4th gen 2500 4x4 towing a 5th wheel

[KRSmitty]

Any users with this set up?

Presently towing a TT, but thinking of going back to a 5th wheel. I know my 2017 4x4 sits about 6" higher than my 2007 4x2 did. Thinking I may have clearance issues with side rails and 5th wheel and keeping the 5er level while towing.

 

[SnoKing]

Want to tow a 5th wheel of any size, then get a 3500! Want to keep the 2500, then stay with a bumper pull trailer.

 

[JR]

Want to tow a 5th wheel of any size, then get a 3500! Want to keep the 2500, then stay with a bumper pull trailer.

Did someone in this quote not tow a 5th wheel with a much older 2500 than the OP? Sheesh!

Depending on the size of each and axle placement a TT could put just as much weight on the rear as a 5th, or at the very least make it handle worse. That's just not an accurate statement without knowing more specifics.

 

[RVTRKN]

Any users with this set up?

Presently towing a TT, but thinking of going back to a 5th wheel. I know my 2017 4x4 sits about 6" higher than my 2007 4x2 did. Thinking I may have clearance issues with side rails and 5th wheel and keeping the 5er level while towing.

That will be an issue but can be overcome, you might need to turn the axles of the 5ver.

 

[NIsaacs]

Want to tow a 5th wheel of any size, then get a 3500! Want to keep the 2500, then stay with a bumper pull trailer.

Since the question was about bed clearance, how will a 3500 help? Do they sit lower than a 2500?

I would think a 2500 will drop 3"-4" with a load. There must be about a million or two 2500's towing fifth wheels. I would not flip the axles/springs, that just looks nasty

I would shop for RV's with larger tires. If the RV has equalizer type suspension, you can tow with the front slightly elevated, the longer the RV the less this matters. If the RV has torsion axles, then yes, it needs to be level.

 

[JR]

I went from a 98 2500 towing a 5th wheel to a 14, same camper. The 14 definitely sits higher. Aside from an axle flip and going from 15" to 16" wheels I removed the pin box and was able to drill one more set of holes in the frame. This got me around 1.5" IIRC. Camper still does not set perfectly level but it is alot better. This is also an older camper, the few newer units I have looked at seem to be building in the trend of the newer trucks....up.

 

[RVTRKN]

I went from this to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To this 3500 SRW, haven't hooked up yet, but will soon find out.

 

[KRSmitty]

Want to tow a 5th wheel of any size, then get a 3500! Want to keep the 2500, then stay with a bumper pull trailer.

Towed a 32' 5er with my 07 2500 4x2 for about 4 years with no problems.

 

[KRSmitty]

That will be an issue but can be overcome, you might need to turn the axles of the 5ver.

Yep, not sure I want to get into that, but???

 

[KRSmitty]

Since the question was about bed clearance, how will a 3500 help? Do they sit lower than a 2500?

I would think a 2500 will drop 3"-4" with a load. There must be about a million or two 2500's towing fifth wheels. I would not flip the axles/springs, that just looks nasty

I would shop for RV's with larger tires. If the RV has equalizer type suspension, you can tow with the front slightly elevated, the longer the RV the less this matters. If the RV has torsion axles, then yes, it needs to be level.

My 2500 sits 59" from the ground to top of tailgate empty. As you mention, I am thinking it will squat 2-4"...taking it down to at least 57". Wanting at least 4-6" clearance between the bed rails and 5er...the 5th wheel would need to sit at least 61" level.

I understand there are 5th wheels out there that meet this...just need to look for it.

 

[SnoKing]

My 2500 sits 59" from the ground to top of tailgate empty. As you mention, I am thinking it will squat 2-4"...taking it down to at least 57". Wanting at least 4-6" clearance between the bed rails and 5er...the 5th wheel would need to sit at least 61" level.

I understand there are 5th wheels out there that meet this...just need to look for it.

6" is minimum bed clearance!!!

If you are concerned about the 10K GVWR for the truck, then you are not going to be able to tow much of a 5th wheel. RGAWR is 6500 and truck will weigh between 3000-3500 on the rear axle ready to tow. Tow a trailer with 3K pin weight and truck will be at around 11K. So we are back to the fact that you can tow a bumper pull trailer with quite a bit more living space with the 2500 vs a 5th wheel.

 

[Wiredawg]

Whatever adjustments, mods, or configuration you do, I recommend the end result allow 6" clearance from the bed to the RV. When I was towing a heavy fiver with 02 3500 4x4, I actaually once came upon some railroad tracks that left a couple divits in the RV, but no damage to rear of bed.

I wouldn't worry about flipping axles if done right. The unit I mentioned was a '00 triple axle Travel Supreme 18Klbs. I initially had a 00 Ram 2500 4x4 I pulled this with. Even when I upgraded to the 02 3500 4x4, I was still way over weight, but not on tires or axles.

That rig looked really nice flipped. No handling problems or tire wear issues ever.

Hope this helps in deciding.

Cheers, Ron

 

[RVTRKN]

There is a difference with height from an 07 to 13, the two wheel drive now has the same front end as 4x4, just minus a pumpkin and shafts.

Towed a 32' 5er with my 07 2500 4x2 for about 4 years with no problems.

 

[Larry Sciblo]

The truck has a 3" leveling in the front and air bags in the rear. I was nose high when connected to the 5er so had a subframe installed (4" Inch Lift) on the 5er. Pretty level now and tows very nice.

 

[SnoKing]

6" is minimum bed clearance!!!

Whatever adjustments, mods, or configuration you do, I recommend the end result allow 6" clearance from the bed to the RV. When I was towing a heavy fiver with 02 3500 4x4, I actaually once came upon some railroad tracks that left a couple divits in the RV, but no damage to rear of bed.

I wouldn't worry about flipping axles if done right. The unit I mentioned was a '00 triple axle Travel Supreme 18Klbs. I initially had a 00 Ram 2500 4x4 I pulled this with. Even when I upgraded to the 02 3500 4x4, I was still way over weight, but not on tires or axles.

That rig looked really nice flipped. No handling problems or tire wear issues ever.

Hope this helps in deciding.

Cheers, Ron

A heavy TS like this one that I moved for my step son. Coors might be light, however the TS was not.

 

[Wiredawg]

A heavy TS like this one that I moved for my step son. Coors might be light, however the TS was not.

View attachment 116279

Yep, 36 footer. I actually miss ours. if I could do it all over, might have just refurbished it. nice and solid.

Cheers, Ron