Ram 3500 DRW expert advice

[CLHEJ]

Hey all. I am excited to say that I am ready to buy a new truck and looking mainly at Ram duallies. I currently don't need the dually, but would like to purchase something now to possibly upgrade to a toy hauler 5th wheel in the near future. I am looking at a larger unit, roughly 15,000 pounds.

My question is if I look at tow ratings, it states around 16,000 pounds for a 2016 ram 3500 LB CC DRW with a 3 42 ratio. Is it different for fifth wheel towing? Where I'm looking just shows towing in general.

Thanks in advance.

[ulvik]

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:
My bad maybe I should reiterate a little because after buying the truck I deleted all the factory fuel/power robbing items as well as installed a Smart touch tuner plus a 5 inch exhaust. Hope that explains why I have more power, better MPG. Now motor runs cooler and should last me a lot longer.

Great, I hope you kept all the items removed. BIL tried to license his deleted 2008 in AZ and was rejected, and he dumped all the parts that the seller who deleted it had given him. He is going to make a flight to SD this fall to license it and become a SD resident. Hopefully that remains a heaven until he no longer owns it. Chris

I just read in AZ to leave the EGR cooler in place and plug both ends. This will pass a visual smog inspection and take your EGR out of the system. You will need a tuner to shut off the engine light. But if it is done with a sniffer I know it wont work. Just passing along what people in AZ had done.

[ulvik]

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:
My bad maybe I should reiterate a little because after buying the truck I deleted all the factory fuel/power robbing items as well as installed a Smart touch tuner plus a 5 inch exhaust. Hope that explains why I have more power, better MPG. Now motor runs cooler and should last me a lot longer.

Great, I hope you kept all the items removed. BIL tried to license his deleted 2008 in AZ and was rejected, and he dumped all the parts that the seller who deleted it had given him. He is going to make a flight to SD this fall to license it and become a SD resident. Hopefully that remains a heaven until he no longer owns it. Chris

Nope sold it all! Not worried about anything like. I own property in Louisiana as well as Tennessee and neither state worries about that and there is currently nothing in the works to change that, for now. Not really worried about it because it is already registered in TN and if I do move I still have another cabin up here we rent out so no worries!

[Me_Again]

ulvik wrote:
My bad maybe I should reiterate a little because after buying the truck I deleted all the factory fuel/power robbing items as well as installed a Smart touch tuner plus a 5 inch exhaust. Hope that explains why I have more power, better MPG. Now motor runs cooler and should last me a lot longer.

Great, I hope you kept all the items removed. BIL tried to license his deleted 2008 in AZ and was rejected, and he dumped all the parts that the seller who deleted it had given him. He is going to make a flight to SD this fall to license it and become a SD resident. Hopefully that remains a heaven until he no longer owns it. Chris

[Learjet]

ulvik wrote:
My bad maybe I should reiterate a little because after buying the truck I deleted all the factory fuel/power robbing items as well as installed a Smart touch tuner plus a 5 inch exhaust. Hope that explains why I have more power, better MPG. Now motor runs cooler and should last me a lot longer.

😉

[ulvik]

My bad maybe I should reiterate a little because after buying the truck I deleted all the factory fuel/power robbing items as well as installed a Smart touch tuner plus a 5 inch exhaust. Hope that explains why I have more power, better MPG. Now motor runs cooler and should last me a lot longer.

[cummins2014]

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

22 empty??? Lie-O-meter number? Or 50-55 MPH? Chris

Yes 22 empty! Well to be exact by trucks computer it is 21.8 on highway and by calculator 21.5 so yes rounded up that is 22mpg!

And at what speed and over how many miles? Like going down hill for 40 miles?

I know its hard to believe, but yes I have seen 21.5 hand calculated ,but its not the norm . and no it wasn't downhill for 40 miles ,but it was over about 120 miles 55-60 . Normally 17-19 driving it anywhere from 70-75.

[Cummins12V98]

"Yes 22 empty! Well to be exact by trucks computer it is 21.8 on highway and by calculator 21.5 so yes rounded up that is 22mpg! "

NOT calling you a liar, BUT report back after SEVERAL tanks filled to the top and HAND calculated.

[Me_Again]

ulvik wrote:

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

22 empty??? Lie-O-meter number? Or 50-55 MPH? Chris

Yes 22 empty! Well to be exact by trucks computer it is 21.8 on highway and by calculator 21.5 so yes rounded up that is 22mpg!

And at what speed and over how many miles? Like going down hill for 40 miles?

[ulvik]

Me Again wrote:

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

22 empty??? Lie-O-meter number? Or 50-55 MPH? Chris

Yes 22 empty! Well to be exact by trucks computer it is 21.8 on highway and by calculator 21.5 so yes rounded up that is 22mpg!

[rhagfo]

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

Nice, I wouldn't worry too much, not a newer Ram, but currently towing a 5er at 12,700# 20,500# combined. The Ram is slightly juiced DS Power Puck, and RV275 injectors I figure about 300 hp and 600ish # torque. This is with a 5 speed manual and 3.55's.

So with the HP and Torque of new Rams I don't see an issue.

[Me_Again]

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

22 empty??? Lie-O-meter number? Or 50-55 MPH? Chris

[Cummins12V98]

ulvik wrote:
I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

I towed a 19k RV with same combo. Only issue was getting the load rolling on grade. With your weight you will be more than fine!

[ulvik]

I got a heck of a deal on a new 2018 Ram 3500 DRW diesel but I was worried because it came with a 68RFE trans and 3.42 gears. I tow a 5th wheel that weighs 13500lbs loaded but luckily it had a puck system and the dealership agreed to let me take it home for the night. I put my hitch in the truck and took it for a test through the mountains towing the camper and it did great! I never try to tow over 65 mph anyway so when really hilly I just lock out 6th gear and roll on. Plus my fuel mileage pulling is around 12 to 13 and empty around 22. So I have no regrets at all!!!! You can see my setup on my profile page.

[C_Schomer]

My 3.73s are a great compromise for towing and DD. If the truck were mostly for towing it would be 4.10 for sure. I've had them in a CTD and what a work horse and still very good mpg. Craig