most of the time on the flats.

[transamz9]

You all look way to much at the numbers. I know I'm gonna be looked at bad for this but I don't care. I pull a 40' fiver with a 21' bassboat behind that with an '05 2500 QCSB with 3.73 gears with not one problem. I get 11 MPG doing it. I say go with the dully but the 3.73 will do just fine.

[ng2951]

One other thing to consider is where you will be taking that rig. I wanted 2WD over 4 for better fuel economy. Luckily, I got 4WD which kept me from getting stuck on my first outing with the new trailer.

A winch that can pull TV and 5ver may cost over $6K. If all you are doing are hard surfaced RV parks that may be fine. It does not take too many off road parkings to make 4WD look like a smart move.

While you can pull around 16K# with 2500 (at least you can with a Duramax) I do think the 3500 is a better way to go...

[Sgt. Schultz]

Steve don't know if you have ordered yet but you may want to look to see if you can get the Ram Max tow package with the truck you like. That dual tranny cooler + stuff may be useful with the RV you are getting.

sr

[Stevea1956]

Thanks for all your input. I picked up my new Ram 3500 DRW today. I had the dealer install a B&W turnover ball w/companion hitch. The "gold" extended warranty offered to me at a very good price so I also got that. I don't usually go for extended warranties but with my employee pricing and the factory incentive I bit.
The downside of this story is that we traded our trusty Windjammer in on a new Redwood 36FL. Since they are manufactured by Thor Industries I no longer qualify as a F.R.O.G. member.
We really liked our Windjammer but it just wasn't built for full time RVing like the Redwood is.

[Elmer Swan]

This is not on yhe subject but I am really interested in the MPG you get with the 3.92 axle as I have the 3.21 and not getting very good MPG in town or pulling
Elmer Swan at ESwan2726@aol.com

[Stevea1956]

Hi Elmer,
My fuel mileage depended on factors such as speed, wind and terrain. If I had level ground and not fighting a headwind and driving 60 mph I would get 9 or 10 mpg. When I got into mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee my mileage dropped to 8 mpg.
When I wasn't pulling the Windjammer, which was 90% of the time, I averaged 14.5 mpg.
Your mileage may be lower when towing than mine was but I know you get better than 14.5 in everyday driving.
Hope this answered your question.