2500 pulling 10k 5th wheel. Will it do it?

[n4hwl]

I have a 2500 24 valve with the EZ. No work on the automatic transmission yet. Everythine else is still stock except tires. I am looking at buying a tripple axil 5th wheel that suposedly weighs about 10K. I Think I would feel more comfortable with a 3500. Do you think I could pull this thing with my 2500? I do have michelin 265's ltx with load range E. These tires show a wt limit at 80 psi of 3415 lbs. I think I would have enough power after transmission work but what about carrying the weight and braking? Any input would be appreciated.



Thanks

Ken

 

[K_Arts]

My Honest Opinion is, call Bill Kondolay and Get a real TC and VB, along with his smart controller and a Pacbrake setup, and you will be just fine pulling that trailer.



Also, with how heavy that trailer is, I highly recommend calling Easy Rider and getting an Air Ride 5ver hitch.



Hope this helps

 

[dodger22]

I too have a set up similar to yours including the EZ and Bill's TC and VB. I have just completed a 9000 mile trip during which I had the upgrades done, you will not believe the difference it makes.



My trailer has a gvwr of 10000 lb and we were 600 lb overweight when we took off. I would shy away from the exhaust brake unless you are doing a lot of driving in the mountains. I found that by taking it easy and using the trailer brake controller on steep inclines it would hold the truck back as well, I had no problems. Brakes are cheaper to replace than repairs to transmission.



I run my tires on the truck 50lb front and 70lb rear which is in accordance with the mfr suggestion. Don't use the max shown on the tire as you will exceed the pressure easily when it heats up. The trailer recommended pressures are 50 lb but I run with 55lb (max shown on tire is 65lb).



The tow rating for the 2500 is 9800lb but I think for '98 it was higher. What is the pin weight of your trailer? For a 2500 I think it is rated at 2500lb. The 3500 is much higher although on later trucks the specs for the 2500 and 3500 are pretty much the same - same rear brake size but not sure about the springs. Someone else I'm sure will correct me if I'm wrong.



Happy trails!

 

[RustyJC]

By the numbers, the primary difference between the 2500's and comparably equipped 3500's is GVWR. The 2500's carry an 8,800 lb GVWR while the 3500's are at least 10,500 lb GVWR. To determine if your truck can legally handle the 5ver, you need to know the laden weight of your truck complete with passengers, fuel, cargo, 5th wheel hitch, etc. To this you must add the loaded (not published dry) pin weight of the 5th wheel you're considering. If you're over 8,800 lbs with a 2500, you're not legal.



We bought our 3500 (see signature) because it has a 10,500 lb GVWR, a 21,500 lb GCVWR and a 14,700 lb "trailer tow rating" - therefore, we're legal pulling our 13,500 lb GVWR 5th wheel with a 2,500 pin weight.



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

I have a 2500 and my trailer is real close to the weight you are talking about. I have no problems with weight or power. The truck goes down very little when loaded. I have the 6 spd so I don't have to worry much about the transmission.

 

[MABurns]

You will have no problems, I pull a 10,000 pound fiver with a stock truck. It'll slow down on the big hills but I just lock out the OD and drive on. I look forward to a new VB and TC and mild bombing but do pretty good stock.

 

[merryman]

Ken

I pulled a 12K fiver with a stock '93 CC 4 X 4 for at least 25,000 miles----no sweat. I did soon add an exhaust brake, but other than that, the only problem with the lowly 160 hp Cummins was that it did slow down on the mountains. All the towing mentioned was through out the west where there are some mountains.

One caution... ... . what does it really weight?

My present 29' fiver is about 11. 5K ready to travel

my last fiver was a 29' and went close to 12K loaded.

(let me modify that---with the stuff on my truck, the trailers are probably more like 11. 5K and 10. 5K

The present rig has been over Oregon DOT scales four times and ranged from 19,300 to 19,700 gross.

