Just joined the DRW Club

rhagfo · 12-31-2018, 11:31 PM

Well took the leap today and joined the DRW club.
Our old 2001 Ram 2500 with 313,000 miles was doing the job, but DW didn't like driving the 5 speed manual, and I had started to dislike the half doors in the back and the small rear seating space.
That and the pathetic 8,800# GVWR put us about 1,700# over GVWR when towing out 5er. It did a great job pulling our 12,500# 32' 5er, but wanted more room, and DW wanted an automatic.
Well after a bit of a search we found what seemed like it might be the one, only issue it was a six hour drive away. Well 2016 lightly used Ram 3500 CTD DRW Laramie with the Aisin transmission and 3.73's and 27,000 miles. Here is the new TV!

notanlines · 01-01-2019, 03:07 AM

Nice, Russ. It looks like someone took great care of it! (But it's clean; makes the rest of us look bad)

**chuckster57** · 01-01-2019, 04:31 AM

Very nice. Welcome to the DRW club, application for a badge with the weight police?

xrated · 01-01-2019, 05:25 AM

Very Nice! I guess us DRW guys....AKA...the Weight Police... can now take you off of our "Most Wanted" list as a Known Offender. We are having a special conclave later on this month and your name will most likely be removed......you may not even be on probabtion with a move like you just made!

Seriously though, it looks like a very nice truck and in great condition.....great find!

ctbruce · 01-01-2019, 06:00 AM

Very nice! From the SRW division of the One-Ton Club.

That is a really great find and well worth a 6 hour trip in my book.

rhagfo · 01-01-2019, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Very nice. Welcome to the DRW club, application for a badge with the weight police?

Not likely,
while I was grossly over the Ram's pathetic 8,800# GVWR with the TV at 10,500# across the scales I was within the rear GAWR of 6,084#, and well within the optional tire rating of 3,415# ea. I towed very well, as in 2001 all the same as the 3500 DRW less the extra two tires and fender flares.

As I posted many times "I don't recommend it, but it works for me" I also would recommend if buying a new or new to them to at least go to a 350/3500 SRW to get the numbers on the VIN. Can't wait to get this hooked up and see how it tows, may change all my past statements!!

It still will not change one of my thoughts, if towing with a 250/2500 and feel you need more TV, DON'T get a 350/3500 SRW, go straight to a 350/3500 DRW.

I will figure fuel mileage later this week as the dealer FILLED the tank as part of the sale. the gauge showed a tick under 1/2 when we arrived home after 350 miles, listed with 32 gallon tank.

Russ

rbrdriver · 01-01-2019, 07:41 AM

About 6 months ago we purchased a 2017 3500 DRW Ram with the Aisin tranny and 4:10 rear and love it! Probably for the same reasons you mentioned, wife not liking the 5 speed manual in our previous 2012 Ram 2500, the pathetic payload (only 1882), etc. Now have a payload capacity of 5600. Much better, easier to drive for wife although bigger and harder to park in a shopping mall parking lot, but oh well.

travelin texans · 01-01-2019, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbrdriver

. Much better, easier to drive for wife although bigger and harder to park in a shopping mall parking lot, but oh well.

Nice truck!
There's another thread started a few days ago, "Exercise", now you can tow safely, no shifting gears & now get that "excercise" by parking further out in the parking lot.

**sourdough** · 01-01-2019, 08:28 AM

Congratulations Russ!! I suspect you are going to love that truck (it sure looks good) and I bet DW is going to really appreciate that Aisin!!

Snoking · 01-01-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Well took the leap today and joined the DRW club.
Our old 2001 Ram 2500 with 313,000 miles was doing the job, but DW didn't like driving the 5 speed manual, and I had started to dislike the half doors in the back and the small rear seating space.
That and the pathetic 8,800# GVWR put us about 1,700# over GVWR when towing out 5er. It did a great job pulling our 12,500# 32' 5er, but wanted more room, and DW wanted an automatic.
Well after a bit of a search we found what seemed like it might be the one, only issue it was a six hour drive away. Well 2016 lightly used Ram 3500 CTD DRW Laramie with the Aisin transmission and 3.73's and 27,000 miles. Here is the new TV!

Way to go Russ! Motor on! I can see the smile on your face all the way from Arizona.

Does it have the factory 5th wheel pucks? If not you can install them yourself like I did. Chris

rhagfo · 01-01-2019, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoking

Way to go Russ! Motor on! I can see the smile on your face all the way from Arizona.

Does it have the factory 5th wheel pucks? If not you can install them yourself like I did. Chris

Well when looking and searching I found that used three versions Canadian, Tradesman, and Laramie. Canadian all from the Oil Sands region of Alberta.

Tradesman, no power seats, I get leg cramps in a non-power seat, I need the front up to support the leg.

Laramie, typicality loaded, as this one was heated everything, pucks and Moon roof the Ram build sheet is very long (8 pages).

https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing