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ITSNO60 · 08-30-2018, 09:19 PM

Axles yes but frames no, they are identical.

Countryboy59 · 08-31-2018, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

Sorry nothing personal but I am going to have to call BS on this one.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...9&d=1535672333

Here is a snapshot of page 44.

Were you under both trucks on the hoist or just googling spreadsheets? Nothing personal.

ITSNO60 · 08-31-2018, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Were you under both trucks on the hoist or just googling spreadsheets? Nothing personal.

I didn't google anything, I went to my Ford forum and posed the question and received many replies confirming my thoughts including the spec sheets and even one reply from the spouse of a Ford frame factory employee. These guys, myself included, have lived and breathed these trucks for decades. Some are engineers that work or worked for Ford. Most do their own work.

You either were looking at two different years where frames might have had a design change or one was a 450 or bigger frame. You could have also been looking at a cab chassis which do have additional metal. Or you could have just made a mistake. Do you really think the Ford documents are wrong? There are thousands who say the frames are identical, and only you who say they are not.

People come here to learn and bad information needs to be corrected. You seem to have a hard time admitting you may be mistaken.

ITSNO60 · 08-31-2018, 07:34 PM

You could have also been comparing two different frames like a crew cab vs a single cab.

trumpetguy · 09-01-2018, 05:15 AM

I am the OP and want to say thanks for all the information and advice. I traded the Ram 1500 for a 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 i6.

DBinSD · 09-01-2018, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpetguy

I am the OP and want to say thanks for all the information and advice. I traded the Ram 1500 for a 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 i6.

Exactly what we have, you will enjoy it much more! Congrats

**Hans627** · 09-01-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpetguy

I am the OP and want to say thanks for all the information and advice. I traded the Ram 1500 for a 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 i6.

Have you towed with your CTD yet?

Jack46 · 09-01-2018, 04:09 PM

We previously owned a 28' International that we hauled just fine with our then, 2008 3/4 ton Suburban. When we then acquired our current 30' Flying Cloud it proved to be to much for the 'Burb. So, we traded on a 2500HD Duramax Chevy and never regretted it, particularly climbing the hills of the Mountain West following our move from the flats of Virginia. Now, I know technology has improved towing capacity in recent years and you've read the threads on checking your truck's capacities, so good luck. But I know one thing, you'll really enjoy the extra capacity of your new rig over the 28'.

Countryboy59 · 09-01-2018, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

You could have also been comparing two different frames like a crew cab vs a single cab.

Yeah, let me count the doors again.

trumpetguy · 09-02-2018, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans627

Have you towed with your CTD yet?

What is CTD?

ITSNO60 · 09-02-2018, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpetguy

What is CTD?

Cummins Turbo Diesel?

DewTheDew · 09-02-2018, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

https://rvlifemag.com/towing-half-to...e-quarter-ton/
This is a very interesting article. Makes some suggestions for towing with 1/2 tons.

I read through this with interest as while we are fine with our 1/2 ton at the moment I am looking into the future when we move up to a larger/heavier trailer. I agree with his arguments but I think he is basically assuming a perfectly set up truck/hitch/trailer with an expert driver and relatively flat terrain. In most cases you won't have that. I also know that if you spend a bit of money on a Mazda Miata, have an expert race driver and a curvy track you can likely keep up with your average joe in a Porsche 911. Since most of us are average joes, driving a fixed up Miata is not going to allow us to beat our own time in a 911. The 3/4 ton becomes sort of a "no-brainer"; you don't have to worry about your payload and balance every time you go on a trip. You have excess capacity and it will be fine.

I'm a person who likes a good "factor of safety" (from my engineering days) and while I agree that a 1/2 ton is sufficient for towing most AS trailers, there are still good reasons for many to get a 3/4 ton.

