2006 Mobile Suites 36TKS too much weight

[DAN V]

I know this topic has been discussed many times on here but I am looking at a heavy unit. It is very nice trailer.I called to get the UVW and GTW. UVW is 14,500 and GTW is 18,500. I know I will be overloaded if the trailer is fully loaded but I do not plan on using it very often. Would you guys recommend me towing this with my truck just to get it home. I do plan to get a new truck but that is several years down the road. I talked to them about buying it and I got a pretty good deal on the phone. I am thinking about getting this trailer. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JR]

Going by memory your truck is rated to tow 12k lbs with a rear gawr of 7500 lbs. The same truck with a 6 speed manual is rated at 14k+, so the limiting factor in these trucks is the transmission. If you have a stock auto, your going to be taxing it pretty heavy. IMO the biggest factor is going to be pin weight, if that's exceeded your just asking for trouble. Only way to tell is to hook it up and drag it across a scale.
Towing it home would most likely be a safe bet (depending on how far that is), but then you have to look at where you plan on taking it in the future.

 

[RustyJC]

Dan,

I pulled the Mobile Suites in my signature below with our 2002 3500, but it was an ETH/DEE (Cummins HO and NV5600 6-speed). The chassis handled it fine, so you're probably OK to tow it home in that regard. My question would be the 47RE - if you baby it, you could probably get it home, but I wouldn't plan on much towing of this rig with a stock 47RE. JMHO. (And, yes, I've towed previous 5th wheels with the 47RE - I had one in my 1996 3500 V-10/47RE Ram. I had to add external coolers, etc. to get that transmission to live.)

Rusty

 

[RustyJC]

Duplicate post.

 

[Bill Stockard]

A retired couple and full time RVing friends of ours have been towing a similar trailer with a '03 3500 CTD,48RE, 4.10, SRW (I don't know if they have weighed the truck's rear axle on scales.) for several years all over the mid-western, southwestern, and western states. The 48RE automatic transmission was rebuilt before they purchased their Mobile Suites and they report that the 36' Mobile Suites trailer tows easier than the 31' Hitchhiker 5th wheel they traded in. Other than the transmission rebuild, their truck has over 200k miles of trouble free miles on it so far.

Unfortunately their Mobile Suites 5th wheel was built before 17" wheels and tires were made available. According to them, their trailer cannot be upgraded to 17" wheels and tires because of clearance problems and as a result they have had numerous tire problems with the supplied 16" wheels and tires.

Bill

 

[NIsaacs]

Unfortunately their Mobile Suites 5th wheel was built before 17" wheels and tires were made available. According to them, their trailer cannot be upgraded to 17" wheels and tires because of clearance problems and as a result they have had numerous tire problems with the supplied 16" wheels and tires.

Bill

The 215/75Rx17.5 16 ply tire should fit anywhere a 16" tire will fit. They are only 30.25" in diameter and have 4800 lb capacity.

Nick

 

[Bill Stockard]

The 215/75Rx17.5 16 ply tire should fit anywhere a 16" tire will fit. They are only 30.25" in diameter and have 4800 lb capacity.

Nick

Nick,

I'm just the messenger and only quoting them. I don't know whether they will fit or not and don't care to get into an argument with them about it. It ain't my horse...

Bill

 

[AH64ID]

I just looked up the 2002 specs and they were really underrated. The D80 is rated for over 10K, so why does dodge limit it to 7500? Must be a frame/suspension issue.

My 05 is rated to an additional 5K lbs and a 6K higher GCW.. As a SRW.

 

[Cummins12V98]

All that matters for getting it home is what your rear tires can handle for weight. My 07.5 36SB3 has a pin weight of 4,500#+. Yours empty will be at least 3,500#. For more than just getting it home I can't stress enough that RV needs a Dually in front of it!

DRV makes a great RV I have been full timing in ours for over two years and will be ordering a 14 or 15 later this year.

 

[RustyJC]

Nick,

I'm just the messenger and only quoting them. I don't know whether they will fit or not and don't care to get into an argument with them about it. It ain't my horse...

Bill

Bill,

If they're going back to DRV, they are going to recommend converting to 5/8" studs and using 17.5" Alcoa wheels (at least they did with me). If they will check with Scott at Trailer Tires and Wheels, he can supply them with 17.5" aluminum wheels that utilize their (most likely) 9/16" studs with their choice of Michelin, Goodyear or other 215/75R-17.5 4805 lb load rated tire. I know they fit - I put them on my Mobile Suites (see signature) to get rid of the 16" Goodyear G614 RST garbage after 2 tire failures. The 17.5s are 1/2" smaller in diameter than the LT235/85R-16 G614s.

If they want to keep tearing up their trailer with tire failures, that's their business - you can't help a man that doesn't want to be helped. Solutions are available, though, if they're willing to listen to those of us who have incorporated them.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I did the conversion in summer of 12. Alcoa 17" and GY H rated tires with no problem at all.

Bought from TT&W Scott also. Easy to change from 9/16" to 5/8" studs for full axle and wheel rating.

I agree/disagree about the G14's being a problem. My DRV is a 07.5 and the tires had a 07 production date. The spare never hit the ground and after 5 years of service I did the up grade. The older made GY G's did have issues but they did stand behind them and pay for repairs that no other tire maker would do.

My axles are stamped 8.000# but the trailer says 7,500# so by changing to the H tires and wheels and 5/8" studs they are truly 8K axles now.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Rusty,

I suggested going back to DRV and checking with the factory for the accurate facts since I remembered some of you have changed your wheels and tires. My suggestion fell on "deaf ears" and they acted as they didn't want to hear any more. I had my say and made no more comments about it... not my trailer and not my money.

Bill

 

[Cummins12V98]

Bill I know the type!

 

[NIsaacs]

For more than just getting it home I can't stress enough that RV needs a Dually in front of it!

I think the OP has a dually, '02, 3500.

Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

I think the OP has a dually, '02, 3500.

Nick

Thanks! I had to look into his profile to find it.

OP your truck will be fine, air up the tires and head down the road. You will know by how it handles the load if it is okay. Air bags will probably be needed.

 

[RVTRKN]

My buddy has been hauling a 35' triple axle toy hauler that maxes out his 235HP 2001 2500 4X4 CTD short bed with the 47re, he takes care not to tromp on the go pedal and he's never had an issue with the 47re, he did lose a VP44 though.

 

[DAN V]

Great info thanks.

I really appreciate all the info you guys have put in. I have a lot to think about. The DRV is a heavy unit yes. I do plan to baby it home (if I do decide to get it), which will be approx 125 miles one way. sure glad I have my in bed fuel tank to use as that much weight will suck the fuel gage down. Many thanks and you guys are the best for info. I don't plan to put too much more into my truck as I do plan to get a new RAM in several years. Just want to be able to claim the DRV on my taxes as a second home. Thanks a bunch guys, much appreciated.

 

[Bob V]

Dan, if for some reason you don't want to use your truck we could pick it up with mine. Sounds like you have it handled but just to give you another option.
Bob V

 

[DAN V]

Hey Bob, thanks for the offer. They are really wanting to sell this rig at a great price that they are willing to deliver it and even pickup the trade in. I might just do it. I am also looking at a '11 Heartland Grand Canyon. I am hoping to get home early this coming Thursday night and get some sleep as I am hoping to get down there Friday morning since it is about a 3 hour drive to Juction City. Don't want to leave the dog home alone so goin to take her with us.

 

[DAN V]

I am not too crazy about the frames that Hearland is using. I emailed them and they are using Lippert frames. Do you guys think I should stay away from them, or should I walk away even though it is a nice interior?