5th Wheel Questions, Newbe.

[red-rider]

Hey Guys,



I currently have my pull trailer on the market and just purchased a 34' 5th wheel.



So far I have heard that the drive will be incredibly more stable then the pull, which I would like.



Any suggestions on what to do with suspension if any? Any advice is welcome.



Thanks



I have the auction up if anyone is interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005...50063QQitemZ4569875510QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[GFrance]

If you have a 3500 you'll be fine. If you have a 2500 air bags will help. Although if it's a 2500 you will probably be over the gvwr of the truck as well as the gcwr with that trailer loaded up with toys.

 

[red-rider]

The 5er itself weights 8650 empty. I am considering getting the airbags as well. It states that my truck can pull 13,250. Im thinking Im still way below my towing capacity, with water, fuel and the toys, I should be around 10,000 max, I guess Ill weigh it when loaded but, my question now is, is it rated different towing in the rear then in the bed?

 

[GFrance]

I think on your door sticker on the 04. 5 2500 your rated for 9000 gvwr if you have a srw 3500 it's 9900 gvwr Weigh the truck at a truck stop full of fuel & anything you may carry, passengers, tools, etc. Then weigh it with the 5vr loaded with toys, water etc subtact the rear axle truck wt. empty from the rear axle truck wt. with 5vr & you'll have your actual pin weight. Then you can tell if that pin wt. puts you over the gvwr of your truck.



you should find the tow ratings here



http://dodgeram.info/2004/towing-charts.html

 

[nps]

my question now is, is it rated different towing in the rear then in the bed?

Your truck is rated the same. However the 5er will put more pin weight on the 5er hitch than the TT did. Plus your weight distributing hitch took some of the tongue weight and shifted it to the front axle and trailer axles.



So you need to look at the pin load the 5er will put in the bed and make sure you don't exceed your axle weight, tire max loads, and GVWR.



Generally speaking, you will exceed the GVWR faster with a 5er than a TT because of the 5er pin weight. Translated, you can pull a bigger TT than 5er while staying within the mfg limits on your truck.



Flame suit on :-laf

 

[CLAYTON]

Definitely put some airbags on. With any weight these trucks sag and your lights will be in everyones eyes. Plus it make the ride better and the truck level.

 

[tmh1955]

I forget who makes it, but there is a 5th wheel hitch on the market that employs air bags. The jolt associated with 5th wheels going over bumps can be scarey, and this hitch would probably do the trick.



I don't own one myself. Thinking about it tho

 

[GAmes]

You could go with Timbrens. 30 minute install, no compressor or air lines to fool with. They do not engage until you put weight in the bed so the empty ride stays the same.

 

[red-rider]

thanks guys Ill look into everything.

 

[RMcCulloch]

I forget who makes it, but there is a 5th wheel hitch on the market that employs air bags. The jolt associated with 5th wheels going over bumps can be scarey, and this hitch would probably do the trick.



I don't own one myself. Thinking about it tho

EasyRider is the one that I have and love. Oo.

 

[Kirwin]

5th wheel weight

Are you sure about that unloaded weight? A 34 foot 5th wheel will weigh more that 8650 dry in my opinion. Heck my 32 foot pull behind trailer weighs 12 K! I'd say that a loaded 34 foot fifth wheel will go between 12 to 14 K easily. In my opinion you will easily be over your GVWR and GCWR with that trailer and any thing less that a 3500 DRW 4. 10 rear axle ratio truck! Don't believe anything that manufacturer puts out as far as unloaded trailer weight. Use the GVWR of the trailer when comparing trailers and expect it to weigh that when your pulling it! Ken Irwin

 

[red-rider]

Ok this is what the sticker states outside



GVWR 14,760

GAWR 6,000 Ibs per axle (trailers got 2 axles)



Inside sticker states



GVWR 14,760

UVW 8523



This is a toybox with no pop outs.

 

[GAmes]

I've pulled a few of those MT, man are they front heavy!! With some toys in the back and gear you will see 13,000 real easy but it should be better balanced. If you can find a set of scales where you can move your stuff around to optimize the weight ratio I'd recommend it. About 20% of the total loaded tlr wt should be on the pin. Your sig doesn't say what model you have but I hope it's a duelly or at least a 3500.

 

[EricBu12]

Red Rider,



I have the Keystone 36' Raptor. It has 2 slides and it was like 10K empty and the GVW is 15,500# It was about that and I am at around 15K so I recomend you WILL be around the GVW of the trailer like 14K.



I have a 3/4 ton 2nd gen. I have done some things to make it able to take the weight and to stop good.



First, I went to 19. 5" forged aluminum rims from Ricksons... . and "F" rated 12 ply michelin 245/70 R-19. 5" These are rated at 4080# at 95 psi.



