Towing a 34TBOK with a Dodge Ram 2500

[kmccarty4615]

After camping with three travel trailers over the last 15 years, we are in the searching process for our first fifth wheel and have really liked what we've seen from the Palomino Sabres. We're kind of at a stand still right now though because we've been looking at the towing capacities of our 2011 Ram 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab Cummins Turbo Diesel with the 3.73 rear axle ratio. According to the information that Ram provides on its web site, our truck is rated to pull 12,600 pounds and carry 2,400 pounds of payload. The dry weights for the 34TBOK are 11,300 UVW and 1,750 hitch. From looking at available units online, I have seen that the majority of 34TBOK's do actually weigh in around 11,300 or even a little bit under, even with plenty of options (fireplace, sleeper sofa in bunk room, Corian countertops, etc.).

Does anyone out there have experience towing a 34TBOK with a Dodge similar to mine? From comparing the spec's of a 3/4 ton Dodge to the 3/4 ton GM's and Ford, it appears that my truck is rated to handle significantly less in both maximum trailer weight and payload. I do want to stay within the "legal" limits of my truck, for the sake of the "what-if" factor that something would happen when we are towing, but I just can't help but be a little concerned that Dodge's are rated much lower than other trucks out there. Am I missing something, perhaps?

If anyone out there has any suggestions, tips, advice, experience, or anything else, I would greatly appreciate your help!

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Welcome to the Forum!

I don't have a Dodge but if your tow numbers are right, your limitations must be due to frame/suspension design and maybe transmission. The cummins can handle more than your numbers posted but it's weakest link is keeping it from using all it's potential.
BTW...the Sabre's are a great unit for the price, you won't be disappointed!

Good luck and sure someone with your vehicle/camper specs will chime in here to assist

[papamcgown]

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 with the diesel and pull a 2013 Salem Hemiphere 346QBUD

this is my 1st fifth wheel experience but it tows this 40 Footer wonderful for now, will see as I get new chalenges.

Looks like my trailer dry weight is 9,625 with loaded weight of 12,091 #'s so less than yours.

I did pull to Branson last summer down Hwy 65 and on the longest grade the cummins held rpm but slowed down to around 55 MPH, I don't know how it will do on other grades & hills longer than that one.

[Dave_Monica]

Welcome to the forum!

I looked up the tow towing for your truck in the Trailer Life Towing Guide. here's the link... http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...wGuide2011.pdf

If it's a 4x4, short bed, auto, the rating is 12700 lbs. If you had ordered the optional 4.10 rear ratio, the rating increases to 14700 lbs. The gear change is doable though expensive on a 4x4.

Dave

[puff]

Your limitation is due to rear end and tranny. 4.10 gears would be best but it is doable with the 3.73 also you did not say if the tranny has a tow/haul feature..? It would be best if it does but not a must.

As for the extras.....make sure you install a tranny cooler if it does not have one, check you tires for load capacity. On the wish list you might choose to add an airbag suspension in the rear of the truck but I would wait and see how it looks and rides before you decide.

Your engine should be fine, just remember when towing something bigger or heavier your not going to get to the top of the hill in first place. You might have to slow down or even gear down so as to not over heat the engine or tranny. This may mean you need to stop part way up a steep hill to let things cool down. Slow down, take your time, add extra time to plans and should be good..!

[goduc]

You need to check the sticker on the drivers door for the real payload rating. My Ram 2500 is lower than the Ram web site states. Also th only difference between a 2500 and a 3500 Ram is the rear springs. The 2500 uses 5 thinner ones and the 3500 uses 4 thicker ones. Everything else is the same, brakes, frame fr springs, etc. Some guys whether right or wrong use the RAWR which is 6000 or 6200lbs depending on tires for payload. Your truck is capable of towing the 5'er as a 3500 would be rated high enough for the towing part. Only factor is payload and how you want to justify it. IMO I woud tow it. I know my trucks plenty capable and a set of airbags/Timbrens will cure the payload part. It'l stop/start and handle the same as a 3500. It all boils down to how comfortable you are with exceeding your GVW and payload ratings. Personaly I will use the RAWR.

[kmccarty4615]

Well, we did it! Today at the Cleveland RV Show, we ordered a 34TBOK from the factory. We purchased it through Kamper City out of Peninsula, Ohio. They said it should take 8-12 weeks for delivery.

While there, we were able to meet the factory rep Sam, better known as SabreSam, who showed us a lot of the features and benefits of the Sabre brand, as well as worked with the dealer to add some extra options that we wanted at a lower-than-normal price.

Some of the options we ordered ours with are the brown/grey exterior fiberglass, fireplace, ceiling fan, central vacuum system, and the superior lounge (the couch that goes the whole length of the dinette/couch slide and has the two pedestal tables that can sit in front of it) along with some of the other more popular options.

All in all, we got a great deal on ordering it (they gave us a show price for it even though we didn't purchase the 34TBOK unit that they had at the show), and they gave us a great trade-in value on our current Open Range travel trailer.

Now we just can't wait for it to come in (even though we aren't much winter campers)!

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Congrats!
Yall gonna have fun with the Sabre...the new tan exterior color are nice looking

[TURBS]

You'll love your sabre as we do.
Congrats!


Turbs

[h20ski]

Congrats, your going to love it.

[tburt]

I realize this post is old but I have the same truck. How is your dodge handling this 5th wheel?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by tburt

I realize this post is old but I have the same truck. How is your dodge handling this 5th wheel?

The t-bok is lighter then my sabre and my 6.0 Chevy 2500 hauled it fine just fuel mpg sucked.
My duramax does great!

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[Chuckdog]

We bought a 34 TBOK this year and we pull it with a 2002 Ford F250 CC short box diesel. We too are at the upper limits of the truck but it handles it fine. I don't take super long trips with it and I plan on upgrading to a one ton dually in the future but for now its fine. Just went up to Door County for Labor Day weekend which is two and a half hours away and we had no issues at all. Just still getting used to backing that big thing into campsites although my wife was very impressed with my quick placement and no swearing. Lol.

[amxpress]

Swearing helps me back in better...


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[ependydad]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

... just fuel mpg sucked.

Bigger truck doesn't help that none. 8-11mpg towing for me depending on luck and how many times I prayed to FSM that day.

[kssportsman]

I pulled a sierra 35 say with the same truck with no problems. Did install rear axle air bags to raise the rear of the truck.

[Pbalmer65]

I would like to add that I have the 2014 36qbok and pulling it with a F250 with dpf delete. I have had my 5er a year in November. We have been to Galveston Tx, South Fork Co, Hot Springs Ar and Branson Mo. Getting 11 to 13 mpg. I take it to the ford dealership after every trip and it get a clean bill of health every time.

[DocGTO]

I would install Firestone airbags with the on board air control and then make sure you have gauges so you can watch the tranny and EGTs and then go camp! Edge makes great, easy plug in gauge pod.

[CBergstrom]

We have the same unit and pull it with a 2012 Ram 3500 SRW. I'm guessing you are over weight on your truck as we are slightly with ours loaded up and a tank of fresh water on. Definitely go with some air bags. As you have found, it's quite maneuverable other than getting used to the back end swing.

I've thought about a dually too but can't bring myself to drive that wide truck the other 9 months of the year not pulling anything!


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[tburt]

Has anyone used Hellwig air bags or 4 leaf stack?