Things

[hounddog]

Well life has given us some serious curve balls lately. 

Long story short, we got this for commuting to watch our son play football.



This is not the one we bought but it's almost exactly like it:
http://www.cheyennecampingcenter.com/value_leaders/CB365RL_value

Going to be a very cool few years!  Hope you are all doing well and life is good.

Best

Tony

[veeman]

holy moly. 

living in style on the road.  hope your son has great success.  you are one dedicated dad.

[Eye of the Tiger]

What a puny truck. Try again.

[GoCougs]

Hmmm. Doesn't look like enough truck to be towing ~16,000 lbs of that size...

[Rupert]

Ugh.

[Soup DeVille]

Is your kid playing for State?

[Soup DeVille]

Hmmm. Doesn't look like enough truck to be towing ~16,000 lbs of that size...

Bahh, it'll do.

[Rupert]

Unless there is a hill he has to get up. I would hate to be following him.

[Soup DeVille]

Unless there is a hill he has to get up. I would hate to be following him.

It always sucks to follow those. Period.

The truck'll do fine.

[Rupert]

Yeah, I've towed more with less.

I just have a vendetta against dick-mobile RVs.

[MX793]

Ram 2500s are all rated to pull over 16K lbs.

[GoCougs]

Bahh, it'll do.

What defines towing capacity, and I'm not only talking about the recent SAE towing standard or the fact that this is only a 3/4-ton Ram; or, IOW, why is does the Ram 5500 have significantly more towing capacity vs. the Ram 2500 given that both have the same motor, tranny and can be outfitted with 4.10 gears? (Hint: towing capacity isn't defined by ego.)

[GoCougs]

Ram 2500s are all rated to pull over 16K lbs.

Not at all.

[Soup DeVille]

What defines towing capacity, and I'm not only talking about the recent SAE towing standard or the fact that this is only a 3/4-ton Ram; or, IOW, why is does the Ram 5500 have significantly more towing capacity vs. the Ram 2500 given that both have the same motor, tranny and can be outfitted with 4.10 gears? (Hint: towing capacity isn't defined by ego.)

Sure it is.

[GoCougs]

Sure it is.

Well, that is, if you're doing it right, towing capacity isn't defined by ego.

[Soup DeVille]

Well, that is, if you're doing it right, towing capacity isn't defined by ego.

Ther's a healthy safety margin built into manufacturer's tow ratings. How much you want to push it it, well; either bravado or stupidity depending on the results.

[GoCougs]

Yeah, I've towed more with less.

I just have a vendetta against dick-mobile RVs.

RVs are a blight, safety hazard and general abomination. How it is they pass safety muster and don't need CDLs is a classic example of regulation gone awry.

I'm not so much against trailers as in general there's at least a moderate filtering process owing that a measure of knowledge and intent is needed to buy the truck, get a goose neck receiver, and then buy the trailer. Something of this size though should have a CDL or some other endorsement\ though...

[Soup DeVille]

RVs are a blight, safety hazard and general abomination. How it is they pass safety muster and don't need CDLs is a classic example of regulation gone awry.

I'm not so much against trailers as in general there's at least a moderate filtering process owing that a measure of knowledge and intent is needed to buy the truck, get a goose neck receiver, and then buy the trailer. Something of this size though should have a CDL or some other endorsement\ though...

I can't disagree with that. Most RVers are a nuisance.

a "recreational heavy vehicle" endorsement might be a decent idea. RVers wouldn't need to know all the stuff about hours of service or interstate transport laws a typical CDL class covers.

[MX793]

Not at all.

All of the current generation ones are

[Rupert]

I can't disagree with that. Most RVers are a nuisance.

a "recreational heavy vehicle" endorsement might be a decent idea. RVers wouldn't need to know all the stuff about hours of service or interstate transport laws a typical CDL class covers.

Towing anything over 10k, and any RV based on a medium- or heavy-duty truck.

[Soup DeVille]

Towing anything over 10k, and any RV based on a medium- or heavy-duty truck.

And hippie that you are, I suppose you'd want to educate them on why they shouldn't pump out their black water tanks into the storm drains too, huh?

[Rupert]

Uh, yes.

[Soup DeVille]

Uh, yes.

Treehugger. Drink your fecal matter and like it.

[hounddog]

Hmmm. Doesn't look like enough truck to be towing ~16,000 lbs of that size...

Actually, my truck is rated for 17,800lbs by the builder with the 4.56 gearing it now has.  The hitch is a 20k Curt, best in the business and made in Wisconsin. (Coincidently, it was exactly $1 more than the 16k Drawtite made in Mexico) The brakes were upgraded to Hawk Super Duty pad over Brembo drilled rotors.  Lastly, since that photo the truck has been fitted with AirLift air bag suspension for better ride and ride height, and better load control. 

Believe me when I tell you the vehicle is more than competent and safe in its ability to pull this trailer.   

What defines towing capacity, and I'm not only talking about the recent SAE towing standard or the fact that this is only a 3/4-ton Ram; or, IOW, why is does the Ram 5500 have significantly more towing capacity vs. the Ram 2500 given that both have the same motor, tranny and can be outfitted with 4.10 gears? (Hint: towing capacity isn't defined by ego.)

4.44 standard gear ratio and Aisin transmission. 

Unless there is a hill he has to get up. I would hate to be following him.

800lb. ft. of torque.  Hills = no problems   

[Soup DeVille]

Tony, is your son playing for State?

[hounddog]

Is your kid playing for State?

Yes.

[Soup DeVille]

How did I guess that one?

Cool man, hope he has a good season.

[hounddog]

He is a senior in high school this year, and likely will not see the field for two or three years. 

Unless there is a very dire need, MSU never plays underclassmen on the line.

[Soup DeVille]

He is a senior in high school this year, and likely will not see the field for two or three years. 

Unless there is a very dire need, MSU never plays underclassmen on the line.

I thought he was a couple years older than that. Anyways, congratulations.

[Secret Chimp]

Why would you put drilled rotors on a tow vehicle??