After trading in my 2007 2500 QC diesel for a 2011 1500 Outdoorsman QC because I believed the window stickers fuel milage claims and RV manufacturers claims that my 28 foot 5th wheel was "half ton towable"Do.

To save anyone else the trouble:
a) you probably will never see the city mpg claims when you are driving on the highway, and prepare to dive deep into the single digits if you are towing. Don't get me worng folks, I was expecting bad mileage towing beccause this is a gasser, but the empty truck mileage is nowhere near the window sticker claims.
b) "half ton towable" 5th wheels is a crock of crap. I installed airbags to keep the frame from bottoming out and almost crapped myself when I scaled it. They might be able to pull a 10,000 pound trailer (stopping it may be an other story entirely) but not a 7,000 pound 5th wheel. There is simply too much tonge weight to make it legal - and that's with no water in the tanks and no passengers in the truck.

Thanks to an understanding dealer (desperate for sales) I am now the proud owner of a 2011 3500 SLT CC, loaded.

Similar situation to milkman1371, but I took out a loan so I could keep the 2005 Honda S2000


That being said, the 1500 is a great truck, absolutely loved it. The ride is like no other in a truck and with the 3.92 gears it's a hot rod too.
But... if you're going to tow, get a diesel.

Cheers,
Mike

 

I'm glad you ended up with the vehicle that works best for you. Certainly a HD truck with a diesel is going to be a dream to tow with compared to a 1/2 ton with gas engine. That said, my experience towing seems to have been better than yours. I pulled the trailer below several times through the windy plains of the dakotas and the Rocky Mountains (in summer and winter) and it was a great experience. No problems whatsoever with power or braking when pulling this trailer that went about 8500#, with four guys and gear in the truck. Gas mileage depends entirely on speed but I tended to get 10-11 at interstate speeds.



Rob

 

Chrysler Canada just extended the "free diesel" incentive to include the 800tq HO CTD. Is that what ya got? Single or Dual?

New PCM w/revised calibration allows the HO 6.7 CTD to reach peak torque @ 1,600 rpm exceeding previous output from 1,200 through 2,800 rpm. Peak HP remains unchanged (350 @ 3,000 rpm), new calibration delivers more than 40 additional horsepower at typical highway speeds.

New higher-rated torque converter improving engine/transmission integration for better towing capability on grades & optimal engine performance.

New crankshaft damper, reduces engine noise and vibration (NVH).

- Class leading 22,700lb max trailer tow weight
- GCWR increased to 30,000lbs
- Legendary CTD reliability/durability backed by an unsurpassed 5yr 160,000km CTD warranty
- CTD equipped Ram's offer class-leading diesel exhaust brake
- Ram is only HD diesel pickup not requiring diesel exhaust fluid

Ram's with the new 800tq CTD get a special "High Output Cummins" badge on the tailgate.

Improved DRW axle w/4.10 gear ratio, new rear-axle pinion, new helical gears, upgraded bearings and a heat-dissipating, finned aluminum differential cover.

As part of the Max Tow upgrade to the Ram 3500, the truck will also get a new engine-mounted, oil-to-coolant transmission cooler to moderate operating temperatures during trailer towing.

Upgraded power steering oil cooler to manage larger loads.