10,000+ lb. fifth-wheel too big for a 2500?

[Bob W]

We recently purchased a 2500 ETH/DEE with the intent of getting a fifth-wheel in a few years. At a RV show a salesman said for fifth-wheels over 10k a dually is recommended. We all know the 2500 can tow well over 10,000. Does anyone have any problems/frustrations towing heavy 5er's with a 2500? Thanks in advance.

 

[pwr2tow]

If the pickup can pull the camper then the only weight problem would be the hitch weight, the camper should have the hitch weight in it's spec's manual. That salesman must be over protective, usually they will tell you you can pull a large 5th wheel with a S-10 pickup just to make a sale. Ron

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[Big MAK]

The 3500 is nice for stability; crosswinds, etc. The 2500 will pull it fine if you're not in a hurry and can take it easy; especially on windy days.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I have a 38' triple slide 5'er weighs about 13. 5k, about 3200 on the hitch. I pulled it just fine with my old '94 2500. I did install airbags because the truck was already loaded with an extra fuel tank and a power tailgate. That truck was heavily "bombed" it would pull the 5th wheel with a 19ft boat behind it, no problems. I now have an '01 dually. The only improvement I see is in cross winds or some of the old 2 lanes that constantly tilt you side to side. The dually handles it better because of the sidewall flex on the tires (4 tires flexes less than 2).

You won't be disappointed with the 2500.

btw. I've had the best luck with Michelins seems to be less flex than the good years and coopers I've tried and lasts much longer.

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2001 Quad Cab Dually, ETH, SLT Plus, 275 injectors, Banks Power Pack.

 

[Bob Wagner]

No problem here. I tow a 30' Mallard with 2 slides and a stand up bedroom 9K+. 2500 tows fine

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01 Dodge Ram 4X4 QC

 

[Okie-Go]

My 5er is 30ft and 9500 lbs EMPTY. I have no problems on trips. I am sure we are at close to 11,000 by the time we pack and get loaded. I have the camper package and carry a 66 gallon aux. tank. In a side wind I slow down for safety but it is not a problem pulling. I wish I could tell you the exact weight but I always am going to fast when I see a scale.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Scott Gray]

I haven't had any problem with the 2500. Inflate the rear tires to 70 lbs. and down the road we go.....

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 2WD, LWB, SLT+, 3. 54, Tow Package, Camper Package, Jake e-brake and more...
Pulling a 30', 12. 5K lb Alpenlite 5'ver

 

[claymike]

I have pulled my 30' Gulf Stream triple slide the weighs 12k for over 10,000 miles now with no problems.

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Mike Clay
2001 HO,6 speed QC,2500,4x4Dark Garnet Red,ISSPRO E&B gauges on A Pillar, Rhino Nerf Steps Lit, Series 3000 brush & grill guard, NW Custom rocker panels, Jacobs E-brake, all options except leather, Reese 20k hitch. Towing a 30' Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 5th Wheel triple slide. The Mule

 

[samb]

Bob;
I have a 97 2500 extended cab and I pull a 28. 5 Coachmen Royal that weighs 10490 and has a pin weight of 1860. I pull the trailer in OD and cruise most of the time with out any problem and every thing is stock. I don't think you will have any trouble .

Sam B.

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97, Lamanie SLT, clubcab, driftwood, 3. 5 spicer 70 rear axle
96 Coachmen Royal 285rk 5th wheel, 11,000 #

 

[MCrossley]

I pull a 33' tripple slide 5th wheel at about 14,000 and I have had no problems with the 2500 4x4

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed. Line-X bed-liner. DTT's TC & VB, Pac Brake, Power Edge, Edge EZ, Grover Air Horns

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz.com

Add on's to come: any other Ram Runner required modifications...

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for all the replies. Another question for the guys with the 3. 54 gears; does anyone have any problem towing with the 3. 54's?

 

[nopowerforme]

I tow a 3ft 5er weighing 12, 600 lbs loaded I tow with a 1995 2500 dodge withe the 5,9 and 3:54 rear end.

I tow this fairly well but was a little slower on the hills than I wanted to be so I installed the K&N air filter The Jacobs E brake and An uprate kit from TST giving me more HP I also installed the EGT gauge and the Booost gauge. I love the way I can tow now.

Stay with the 2500 you will not be sorry, The 3500 will not let you tow any more just put more weight in the back and you'll need to buy two extra tires.

Happy camping #ad

 

[PRout]

No prob. Very stable.

I had the same concern, but it handles it fine. No problem w/ crosswinds. I watch the motorhomes in front of me blowing all over the place when I hardly feel the wind.


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2k, 30k miles, QC, SB, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54, 285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), Sunnybrook 28' fiver, 16,780 lbs. 18mpg (unloaded), 12-14 mpg (loaded). VA, DD1's, PS Boost module & elbow, BD brake... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). More BOMBING to come. .

 

[Wiredawg]

I tow a 15K lb Travel Supreme with a 2800 lb pin weight. Pulls great even with crosswinds. As you can see, I've added addtional equip to make my good hauler a great hauler.

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover.