Mike E.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
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Joined: 01/08/2008
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We had an '02 Ram 1500 Quad with the 4.7L when we bought our Spree 289KS, which has a similar weight to the 318 (ours is about 6300 loaded).
With DW, 3 teen boys, bikes, and dog we went over the scales and found that we were 100lbs over our RAWR, and right at our MAX GCWR.
I went into "the sky is falling" sort of headspace and convinced myself (and DW) that we needed a bigger TV. We ended up with a Suburban 2500/8.1L, and are happy with the extra capacity ("Honey, can we get a bigger trailer?") and ease of towing.
Now that the oldest has gone off to university we're trying to sell the 'Burb and go back to a crew cab truck, and another Ram 1500 is on our list as our old one towed our trailer just fine.
Not about to win any races going up hills, but that's not a big deal to me, even though with the 'Burb we could have chased people down going uphill.
Sorry for the rambling, but I'm thinking your Ram is definitely up to the task. Just pay attention to the RAWR, 'cause that's the one that really counts.
Mike
Oh yeah, don't worry if you're over your RAWR by a couple hundred pounds - it's not going to self destruct the moment you hook up the trailer.
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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Joined: 09/05/2005
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33swissmiss33 wrote:We are really wanting to buy a 2009 Spree 318. We have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Quad Cab 5.9L. IS THIS CAMPER TOO MUCH FOR THIS TRUCK? One RV dealer assures me we're fine that the dry weight of the camper is 5800 pounds, another says were cutting it close.?? The sticker in my truck door says my GVWR is 6600. The GCVWR is 12,500 according to Dodge website. I wanted some answers BEFORE we take the plunge! thanks guys (and gals)!
I'm thinking, you will be close to or slightly over on your GCWR when hooked up and loaded to go. My Ram has the same 12,500 GCWR as yours, and with my 6400 lb GVW TT, and all our gear loaded up, I am right at 12,500 lbs verified by local scales. The dry weight sticker on my TT is under 5,000 lbs. The empty weight of my truck with me in it and full of fuel is 5,600 lbs (again verified at the scales) which leaves me a 6,900 lbs towing capacity. In order to get your true towing capacity, you will need to get an actual weight of your truck, and then subtract that number from your GCWR.
Will your truck tow it? Sure. Will you be over some of the numbers? Probably. Doesn't that make it automatically unsafe? No, other factors are involved and it is important to note which numbers you are over on. I wouldn't sweat the GVWR or even the GCWR numbers too much, but I would not want to exceed the Axle Weight Ratings (FAWR, RAWR) myself.
You mention a Ford F250, but you need to include what engine and gear ratio are on the Ford to determine if the towing experience will be any better than the Ram. The F250 will handle the weight better than the Ram 1500, but it makes a big difference between a 5.4L gas engine versus a 6.8L v10 versus a PSD as far as towing performance is concerned.
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1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8
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33swissmiss33
middle of nowhere
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The F-250 is a V-10 with 3.73 gear ratio.
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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33swissmiss33 wrote:The F-250 is a V-10 with 3.73 gear ratio.
In that case, it will undoubtedly pull the trailer you mention better than the Ram 1500 and 5.9L 360. Gas mileage won't be much different either. That would give you more cushion on the numbers (I assume), and likely give a more pleasant towing experience. The F250 is a beefier truck, and the v10 is a hoss!
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taborekle
Clements, Md
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Joined: 08/16/2005
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33swissmiss33 wrote:So how about a 2003 Ford F250 XLT Super Duty?? My DH has had his eye on one for quite some time. The GVWR is 8800 and the GCWR is 13,500. Would this be plenty better or about the same??
Properly equipped, it would tow the Spree with no problems what so ever.
Take a look though at the Dodge 2500 with the Cummings diesel and 6 speed automatic transmission. It comes with a exhaust brake and a 34 gallon fuel tank, and gets better MPG then the 2500 PSD.
The 2500 though seems to have a very nice interior.
No slam intended for either vehicle. I think they'd both do the job and you're DH would be thrilled with either.
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Exocet
Central NY, USA
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33swissmiss33 wrote:The F-250 is a V-10 with 3.73 gear ratio.
The F-250 would be a better choice in the long run. You should have plenty of margin on the GVWR side. You still might be at or slightly over the GCWR. But with a beefier truck and the V-10, I wouldn't worry about it.
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cachingcampers
Niagara Region,Ontario
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Having "been there done that" with my 1/2 ton Expy & Spree 324, I found it incredibly hard to keep from blowing the RAWR.
Expy handled it no trouble, just keeping an eye on the weights was an issue.
You'll be in a similar boat with the Ram 1500, lots of guys towing those +30' trailers with half tons, but all will tel you It's a weight chase game.
I'm much more comfortable in with the Spree/2500 combo, but would tow with the Expy again if I had to.
Half ton towable, sure, but if you've the opportunity and the funds to buy a larger truck and the trailer you want, that's a bit smarter decision.
2010 KZ Spree 324BHS-LX- Equal-i-zer,Prodigy,Barker Hi-Power.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SLT Heavy Duty, 5.7L 4x4
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JJBrown
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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[quote=Mike E.]
We ended up with a Suburban 2500/8.1L, and are happy with the extra capacity ("Honey, can we get a bigger trailer?") and ease of towing.
Now that the oldest has gone off to university we're trying to sell the 'Burb and go back to a crew cab truck, and another Ram 1500 is on our list as our old one towed our trailer just fine.
Not about to win any races going up hills, but that's not a big deal to me, even though with the 'Burb we could have chased people down going uphill.
Quote:
I wish I could find an 8.1 burb around here....they are hard to find.
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