Anyone driving a 15 or 16, Ram 3500 diesel?

**norty1** · 02-28-2016, 05:54 PM

Our current tv is getting up in age and mileage and we are contemplating a new tow vehicle. Wonder if anyone here has recently purchased a vehicle to tow a 15,000 lb fifth wheel in the Ram line?

I don't want to hear about how great your Ford or Chevy is.

etex211 · 02-28-2016, 05:57 PM

I'll be interested to hear how a 3500 with a 6.4 is doing.

Paintinfool3 · 02-28-2016, 06:22 PM

looks like between 21000 and 30400 max towing capacity on the mega cab dually and 5600 or so payload

Paintinfool3 · 02-28-2016, 06:26 PM

with the 4x4 payload drops a smidge depending on trim level. They look nice

**norty1** · 02-28-2016, 06:28 PM

I currently have a CC long bed. That is what I hope to stay with. There are so many offerings since my last purchase.

Paintinfool3 · 02-28-2016, 06:33 PM

I know my F250 is a crew cab long bed but any more it seems the longbed with the crew cab is harder to find ... maybe it is a length thing obviously with your ford you are like me close to 21 foot long or over

Paintinfool3 · 02-28-2016, 06:36 PM

on the websight I was looking at it looks like they do offer the crewcab with 8 foot bed on the dually .. ratings are about the same

cariboocreek · 02-28-2016, 06:55 PM

Not a 15 or a 16 but my 2013 Ram 3500 is a beast. Fully loaded we run a little over 16 thousand pounds and are legal. I ordered mine specifically with the Aisin tranny and love it. My only real complaint is the amount of DEF we go through when hauling through the mountains. The exhaust brake is superb and going down the big hills in the Rockies I rarely ever touch the brakes.

I couldn't ask for a better truck. It is a SRW 3500 with the 6.7 Cummins in the Laramie Longhorn version, 6 and 1/2 foot box with a Pull Right 18k auto slider.

NVGun40 · 02-28-2016, 07:00 PM

My father has the '15 Ram 3500 diesel crew cab, SRW, LB. He absolutely loves it. He has a Tango 27rlss TT. He is always bragging to me about the mileage and power he has. He told me a story of his recent trip with my cousin (who has a Lance 1172 Cabover, and a Tige RZ4 ski boat), as they negotiated the hills pulling from Carson City, NV to Lake Tahoe, where according to him, he held speed on the grades better, and got better mileage overall than my cousin did with his 2014 F350 diesel.
I can't speak personally, as I have not seen the truck yet. However, on March 9, I will be flying down there for his 80th (Yes, he still actively elk and mule deer hunts every year and he and his DW travel constantly), and during the couple weeks I will be there, I will be using his truck and trailer.

3'senough · 02-28-2016, 07:22 PM

Norty, I went from and 03 F350 6.0 to the 14 in my sig and it's a beast. Exhaust brake, suspension, tranny and motor. Not much difference from a 15.

When I hook up, my rear squats an inch where the Ford would squat 2-3. The spring pack is significantly more that what I had. Comfort is good.

I would search out an Aisin, 5th wheel prep, preferred rear ratio and whatever trim package you desire. 14 and on have the 69 version of the Aisin which is better than the 68 version (2.0) since the drive shaft was beefed up.

If you get a vin # you can see the build sheet here to check all the specs.

Dodge - Contact Us

Go to your vehicle and equipment listing then enter the vin#.

With a 15K 5'er I would say Dually, but the SRW can handle them, just puts you close to or over the limit depending on your pin.

With the 3.43 you might hunt towing heavy.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

cariboocreek · 02-28-2016, 07:51 PM

From the Cummins Forum:

"The Aisin AS69RC is a medium duty 6 speed automatic transmission offered in the 2013 Ram HD. It is similar in design to the AS68RC, which was only available in chassis cab Rams mated to the 6.7L Cummins. The AS69RC is one of three transmissions offered beginning the 2013 model year, and will be standard on the high output version (385 hp/850 lb-ft) of the 6.7L Cummins. The transmission is larger and more robust than both the AS68RC and 68RFE. Ram claims the transmission has a 64% higher input torque capacity than the 68RFE. It is manufactured by Aisin Seiki, a Japanese automotive parts supplier. Though actual input torque capacity is unknown, its application suggests it is in the 850-950 lb-ft range. For comparison, the AS68RC has a max input capacity of 750 lb-ft. The AS69RC also replaces the AS68RC in chassis cab models for 2013. Its wide ratio spread provides low gearing for tow applications, while a relatively high 0.63 second overdrive keeps engine rpm low at highway speeds to maximize fuel economy."

