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  1. #1
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    Can we tow this? Reflection 311BHS & 2500 Dodge Megacab- 2006.

    Picking up new Reflection 311 bhs this weekend with our 2500 Dodge Megacab- 2006. What I know about truck- we have added airbags, exhaust break and have a 16k hitch. Anything else, I gotta ask my husband! We have checked with our truck guy, tire guy, CHP, and the dealer but wanted any opinions from anyone with same/similar set up. Thank you!

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor
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    1500/2500/3500, gas/diesel, etc., etc., etc. Love to help. Please do complete signature/profile, answer will be accurate! Congrats.
    AKA Steve and Lynne
    Storm the Black Lab
    Reflection 337 RLS vin 573FR3628E3300393
    2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab Longbox
    6.7 Cummins, 68 RFE transmission
    B and W Companion, Air Lifts

  3. #3
    King Pin
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    The 2006 Dodge 2500 has a towing capacity of 8,650 to 13,500. Most of them range in the 9,000-10,500# range depending on engine, transmission, differential and other characteristics.

    The 311BHS weighs 11,185# totally empty. This means zero pounds of cargo, water, food, clothes, propane, etc. The maximum fully loaded weight (GVWR) of the 311 is !3,995#. So none of the 2006 trucks are rated to pull a 311BHS that is fully loaded. Many of them can't even accommodate an empty 311.

    The numbers above are just towing capacity. The pin weight on a 311BHS will likely come in around 2,800 to 3,000 pounds when loaded. Add passengers, cargo, hitch and pin weight and it will likely greatly exceed the payload capacity of your truck.

    I know it sounds harsh, but trucks from that time frame weren't designed to haul 14K# fifth wheels. Unfortunately, the air bags will help level the truck, but they won't add any capacity over the factory specifications.

    Jim

  4. #4
    Seasoned Camper
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    Hate too say it , but your transmission will not last long !!! Need a 1 ton diesel of any make !!!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Long Hauler
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    What is essentially being said is that my F250 2x4 crewcab diesel is a bastard truck. Yep, I agree.

    My year had a little more towing capability of 13,200 and my 11K/2K dry weight 323BHS max's me out.

    I added a TruCool tranny cooler and the truck is low miles and in 100% condition. With no air in the rear airbags, it doesn't even squat at all. There again, I tow very little.

  6. #6
    Rolling Along RVRunners's Avatar
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    As others have already stated you need to examine this pairing closely. I am certain you will exceed payload, towing and RAWR for the truck. If you have a diesel power train the truck will likely pull it but maybe not safely. Another important consideration is stopping although the exhaust brake you added will help out there. We have a SRW F-350 diesel paired with the Reflection 367BHS (similar in size to yours) with truck numbers being 15,600 towing, 3597 payload and 7000 RAWR we are within 500lbs for both payload and RAWR. You can find all of the information for your truck on the drivers door post with the door open.
    The Adams - 2017 Reflection 367BHS, 2019 F-350 6.7L PSD 4x4 CC DRW, B&W hitch on Ford pucks, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 Ultimate Plus air bags, "Rupert" the Weimaraner.

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Rocky18 - I added to your title to make it more useful for others searching for this or similar info in the future.

    Rob (moderator)
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by TucsonJim View Post
    The 2006 Dodge 2500 has a towing capacity of 8,650 to 13,500. Most of them range in the 9,000-10,500# range depending on engine, transmission, differential and other characteristics.

    The 311BHS weighs 11,185# totally empty. This means zero pounds of cargo, water, food, clothes, propane, etc. The maximum fully loaded weight (GVWR) of the 311 is !3,995#. So none of the 2006 trucks are rated to pull a 311BHS that is fully loaded. Many of them can't even accommodate an empty 311.

    The numbers above are just towing capacity. The pin weight on a 311BHS will likely come in around 2,800 to 3,000 pounds when loaded. Add passengers, cargo, hitch and pin weight and it will likely greatly exceed the payload capacity of your truck.

    I know it sounds harsh, but trucks from that time frame weren't designed to haul 14K# fifth wheels. Unfortunately, the air bags will help level the truck, but they won't add any capacity over the factory specifications.

    Jim
    Agree completely. I had a 2005 Dodge 3500 dually with the 5.9 Cummins. I pulled my heavy 40' bunkhouse with it. It was fine and we covered many thousands of miles. I decided once to pull the same trailer with my 2012 Dodge short bed 2500 with the Cummins to an out-of-state business meeting. The 2012 3/4 ton actually pulled the trailer MUCH better. This was through mountain passes and all kinds of grades from Tucson to Reno, NV. I was shocked. The 2012 had a stronger frame, a more powerful engine and though I'm sure it was "overloaded" it felt fine going through crosswinds, mountain passes and the like. Also zero stress on grades with the factory exhaust brake.

  9. #9
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    Hi Rocky18,

    Coming on a little late on this thread. I agree with everyone that the 2006 will struggle towing a 311BHS. We purchased our 311BHS in March of 2017 and towed with a 2012 Chevy 2500HD diesel. We didn't take many long trips and the truck towed the 311BHS okay, but the ride wasn't as nice as I liked. Earlier this year I took my 2500HD to the dealership for maintenance and my son told me that they had just got a new trade in of a 3500HD with low miles. Much to my dismay I found myself liking the 3500HD and trading for it. Over the summer we made a several trips to Kerrville and to Port Aransas and - except for the gas mileage - the 3500HD towed the 311BHS much better. I was like pulling the boat with the 2500HD, you didn't even know that it was back there.

    I think you could tow the 311BHS with your Ram a few times for a short distance before you overheated your transmission. My biggest concern would be the rear tires on the truck, your adding a lot of weight on the rear axle. Unfortunately you - like me - got a trailer that you'll have to buy the truck to pull it. We started with a Jayco 32BHDS towing with a Chevy 1500, after a few "white knuckle" trips in the rain, traded up to a Chevy 2500HD. Then the DW said she wanted a 5th wheel, she got what she wanted and I got a new 3500HD to pull it with.

    Like Leon says, the newer model trucks have a heavier frame and can tow much better. And since you got a 311BHS, I'm assuming that you have a family with kids (grand girls in our case) and safety of the passengers and driver is the most important.
    Les and Sharon Bevil
    Austin, Tx

    Reflection 311BHS purchased March 2017
    Jayco 32BHDS sold March 2017
    2012 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.6 Diesel (until May 2018)
    2015 Chevrolet 3500HD 6.6 Diesel

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