2500 or 3500 for Alpine???

[danwyng]

My wife & I were at the Toronto RV show on the weekend, and thought the Alpines were great! We have been planning to move upto a 5th wheel and this has moved up high on the list - either the 3300 or 3450 - assuming that we can get a good desk area in the unit (she sews and needs the room!).

My question - is the Alpine that much of a unit that you would need a 3500 or 350 Truck to be safe, or will I be happy towing it with my 2500HD Diesel?

(Moderator's note: This post previously appeared in the New Member Check In)

[mel07green]

I'm am far from an expert in these matters - we only picked out Alpine up last week - but it is my understanding that you will need a 3500 or 350 to pull this thing. We have a Ford F-350 SRW and all good so far.


(Moderator's Note: This reply was moved along with the previous post)

[Jim W]

Dan,
Yes, you are in the 1 ton pick-up truck size. The engine and transmission for the 6.7L Cummins are the same and so is the running gear between the 2500HD and 3500HD. Where the difference come in is the spring pack for the SRW 3500HD and or the dually wheels for the 3500HD. I have attached the Dodge Builders.com web site for you to review, click on the MY and then the RAM icon. You will then need to drill done to find the rest of the information.
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/year.pdf
JIM

[KanTC]

Welcome Dan (& wife),

The Alpine's have rather hefty dry pin weights -- the lightest is 2,235 lbs -- even before you add options, clothes, food, propane, water (etc, etc) to the trailer. There's also the additional 200 lbs (+/-) for the 5th wheel hitch. Even with a conservative 'guess', it could quickly & easily add up to 2,600 lbs in the bed of your truck... potentially even more with the storage space, plus generator prep & washer/dryer prep (all up front).

All that said, I agree with the others... you'll need a 350/3500 truck for an Alpine, or any 5th wheel of that approx. size!

Terri, the co-pilot

[mhs4771]

Agreed with the others, you will be likely pushing close to 3000# on the truck before you're through. And with the size of the Alpines I personally would recommend going with a Dually. I think it would make the towing experience much more enjoyable.