Considering new 5er Weight question

[AH64ID]

The biggest issue with weight is tires on a SRW Dodge. A F150 has a higher payload because it has a lower weight to start with. We are limited to 6380 lbs on the OEM tires/wheels, and my QC LB sits at 3200 RAW with just a tool box and everyday stuff.

 

[HBarlow]

Engine rpm seems to make very little difference in fuel economy but 4. 10 gears with double overdrive in the new six speed automatics will make a big difference in towing ability and overall performance of a truck used to tow with.

 

[NIsaacs]

MandoMan, did you order an automatic or standard? Big difference in the answer to your question.



Nick

 

[AH64ID]

MandoMan, did you order an automatic or standard? Big difference in the answer to your question.



Nick

It has to be an auto, can't get 4. 10s with a manual in a pickup.

 

[ringneck]

my buddy is buying a 35ft hitchhiker primer 03. is going to tow it with a 06 ram 2500 diesel. well i say he is over weight,what do you all say

 

[NIsaacs]

It has to be an auto, can't get 4. 10s with a manual in a pickup.

Oh... . shows what I know about the new trucks



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

my buddy is buying a 35ft hitchhiker primer 03. is going to tow it with a 06 ram 2500 diesel. well i say he is over weight,what do you all say

Yes, he will be overloaded, probably even with an empty trailer. A well-maintained HH Premier is a nice trailer but heavy. He will need a dually as minimum tow vehicle.

Your friend should carefully inspect for wood rot in the glide rooms unless he is buying it from NuWa in Chanute. Up until about 2005 or 2006 the old methods allowed some of them that spent a lot of time with the gliderooms out in all weather developed rot in the sidewalls and floors. The cure was eternabond seam tape which later models began using.

 

[Mark31]

Harvey, I think I saw a 2500 pulling a Hitchhiker in a Demco glide hitch video. But really: Does Nuwa even make a 5th wheel that a 2500 can pull and not be getting in the "gray area"? Also, I would be interested in any comment you might make about my post 26. Mark

 

[HBarlow]

Mark,

There are many owners doing it. I just prefer to err on the side of caution. A Ram 2500 with beefed up rear springs and larger tires is not very different from a Ram 3500 SRW. Lots of 3500 owners tow fifthwheels. My advice is always buy one within your truck's weight carrying capacity specifically rear wheels and tires.

NuWa builds lots of HH II or HH LS models which are a little smaller and lighter but built with same construction methods. In recent years NuWa has built hundreds of 27. 5' and 29. 5' models which would be acceptable and safe behind a Ram 2500.

Look at the NuWa (HitchHiker) website. Scroll around a little and find their archived brochures online and you should be able to see exterior/interior photos, spec sheets, etc.

NuWa started about two years ago selling new and used direct from the factory at Chanute, KS (southeastern KS). The website lists inventory of new and used units with some photos, descriptions, and prices.

NuWa builds good products and is a conservative, honest company. Their factory service department is one of the best in the nation for great service, fair pricing, and superior product knowledge.

Their product line carrys over the good selling models for years. The current photos of new models will look nearly identical to older years of the same size.

You can call or email them and receive prompt, courteous, honest answers.

I looked for your "post 26" but it is a post by Nick Isaacs if you mean your post in this thread.

I'll answer questions you may have if I can.

 

[Mark31]

Uncle Harvey, either I can't type or can't read (or both): Post 16 at the top of page 2

 

[HBarlow]

Mike, I drooled over a Arctic Fox 27-5L a year or so ago. I've never had an RV, so you can weigh this with a grain of salt. I do have an gooseneck trailer that when loaded gives me a combined weight of just under 24k, but I'm not going far or fast. After listening to Harvey and Griz and a long running thread or two here on TDR, some things I had seen with my own eyes, and a lot of figuring, I came to the conclusion that the 27-5L weight (combined total 20k) and length (side wind forces) would be MY comfort limit for a single rear wheel truck to go longer distances, to the "hills", or congested unfamiliar areas. Happy trails! Mark

I agree with your thinking and calculating on this. A 29. 5' HitchHiker LS or HitchHiker II should be acceptable also. Several owners are on the HH Owner's Forum including one of the website owner/modulators. He pulls his with a Ram 2500 IIRC and is a serious RVer, not just short weekend trips to the closest state park. HH builds a 29. 5' fiver with a very practical floorplan. It has been a popular seller for many years.

