2500 or 3500 for towing columbus 340RK

printingzone · 05-08-2016, 04:57 PM

I have a 340 RK 5er that has an unloaded weight of 11,850 and a hitch weight of 2200lbs. GVWR is 13,882lbs. Can I tow safely with a ram 2500 diesel or do I need a 3500 SRW or DRW. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated before I make this investment. Thanks in adavance

Big Red and 30WR · 05-08-2016, 05:21 PM

I`d go with the 3500 DRW and not worry about the weight . Never had any regrets on buying my 3500 DRW. Will give you a lot more wiggle room than a 3/4 ton.

clr · 05-08-2016, 05:34 PM

I assume that you do not own this TV presently. I would say first to look at the yellow sticker on the door frame for any truck that you might consider. The Ram 2500 diesel is somewhat limited as to the cargo caring capacity so be very carefully if you considers this truck. I would recommend a 3500 DW truck, so that you do not have to worry about this.

tuckerdog1 · 05-08-2016, 05:54 PM

You're gonna want a 3500.

Here's a 2016 sales flier with the numbers.

D_B Travelers · 05-09-2016, 11:32 AM

If this is the last 5th wheel you will ever buy, then just buy what will tow it easily. However, I would and did, go with a DRW 3500HD diesel so that we didn't have to worry about weights when we upgrade to a new 5th wheel in 2017. Currently we are pulling a 35' Windjammer, but we will be upgrading to a 40' 5th wheel next year, and now we have all options open as to pin weights and GVW. The difference between the SRW and DRW is very minimal but the load capabilities are very different; ours rides very nice when not towing and I average 14-16 MPG in town and about 20 MPG on the highway.

GreenImp · 05-09-2016, 11:58 AM

For that trailer, a 2500 truck will be marginal at best. I wouldn't quite call that a deal breaker myself, but a 3500 will be much better suited for the pin weight your trailer will have. No need for a dually at that weight...especially if you go with a smaller cab and/or short bed (the less the truck itself weighs, the more weight it can carry (payload)).

If you already own the 2500, try it out. But keep a CLOSE watch on your trucks payload capacity and how you load your truck/trailer. If you need to purchase a truck no matter what, I suggest you rule out 2500's.

muddyrode · 05-09-2016, 12:41 PM

i would go with the 3500 DRW Diesel
i wish i would have the first the first time around
but the tow life is all good now

shorthorn · 05-09-2016, 01:01 PM

I believe once you really look at the number you would need at least a SRW 3500... But my opinion (after having to upgrade trucks constantly) is for that size / weight of trailer just get a 3500 DRW..

My chaparral 360IBL appears to be very similar in weight to this trailer... It pulls fantastic behind my dually.

Jim34RL · 05-09-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by printingzone

I have a 340 RK 5er that has an unloaded weight of 11,850 and a hitch weight of 2200lbs. GVWR is 13,882lbs. Can I tow safely with a ram 2500 diesel or do I need a 3500 SRW or DRW. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated before I make this investment. Thanks in adavance

Do you one a 2500HD Ram with the Cummins engine? If so what year? The only difference between a 2004.5 and a 2012 Ram 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW truck is the extra leaf spring between the two trucks. The frames, axles, shocks, tires, wheels, brakes and everything else is the same except for one helper spring on each rear axle spring pack for the 3500SRW truck. Now the manufacture ratings are less on a 2500HD truck, so they can sold in the market class that they are in.

jcarrico · 05-09-2016, 07:04 PM

I have a 2015 340rk and tow with a 2014 chevy srw 3500 duramax. works great!

bitNine · 05-09-2016, 08:01 PM

You don't need DRW, that's for certain. However, you don't want a 3/4 ton either. Everyone says "get a DRW", but it seems like people aren't looking at what the vehicle will ALSO be used for, like driving to work, to the store, into a garage... the list goes on. DRWs put them into the "only for towing" category, sort of. I can tell you for certain that if I had a 3500 DRW, I wouldn't be able to go half the places I go. Hell, just a fast food drive-thru would be impossible in many cases. I also would no longer be able to park in my garage. Too wide. DRW also adds rolling resistance, meaning poorer fuel mileage. You then have 2 more tires to replace when it's time, adding 50% to the cost. As if $1000 isn't already a lot to spend on tires, now it'll be $1,500. I don't have a daily driver, so I'm stuck with SRW.

Now, if you don't care about any of that, by all means spend the extra cash and go DRW. But you don't need DRW. Typical SRW 3500 will have 4k lb payload, so the pin weight of the empty trailer is half that. Not sure about the Ford or GM/Chevy, but all the Rams with 3.42 gears will pull up to 17k, regardless of whether or not it's 2500, 3500 or DRW/SRW.

