Tow Truck for 310MKS

[Dave Jenkins]

We recently bought a 2021 Grand Design 310MKS. Empty weight is 10,495 and GVWR is 13,995. I am looking at 2016 Dodge 2500 crew cab with a 6.4 liter Hemi engine and a 3.73 gear ratio. The listed towing weight is 12,761. Is this enough truck for my rig or do I need to keep looking? If so, what should I look for?

[Second Chance]

Welcome to the family! Now you can create a signature block with your RV and tow vehicle information (see mine below). That way you won't have to repeat that information whenever you post or ask a question. You can create a signature by going to:

Forum Actions (on menu bar) -> Edit Profile -> Edit Signature (under My Settings on the left)

Did you mean 320MKS? The numbers you quote match and I don't find a 310MKS on the GD web site.

Empty and published pin weights for the trailer aren't very useful. Nor are max towing capacities for the truck. It's all about loaded weights for the trailer and payload capacity for the truck in the case of fifth wheel RVs. Fully loaded, the 320MKS will put a little over 3,000 lbs. on the pin - that's the number you need to worry about. As for the engine, it depends on the terrain and distances you plan to travel. In the mountains, the engine braking of a diesel going downhill is as important as its torque for pulling uphill. On the flats, it's less of an issue. You can plug all the numbers in here and play around:

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-fw.shtml

Happy camping!

Rob

[attaboy]

Welcome to the family! Now you can create a signature block with your RV and tow vehicle information (see mine below). That way you won't have to repeat that information whenever you post or ask a question. You can create a signature by going to:

Forum Actions (on menu bar) -> Edit Profile -> Edit Signature (under My Settings on the left)

Did you mean 320MKS? The numbers you quote match and I don't find a 310MKS on the GD web site.

Empty and published pin weights for the trailer aren't very useful. Nor are max towing capacities for the truck. It's all about loaded weights for the trailer and payload capacity for the truck in the case of fifth wheel RVs. Fully loaded, the 320MKS will put a little over 3,000 lbs. on the pin - that's the number you need to worry about. As for the engine, it depends on the terrain and distances you plan to travel. In the mountains, the engine braking of a diesel going downhill is as important as its torque for pulling uphill. On the flats, it's less of an issue. You can plug all the numbers in here and play around:

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-fw.shtml

Happy camping!

Rob

Rob has covered the weight and payload factors.
I would hate to start down a steep hill or mountain with the configuration you have mentioned.
Air brakes are a wonderful thing. Welcome to the forum.
Just my opinion:
Bob A.

[Dave Jenkins]

Thanks for the help, guys. It is indeed a 320MKS. I was in a hurry this morning when I wrote my question.
I notice that the same truck with a 4.10 axle ratio is rated at towing about 15,600 lbs. Would this be better, or is it still not enough truck? Would a 2500-class truck with a diesel engine be sufficient? I really do not want to go to a 3500-class truck if I can avoid it.

[Second Chance]

Thanks for the help, guys. It is indeed a 320MKS. I was in a hurry this morning when I wrote my question.
I notice that the same truck with a 4.10 axle ratio is rated at towing about 15,600 lbs. Would this be better, or is it still not enough truck? Would a 2500-class truck with a diesel engine be sufficient? I really do not want to go to a 3500-class truck if I can avoid it.

Dave, I'll repeat - it's not about towing capacity... it's about payload. Look for a truck that will have 3,400 lbs. payload left over after you install a hitch and load passengers and gear. In addition, you DON'T want a 2500/F250 diesel. The diesel power train is much heaver than gas and eats up the payload. There's not much difference in the cost of a 3/4- and 1-ton truck (SRW) as long as there aren't registration penalties in your state for the 1-ton. The 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks (again, SRW) are the same physical size.

Rob

[Dave Jenkins]

I tried doing your calculator, Rob, but didn't understand all the terminology. I'll work on it some more.

[Dave Jenkins]

What I seem to be hearing here is that I need a 3500-class truck. But why? Some makes, at least, have the same bodies and chassis, even the same engine choices. What makes a 3500 better?

[Joe1967]

Don't know about the brakes, but the suspension is more heavy duty on a 3500 than a 2500. The 3500 is designed to haul more weight. With a single rear wheel truck, you will most likely be over the rated payload after you get the truck and trailer loaded. You need a one ton dually diesel. Also, towing that weight, a gas engine will get 6-8 mpg, and be at high rpms to move it. Like many people on here have said, buy enough truck the first time, or you will be buying it the second time. Another plus for the diesel is that you get to use the truck fueling islands, instead of trying to jockey around cars trying to get to a gas pump.