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Old 04-09-2022, 10:23 AM   #1
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18000 Pound GVW 5th wheel, what truck? Also Ram transfer case ??

We are new to this, looking at a 41' fiver, 18k gvw. Is a dually a must or will a SRW 3500 handle it?

Also, off topic. Why do some Ram 3500 have a push button transfer case and some have a shift lever on the floor?
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Old 04-09-2022, 10:27 AM   #2
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I would want a dually. My guess is the higher option packages have the push button. My Tradesman had a shift lever.
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Old 04-09-2022, 10:38 AM   #3
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You can expect the pin weight on an 18,000 GVW fiver to run as high as 3,600 lbs + hitch weight , roughly 4,000lbs.

JMHO . That's 4500 dually series territory , or mini Freightliner .

Electronic shift transfer cases were becoming standard equipment on Dodge 4X4s when I retired from a dealership in 2007 ; too many owners were damaging the TC by cramming it into 4X4 mode at the wrong time .

I haven't kept track of all the changes in the trucks since I retired ; is manual shift still available , or is the electronic shift standard once you order a certain trim level .
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Old 04-09-2022, 10:46 AM   #4
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We have a 39+ ft 5th wheel 18K GSVW, tow it with 2019 GMC 3500 HD Denali with DRW. Reassuring when hooking up to see the truck take the weight. Not to mention driving in winds. Finally, the extra wheels make for a smoother ride IMHO.
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Old 04-09-2022, 10:54 AM   #5
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350/3500 DRW........no question about it
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Old 04-09-2022, 11:46 AM   #6
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Go for the lever-shift 4x4 engagement if at all possible. Something that positively gets you 4wd when you need it. They are infrequent but that knob on the dash doesn't always work, either electrical failure or the computer decides the shift into 4wd can't work. Here's a screen shot someone posted of the dash in their new Ford Bronco...had to get towed out by two Jeeps!
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Old 04-09-2022, 11:49 AM   #7
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I agree with the dually, F350 or equivalent, diesel powered if lots of use. I suspect the hitch weight will be 15% which should be fine with the F350 dually.

David
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Old 04-09-2022, 06:53 PM   #8
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You can probably find a 2020 or newer SRW that will meet specs, but DRW is what you really want. IIRC, depending on options, you can get 4100-4500 lbs of payload in a 2020 or newer GM 3500 SRW, which won't leave much room for goodies and peeps after you drop in the hitch and king pin.
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Old 04-09-2022, 07:58 PM   #9
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I would want a DRW truck starting at 16,000 lbs. GVWR. I dont care if a SRW truck will squeeze by. I am not squeeze by kinda guy when it comes towing. I had a F-450 and I believe that truck saved my bacon twice when going kinda fast on entrance/exit ramps.

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Old 04-09-2022, 08:04 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM View Post
I agree with the dually, F350 or equivalent, diesel powered if lots of use. I suspect the hitch weight will be 15% which should be fine with the F350 dually.

David

Wet pin on a 5th wheel is closer to 22%
18K GVWR=4000# wet pin


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Originally Posted by jjackrash View Post
You can probably find a 2020 or newer SRW that will meet specs, but DRW is what you really want. IIRC, depending on options, you can get 4100-4500 lbs of payload in a 2020 or newer GM 3500 SRW, which won't leave much room for goodies and peeps after you drop in the hitch and king pin.
4000# Pin Weight plus hitch weight.......that eats up the 'payload'

Dually.....
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Old 04-09-2022, 08:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
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I agree with the dually, F350 or equivalent, diesel powered if lots of use. I suspect the hitch weight will be 15% which should be fine with the F350 dually.

David
There are very, very few 5th wheel camping trailers that put less than 20% of their weight down as pin weight. You are thinking of a tow behind trailer with the 15% comment. A good average is in the 21 to 22% of the trailer weight as pin weight on a 5ver camping trailer. A trailer with an 18K GVWR needs a Dually because of the payload capacity that it has, and I'm talking a modern day Dually that has a GVWR of 14,000 lbs.
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Old 04-10-2022, 09:09 AM   #12
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To be in the safe zone (and legal as well, but that will open a whole can of worms here), you'll need a 350/3500 DRW at a minimum, 450/4500 optional.

You will only find a floor mounted shifter for 4x4 on barebones base models. Most mid to upper level trims will have electronic engagement via buttons or dials, which is fine.

Anything can break, but most of the time it's driver error. Some 4x4 are engaged on the fly (most of them today) and some only in neutral or park. Low range is often neutral or park only, which can cause an error message and prevent engagement on the fly.
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Old 04-10-2022, 01:19 PM   #13
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Newer 350 or 3500 series diesel DRW. Do not even consider a SRW truck. If you get a 4-wheel drive, it cuts into towing capacity as well as payload capacity and the truck will weigh more.

A loaded 5er of that size will have a pin weight over 20% of the trailer GVWR. Getting a 3-axle trailer will not reduce pin weight.

Ken
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Old 04-10-2022, 01:44 PM   #14
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My 6.7L F350 DRW 4x4 Lariat has a GVWR of 14000 pounds with rear GAWR of 9900 pounds.

As Doug Marcaida would say -
It will pull.
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