Question regarding towing a Fifth Wheel

[RVTRKN]

Add on question to the above post:



I know there ill be varied opinions here -- which transmission is best for towing & why do you feel that way -- Manual or auto?



Thanks



Gary

You will really get strong opinions one way or the other, but its a manual for me, even verses the the 6 spd auto.



Back to the safety issue, a good example of this with the manual in mind. That big 5ver I mentioned a post or two ago, had the 7 pin plug short between the trailer brake pin and the left turn sig. pin and would lock up my brakes any time I even touched the brakes or the left turn/brake tail lite came on. The part that was funny was when I turned on my flashers to maneuver with in the truck stop were it happened and the brakes would lock (pulsate). I'm thankfull it happened at a truck stop, I had to cut the brake wire at the axle so the brakes would not apply and I would be able to use the trailer lites. Then I drove it 300 plus miles keeping in mind to keep a long distance in front of me and to crest the hills at a slower speed. The manual was instrumental in me being able to keep my speed in check, now I would admit the 3500 has an exhaust brake but I had a short happen on my 27' 5ver and removed the brakes as well in the mountains with my 04. 5 and it did a good job of it as well.



It would be good advise to buy small and then work up to the bigger ones so you can get experience without the mishaps, besides it would make a good excuse to buy another bigger & better model later in life.



Steve...

 

[Bob V]

I pretty much disagree with that assumption - those manufacturer numbers ARE there for a combination of liability AND safety reasons - probably based upon specific SAE specifications and recommendations. The manufacturer has to use SOME established and recognized basis for published load limits - and IF those sources are IGNORED by the maker, it leaves them legally liable for potential resulting death and destruction.



IF the manufacturer isn't willing to gamble, placing HIS future in jeopardy by recommending overloading, why would *I*?

I would really like to see the actual criteria for the GVW and GCVW that the manufacturers use. There must be an acceleration test as some trucks have a higher GCVW with lower differential gears. Remember the 2003 and newer 3500 SRW have the same GCVW as the DRW. Sense a DRW is heaver empty then a SRW, a SRW COULD haul a heavier trailer. The problem you will have is that you will be over weight on the front or rear axles before you can get to the max GCVW.

I personally think that the bed mounted campers are the most dangerous. They rise the center of gravity with no additional stability or braking from extra axles on the pull behinds.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT SAFTY DEVICE ON A TRUCK IS THE DRIVER. There are a lot of drivers that are safer overloaded than some drivers well under their GCVW. I think we have all seen the guy with a 30' trailer behind a EXTREMLY lifted truck doing 70+ mph trying to pass everyone he gets behind. In short, if you are driving 25,000 pounds around, and you adjust your driving accordingly (use the slow lane a reasonable speeds with extra stopping distance) you are a safer driver that about half the drivers on the road.

 

[Grizzly]

I would really like to see the actual criteria for the GVW and GCVW that the manufacturers use. There must be an acceleration test as some trucks have a higher GCVW with lower differential gears. Remember the 2003 and newer 3500 SRW have the same GCVW as the DRW. Sense a DRW is heaver empty then a SRW, a SRW COULD haul a heavier trailer. The problem you will have is that you will be over weight on the front or rear axles before you can get to the max GCVW.

I personally think that the bed mounted campers are the most dangerous. They rise the center of gravity with no additional stability or braking from extra axles on the pull behinds.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT SAFTY DEVICE ON A TRUCK IS THE DRIVER. There are a lot of drivers that are safer overloaded than some drivers well under their GCVW. I think we have all seen the guy with a 30' trailer behind a EXTREMLY lifted truck doing 70+ mph trying to pass everyone he gets behind. In short, if you are driving 25,000 pounds around, and you adjust your driving accordingly (use the slow lane a reasonable speeds with extra stopping distance) you are a safer driver that about half the drivers on the road.

Not if you have the right truck under it.

 

[Bob V]

Not if you have the right truck under it.

?????????????

 

[Grizzly]

?????????????

What part of the right truck don't you understand???

 

[Bob V]

What part of the right truck don't you understand???

What part of "They raise the center of gravity with no additional stability or braking from extra axles on the pull behinds". Do you not understand, or you one of those guys that the laws of physics don’t apply?