99 w/o camper special, can I tow a 5vr?

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Just got my summer plane ticket price quote, need a major shift in my summer planning.....

If I can locate a rental 5vr this summer, I would like to tow it from the east coast to Glacier national park and back. ( We can't justify buying one for a once in 7yr 2 week voyage)

Question: Since I did not buy this truck (lot choice not ordered) with the camper springs etc, can I still tow a 5th wheel?

Question: What size/weight 5th wheel do the experienced members suggest for my truck (99 2500 4x4 5spd quad shortbed with HP mods)??

Question: If this is a go, what hitch do the members recommend for my truck? I'd love to be able to switch from 5th wheel to gooseneck without too much trouble.

Sanity check: Should I try to rent a self powered RV and leave the Ram alone??

Thx

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Green Monster's cyber garage (and TDR multimedia sandbox)
Yahoo messenger: davidc3y

 

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I pull a 10,000# 30' 5th wheel with my 2500 4x4 SWB. It has both the camper and towing package. The camper sets the truck down about 1-3/4" - a long way from needing the overloads.

I lowered the rear end 2-1/2 inches. Makes the truck and camper set together better. Empty, the rear end sits 2" higher than the front.

I use a RBW 'Lil Rocker 15K. Used, there about $200. Easy enough to install yourself. Had to drill two holes in frame and eight inside the bed. If you have a bed liner and plan to keep it in, there is a way to install without cutting the bed liner.

Can't help you with the MH decision. Personally, I have the 5th wheel because of insurance, taxes, and being able to unhitch and go!

Good luck!


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"Red Rage" - 2001 2500 SLT 4x4 QC Lowered Rear End 2. 5" 5spd, 4. 10 - 6100 miles and counting!30' 5th Wheel

 

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I don't expect the lack of the camper package to cause you any problems. While I haven't pulled my trailer with the Ram yet, I've not had any problems with the previous two SWB pickups (GM products) neither of which had the camper package components.

With a SWB truck, you need to look for a 5er with an extended pin box. Both my fifth wheels have had the extended pin boxes and I've not had any clearence problems.

If I remember correctly, Reese (and probably other manufactures) have a gooseneck hitch plate which mounts to the same base as their fifth wheel hitch.

The SunnyBrook is around 7400 lbs wet. Based on other posts and signatures I've seen, your Ram can handle most 5ers that you probably WANT to pull! I prefer smaller 5ers becuase I prefer to camp in the more "rustic" areas which tend to have smaller sites.

Anyway have fun! Glacier has been next on our "list" for a while... but my wife and I have had problems being able to take off for two weeks straight!

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'01 2500 QC SLT (white/mist gray), 4x2, SWB, Cummins, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, Tow Package, 4-wheel ABS, Luverne SS Side Entry Steps, Truck Trunk, Reese 18K Classic, Tekonsha Envoy. 24' SunnyBrook 5th Wheel. Ram Ham: N0MEU

 

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Your rig will handle most 5er's up to the 30' range. Check your owner’s manual for the max weight ratings. Since a good 5er hitch rocks in all directions, the torsion bar and overload springs do nothing for you. But, as Jay pointed out, with the SB, you'll need either trailers with an extended pin box or a sliding 5er hitch to accommodate tight turns. Sliders can run as high as $2000 and they may not be removable nor accommodate a gooseneck adapter.

If this truly is a once every 7 yr. event, then the MH will be your best option, especially if you have more then two travelers (try to get one with the ISB or ISC!). You’re going to be a long ways from home and if the MH breaks down, you don’t want to have to worry about getting it fixed or paying for the repair (make sure your rental agreement covers breakdowns).

BUt, if you insist on pulling something with your RAM, I would even suggest renting a standard travel trailer before rigging up for a 5er. Unless you're going to buy and use a 5er on a regular basis, the outfitting for a single 5er use is an unnecessary expense (not to mention the fact that it leaves two mounting rails permanently bolted in the middle of your bed).

We love our 5er and think it’s the only way to go but we use it at least once or twice a month and know it VERY well mechanically in and out. It tows great and we prefer to drive the RAM as opposed to a MH. Hope this helps and have a great time what ever you select.
Ron.


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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.

 

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Thanks for the input. The rental place will not rent to us gnarly 4x4 dodges as the beds are too tall for the standard 5vrs.

So, looks like I better get that hitch recall done so I can do a rental bumper pull... .