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The Jacobs exhaust brake, and power ups to 400 hp,



for the suspension..... Roadmaster suspension coil. Mr. Bobs sells it, it adds about a ton of capacity, it has a preload on it so as the weight goes on, it gets stronger. Thats all I added on my HD 3/4 ton and it takes my 3000# pin just fine... Truck sits level and tows fine... I have 3 axles on this trailer and I think yours does as well so that adds 2 more brakes for stopping.



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I bought a kit that makes my 4x4 use the low range to maneuver the trailer in 2wd but in low range... . sweet.



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So..... Yes I am over GVW, yes I am over GCVWR... . maybe if I think of my truck as a SW- 1 ton, i am slightly over GVW... . but right at the 23K rated for it GCVWR... . I drive truck for a living so I am well aware of how weight moves... (I do tripples 105K#)



What I am not over ..... is not over any axle, ... . any tire at all. The truck tires are made for towing, not a AT tire... . Even though there are some "E" types...

 

[red-rider]

Ok heres a picture of the new trailer, it does have two axles, 16" rims, Ill get the size and rating of the tires. My truck is a 2500. No suspension work yet but appointments on Monday and throughout the week.



I have the 11. 50 axle in which Im dumbfounded about because I do not know what this means, Im trying to read the "trailer towing" info sheet, but nothing about 11. 50, any help is appreciated.



EricBu12,

Nice trailer and set up you got there. How does that Roadmaster suspension coil work with no trailer? Is it really stiff back there, or is the ride the same? How much do those things run. Ill surf the net to look for them in a few.

By the way I wish I could get my dad to ride with me, must be really nice to do father and son stuff like that. I do that with my kids when we have them and will continue the tradition like you guys do.



Thanks for all the replies

 

[EricBu12]

Red,



heres a site



http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/rm_act_suspension/Active_Suspension.htm



They are about $220. I saw that they cover up to 03 dodge 2500... . might still work OK.



when there is no load, it is a little stiffer but not any worse than like airbags with like 10# air or something. It raised the rear like 1" after install... . The biggest diff on the stiff ride is the 12 ply tires. I run the rear at 50# empty and that helps the ride empty... ... I run at full 95 loaded and 70 in the front tires empty and loaded.....



On the axles, there should be a case of all the items that are in and on the trailer so there should be some info on the axles in that packet.



That trailer seems like the weight dist. like mine but yours might be alittle lighter on the nose because of no slides but still like 2500# or so loaded. See mine is longer in the nose



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NOW..... I sugg. you go over your trailer with a fine tooth comb... . I found some shortcomings in this thread here in my trailer... . had some insulation problems... .



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137532



I added up the sq ftge and it was like 95 sq ft of heat gain area. With the second A/C, it works good. If you have the second A/C pre-wired, go for it and add it. If nothing else, it helps in the circulation of air... .

 

[EricBu12]

Red, At the end of the link to the post, I stated I replaced the water pump with the Shureflow 4. 0 GPM smart sensor water pump... .



I highly recomend you replace the stock water pump in the trailer which is worth $50 and 2. 8GPM... and get this pump... it is right now on sale at campingworld on the club price of $129. . (reg. 170). This pump is quiet snd flows good. has a variable speed motor and resembles house pressure and flow. have pics in the camera so will add later...



http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?prodID=3930&src=SRQB

 

[red-rider]

Eric,

Thanks for the website and pump advice. Im trying to decide between these suspension coil or air bags. So far the price of the coils sound a hell of a lot better then the airbag set up, but I still want to be safe in the decision because saving money here or there could be detrimental.

regarding the pump I think Ill probably keep the stocker because my wife washes dishes like no tomorrow and the way the kids take showers Ill probably end up running out of water faster then anticipated. Ill look into it though.

Thanks Javier

 

[EricBu12]

Just teach them how to do a military shower, these rigs come with the shower head that has a 1/4 turn valve so teach them to turn off the head when soaping up.



The faucet in the shower/tub had a real hard pull up on the diverter... This meant to use alot of flow and pressure to keep it on... . so I replaced it with another one from a trailer supply... It is a chrome one and has the gravity diverter valve that is out by the end of the snout. I have this same kind in the house and it helps so you don't need as much water flow to keep it on.



Also tell your wife you don't need a sink FULL of water, about 1/4-1/2 full... . and a trickle is all that is needed to rinse and wash dishes and such,... . I didn't knotice too much of an increase in volume with this new pump, just smoother and better pressure at all water positions.



On that Pump, I also got the quiet kit which is 2, 18" flex hoses to absorb the vibrations of the pumps and they also have a high flow strainer for that pump.