HaulinBass02
Springtown, Texas, USA
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Joined: 01/06/2005
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Well my family will soon be growing and expanding by at least two more kiddos in the next few years and our needs for tow vehicles has changed. My Chevy crewcab isn't going to fit the bill since it has a center console up front and I am not willing to swap it out for a jump seat since there is quite a bit of work involved. It is a lease anyway and I would rather turn it in and get something else.
I really have my eyes set on an 2008-2010 (Old body style) 3500 DRW Mega Cab because of the tremendous amount of room in the cab. My problems are this, even in a 3500 DRW package, the payload of the Mega cab is low compared to a quad cab even though the base weights are within 200# of each other (Dodge website)
Without weight police jumping in there, is it realistic to believe that the Mega cab weighs that much more to take the payload and gvwr to such a low number? I can't believe that it would be that much less of a capable hauler than a longer bed/shorter cab configuration truck. Any insight? I still have the 5er in my sig, although it will probably only see a gross of about 13500-13800 now that we don't full time in it and have removed a LOT of stuff.
'06 Chevy CC/LB 4x4 3500 DRW Dmax/Alli a few go fast mods
'08 Pilgrim Legends 37QB4S-H5
JT Strongarms, 5th Airborne, few custom touches
Me (DH), DW, darling little boy and sweet little girl.
No longer full-timing but ready to go none-the-less!
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Yes, they are rated lower. Primarily I believe due to the extra weight of the mega cab and the increased passenger capacity. There are lots of folks around who are towing heavy with no issues. As I remember they have the same GCWR as the quad cab at 23,500 pounds. If you are buying a used anyway, get the 5.9L from early 07, or get an 09 6.7L
Donn
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shbiv
Louisiana
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Joined: 11/04/2008
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This link was just posted a day or so ago on this forum and gives you very detailed specs on Dodge trucks from 2004-2010.
http://www.dodge.com/en/business/body_builders_guide/
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab
2009 Nissan Murano SL
2008 Forest River Surveyor 291
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MadMav
Colorado Springs, CO
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I have tried everything in the book to figure out why there is a GVWR difference. Not even the Dodge engineers I spoke with could give me a good reason. Nobody on the other forums or any of the local dealers could define it either. The Mega only weighs 200-400lbs more and has the same rated spring pack. It has the same axle and tires. They are rated at 9300lbs. The rear of the Mega dually weighs in at around 3K lbs. This leaves you 6300lbs of "true" cargo capacity on the rear axle alone. I haul a little over 3000lbs on mine and it doesn't even sink it to the overload springs. I have had my trailer to the gross 15.K lbs and my Mega loves it. GVWR isn't a "true" number of capability. It has been proven to be a simple number of manufacture liability. Federal and state governments don't even recognize it except in registration terms in most cases.
On a more emotional side. I love my truck. There is noting with as much room. FRONT or REAR. I get back into the GMs, and they feel like compact cars.  Still love the GMs though. The towing power and all around fun of my Dodge can't be beat. At least for me.
Mav
* This post was
edited 11/01/09 09:24am by MadMav *
'08 Dodge 3500 SLT Mega Cab Dually, 6.7l/6 speed.
'08 Winners Circle 36SRV-H5
Pair of '09 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP's
'05 Polaris Trail Boss 330
'03 Yamaha TTR125LR
1 wife, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats
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Greentreena
British Columbia
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I wouldn't sweat 14000 lbs with a 3500 mega duelly. I think the SRW verson is rated at 13700 lbs.
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Mega Cab 4x4
Hijacker Auto Slide/ P3
2006 Triple E Topaz 310RBXL
Wife, 2 kids and Murphy the dog
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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jeez, the Dodge 3500 DRW in any configuration has a 9350 RAWR/tire capacity for carrying those big payloads. The truck is very popular with commercial folks for that very reason.
GVWR doesn't carry the payload anyway as thats the axle/tire suspension function. Dodge certifies the trucks FAWR and RAWR at those numbers.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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rvert10
Utah
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Joined: 01/05/2008
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We love ours and we tow a 33' Tetonhomes and the truck (2008) doesn't know its on the back (figure of speech) with a full tank of water. I'm comfortable towing up and down the 6% grade to get to our get away in Wyoming. the EB and tow haul feature work extremely well to maintain a good speed and braking, which is very little. the room is great when the grandkids go with us. The only thing we were uncomfortable with was the compatibility of the short bed and our 5ver even with a slider. so we coverted to the 8' bed through Innovative Customs in Lehi,Utah.
We regained cargo space and piece of mind when manuvering in the parks. To us it was well worth the extra cost. I believe you'll like the Mega cab. Like one poster mentioned get the 5.9L or 2008+ 6.7L.
08 Dodge Mega Cab DRW,6spd auto, Exhaust break, 8'bed conversion (Best mistake I've made)
33' Teton Home Experience 3 slides, its not a trailer its a home
5500 watt generator
and a great Co-piolet
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HaulinBass02
Springtown, Texas, USA
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My plan was definitely an 2009 or early 2010 (before they change the body mid-year).
Due to the short bed I am assuming I will need to get a slider. How many of you use a non-slider hitch and are okay with it? I use the B&W turnover and have a Companion hitch. They work great and I hate to get rid of it but will if I have to. I am getting a G/N horse trailer and like the ease of use of the B&W. I don't think I really want to add the extra length of an 8' custom bed on it to get the length.
I just think it is very odd the numbers they put out for the Mega-cab. To be honest I was just going to hitch up and not worry about, I have seen plenty towing with what would be considered (by the numbers) "over pay-loaded" Mega-cab trucks. I just couldn't see it being any sort of an issue since there is only a 200-300 difference in weight on the same chassis.
What is the take on the Aisin 6spd automatic? I have yet to drive one (I've tested the 6spd manual). Is it going to hold up better than the old Dodge 4spd autos? I got to have something that is reliable. The Cummins is no worry but everyone knows the Dodge autos are notorious for giving out.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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HaulinBass02 wrote:
What is the take on the Aisin 6spd automatic? I have yet to drive one (I've tested the 6spd manual). Is it going to hold up better than the old Dodge 4spd autos? I got to have something that is reliable. The Cummins is no worry but everyone knows the Dodge autos are notorious for giving out.
So you are looking at a 4500 cab and chassis?
The Aisin automatics is only available on the C&C models. The regular pickups have a Chrysler built 68RFE 6 speed automatic.
And it is fabulous! Couple it with the factory EB and you can literally go down the side of a mountain and not touch the brakes towing 13,500 pounds.
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ib516
Up here!
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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The Megacabs are all built on the same frame, 1500 (8510# GVWR), 2500 (9000# GVWR), 3500 SRW (10,100# GVWR), or 3500 DRW (10,500# GVWR).
The frame is from the 2500 quad cab longbed truck - that is why all of the GVWRs are so close. The 3500 DRW Mega is no less capable than a 3500 DRW Quad cab with it's 12,200# GVWR. All of the components that matter are the same (engine, trans, axles, brakes, etc). The suspensions are different in all versions of the Mega, catering to different ride expectations. those that buy a 1500 expect a softer ride than those that buy a 3500 SRW, though there are a lot of shared components.
You won't regret buying a Megacab. I have 3 kids, and roadtrips in the Mega are great.
They are great trucks, and I love mine.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS
"MEGACASPER" 2007 Dodge/5.9L Cummins/3500 SRW Megacab/48RE/4x4/3.73/10,100# GVWR
RV and truck weight = ~20,000#
Hypertech Max Energy
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