If its an upper end fiver, it might weighs more than you think.



Vaughn

 

[dewdo]

Ken:

I don't feel you will have any problems pulling your trailer. I towed a 35' 15,000 lb fiver all around the country (16,000) miles, with my 94 Ram. I later went through two transmissions (under warranty) later on when the famous plastic quick connect melted and allowed all my fluid to spill on the highway. As for the exhaust brake, I wouldn't be without one. I hate the smell of burning brakes.



As for tire pressure, someone else mentioned not filling the tire to the posted pressure. When the pressure is listed on the tire, that is the cold pressure, so read your manual on inflating tires. Same goes for your trailer. When towing I run both the truck and trailer at 80 lbs cold pressure which is what the manual says and the tire dealer says.



If you do get an exhaust brake, be sure to get an "Auto-Loc" installed as well, Then the next thing to do is get hold of Bill at DTT and get his valve body and torque converter. Add a VA box or similar device plus gauges. That should get you off to a pretty safe start.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[samb]

A tripple axle 5th wheel will probley wieght a lot more than 10,000 # My 28. 5 ft weights over 10,580 # when loaded for camping. You need to get the trailer on a scales to see how much it weights.

Sam B.

 

[n4hwl]

This trailer has 2 axils not three like I stated on the original post. Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. This site is a great source of info.



Ken

 

[NVR FNSH]

Just did it...

I just towed my 36' Patio Hauler 5th wheel (~10. 1K dry) from Portland, OR to Santa Rosa, CA - NO PROBLEM. I have a '00 2500 4wd/6 spd with a VA CPC. Only had to go to 4th in a couple of spots - too curvy/twisty for 5th.



Can't speak for the auto. I have an exhaust brake & wouldn't want to tow without it.



Brian

 

[SnoKing]

What makes you think a triple axle trailer only weights 10K. Someone is pulling your leg. Get it weighted, I will bet it is close to 14 to 15K. Snow King

 

[JyRO]

The Numbers...

Ken - If I were you, I'd go back and read RustyJC's post. If you don't fully understand it, I'd read it again, and make sure you fully understand it. Ask for clarification if you don't. Before you buy the trailer, see if you can tow it to a CAT scale.



I think your and my trucks are similar, except mine's a 6 speed (see my signature). I'm pulling a 33' 5th wheel (one super slide-out), that runs about 9,000 - 9,100 lbs. With just my wife, my 1yr. old son, and me in the truck and a full load of fuel (nothing else in the truck). I'm running about 500 lbs over the GVWR (8,800 lb. ). I don't wanna be over GVWR. I think you may wind up farther over GVWR than me.



I think your truck will pull that weight all day long, very effectively (maybe call DTT), and stop that weight pretty decently (with an effective trailer brake). But I personally don't like being over GVWR for the legality of the situation. Don't get me wrong, it ain't gonna stop me from going camping, but it's sure got me looking to buy an '03 3500, depending on the size of the back seat of the 4 door cab. Or I may buy a 4 door PSD. I'm not sure, I sure would rather have a Cummins though. Geez, the thought of owning a PSD versus a Cummins, I don't feel so good, I gotta quit thinking about it.



I'll be sitting back here for about 1 more year, taking good care of my truck, waiting on the new 4 door, hoping it'll be bigger than the 1500's 4 door cab. Also, I won't be buying the 4 door if D/C shortens the 8' bed to do it. I love my 8' bed! I'll check out the '03's real good, and if I like 'em, I'll order an '04.



- JyRO

 

[DRR-24V]

Trailer Weights

Ken,

Look inside all of the cabinet doors inside the trailer till you find the white tab with unladen weight and maximum loaded weight.

They are on the money, and will tell you how much weight you can add to the trailer. My 2500 pulls a total of 17, 010 lbs fine.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Don,

The weight tag in my cabinets has a footnote - "weights are approximate"



I'll get it weighed in the near future to see how much it really weighs.



Brian