CUMMINSDZLPWR · 05-09-2016, 08:09 PM

I'm pulling a 2016 Coachman Brookstone 395 RL with a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab long bed. I installed the usual upgrades on the 6.7 Cummins, added a B&W Turnover ball with a companion fifth wheel hitch. I added a set of Firestone air bags and it pulls like a dream. Just can't drive like an idiot. The one thing Dodge did right was what Jim34RL said. Identical truck less one leaf. I have found the air bag is much better. Its adjustable when I'm not loaded and rock solid when I am. Handling is great.

Tall frog · 05-09-2016, 10:00 PM

i have talked to GM truck regional mang. about the diffrence between a 2500 and 3500. He confurmed the ONLY diffrence is one leaf spring. drive train, brakes, frame, berrings are all the same. yes if you put air bags on a 2500 you will have the same or better load carring but not a match to your "yellow sticker". the drw will pull a bit more solid but if you are like me I use my k for a lot more than just pulling a trailer.

The_Rhino · 05-09-2016, 10:33 PM

For a number of years I towed a variety of commercial flatbeds/construction trailers behind 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton pickups. Not only does a 1 ton DRW give you more stability when encountering poor surfaces & high winds, but you have 6 points of contact for more controlled stopping power. IMO this is especially important when the 5er is 2X+ the weight of the TV, or in the 12,000+ lb. range...

fljl · 05-09-2016, 10:36 PM

Agree with Jim and Frog, GM added an overload spring, all the other components are the same. The springs and brackets just bolt on, easy to make a 3500. 2500 is a designation made up to comply with class regulation.

Barry Smith · 05-11-2016, 08:17 AM

I would go with the 3500 SRW. I wish I had gone with the 350 SRW when I bought my 250. It's not that it doesn't pull good it's just the payload advantage of the 350 SRW legally speaking.
I love the looks of a DRW truck but I wouldn't be able to park in my garage. Also I'm anal about my truck and wouldn't be able to go through a car wash, in the winter that would drive me crazy!

MacDR · 05-11-2016, 10:04 AM

My signature says it all.. I have the 2013 Ram 2500 and a 2014 340RK .. I have about 15,000 towed miles with the 5ver and don't even know it's there.. It's a Personal Choice..

Jim34RL · 05-11-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Smith

I would go with the 3500 SRW. I wish I had gone with the 350 SRW when I bought my 250. It's not that it doesn't pull good it's just the payload advantage of the 350 SRW legally speaking.
I love the looks of a DRW truck but I wouldn't be able to park in my garage. Also I'm anal about my truck and wouldn't be able to go through a car wash, in the winter that would drive me crazy!

What legal law are you referring to? In IL all you have to do is licenses the truck for the gross weight you want to pull if you are commercial. My sons 3/4 Ram truck is licenses with D plate that has a gross weight of 30,000 lbs. This is to allow him to pull his car trailer with any vehicle on the trailer. DOT only looks at tire carrying ability and the license plate load registration of commercial vehicles.

CWSWine · 05-11-2016, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

What legal law are you referring to? In IL all you have to do is licenses the truck for the gross weight you want to pull if you are commercial. My sons 3/4 Ram truck is licenses with D plate that has a gross weight of 30,000 lbs. This is to allow him to pull his car trailer with any vehicle on the trailer. DOT only looks at tire carrying ability and the license plate load registration of commercial vehicles.

According to our neighbor that is a retired judge that to his knowledge it is illegal to operate a vehicle on public streets outside of the manufacture specs in all the states. Kinda of a catch all. Civil or Criminal jury forms there is a question when determining fault asking if the vehicle was being operated withing manufacture specs and you have to answer yes - no - NA and what percentage of fault assigned to the out of spec condition.

Jim34RL · 05-12-2016, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWSWine

According to our neighbor that is a retired judge that to his knowledge it is illegal to operate a vehicle on public streets outside of the manufacture specs in all the states. Kinda of a catch all. Civil or Criminal jury forms there is a question when determining fault asking if the vehicle was being operated withing manufacture specs and you have to answer yes - no - NA and what percentage of fault assigned to the out of spec condition.

That's interesting; I guess than all of the aftermarket companies should close their doors. Since it is now illegal to alter the suspension with suspension lifts, or any other aftermarket components such as tires, wheels, CAI, tuners, bumpers, clutches, LED lighting attachments, air bags for improve ride characteristics and any other item that is sold for cars and trucks. Since most of these components do alter the manufacture functional specification and could change the weight placard that is attached to the B-pillar of the door frame.

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