**norty1** · 02-28-2016, 08:04 PM

I would love to get a mega cab with the short bed but am concerned about mounting kayaks on the roof, clearance issues.

I have had good service from my current SRW and want to stay with that. My concerns about the short bed are just clearance and room for a tool box.

RedHorse1 · 02-28-2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Our current tv is getting up in age and mileage and we are contemplating a new tow vehicle. Wonder if anyone here has recently purchased a vehicle to tow a 15,000 lb fifth wheel in the Ram line?

I don't want to hear about how great your Ford or Chevy is.

Was gonna say how much I love my F350, but never mind.
At 15k# you may see 3750# on the pin. Think I'd be over my Rear GAWR on the Blue Oval.

3'senough · 02-28-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

I would love to get a mega cab with the short bed but am concerned about mounting kayaks on the roof, clearance issues.

I have had good service from my current SRW and want to stay with that. My concerns about the short bed are just clearance and room for a tool box.

I toyed with a Mega, but went LB due to not gaining all to leg room but split between behind the seat storage and a little more leg room. My main concern was with clearance of the unit and cab. I can sit in the back seat and not hit the back of the drivers seat all the way back with my knees. It's comparable to the Ford cabs.

Pretty sure you won't fit a traditional tool box and the hitch in a Mega.

Cariboo is right that 13 was the changeover to the 69 upgrade.

Another option is the self leveling airbags on the newer 3500 trucks.

JMC · 02-28-2016, 09:50 PM

I've got a 2015 3500 SRW with the Cummins. It's a great truck. Engine, exhaust brake AND the interior. Who would have guessed 5 years ago that a Ram would have a top notch interior?

Grunt · 02-28-2016, 11:17 PM

Purchased my 15 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins CC Dually in June of last year. This is my first ever diesel truck and so far I love it. Bought my first 5th wheel in October which is the same model and year as yours. I towed it home and to our first weekend trip to the lake in November and everything was great.

**norty1** · 02-29-2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Was gonna say how much I love my F350, but never mind.
At 15k# you may see 3750# on the pin. Think I'd be over my Rear GAWR on the Blue Oval.

I have towed the same rig, or close as you with mine for the last 10 years. The pin wt. on mine is just over 2800#. The F350 PSD was a perfect match.

The key is to weigh it loaded so there is no question about what is back there.

That makes the selection so much easier.

Spanky1 · 02-29-2016, 08:37 AM

I have a 2015 Ram 3500, crew cab, 4x4, long bed, SRW and am towing a 2015 Pinnacle 36 REQS. Listed dry weight on the trailer is 12,715 but I'm sure I'm 2,000 over that with the generator and supplies. I haven't been to the scale yet but will get there when it's a little warmer out.
I wanted to stay with the SRW so I can use the car wash to clean the truck which is my daily driver. The truck settles to about level with the rig hooked up and I don't even know it's back there when driving. At times I forget and have to catch myself hitting 70 mph. I try to stay around 60.

**norty1** · 02-29-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky1

I have a 2015 Ram 3500, crew cab, 4x4, long bed, SRW and am towing a 2015 Pinnacle 36 REQS. Listed dry weight on the trailer is 12,715 but I'm sure I'm 2,000 over that with the generator and supplies. I haven't been to the scale yet but will get there when it's a little warmer out.
I wanted to stay with the SRW so I can use the car wash to clean the truck which is my daily driver. The truck settles to about level with the rig hooked up and I don't even know it's back there when driving. At times I forget and have to catch myself hitting 70 mph. I try to stay around 60.

Spanky, What type hitch did you use?

Spanky1 · 02-29-2016, 09:33 AM

I'm using a B&W Companion hitch. I normally leave it installed but it's nice to have that option to remove it in a few minutes and have no rails left in the bed when I do need to load something. That's another reason I stayed with the long bed besides not having to worry about cab clearance

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