Enough truck?
- Thread starter wrehfield
- Start date
MTPockets
Well-known member
My guess is your truck payload rating will be lower than your trailer loaded pin weight. Your pulling power is good. Many do pull these with SRW trucks while technically overloaded. My advice would be DRW for that rig. The only way to confirm is to check your door sticker for maximum payload (if they did that in 2003), (today it's a requirement) then weigh your loaded rig to get pin weight.
SNOKING
Well-known member
If it is a SRW, then will have pin weight issues, as the 17" tires have a low rating. If it is a DRW pin weight is not an issue for you. In either case you are looking at the issue of descending our NW mountain passes with a lot trailer and no exhaust brake. The Cummins and auto tranny in 2003 provided just about zero hold back coming down a mountain pass, so you are completely relying on the service and trailer brakes.
Dry pin weight of 2200 could easily be 3000 to 3200 pounds, which by the time you add a hitch to the truck will put you over the rear tires of a SRW truck of that vintage. Chris
Here are some spec's I found:
2009 3580RL Specifications
| Sleeps | 4 |
| Slides | 3 |
| Ext Width | 8 ft |
| Ext Height | 12 ft 11 in |
| Hitch Weight | 2200 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 16000 lbs |
| Dry Weight | 11930 lbs |
| Fresh Water Capacity | 75 gals |
| Grey Water Capacity | 90 gals |
| Black Water Capacity | 45 gals |
| Tire Size | LT235/85R16G |
| Furnace BTU | 40000 btu |
| VIN | E012707 |
Last edited:
TravelTiger
Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
Goto www.fifthwheelst.com to learn how to figure your safe towing ability. Please don't use public opinion to determine your safety on the road.
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SNOKING
Well-known member
I just notice the last statement. "Am I looking at a dually?" The newest generation SRW trucks for all three will handle it if you are careful with your loading and weights. The fact that you are open to a dually is good.
As I noted earlier, you want a TV with a good exhaust brake. The NW is full of mountain passes, so that requirement should be right up there with the ability to handle the pin weight. Your present 2003 RAM SRW is not a good match to this trailer. The 17" tires on 3rd gen RAM have low weight rating that gave those trucks a low 6K(I believe) Rear GAWR.
Dually time! Go drive a new RAM 3500 dually with rear air suspension and Aisin transmission with 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Take the 2003 vehicle title along. Dennis Dillon in Boise has the best prices in the NW.
codycarver
Founding Wyoming Chapter Leader-retired
X2. Dave has set up a site that makes it easy to KNOW what is within legal limits and what's not.
Or ours.
SNOKING
Well-known member
The term "legal limits" gets used a lot on RV sites. In reality the Federal Bridge Weight Laws are what are enforced at weigh stations you are told to bypass along our highways. No pickup truck and/or TV with RV trailer is going to exceed those weight laws.
A pickup's GVWR and GCWR are manufacturers numbers. States like Washington State license tonnage and collect fees for it. Our 2001 RAM with a 8800 manufacturers GVWR was licensed for 12,000 according to the state formula, and was legal in all states up to tht weight.
GAWR and tire ratings are the only two numbers that an aggressive LEO weight officer might stick his nose into, along with the correct amount of tonnage in states that license it.. The average patrol office has little or no interest in RV weights.
It is to bad that more states do not require higher class drivers license and the associated knowledge required to pass the exam for operating a RV combination.
Chris
Lynn1130
Well-known member
X3
This loaded question is another that gets asked here at least one a month and maybe more. No offense to those trying to help but the above comment is the best advice. Would you buy a tow vehicle because a salesman said it will be ok? Would you buy a tow vehicle because someone you never met on a forum on the Internet said it will be ok? Would you buy a bridge I have for sale in NY City?
SNOKING
Well-known member
CycloneDave
Member
I tow with my 2003 3500 DRW 4x4 Cummins HO 6sp. When I drove my Cyclone 3110 off the lot I immediately realized I needed more power. Luckily for us it is easy to add power. Not sure how your auto tranny will hold up but so far even with mods my clutch is holding up just fine. Here are some mods I added and I am happy now with the performance as a result.
Smarty Jr. set on tow mode adds around 70 hp.
Make sure you have an exhaust temp gauge.
Cold air intake.
4 or 5" exhaust with a very large free flowing muffler to keep the noise down help cool exhaust temps and a tip that directs the exhaust downward.
Intake manifold although I am not sure this did much for me.
Exhaust brake.
Air bags
Adjustable shocks
Gear Vendor over/under drive is nice to have although I might research other options if I did this again.
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Smarty Jr. set on tow mode adds around 70 hp.
Make sure you have an exhaust temp gauge.
Cold air intake.
4 or 5" exhaust with a very large free flowing muffler to keep the noise down help cool exhaust temps and a tip that directs the exhaust downward.
Intake manifold although I am not sure this did much for me.
Exhaust brake.
Air bags
Adjustable shocks
Gear Vendor over/under drive is nice to have although I might research other options if I did this again.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
I thought free advice was worth every penny spent!
Maybe . . . what bridge are you talking about?????
codycarver
Founding Wyoming Chapter Leader-retired
So do the terms liability and punitive damages.
TravelTiger
Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
Something I ponder.... The safety of our loved ones at stake as we travel. Which is better? More than enough truck, or "assumed" it's OK.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
That is why I always say . . .
"It's not what it can pull . . . but what can it STOP!?"
MTPockets
Well-known member
. Safety #1... Stroll thru any campground and it appears that 1) not so much consideration given to that, or 2) folks are just not aware of their weights and capacities.
SNOKING
Well-known member
I see no one telling the OP that his 2003 RAM is the correct vehicle for the trailer noted?
I provided some real world numbers that show that it is the wrong truck weight wise, and does not have an exhaust brake. Chris
codycarver
Founding Wyoming Chapter Leader-retired
That simply isn't true. The OP wanted learn about a tow vehicle for a trailer he is buying and a link to 5th wheel street was provided. Everything anybody wanted to learn about towing safely can be learned there. Thanks again to David Gray for all the leg work putting it together.
