Community Forums

DKRITTER · 02-28-2017, 07:57 AM

We currently own a FR Cedar Creek, shortly after buying ours we had an electrical short in the power cord (verified independently twice) it fried many things in the trailer.

FR would not cover it blaming the electrical connection and suggested I contact my insurance company. This suggestion was made on my initial call to CC which I thought was rather ironic.

That said I have spent the last year looking at and for our next trailer and have come to the conclusion early on that Thor and FR are really just about the numbers and customer service is far behind the get them built and out the door mentality they have. Remember these 2 corporations sell over 90% of the trailers made which leaves a very short list to choose from after eliminating them. I'll say this if I was ever going to buy a DRV it most likely would be from Rolling Retreats in Oklahoma because they such a good reputation for CS.

Most likely our next trailer will be an Augusta not because they don't have problems but they have a reputation of taking care of them in a timely manner. If in the end we don't go with Augusta I'm 99% sure it will be with the smaller independent.

cbramsey · 02-28-2017, 08:08 AM

There are Ford F350 and F450 trucks that can pull what you are looking for. There are also Ram 3500 trucks that have certain engine/transmission/gear ratio combinations that will handle what you are looking for as well.

The problem with the Ram trucks is there are 48 different combinations available to choose from. The issue I have run into at SOME Ram dealerships is the sales personnel think ALL of their 3500s can pull 31,000 lbs. That isn't the case. You have to literally look up the towing capacity for a given VIN Number.

Here is a link to a Truck Trend article that talks about this in more detail. How 2015 Ford F-450 and 2015 Ram 3500 Trucks are Engineered to Pull 15 Tons

Cummins12V98 · 03-01-2017, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dranoel

Check the pin weight of the 5th wheel and the loaded weight of your truck. It is very likely that the first rating that you will exceed will be the payload of the tow vehicle, not the tow rating or axle ratings.

On a Dually the "payload" is irrelevant. It is based on the factory weight of the vehicle and subtracted from the trucks GVWR. 14K is the RAM's rating, that number is there to keep the truck in Class 3. Any higher number and you will be in commercial category and licensing and insurance will skyrocket. If concerned with numbers pay for 16K tonnage on truck. All that matters is stay within front/rear truck axle ratings and GCVWR. As I have said MANY times it's impossible to load my truck to it's RAWR with nothing else added to the truck and be at or below it's GVWR. My front axle is at least 5,100# right out of the box now add that to 9,750# rear axle rating and wala I am at 14,850# truck weight.

Cummins12V98 · 03-01-2017, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbramsey

There are Ford F350 and F450 trucks that can pull what you are looking for. There are also Ram 3500 trucks that have certain engine/transmission/gear ratio combinations that will handle what you are looking for as well.

The problem with the Ram trucks is there are 48 different combinations available to choose from. The issue I have run into at SOME Ram dealerships is the sales personnel think ALL of their 3500s can pull 31,000 lbs. That isn't the case. You have to literally look up the towing capacity for a given VIN Number.

Here is a link to a Truck Trend article that talks about this in more detail. How 2015 Ford F-450 and 2015 Ram 3500 Trucks are Engineered to Pull 15 Tons

Sorry you are making it much more difficult than it is. EVERYONE needs to be informed your salesman most likely is NOT. Just look at the window sticker if shopping on the lot. It will tell you if the trans is an Aisin and also what the gear ratio is. Knowing that and looking at the published chart like below will make life easier.

cbramsey · 03-01-2017, 03:32 PM

You are correct in that all the information is located on the window sticker. Trouble is none of the Ram 3500s I looked at had window stickers in the flippin' windows. My only "reliable" source of information I had access to was the sales weasel.

cbramsey · 03-01-2017, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Sorry you are making it much more difficult than it is. EVERYONE needs to be informed your salesman most likely is NOT. Just look at the window sticker if shopping on the lot. It will tell you if the trans is an Aisin and also what the gear ratio is. Knowing that and looking at the published chart like below will make life easier.

The 48 different configurations is what steered me ultimately away from the Ram. It is a fine vehicle and if you have the correct engine (High Output vs non-HO), transmission (manual vs 68RFE auto vs AS69RC), and gear ratio (3.42 vs 3.73 vs 4.10), it can tow what you have safely.

Bamaman · 03-01-2017, 04:06 PM

Clint:

You don't say where you live, but I can tell you the #1 single location DRV dealer is RVsForLerss.net in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The dealer has a very low overhead, and all he sells are DRV's and Hearland's Landmark fifth wheels--and their trade in's. He's a true fifth wheel specialist.

The owner is of the highest integrity, and he can afford to sell'em for less--while still giving a great customer experience.

The DRV is a different price range from my Grand Design I bought across town from RV's for Less, but people come from all over the U.S. to buy from Butch.

southernlady · 03-01-2017, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaman

Clint:

You don't say where you live, but I can tell you the #1 single location DRV dealer is RVsForLerss.net in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The dealer has a very low overhead, and all he sells are DRV's and Hearland's Landmark fifth wheels--and their trade in's. He's a true fifth wheel specialist.

The owner is of the highest integrity, and he can afford to sell'em for less--while still giving a great customer experience.

The DRV is a different price range from my Grand Design I bought across town from RV's for Less, but people come from all over the U.S. to buy from Butch.

We've been there twice in the last month. (It's a day trip from our S&B).

Just for clarity since your finger stuttered: RVs for Less | #1 DRV & Heartland Dealer Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Parts & Service For All Models

We enjoyed meeting them and will be buying from them very soon. Personally, we liked the Landmark 365 line better than the DRV for floor plans but both are solid options. I would not be unhappy with a DRV.

clint1507 · 03-01-2017, 05:29 PM

Hi guys sorry I'm from Saskatchewan canad

Cummins12V98 · 03-02-2017, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbramsey

You are correct in that all the information is located on the window sticker. Trouble is none of the Ram 3500s I looked at had window stickers in the flippin' windows. My only "reliable" source of information I had access to was the sales weasel.

Pop the hood, trans dipstick on right AISIN, left 68RFE. Or look under truck, AISIN has drain plug 68 does not.

All 2500 n 3500 SRW's have 3.42 gearing. Dually's have 3.42, 3.73 and 4,10's.

southernlady · 03-02-2017, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Pop the hood, trans dipstick on right AISIN, left 68RFE. Or look under truck, AISIN has drain plug 68 does not.

All 2500 n 3500 SRW's have 3.42 gearing. Dually's have 3.42, 3.73 and 4,10's.

We solved the issue...found a 2015 F450 Platinum in our budget range. Avoided Ram altogether.

jtbuilds · 03-02-2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgard64

I have a 2017 ford f450 and pull a 2100 lb fith wheel with no problems. It is rated to pull 32,000 thousand pounds.

FYI.....rating for 2017 F450 and F350 are 25,000lb?? 5th wheel......the 5th hitch is the limitation. With a goooooooooseneck it is 32,000lbs

Cummins12V98 · 03-03-2017, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernlady

We solved the issue...found a 2015 F450 Platinum in our budget range. Avoided Ram altogether.

Good deal. Let me know how it sits with a large RV sitting on it.

Cummins12V98 · 03-03-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtbuilds

FYI.....rating for 2017 F450 and F350 are 25,000lb?? 5th wheel......the 5th hitch is the limitation. With a goooooooooseneck it is 32,000lbs

You can tow what U want as long as you are not over your rear axle rating and GCVWR.

Bottom line the big numbers are for gooseneck trailers as they have around 15% pin. 5er's have 20-25%.