RE: single or dually
I wonder how many of the comments about length of CC are due to the younger people knowing only the smaller cars of today. For us older ones who remember and drove the cars of the late 50's thru 70's especially Buick, Olds, Pontiac and Caddy they really aren't much different in size. Plus back then you needed to know how to parallel park which now for many is a thing of the past
I agree, I learned to drive a 59 Ford Galaxy Four door sedan, big car!
Both daughters learned in our 79 F250 Club Cab LB, youngest took her driving test in it and aced parallel parking. We just did a little backing practice with her 2004 Ram 3500 DRW and 30’ four horse slant GN trailer. She just did a nice job of a parallel park with it also.
RE: Keyless vehicles
That is evolving as well. Audi’s virtual cockpit uses a CRT screen in place of the normal instrument panel that can be configured many different ways, including conventional instrumentation. Most of the central flat screen functions including a nav system that can use either conventional map or Google Earth display can be transferred to that screen and accessed through the steering wheel. They still use regular knobs and switches for things like climate control, lights, etc. You can do without it, but it sure is nice.
Our 2016 Ram Laramie has many of the same functions, that and steering wheel controls. Used correctly technology adds to safety. While in our 2001 Ram we had a Parrot device, a blue tooth device for hands free phone use. The Ram is one step better as the control is on the steering wheel. While it also has a voice to text, and will also change incoming text to audio. While many would consider this distracted driving, if hands don’t leave wheel and eyes don’t road and mirrors hardly a distraction.
One other that is very nice to have is “Park Sense” knowing those inches with a good size truck is helpful.
RE: Keyless vehicles
Just gotta love the "convenience" of those "keyless" locks that need a backup key "just in case". If you have to carry a key in addition to the fob, why bother?
Try it once, you'll never go back. The key never has to come out of your pocket. You don't have to fish for it while holding 3 or 4 bags of groceries. You won't lock it in the vehicle because it is still in your pocket when you exit. Not only that, the vehicle won't let you lock it if the fob is inside. It's an advancement pure and simple.
My truck even warns me when the fob battery is getting low.
X5 or so!
Fob is always in my pants pocket, need to get in, if only to drive grab drivers door handle, only drivers door unlocks. If I want to get in the tailgate, walk past passenger door and simply slip a finger behind the door handle, all doors and Tailgate unlock.
Love this as much as my rain sensing wipers.
RE: Keyless vehicles
Yep key inside the fob on our 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie. DD VW has a cover over the key hole on the door so not obvious where to use the key!
Never considered this a nice option until we got it on this used vehicle.
RE: 5th wheel or TT?
Well as TenOC posted "Some people like Ford some like Ram and some like Chevy. "
We are 5er towers, naturally more stable, more storage space, shorter towed length for same length of trailer.
The drawbacks;
loss of some TV bed storage, need larger TV, more steps.
There are other differances, but these just come to mind.
RE: Tire size/gearing for Ram DRW
Diameter is NOT your issue, it is width with a DRW, you don't want the two tires too close to each other as you will be getting greater heat build up between the tires, and stuff getting caught between them.
RE: Sticker price vs MSRP on trucks
Cash sale of a new vehicle runs 20-35% less than sticker, value of your trade in much less.
Awesome, the 2019 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch I have been looking at, with the sticker of $82000.00, can be had for $52000.00? I'll be there when they open.You got to separate "Reality" from what you read on the internet.
Maybe $72,000.
RE: Your experience with a Dually vs SRW hauling 5ver
The 6.0 is junk. I am honestly surprised every single one wasn't recalled. I almost bought one, too, in 2005. If you're used to 7.3 reliability, you're not going to be happy with a 6.0 at all.
I've had my 2006 6.0 for 4 years now. It is a virgin. No issues, none, zip, zilch, nata, zero.
If you could share your experience on switching from a dually to a SWR or a long box to a short box I would be interested.
The OP has stated that he has a mechanic friend that is a certified Ford diesel mechanic, the 6.0 is not the issue being discussed.
I would think that going back to a SRW to tow a 5er of 10,900# GVWR would be fine. He might feel a slight loss of stability. I enjoyed the gain in stability going from our 2001 Ram 2500 to our 2016 Ram 3500 DRW towing our 12,500# 5er. The 2500 felt solid, but the 3500 DRW is like a ROCK.
RE: Cummins longevity and maintence
I enjoy spending $$$ on my 2006 5.9 Cummins engine. I change oil and filters every 5000 miles.
Why so often???
I did Blackstone testing and found I was good to 10,000 miles per change, worked out to about a year.
RE: Ram truck 426 hemi
Has anyone heard if they'll offer a 426 Hemi and a 3/4 and 1 ton truck? With Ford and GM coming out with a large gas motor haven't heard anything about FCA.
Why the 6.4 has proved to be a strong gas engine, do you want them to come out with a 7.0L (6.98) Hemi, that is to match the GM 6.6 and Ford 7.3.
RE: Diesel vs gas......................
