Betsy II
BC
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Joined: 03/25/2007
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My 3500 RAM CTD has a ready to hook up weight of 8,000# with DW and I and roof rack (150#) and only hitch (250#) in the bed. I am close to GVWR when hooked up to our 10,000# 5er (1,700# pin).
It depends on what you want to do. If you plan to stay within your truck's GVWR, you probably will not find a 5er, with king bed, to fit the bill.
Have you weighed your truck, ready to go? As I said above my weight is 8,000#.
The Dodge RAM (2500 & 3500) does not have much payload. It is basically designed (by Dodge) for pulling, not carrying.
Roy
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tazzy
Kentucky
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Joined: 01/27/2008
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We have a Keystone Laredo 320TRL that has a king bed. We pull it with an F-350. Not sure of all the weights and stuff off the top of my head, but thought I'd mention it so you could look at the specs online to see if it works for you.
Good luck!
2008 Ford F-350 Lariat 4WD 6.4L diesel SRW LB
2009 Keystone Laredo 320TRL 35' triple slide fifth wheel
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slmayor
shasta lake ca
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Joined: 04/02/2004
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Towing a Heartland Bighorn 3370 with a Ford F-250 7.3 PSD. Real world weights, loaded for camping and I mean loaded, we are about 250 # over on combined weight rating and still under on axles and upgraded tires. Actual weight from the factory was lighter than stated in brochures. Loaded up the trailer only weighs in just a hair over 12K. DH has a commercial DL and the experience to go with it, we never go faster than 65 and have had absolutely no problems towing in mountains. While true we don't go up steep grades at 70 mph, we don't feel there is a need to. We're not in a race, we're enjoying the trip. And yeah, we can stop it too.
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Rough2000
Arkansas
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Joined: 06/10/2006
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Thanks guys for all your help. In talking to the Service Advisor and the Parts guys at my Dodge Dealership, they said aboout the only differance between the 2500 and 3500 CTD was an extra leaf in the rear spring. They said this is not true when comparing the Hemi 2500 and 3500. It looks like adding another leaf or air bags would solve the problem and I could safely handle the Big Horn Fiver I am looking at. Any thoughts.
2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab w/Cummin's
2009 Jayco Designer 34 RLQS
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LandmarkOwner
Emery, SD
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Joined: 12/31/2006
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Rough2000
Highly recommend that you join the Heartland Owners' forum at www.heartlandowners.org. There you can perform searches on key words for threads pertaining to your particular inquiries. You can even start a new thread under the Bighorn section. Lots of information there and great folks to help you plus input from the factory. Sight is monitored by HL owners who know what they are talking about to help you. My husband thinks you could go up to a Bighorn 3400. Recommend you also do your research on finding a dealer other than central AR. Email me if you want additional information. Good luck and hope to see you on the forum soon. Our Rallies are really fun!!
CJ and JD Wigley, Emery, SD
2009 Heartland Landmark Augusta and 2004 GMC 2500HD
Two Black Cats: Felix and Lady
Fulltimers since Feb 2008
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funtogo
Amory,Ms.38821
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Joined: 02/25/2004
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Go to www.cardinalrvclub.org and ask your question.They will help you with your choices of 5th wheel.
2006 Cardinal 30TS
2006 Chevy 2500HD CC 4x4 D/A
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kennethwooster
Perryton Tx USA
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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I thought a Fleetwood Quantum about 34' would work, but I even think it would be too heavy for the Dodge. I like the Quantum. This is our second, and one reason I like the rig is not getting over weight. They all come with the King Size bed option.
I'm not real acquainted with most of the brands, so guess I'm not much help. The short Quantum might get by, but you could not load it too heavy.
Good luck on your search. Hope you find your perfect rig.
kenneth wooster- farmer
wife Diana-adult probation officer
365BSQS Quad slide 2007 Quantum
Ford F350 2005 model, 4X4 FX, King Ranch
18K SuperGlide Hitch
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TF36DSMatt
SoCal
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Joined: 05/15/2007
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Take a look at the CrossRoads Seville VF32KS. Dry weight is 10442, lighter than the Big Horn 3055.
Also I agree with the poster above who says that using 20% of the trailer's GVWR is inaccurate. The Seville is a good example. The GVWR is 16155, but its unlikely you'll put 5700 lbs of gear in it.
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Road Phantom
pa
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Joined: 10/25/2005
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Have you considered a double slide TT. That would put you way under your GVWR and also free up your bed.
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1_old_ram
Great Falls, MT
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Joined: 04/11/2007
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Not alot of difference between your truck and mine. Quad cab versus Mega cab. Your frame is longer, but the bed is the same. I have a 320TRL (w/ king size bed), loaded (on way home from camping trip) with my trailer connected to my truck my weights are: front tires only = 4320lbs, all four truck tires = 9420lbs, combined truck and trailer 18060lbs, trailer (truck off scales) = 8700lbs; truck without trailer connected = 7340. The difference between a 2500 and 3500 is one extra leaf spring. Same axles, brakes, and tires.
Does all this mean I'm overweight? Not in my opinion. My truck pulls fine, my trailer brakes stop me just fine (and yes I have had to do an emergency stop at 45 MPH). The cummins is a strong engine, and I added a quadzilla X2 adjustable chip so I can add up to 100 more hp. Many people will tell you that you cannot survive without a slider hitch; I don't have one, but I do have zero deductible insurance on the truck and trailer. I have been close to my back window, turning somewhere between 70 and 85 degrees. Can I turn 90*; I know I can't so I'm not even going to try. Can I turn enough to get into every place I've parked, yup no problems so far. You just have to be careful.
Flamesuit on, so weight police fell free flame away.
'08 Laredo 320 TRL, pulled by '06 Cummins nicely wrapped in an Inferno Red, Dodge QuadCab, 4X4.
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