What is the best setup for hauling 5th wheel campers ?

[Cummins12V98]

denviola, I have basically the same truck as you. I would love to fill to the top next to you take a to and from highway round trip of 400 miles no wind flat roads at let's say 64 mph. Then both fill to the top. I will pay your fuel bill if you get 20mpg. To add to this I will pay you $500 if you do get 20. I know for a fact I will be LUCKY to get 16. What are you willing to pay me if you get less than 19?

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Still no answer. Oh well.

I don't think there is a single answer to your question. Load, road, weather, driving style all contribute. You do what works for you, he does what works for him. That doesn't mean one way is better or worse than the other.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I don't think there is a single answer to your question. Load, road, weather, driving style all contribute. You do what works for you, he does what works for him. That doesn't mean one way is better or worse than the other.

He likes to play this game. Simple question he won't answer. What gear do you tow at in a 60 zone running 34k combined GS? What are the rpm's?

 

[Ram4Sam]

Still no answer. Oh well.

Buy him a cheeseburger @ Applebees......you can't shut him up.......:-laf

Sam

 

[NIsaacs]

What gear do you tow at in a 60 zone running 34k combined GS? What are the rpm's?

I am not GS, but using the gear calculator and his tire size of 31.7" not taking into account his 130k miles of wear, here are some numbers:

At 60 mph with his gear ratio of 3.73, 3rd is 3180 rpm, 4th is 2372, 5th is 1825 and 6th is 1495. So actually, depending on several variables of need, he could in fact, use any one of the 4 gears. If he is a real easy going guy, he might have to slam his fingers in the door to use 3rd:-laf

Nick

 

[SnoKing]

Still no answer. Oh well.

I guess he is ashamed of how the 3.73 tow.?.?.?

 

[NIsaacs]

I guess he is ashamed of how the 3.73 tow.?.?.?

I really doubt that. My son hauled this out of Phoenix to Showlow via Salt River Canyon Saturday, with his '16 Mega dually and 3.73's. He said it was 2nd and 3rd gear all the way down and up. He thinks it might be over his registration so he might have to unload some before he heads to Montana with it or buy more. He said he will weigh it before he leaves then decide what is best. The next load will be smaller with a smaller trailer, so he can unload some short stuff if he has to.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

I really doubt that. My son hauled this out of Phoenix to Showlow via Salt River Canyon Saturday, with his '16 Mega dually and 3.73's. He said it was 2nd and 3rd gear all the way down and up. He thinks it might be over his registration so he might have to unload some before he heads to Montana with it or buy more. He said he will weigh it before he leaves then decide what is best. The next load will be smaller with a smaller trailer, so he can unload some short stuff if he has to.

View attachment 101629

Nick

Which transmission???

 

[NIsaacs]

He has the Aisin this time with the air ride. His '12 Mega dually had the 68RFE, it was trouble free.

Picture of one side of the canyon, it is a tough pull with any truck or trailer.

Nick

 

[BSeyler]

He has the Aisin this time with the air ride. His '12 Mega dually had the 68RFE, it was trouble free.

Picture of one side of the canyon, it is a tough pull with any truck or trailer.

View attachment 101631

Nick

That is a nice drive, but, a hard pull. I've only done it once. Hope to get back that way again.

 

[GAmes]

The first time I drove the canyon was with a '38 ft 5er that went to Globe. Definitely a workout for my little 12 valve and 5 speed transmission. I was sure glad I had an EB and it worked well in 3rd gear going down. Since then I've gone through it several times, once to show my grandsons what I believe the bottom of the Grand Canyon looks like, without the donkey ride.

 

[SnoKing]

I have towed my 29' 5th wheel with the 2001.5 at 20K+ combined on that route. Pretty drive, down the hill West bound on the exhaust brake in 2nd gear and back up the South hill without an issue. We stopped and the bottom for pictures and a look around. Would do it again with the 2015 and 39' 5th wheel at 24,500 combined.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"At 60 mph with his gear ratio of 3.73, 3rd is 3180 rpm, 4th is 2372, 5th is 1825 and 6th is 1495."

I would like to hear from GS but no doubt towing heavy as he has shown to be looks like he will be in 5th at 60mph turning 1,825. But But shouldn't he be using ALL his gears????? With those loads a 4.10 would be hauling that load all day long in 6th at 60 at 1,750.

The more I think about it my next truck most likely will have 3.42's, yes even towing my combined 35K.

 

[kthaxton]

"At 60 mph with his gear ratio of 3.73, 3rd is 3180 rpm, 4th is 2372, 5th is 1825 and 6th is 1495."

I would like to hear from GS but no doubt what towing heavy as he has shown to be looks like he will be in 5th at 60mph turning 1,825. But But shouldn't he be using ALL his gears????? With those loads a 4.10 would be hauling that load all day long in 6th at 60 at 1,750.

The more I think about it my next truck most likely will have 3.42's, yes even towing my combined 35K.

I think the gear he would be in depends on the grade.

When I tow, I use whatever gear is usable. Sometimes that 4th, sometimes that 5th and sometimes that's 6th.

EVERY SINGLE towing trip I've ever done, used all those gears at some point. The idea that one would determine ahead of time, and further, ALWAYS use, the same top gear is very strange. I use whatever top gear is usable. Living in the west, I don't see very many long stretches of flat

 

[SnoKing]

I think the gear he would be in depends on the grade.

When I tow, I use whatever gear is usable. Sometimes that 4th, sometimes that 5th and sometimes that's 6th.

EVERY SINGLE towing trip I've ever done, used all those gears at some point. The idea that one would determine ahead of time, and further, ALWAYS use, the same top gear is very strange. I use whatever top gear is usable. Living in the west, I don't see very many long stretches of flat

I never tow in 6th. However I tow at 60 most of the time and sometimes 62. At 24,500 I believe those are safe towing speeds. If I went faster I would just use more fuel to do that, so why be in a hurry? Truck in TH will not go into 6th until over 65 and I am not going to do that. However I do have that nice freeway cruising gear when not towing!!!!

SnoKing

 

[kthaxton]

I don't want to be a rolling road block when there is no reason to be.

I travel a particular path 3-5 times a year....I have no reason to take it slow to take it all in. I'll go the speed limit and perhaps slightly over....as long as it is safe to do so.....and I'll enjoy all 6 gears while doing it.

 

[Larry Willard]

I don't want to be a rolling road block when there is no reason to be.

I travel a particular path 3-5 times a year....I have no reason to take it slow to take it all in. I'll go the speed limit and perhaps slightly over....as long as it is safe to do so.....and I'll enjoy all 6 gears while doing it.

Have to agree with you. I don't see many trucks/campers towing at 60 MPH. I am East to West with my camper at least once a year. Before I retired it was running at least 70, now I have backed that down to 65-68 most of the time. Towing with the Ram GCW is in the 28000 + range, with the motorhome now just under 40000 GCW.

 

[SnoKing]

With you as the rabbit and me has the tortoise, I will pass you up at a fuel spot.

BTW, that is about the stupidest reason I have ever heard for driving fast while towing.

 

[kthaxton]

With you as the rabbit and me has the tortoise, I will pass you up at a fuel spot.

But I'd likely catch up to you and get stuck behind your rolling roadblock.

 

[SnoKing]

But I'd likely catch up to you and get stuck behind your rolling roadblock.

ON I-10 or I-5. Pretty hard to block a 4 or 6 lane freeway.