5th wheel towing

[hyrax]

yeah, yeah, I know it's been covered a million times but... maybe somebody's got some current info/suggestions on towing a 14,000# (11,900 empty) high end fiver with a late model dodge 3/4 diesel. I've done all the math and will be OK on the GCVW but a 1000 or so over on the rear axle of the truck due to the pin wt of I figure about 3000#. my truck is a 2002 with a GVWR of 8800. should I mount the hitch several inches fwd of the rear axle? which hitch is a good one - the 20k reese is what the dealership wants me to buy. oh, I ought to mention that I do have the camper option ie sway bar and extra leaf spring as well as a set of firestone airbags on the rear axle. hey, any light shed on the above subject would be much appreciated. KEEP ON TRUCKIN'... .

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

You should have a 3500 dually for that rig. the next best choice if you don't want training wheels is to trade for a 2003 single rear wheel 1 ton. If you keep the 2500, put the 3400 lb load rated tires on the rear.

 

[RustyJC]

We're pushing GVWR and GCVWR with our 3500 (rated at 10,500/21,500 respectively) towing our 5ver. We're running 10,380/21,180.



Rusty

 

[Ray Torresdal]

weight distribution

I wouldn't move the fifth wheel forward from where it is normally set. The front end gets plenty heavy with the recommended setting if you haul heavy. Grossing 25,500 with my 2500 and gooseneck, my truck axles were loaded almost exactly the same, @5250 ea. There was 14,500 on the trailer axles, which leaves @3500 pin weight. The truck handled fine. If you are worried about rear tires - get a set of 19. 5" wheels and tires. I wouldn't worry too much about anything beyond tires, and trailer tires are more likely to pose problems than your truck tires.



FWIW



Ray

 

[RustyJC]

Obviously, this discussion is going to break into the two traditional camps. To those of us who try to tow within ratings, we share with you that you can't tow a 14,000 lb 5ver without exceeding the truck's GVWR and GCVWR. To those who don't care about ratings, the attitude seems to be, "Screw the ratings! Engineers don't know what they're doing, and numbers mean nothing. Hitch up and go. " Then we'll hear a few platitudes about the Mighty Cummins, etc. etc.



Personally, I've seen too many F-250's and SRW F-350's towing 19,999 GVWR 40' Alfa Golds. Besides putting themselves, my family and others at risk, these abuses are about to take their toll on those of us who enjoy RVing by bringing this whole weight, vehicle licensing and driver licensing situation for RV's onto the government's radar screen.



So, hitch up and enjoy it while you can, I guess. I've said all I'm going to on this subject.



Rusty

 

[Runaway]

Yep!

What he said (RustyJC) goes for me too!

 

[Goddard]

you should be ok with that kind of gross weight. you DO want to keep close watch on the hopefully E load range tires you have! i have the 20k reese you are talking about and it is a good unit. it has a different jaw set-up than the smaller ones, more like a bid truck! keep the jaws greased good and i suggest a lube pad for in between the hitch and 5ver. install it where reese tells you, this will put it just in front of the rear axle. if you install it yourself have fun drilling the frame! you will need a very good bit, these frames are tough!



don't know how much you have towed but keep good brakes on the truck and trailer and adjusted up, give yourself distance to stop! be careful and you will be fine

 

[D White]

I've gotta agree with Rusty and Boldt's on this one. My 5'ver only weighs in at 8000 loaded, 1200 pin weight. Even with these puddly numbers I feel much better having the extra set of tires on the truck. Specially cruisin at 65 on the Freeway.



Good luck,

Doug

 

[ikold]

Sloooooooooow

Although I don't think you will run into problems with your setup. Make sure you tire pressure is correct and on the high end of the scale. It will run awfull slow!



I have a 01 2500 and a 40ft Travel Suprmeme 5ver that weighs 15,900 empty. The Dodge is not its tow vehicle but if I have to take it to the shop which is in town I will pull it with the dodge because it is easier to back up etc with it. When pulling the 5ver it is really slow almost unsafe if you were to be travelling hilly highways. Braking is always a consideration, but the braking on the tailer is so good I don't think it would be a problem.



I use a big truck with a big cummins engine and I never have to worry about not enough power or braking.



My 2 bits.





Jon

 

[David Wheeler]

A timelry REGISTER article

Hey Gents...



There is a fantastic article by Jim Anderson in our current volume of the REGISTER about this very subject. Check it out..... you may find (as I did) that there is a lot more to consider than once thought (i. e. put the gooseneck ball directly "over" the rear axle not slightly in front of it... . the Cummins almost maxes the front alxe rateing by itself!).



Happy reading

 

[hyrax]

[..... sure have to thank all you guys for your various imputs. now at least i've got a little better idea of what i'm up against. being a pilot i know about wt limits but in this case i think that i'll be ok. with maybe the 19. 5" wheel/tire set up i think that the $2000 banks power upgrade and the jacobs exhaust brake (i've already got that) to get the whole show stopped i'll be able to handle this 14000# fiver. thanks again. KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

 

[klenger]

hyrax



I'm not one to worry about being a couple of hundered over GVWR ( I am about 400 lbs over GVWR fully loaded with passengers), but if you are exceeding the GAWR by 1000 lbs, I think you're going too far. I think it's time for a reality check and look at smaller 5ers. Check out the article in my sig on towing weights. Your proposed combination may be worse than your preliminary math makes it look. Good luck.

 

[Boost]

One thing I wonder about in todays lawsuit happy society is liability when towing over max GVW or GCWR. It seems if you were involved in an accident, especially with injuries or fatalities you may be held personally liable when your insurance company denies coverage based on negligence. Ive found myself overweight on a couple of occasions and have wondered if this could happen. Just a thought.



Rob