Talk me OUT of a buying a RAM 3500 Dual Cab Dually...

[buickanddeere]

Wal Mart is awesome! What are you? A snob?

Depends on your moral standards

 

[mjncad]

These come in 2000# containers and I can't imagine needing more than 5 - so that's 10,000# for grapes and another 500# for the plastic container they come in and the pallets they sit on.

You must make a he!! of a lot of wine! :drink: :licking:

Depends on your moral standards

Funny Pictures at WalMart

walmartians song - YouTube

 

[SanDucerro]

You must make a he!! of a lot of wine! :drink: :licking:

It takes a TON of grapes to make a bottle of wine. Well, not literally - but it takes a whole bunch (and then some). Ain't no added water in wine - that's all grape juice... roposetoast:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Did a bit more thinking about what I will be towing and what the heaviest load might be. The tractors are the first things that come to mind - they top out at an estimated 8500 lbs (M7040 at 5470#, the FEL and Bucket add an additional 2000#, and I tossed in an additional 1000# for weighted tires). I'd also like to be able to make runs out to west Texas to pick up grapes if needed. These come in 2000# containers and I can't imagine needing more than 5 - so that's 10,000# for grapes and another 500# for the plastic container they come in and the pallets they sit on. Beyond that - I can't think of anything I'd need to haul on a "regular" basis that would be heavier than these two items.

With that in mind I can "downsize" the trailer to a 12000 GVWR rating (two 6000# axles) and not worry about the numbers. I'll be at 24300# total and well under the limit for needing a CDL. The heaviest load would be the grapes at 10500# and that's 87.5% of the trailers capacity. I'd prefer to be at 80% max, but I can easily put one of the containers in the bed of the truck and reduce the load on the trailer itself. BTW - the payload capacity on the RAM 3500 DRW is 4550# - on a SRW 2500 or 3500 it's only 2270#. I really like the extra payload capacity on the DRW! It's gonna come in handy on "grape runs".

Now - if I go with a GN trailer, then I'll lose the room in the bed of the truck - but, I'm still under the capacity of the trailer on a grape run if I go full up - and chances are I wouldn't need 5 containers anyway...

That doesn't make much sense...the trailers capacity is the GVWR - the weight of the trailer itself. The 10,500# of grapes + the weight of the trailer is going to be more then 12,000#. It just doesn't add up...

 

[Dmace]

That doesn't make much sense...the trailers capacity is the GVWR - the weight of the trailer itself. The 10,500# of grapes + the weight of the trailer is going to be more then 12,000#. It just doesn't add up...

Don't forget 10-20% of that weight will be on the truck.

 

[SanDucerro]

That doesn't make much sense...the trailers capacity is the GVWR - the weight of the trailer itself. The 10,500# of grapes + the weight of the trailer is going to be more then 12,000#. It just doesn't add up...

You're correct - I didn't factor in the weight of the trailer at 2560# (Big Tex Heavy Duty Pipe Tandem Axle 18'), so that leaves me with a carry capacity of 9440#, which would cover 4 tons of grapes easy. Could still throw the fifth one in the bed...

 

[foreman Etexas]

You're correct - I didn't factor in the weight of the trailer at 2560# (Big Tex Heavy Duty Pipe Tandem Axle 18'), so that leaves me with a carry capacity of 9440#, which would cover 4 tons of grapes easy. Could still throw the fifth one in the bed...

So when they load the pallets from the back cause the pipe-top rails will the 18ft be enough trailer?
I like my carhauler cause I can load from sides and the extra width...
Something like this. 102x22

 

[PoorMansCat]

Congrats on your new ride... On the current generation Cummins, keep it working hard and it will serve you well. Deals should be great right now, dealerships want to get rid of them since the 13 model will be an SCR engine using DEF.
As a complete sidenote, I had several different dealerships quote me a 1/2 ton Ram Laramie Longhorn with specific options, then asked for a 3/4 ton Hemi Laramie Longhorn with identical options. For some reason, the price was identical no matter the dealership...??? When I questioned why they were the same price, I was told that nobody ever perchases a 3/4 ton Laramie Longhorn with the Hemi...

 

[SanDucerro]

So when they load the pallets from the back cause the pipe-top rails will the 18ft be enough trailer?
I like my carhauler cause I can load from sides and the extra width...
Something like this. 102x22 View attachment 298766

Good point... Trailer might even be lighter... None of this is on my "need to do now" list. I'm just looking for additional uses for the truck (and trying to learn all of the in's and out's of hauling).

Speaking of the truck - which we've nick named the "tour bus" - took it on it's first of many runs out to the farm this weekend. LOVED the truck! So much better on so many levels than the RAM 1500 it's replacing. I love the engine's power (sounds awesome too)! And FINALLY having a back seat was fantastic. On the "not so impressive" side of the paper was the truck's horn - what a dissappointment that was. I was expecting Peterbuilt and I got Corolla... Got to get a new horn - maybe something air powered...

Also want a tool box for the back bed. Any recommendations?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Did a bit more thinking about what I will be towing and what the heaviest load might be. The tractors are the first things that come to mind - they top out at an estimated 8500 lbs (M7040 at 5470#, the FEL and Bucket add an additional 2000#, and I tossed in an additional 1000# for weighted tires). I'd also like to be able to make runs out to west Texas to pick up grapes if needed. These come in 2000# containers and I can't imagine needing more than 5 - so that's 10,000# for grapes and another 500# for the plastic container they come in and the pallets they sit on. Beyond that - I can't think of anything I'd need to haul on a "regular" basis that would be heavier than these two items.

With that in mind I can "downsize" the trailer to a 12000 GVWR rating (two 6000# axles) and not worry about the numbers. I'll be at 24300# total and well under the limit for needing a CDL. The heaviest load would be the grapes at 10500# and that's 87.5% of the trailers capacity. I'd prefer to be at 80% max, but I can easily put one of the containers in the bed of the truck and reduce the load on the trailer itself. BTW - the payload capacity on the RAM 3500 DRW is 4550# - on a SRW 2500 or 3500 it's only 2270#. I really like the extra payload capacity on the DRW! It's gonna come in handy on "grape runs".

Now - if I go with a GN trailer, then I'll lose the room in the bed of the truck - but, I'm still under the capacity of the trailer on a grape run if I go full up - and chances are I wouldn't need 5 containers anyway...

Check what weight they registered your truck for when you bought it. You'll get the form in the mail with the reg sticker. When I bought mine I checked out the paper and the dealer registered my dually for 9000 lbs. my truck weight was over that even when I'm not hooked to a trailer. I called them up and told them to register it correctly. She said most guys that bought the duallys didn't want to pay the extra money every year and didn pull with them. Crazy if you ask me! The point I'm getting at is you can register your truck for 11999 and 14k on the trailer and be at 25999 lbs. you won't exceed the truck weight with as little hitch or pin weight your talking and won't have any problems with dot. They will go off your registered weight.

Brett