I went diesel I live in the PNW and drive often no other reason and besides I wanted one.
Well bought for ease of towing, and currently in the greater Portland area diesel is about 10 cents a gallon LESS than Gas.
RE: $20 attic fan for summer heat---storage friendly
I have vent covers and just leave the vents open.
This, vent covers are one of the best investments you can make. They allow the vents to be open rain or shine.
RE: Bucking with Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection
Well you have just blown the bragging rights of all other Andersen Ultimate Connection of how it solves chucking in a 5er!!
Now to the point, what is your pin weight percentage? Best towing at 20% to 25%, most find closer to 22% is a good spot.
My guess is that you are pin lite, so that the 5er is trying to rock back and forth on the axles.
Is your FW tank forward of the axles, if so try filling it full and see how it tows. You likely need to get pin over 3,100# and it will get smother. To your question on 5er shocks, they will help.
RE: Kitchen faucet issue - Integrated flex copper supply line
Well most plumbing in RV's is the same as homes, just need the right matching parts.
I put shut off valves on the water lines tat matched the flex lines form the faucet.
What are you changing from and to?
https://i.imgur.com/CH2zuOC.jpg width=640
RE: 3/4 ton diesel's and payload / GVWR issues
Looking at different 3/4 ton trucks and it seems like the 4x4 diesels payloads are going to range 2100 - 2400 ish. That's not much when it comes to covering myself for a possible 5th wheel upgrade down the road. Seems like a 1 ton would be the way to go but it will also be my daily driver to the tune of about 30,000 miles per year.
How much of a difference is there in ride quality and fuel economy between the 3/4 tons and the 1 tons?
Well depends on the 5er you might upgrade to much larger than 10K 5er will take you over the Payload and GVWR of a 2500.
The question is are you comfortable doing that and possible legal issues if involved an accident?
I towed over GVWR for years, in the end I was 1,700# over GVWR. The truck and 5er towed well, but I am retired and didn't want to give a hungry lawyer and open invitation to sue me.
Decided to step up to a 3500 DRW!
RE: Portable air compressor advice is needed
Well I am in the process on installing a Viair constant duty air compressor and 2.5 gal tank on our 2016 Ram. Delivers 150 psi. Tucked away under bed of the TV.
RE: Ram 2500 Payload
OK, so I bit the bullet.... in the process of upgrading our truck to a 3500 SRW HO Diesel... Had the dealer run the numbers and we are good all around.. This truck has a payload in excess of 4100# and a towing capacity of 24.5K... I contacted Vanleigh and they confirmed the online numbers.. Certainly was not planning on spending the extra $$ for a truck but would rather be safe (and legal) than sorry! Thanks again for helping me sort this out.....
So without going out to the Ram Truck builder site, sounds like a Ram 3500 SRW Aisin, 3.73's. With a 16K GVWR 5er you will still be pushing the limits.
Is that from the door sticker? If from the payload charts it will be lower once the truck is delivered.
In addition it isn't only pin wight you need to worry about. You have the stuff in the TV it's self, Passengers, tools blocks etc. You will still likely be close to max ratings for the TV.
As mentioned earlier moving from a 2500 to 3500 in the same brand is mostly a lateral move. Yes, you get a VIN sticker with a higher GVWR, and a larger listed payload.
Good luck on your adventure.
RE: single or dually
SRW.
DRW is great if you need one, you definitely don’t for that weight and other than hauling a heavy load SRW better in every way.
What are your reasons for figuring a SW is better in every way?
Driving!!
Not really so, DW and I daily drive our Ram 3500 CC LB DRW and don't have issues. would a SRW be easier to park, a bit easier but not night and day, you get use to the Hips and Length.
RE: Ram 2500 - which towing features are best/good/unnecessary?
Audiodane, first of all be looking at 3500's for extra payload. While a 2500 and a 3500 SRW have minimal differences on the outside, most of the time more towing features are available on a 3500.
To that point until 2019 the only gear ratio available on a ram 2500 was 3.42 and only 68RFE trans.
* 5th wheel prep package
This is worth looking for in a used truck, you can purchase the kit and install but well worth having there in the first place. LOVE not having rails for the 5er hitch!
* cargo bed camera
I don't see a need, there are other ways to line up with the pin.
* auto-level air suspension
This is the one option I wish the truck we bought had, the factory system is very nice. Best on the 3500.
* exhaust brake
This is standard equipment on Ram 2500 and 3500 since 2007.
I had to add one to my 2001 Ram, both work very well.
* bed length
I prefer long beds, many prefer short beds, just less worry about 5er to cab contact with a long bed.
* any others?
Spray in bed liner.
Running boards, preferably full length wheel to wheel.
Towing mirrors, preferably power and heated
Park Sense, warns when getting close to other cars, includes backup camera. I still don't use the camera much, but love the sensors.
* where to buy?
I used all them for the search, and bought from a dealer.
If looking at Rams use THIS VIN equipment listing by VIN, this will list the installed equipment and list the GVWR, Trans, and gear ratio.
