Question about TV and heavy 5'er Tow Vehicle

[SLAJMARTIN]

I've searched forums and some are too old to reply to so forgive me if this has been answered but I really need some help.

I am a newbie wanting to start the RV lifestyle. I found 2 units I really like. One is a 2006 Excel 35 FLS and the other is a Carriage Conestoga (can I say that here...sorry). Both are very heavy. I don't have exact numbers but I think both units will be about 20,000lbs loaded. Both have washer dryer, generator, at least 35' long. My husband is looking to get a 2000-2005 range Dodge Ram 3500 DRW with Cummins engine. He is afraid he will be overloaded pulling this big of a 5'er. I would like to go bigger on the TV but just not possible financially. I really like these 2 5'ers so if the TV won't safely pull it, then I need to downsize & consider the next best option. Any advise from the experts?

[CARLnJANIS]

Without specific weights, it would be just speculation. Contact the seller and ask for the trailers GVWR then use that to determine the TV needed. I would be surprised if the GVWR is anywhere near 20,000 lbs. Of course, the GVWR only specifies the manufacturer-determined trailer maximum weight, not what can be stuffed into it. Our trailer's GVWR is 18,750 and I use every bit of it.

[Old-Biscuit]

2006 Excel 35 RLS
UVW...13,400#
GVWR...17,500#

2000--2005 3500 DRW truck.......15K-16K MAX towing


Gonna be pushing it a bit with that weight of 5th wheel and vintage of truck

[janieD]

I towed a 30RSO Limited with a 2007 Ram 3500 DRW with the factory tow package and a better transmission than what you're looking at. The truck was rated by Ram to tow a 16,000 lb 5th wheel, which was very close to what our trailer weighed loaded. Published tow ratings are figured with an empty truck, including a driver but no passenger and no cargo, so I figure we were over our rated tow weight by about a thousand pounds. Ram didn't add an exhaust brake until 2007.5 so I added one. At 75K I had the transmission completely rebuilt. At about 100K the rear end was starting to fail. I took it to a dealer in Texas. He wanted to keep it two days and then he'd tell me what it was going to cost.
If you're towing under 18K, and want to stay with Ram, you'll need a 2013 or newer with the 68RFE auto trans. Any heavier and you'll need their Asin auto trans. These tucks aren't cheap, even used, but you can't afford to get a truck that can't pull your rig.
I traded my 2007 in for a new 2014 Ram 3500 DRW with the 68RFE and an extended warranty.
- John

[SLAJMARTIN]

Yep it sounds like I'm going to have to pass on the heavier unit and start looking for a lighter unit with aluminum frame.

[rfhtlh]

when looking for a TV also check the GCWR