Truck Suggestions for 3210?

[goldenroads]

We haven't yet taken delivery of our 3210 5th wheel toy hauler. All I know is this - I'm new to this whole thing (we tented until now) and I know my Ram 1500 will not be up to the 16,500 pound task of towing this thing. Almost at the point where I'm having second thoughts and wanting to back out since 95% of the trucks out there won't seem to pull this big of a load...

I'm I misreading something, or is this thing going to be a problem to pull? If any owners of the 3210 or similar sized units have guidance or feedback from experience, I sure would love to hear it. I need to get a new truck ASAP and I didn't budget for an $85,000 truck. I'll do what's needed to keep the wife and kids happy, so thought i'd ask if I was just not reading specs correctly or if I need to have a really high end truck to lug this beast around.

Planning on going thru the mountains of British Columbia, Alberta and northwest USA for most of the summer. Then it occurred to me to seek out people who have the same or similar rigs instead of figuring it out all on my own.

First run is planned for May long....

[cariboocreek]

At a minimum you will need a newer 1 ton. I tow with a single rear wheel 2013 Ram 3500 with a max towing of 17,000 and a gcwr of 25,000. Given that your toy hauler grosses out at 16,500 a SRW may not be enough. You might be looking at a dually or an F450 (which is a dually). In any event this won't be cheap.

Of course my advice is base on being legal and safe.

Good luck.

[Camping Couple]

One statement comes to mind....RO ROH Scooby! Definitely a Ram 1500 won't do the job. I'm not an expert in this area but, in my opinion from what you are describing, a top end 1 ton TV will be in your future. Someone will be along with some better info. Sounds like you have some decisions to make pretty quick. May is going to come around sooner than later.

[chrisb]

i wouldn't tow with any less then a f 450

[nwminnesota]

U should be able to get into a 1ton with low miles for around 40k anywhere from a 2011 to a 2015. Check out enterprise rental they sell there rentals.

[Jmooney]

The dealers shouldn't be allowed to sell these big rigs without verifying what kind of TV you own.

450DRW is in your future. ��

[Jmooney]

Originally Posted by chrisb

i wouldn't tow with any less then a f 450

X2

[gcloss]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

The dealers shouldn't be allowed to sell these big rigs without verifying what kind of TV you own.

450DRW is in your future. ��

When I purchased my Eagle last fall, the dealer wanted to see my truck before signing any papers. They wanted to make sure my truck would handle the trailer.

[Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by gcloss

When I purchased my Eagle last fall, the dealer wanted to see my truck before signing any papers. They wanted to make sure my truck would handle the trailer.

That's the way it should be. Unfortunately, a majority of salesmen don't care and just want to make the sale. After it leaves the lot you are on your own.

[Jmooney]

My jayco dealer asked me first, checked his chart, then showed us options

[goldenroads]

I actually made it clear that I wanted the trailer first - I did go in with my eyes wide open, I knew the Ram 1500 was not going to pull whatever I bought, so with that in mind, I figured buying the load before the rig made sense, if I've phrased that correctly -nothing at all against the dealer (so far anyway!) -I just didn't realize HOW BIG this was compared to the load ratings of the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks. I was really thinking my buddy's 1-ton would do this, but that really wasn't based on anything.

Perspective was quickly gleaned after I signed on the trailer and went to go buy the right truck. I did a search on "3210" on this site and then looked at the signatures of people who own them -that gave me reason to pause as I didn't see the specs I anticipated. I see a lot of trucks that I had dismissed as being good choices due to lower ratings... Hence my question.

[djtho1]

This may be a dumb question, but I am curious. What do they base the tow ratings on? Why is a newer truck rated so much higher than an older one?

[Tunce the traveler]

When we decided on just my Hybrid at CampingWorld in Burlington, Washington my salesman asked me what my TV would be. Even when I told him what I had he still checked what the Touareg was capable of towing before we finalized the sale. Never have I dealt with a more honest and knowledgable man( Bill Gabriel ).

[cariboocreek]

Well no matter what you end up with, just think of the fun and memories you and your family are going to have with this new camper. It will be worth every bit of the $100k you are going to have to spend on a tow vehicle....

.....too soon?

[chrisb]

I just checked that thing out, its huge. Just make sure you get the right hitch and check your height. Legal height in the us is 13'6". This rig says its 13'5". Definatly get a truck gps where you can set your height.

[goldenroads]

I have read a ton of great reviews about the Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch -100% of the people that bought it rated it 5/5 stars and it is super light, capable of withstanding more than I'd need, and I can pop it in and out myself and no rails to mess with in the bed once its out.

https://youtu.be/78l-PadWAro

And I totally agree with the sentiments here -my kids are young, (4 and 6 right now) and that is why I'm doing this -making memories. And that's worth biting the bullet on a tricked out dually 1-ton, or even an F450, as was recommended. Glad to know that I'm not nuts and bigger will be much better for this setup.

-good to know about the 13'6 height restriction -I'll have to look into the GPS you mentioned. I was just going to add in the upgrade on the Dodge truck config to have the built-in GPS Nav, but that won't acknowledge height restrictions. Never would have thought of that!

[goldenroads]

Originally Posted by djtho1

This may be a dumb question, but I am curious. What do they base the tow ratings on? Why is a newer truck rated so much higher than an older one?

It is my understanding the power ratings on the diesels have really gone up in the past few years (2013-ish) as well as upgrades on brakes (and exhaust brakes) to slow down that extra weight... That's what I've been told anyway -but hey, I'm new!

[goldenroads]

Originally Posted by djtho1

This may be a dumb question, but I am curious. What do they base the tow ratings on? Why is a newer truck rated so much higher than an older one?

This video talks about the changes in the past decade to truck capability. Interesting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GabbyiBSfYw

[RUSSELL5000]

goldenroads,

First, you can get a capable, safe tow vehicle for around $45K to $50K.


I suggest a "1-ton" dually because the pin weight will be high. I suggest you look for a 2013 to 2014. It will be important to get a "tall" year-end gear ratio if you are going to a lot of mountains. Finally, focus on the lower trim levels; leather seats and sun roofs don't influence towing capacity. I suggest diesel, crew cab, 4WD, long bed.

I suggest you use the web pricing tools of the three manufacturers.

Everyone feels their brand is the best. Just as an example, a 2015 Ram 3500, crew cab,4WD, long bed, dually, Cummins with Aisin transmission and 4:10 year-end gears in the Tradesmen trim level prices out on the website at $50K (including incentives).

It will take some effort, but I bet you can find a truck that works very well for $45K to $50K.

[goldenroads]

Yes - I talked to a Dodge dealer today -with about $13k discount, a Tradesman 3500 comes in as a Mega Cab dually at $56k (based on phone conversations -I haven't actually been in yet, so that's probably a good sign.)

Although I admit it, I'm weak -the Practical Me will go in looking for a bargain on the Tradesman, but the "real me" will sign off on the Laramie. I know it....