Just my $0.02 :-)

Daquenzer · 09-02-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

I read through this with interest as while we are fine with our 1/2 ton at the moment I am looking into the future when we move up to a larger/heavier trailer. I agree with his arguments but I think he is basically assuming a perfectly set up truck/hitch/trailer with an expert driver and relatively flat terrain. In most cases you won't have that. I also know that if you spend a bit of money on a Mazda Miata, have an expert race driver and a curvy track you can likely keep up with your average joe in a Porsche 911. Since most of us are average joes, driving a fixed up Miata is not going to allow us to beat our own time in a 911. The 3/4 ton becomes sort of a "no-brainer"; you don't have to worry about your payload and balance every time you go on a trip. You have excess capacity and it will be fine.

I'm a person who likes a good "factor of safety" (from my engineering days) and while I agree that a 1/2 ton is sufficient for towing most AS trailers, there are still good reasons for many to get a 3/4 ton.

Just my $0.02 :-)

The point of the article is that MOST do not need a big diesel; not just the experts

**Hans627** · 09-02-2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

Cummins Turbo Diesel?

Yes. CTD=Cummins Turbo Diesel. I apologize for not making that clear!

DewTheDew · 09-02-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

The point of the article is that MOST do not need a big diesel; not just the experts

Yes, I agree that this is the point of the article, but I think it assumes that "most" people have perfectly balanced trailers, are willing to put extras on their 1/2 ton like wheels and tires plus springs, and are expert drivers driving over flat terrain. My point is that I think "most" drivers are not expert drivers, are not driving perfectly balanced trailers with perfectly balanced truck loads with top-of-the-line hitches. So while I agree that if all that stuff is perfect then yes, a 1/2 tone can work.

Daquenzer · 09-02-2018, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

Yes, I agree that this is the point of the article, but I think it assumes that "most" people have perfectly balanced trailers, are willing to put extras on their 1/2 ton like wheels and tires plus springs, and are expert drivers driving over flat terrain. My point is that I think "most" drivers are not expert drivers, are not driving perfectly balanced trailers with perfectly balanced truck loads with top-of-the-line hitches. So while I agree that if all that stuff is perfect then yes, a 1/2 tone can work.

Disagree thoroughly.

DewTheDew · 09-02-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

Disagree thoroughly.

:-)

trumpetguy · 09-19-2018, 06:14 AM

We picked up our 2007 Classic 31 with the Ram 2500. Huge difference in driving feel and especially the diesel vs. gas engine. Convinced I made the correct decision.

rgg123 · 10-20-2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpetguy

We picked up our 2007 Classic 31 with the Ram 2500. Huge difference in driving feel and especially the diesel vs. gas engine. Convinced I made the correct decision.

Agreed - I made my first trip pulling my 31 ft Classic with my F250 Lariat diesel after trading in my F250 Lariat gasser. NO COMPARISON! Much more comfortable and safer ride - I was not stressed out and enjoyed the ride. And yes, my trailer is level and weight balanced.

The biggest differences are merging on the highway and up and down hills. No longer have to "hang back" when trying to merge as I now have plenty of power to easily merge into traffic. On hills my speed remains relatively constant with minimal downshifting into 5th (my gasser would get in 3rd and 2nd most of the time). My oil and trans temps are lower than my former gasser. The exhaust brake downhill really saves my service brakes.

The way I see it, anything over a 28 foot Airstream is going to require significant torque and braking power to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. We are not pros and never will be - so we need to build in some "margin of safety" to safely and comfortably keep us on the road.

When I first purchased my 30 ft Classic I was adamant that I did not need or want a diesel. Now I can say that I was wrong. To each his/her own - for me the decision to upgrade to a diesel was the right decision.

There are some terrific load calculators online that consider all aspects of towing - not just the weight of the trailer or payload. Gross weight, gross combined weight, axle weight, payload, 20% safety margin, etc. must all be considered. Just because the truck manufacturer says that the tow weight is X does not mean that it is safe to tow. Check ALL parameters before you decide.

Best wishes and SAFE travels!