Towing with Ram 3500 Megacab DRW

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

The Reese Sidewinder King PIN BOX is very similar to a sliding hitch for maneuverability, it just transfers the pivot point from the truck to the trailer.

I do not see any different benefit between the Sidewinder or a sliding hitch for use on a short bed truck.

Actually, that is incorrect. The most you can get from a sliding hitch is 14" of clearance. The Reese Sidewinder gives 22" of clearance. Had I gone with a Demco, the trailer WOULD have impacted the cab while backing into my drive. 90* turning is a must for me to get it in without putting the truck in the ditch on the opposite side. 14" would give the trailer 2" or less of clearance, the Sidewinder gives 11" of clearance.

Unless you have a trailer with a setback nose specifically made for short bed trucks, I would recommend the sidewinder over any slider any day. Not only does it give 22" of clearance, but it weighs much less than the Demco auto slider. It only weighs slightly more than the standard pinbox, and works with fixed light weight hitches like the CURT A20.

[Jcape]

A RAM 3500 DRW has an 8 foot bed, a slider would not be required. A SRW could have either a 6.5 or 8 foot box, depends on what you by. If you are buying a new truck just order it with the 8 foot box.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by Jcape

A RAM 3500 DRW has an 8 foot bed, a slider would not be required. A SRW could have either a 6.5 or 8 foot box, depends on what you by. If you are buying a new truck just order it with the 8 foot box.

MEGACAB!

They do not have 8' beds.

Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB. 2021 RAM 3500

[MacDaddy]

I kinda agree with Jim34RL. If you have a short bed truck there is a good possibility that you will hit your cab unless you are running a slider or a Reese Goosebox like I have. I was using a Curt 20 slider on my 5th wheel. Used the slider 1 time when I first bought it. It was good for "peace of mind". Changed to the Goosebox for the obvious smooth ride.

MikeRP touched on the big concern that no one else mentioned. When backing/pulling and your rear axle goes up or down that also causes some pucker. Compound that with turning at the same time, then you compounding the problem. Some of the Missouri State campgrounds spaces are very uneven from the roadway. The only time I remember "almost" hitting was backing in on the blind (starboard) side bending to get onto the pad. I got out to check my angle and noticed that my rear wheels dipped at the beginning of the pad and the trailer was above the rear axle. Came close but it could have been a hit.

Food for thought!!

Pat

[Jcape]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

MEGACAB!

They do not have 8' beds.

Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB. 2021 RAM 3500

Is your's a DRW or a SRW? You can order the SRW with a short or long box, most dealers will only have short boxes on the lot. I have a 2500 with a short box but could have ordered it with a long box if I wanted to wait for the truck.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by Jcape

Is your's a DRW or a SRW? You can order the SRW with a short or long box, most dealers will only have short boxes on the lot. I have a 2500 with a short box but could have ordered it with a long box if I wanted to wait for the truck.

The OP posted a 3500 Megacab DRW.

From RAM, Your choices include a Regular Cab with an 8-foot bed, a Crew Cab with a 6-foot 4-inch bed, a Crew Cab with an 8-foot bed or a Mega Cab with a 6-foot 4-inch bed.

I have not seen a Megacab with anything other than the short bed. Aftermarket conversions can be done, but nothing from the factory is over 6'4" in both 2500 and 3500. If a dealer told you they could order one, then it wasn't from the factory. Go check the build and price website and you will see only one option for Megacab. The Crewcab can have an 8' bed, but not the Megacab.

[reg11756]

Bit the bullet and went DRW long bed. Obviously no slider on my B&W companion hitch. If you are debating SRW v. DRW just go dually with the H/O Cummins. Only two months in with our new Cedar Creek 388RK (16,000# loaded weight), but WOW can that truck pull.

Also, go with 4x4. Already used it backing it up a slight slope to moochdock in AZ with loose gravel and the 4x4 stopped the slippage. Better to have it and not need it instead of the other way around.

Our first truck order was for SRW, but it was not done in time, so I opted for the DRW replacement and glad I did.

[MikeRP]

Well I just made a decision and went w the 2020 Ram 3500 long bed. It can tow 21000 lbs w 4156 lb payload. That’s about 3000 lbs more towing and 500 lbs more payload than my short bed 2018.

I was going to go dually. But I love going through goo goo car wash too much. In the end it was just that one decision.

I’m only towing 14500 lbs. So that’s another reason.

So what’s your payload at 16000 lbs?

I also got the standard output Cummins, 373 rear ended. Plenty for my Creek as I’m not ever going bigger.

[karpcbk15]

Correct. Towing weight is 16,000#. I really would like to go to a SRW. Concerned about the payload of the Mega Cabs I've built, HO Cummins. Most come in at 3950# payload. Looking at the air leveling suspension. Not sure how that works relative to load.

[MikeRP]

The air system is awesome. I would have loved to get it, but this truck really had everything I need w a 14,500 lb Coach.

It will level the truck out very easily but ride rites will do that also.

And you can always upgrade the tires for extra capacity and more stability in a 12 in wide tire. (295/70R18; 4080 lbs per tire). I think a SRW truck can handle 16,000 lbs fine. I mean the long beds w the standard output Cummins, Long bed, can handle 20,000 lbs but payload would be the issue. So with the new truck, I have 500 lbs more payload which at 20% on the pin amounts to 2500 lbs more capacity in the Creek.

Off course for my Creek, it’s just extra headroom versus my old truck.

So I think you can get a long bed Ram that will handle 16,000 lbs with no issue.

[reg11756]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

Well I just made a decision and went w the 2020 Ram 3500 long bed. It can tow 21000 lbs w 4156 lb payload. That’s about 3000 lbs more towing and 500 lbs more payload than my short bed 2018.

I was going to go dually. But I love going through goo goo car wash too much. In the end it was just that one decision.

I’m only towing 14500 lbs. So that’s another reason.

So what’s your payload at 16000 lbs?Attachment 246351

I also got the standard output Cummins, 373 rear ended. Plenty for my Creek as I’m not ever going bigger.

You should be fine. My 388 RK pin weight stated #2150, but I think it was more with the Onan gen. Never weighed it myself dry, only after we packed it up. Factory decal was just under #14000 dry, rig came in at cat scale at #16100 when hooked up, total at #26100. I do miss the regular car wash.

We have the Trail Ride air hitch from CC and the self leveling bags from Ram. Love my ride. Your truck looks like the original one I ordered in SRW, but at this stage in my life, I am glad to oversize and over equip for the last truck I will likely ever buy. Drove my last two Rams over 500,000K.