 

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Dave,

All post above are correct with some personal prefrences mixed in. I pulled my 5ver and boat together with my "89" K1500 w/o any tow packages on it (I did add a transmission cooler). The RAM just does it safer.

A rocker hitch (K15 type) is nice for hooking and unhooking on unlevel ground, but a non-rocker will work just fine (K14 type).

That is a problem with these 4x4's as you usually have to turn the axles on the trailer so you have enough bedrail clearance.

You should be able to handle TT ok also w/o the tow package or camper special package.

You might even want to look at a small slide-in if its just you and your spouse.

Good luck...

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99 QC/LB,ISB w/auto,4x4, 3. 54, VDO (trans, boost, pyro) Westin SS Nerf Bars, Westin Grille Guard, Contico tool box, CP Industries pivoting 5th wheel, K&N, VA CPC, and Mag-Hytec transmission pan. 28200 miles (5/9/00)
89 Plymouth Voyager -- 201000 miles (original engine)
87 24ft Terry Resort 5th Wheel, 86 "Classic 16" Alumacraft, 00 Honda Rancher

 

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David;

Maybe try to find a different rental company. We bought a 5er that did not require any trailer axle flipping or the sort. It works just fine with the hitch and trailer as is.
Some of the 5ers are built REALLY low to the ground which requires the axles to be flipped.

As for the camper special - Makes no difference. You are still at 8800lbs GVWR. That is the number you will need to be concerned with. You are at 8800lbs whether you have the camper special or not - legally you can carry the same loads.

Watch the hitch weights though--- you'd be surprised how fast that gets you over the 8800lbs!!!

We love our 5er.
Maybe another company will have 5ers that sit higher and will rent them to you.

My . 02

Shawn

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'99 2500 ISB QC 4x4 5spd SB, Camper Special, Tow package, Intense Blue, Armourthane color matched box liner, Reese 14K slider, Tekonsha Voyager, AND I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!
Canadian Advanced Amateur VE6PV
**Waiting for the BOMBing apparatus to get back to Calgary!!***

 

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David- thanks for bringing this up!

I am changing my vacation plans thanks to you. Had no idea you could rent a trailer; thought MH was the only thing available.

How common are trailer rentals? Any of you out there done it? Recommendations?

If it's a choice between a rental MH and my baby bomb, #ad


Do they put signs on those like U-haul? "Do not exceed 45 mph". OK, I promise- #ad


Mike
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Join our Product Testing Department!

 

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Do a search on the internet. There are tons of places and quite an organization linking them all together. The following are a few of them:
========== http://www.rvamerica.com/rentals/
RV America On Line Rental Resources
RV Industry on the Internet! RV Rental Resources RV resources to help you find the RV Rental unit that best suits your
Not Rated

============ http://rvtravel. about.com/msub11d.htm
Renting: Atlantic Coast & New England - RV Travel - Net Links
rental operator. Motor Home Center Renting RV's in Maine Rentals One of the largest RV rental services in New England with
Not Rated

 

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Hey David, as you know I had to flip the axles on my 5er and it worked out great. as far as the overloads I would not worry about it, we have pulled my uncles 29' single slide out bumper pull with his 1500 and he has no overloads. We did however put airbags on as for no sagging of the rear. I have the BNM swivel hitch and like it but reese makes a good one also. If you go 5er, you definatly need the slide hitch. In my opinion take the ram, forget the MH, they do not lend to easy local driving once to your destination.

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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, Diesel Dynamics Stage-3's, Perma-cool transmission cooler w/fan, SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz. 20m.com

Add on's to come: Exhaust Brake, Torq-Loc, Line-X bed-liner, and any other Ram Runner required modification...

 

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Just returned from a trip to the coast this weekend pulling our 30' 5er. Saw a weigh station on highway 26 up ahead so thought I'd check a little weight and balance figures. Now we had two adults up front, 3 teenagers in the rear seat, All tanks dry in the fiver and half a tank of fuel. Here's the numbers:

Front axle 4800#, rear axle 5050#, the two tandem trailer axles 7750 for a total weight of 17600#.

Felt pretty good for being so far below the GCWR of 20,000# until I realized I was MORE then 1000# OVER the GVWR of the truck! One of the reasons I was so shocked was that I knew the camper springs were at least 1" away from contacting the frame! Makes you wonder what good do they do except subtract from your useful load.

Oh well, looks like I'm going to have to replace the moped strapped to the back of the 5er with a Harley and leave the kids at home.

Ron


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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.