Hello from a first time RV newbie (Updated 1/21/09)

Wildlife Photographer,
Re: Post #27

Just want to add my two cents worth. I checked the website (Pg 23) that you referenced, plus, I don't know if the cargo weight you mentioned is being added to the truck or 5th wheel. The numbers I come up with show 510lbs over the maximum loaded "trailer" weight before any cargo is added.

Axle ratio, 3.73 vs 4.10, for the Ram 2500 does not change the maximum loaded trailer weight.

Cyclone 4012 dry weight= 13,760 '08 Ram 2500 Quad Cab 6.7L Diesel
Maximum loaded trailer weight (lb)
Auto trans, long bed 4x2= 13,250 lbs
" " " " 4x4= 12,800 lbs
Man trans, long bed 4x2= 13,200 lbs
" " " " 4x4= 12,700 lbs
Cyclone 4012 dry weight.............13,760
Max trlr wt from chart on pg 23....13,250
510 lbs over max

www.dodge.com/en/pdf/2008_ram_2500.pdf page 23

I hope things workout for you. I have an '07 Ram 3500 W/6 speed manual.
Here is a link you can check if you decide to go with a bigger truck.
www.chevrolet.com/mediumduty/kodiak/

In addition to denial of insurance claims if anything happens, your warranty on the tow vehicle and trailer may be voided if operated in an unsafe manner. (out of limits/capacities.)

Since you are new to RV'ing you probably have not seen many magazines specifically for RV'ing and may not be a Good Sam member yet. We have been RV'ing for 10 years and subscribe to several magazines. We have met some of the publishers and authors in person at Rallies and Samborees and have found Bob Livingston is who is the publisher of Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines as well as the director of the seminar program at The Rally and author of the Trailer Life's RV Repair and Maintenance Manual to be the authority on how to help you decide what your tow vehicle should be. He has a Tech Topics in Highways Magazine also and my most recent issue has similar questions you have right now. If you want to contact him the e-mail is [email protected] and to see more of his replies to these questions go to www.goodsamclub/rvcentral . I also lost my first husband at age 50 and found love a second time around so my heart goes out to you.

Hey RVers,

I tossed and turned about all this. All the input was very valuable, thanks. After talking to the CHP I learned if I were stopped by them, I could be dead-lined for towing with an under-weighted truck. So next week I will receive my new Ram 3500 dually by even trade with my Ram 2500 and Toyota Tacoma. I weighed my 2500 today and it was clear that the RV would be overweight for it. Better to be safe than sorry. Thank God for an even trade! I did tow my RV 50 miles a few days ago with my 2500 and it did great. Really all I needed was airbags. But that wouldn't matter because of the 2500 weight classification. CHP doesn't care what modifications are made.

I picked up my new 08 Ram 3500 dually today. I hope to put on the scales on Thursday after I get the 5th wheel installed on Wednesday. The 3500 has some nicer options that my 08 2500 didn't. Below is the Certification Label information. Now I have to put some miles on it to break-in the engine before towing.

GVWR: 12,200 lbs.
GAWR-Front: 5,200 lbs. (same as the 2500)
GAWR-Rear: 9,350 lbs.

Hello Friend: I am also greeeeen, I am selling my stick house and am going on the road for good. It would be nice to meet up some day. I have some pictures that you may like to see that I have taken from all over Italy. I got an old class C ford, I had it over hauled, its an 84 but only had 54k on it and with all the work I had done to it, it should run great. I plan on leaving the first week in Feb. I live in the central part of Pa. about 55 miles north east of Harrisburg in the mountains. As I said my first trip will be to Littkecreek Va. witch is about 500 miles from here.

1/16/09
I weighed my truck yesterday with full fuel tank and other items and here is the info. Next week I plan to fill up all the RV tanks to simulate my anticipated load and weigh the TV and RV. Also I will be installing the new airbags.

TV - Difference (GAWR/GVWR)
Front: 4,680 lbs. 520 lbs.
Rear: 3,460 lbs. 5,890 lbs.
Total: 8,140 lbs. 4,060 lbs.