 

[Wertles]

Harvey, I think I saw a 2500 pulling a Hitchhiker in a Demco glide hitch video. But really: Does Nuwa even make a 5th wheel that a 2500 can pull and not be getting in the "gray area"? Also, I would be interested in any comment you might make about my post 26. Mark

Disclaimer: This might stir up the pot. It is not intended to.



I am stuck with my 3500 SRW for another 2 years. When the camper outgrew the truck, it was either trade in or beef up the truck. Since what I wanted (Max Tow package) was announced but not yet available, I opted to beef up the truck. As stated correctly, the SRW is the limiting factor. I upgraded to 19. 5 tires rated for 5000 a piece. I added air bags for the rear suspension and a Max Brake to stop it all. I can honestly say that with over 3000 miles towing between 16-18K, it is more comfortable to drive than with my 9K previous 5er in stock form. That being said, a newer dually will probably tow better with a better safety factor and better empty ride. I will be upgrading to either a 3500 Max Tow or to a C&C depending on what Ram is offering when it is time to trade in. This is advice only if you are stuck with your current truck and insist on a heavy trailer.



Good luck with your shopping!

 

[HBarlow]

Wertles,

Your comment doesn't stir my pot and shouldn't stir anyone's. Your decision makes sense. You upgraded your truck's weight carrying capacity for safety and acknowledge the limitations. I can't disagree with what you said.

 

[ringneck]

well my buddy bought the 35ft primer. he is thanking air bags will take care of the weight. no matter what you say about being over loaded ,he looked at the price. the dot should start cheching. hey i dont want then on the road with me

 

[HBarlow]

Some guys simply do not want to deal with facts. He may think overloaded tires are no concern and maybe he'll get away with it, maybe not. I hope he doesn't injure or kill anyone else with his reckless stupidity.

 

[Wertles]

Wertles,



Your comment doesn't stir my pot and shouldn't stir anyone's. Your decision makes sense. You upgraded your truck's weight carrying capacity for safety and acknowledge the limitations. I can't disagree with what you said.

This wasn't directed at you Harvey. Some on this site, not you, are not quite as educated on upgrades. They see SRW and start screaming UNSAFE!! I have calculated all the numbers, left no room for guess work and came out well within the safety margins. I would have been right at or over the safe limit with no wiggle room in the stock configuration. I still believe that a DRW would suite my needs better but IMHO, this is a good and safe alternative and should be presented as an option to those who can't afford a new truck, or for whatever reason, can't have a DRW.

 

[Mark31]

Wertles, since the numbers work, since you "ain't no raw rookie", since it is in YOUR comfort zone, I most certainly am not going to "throw rocks at you!" So, just keep it between the ditches and don't kiss any Mack trucks! (one of my "sayings" for the past 30 years) Mark

 

[Wertles]

Oh I plan on it Mark. Biggest safety factor is the driver by far. I always leave the road rage at home, leave LARGE gaps between me and other vehicles, never speed and try to remind myself that I'm on vacation. Experience on towing is also another factor. I have been towing stuff since i can remember. I don't care if I had a 5500 long haul dually, my wife is NOT towing this trailer. I'll only allow her to tow a single place open snowmobile trailer as long as she doesn't have to back up.

 

[RustyJC]

Experience on towing is also another factor. I have been towing stuff since i can remember. I don't care if I had a 5500 long haul dually, my wife is NOT towing this trailer. I'll only allow her to tow a single place open snowmobile trailer as long as she doesn't have to back up.

I guess I'll respectfully disagree on that point. The main reason we got our 2011 was that our 2002 dually had the NV5600 6-speed manual which my wife would drive but didn't like towing with it. We got stuck at the Grand Canyon in 2010 on vacation when I had a pinched nerve in my back and couldn't even sit up or walk, let alone drive. Luckily, a friend who is an over-the-road driver and his wife were out there with us, and Greg drove our rig back to Houston. After that episode, my wife said, "I'm NEVER going to be caught in this situation again!! Either get a truck that I can drive (when towing) or we're going to give up RVing!"



She has been pulling our 5th wheel ever since we got our 2011 with the 68RFE 6-speed automatic and has done an excellent job. The only way she can GET experience is to get out there and do it, and I don't have any real concerns with the way she's picking it up. I don't know that I would turn her loose by herself yet, but she would probably do just fine.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

I guess I'll respectfully disagree on that point. The main reason we got our 2011 was that our 2002 dually had the NV5600 6-speed manual which my wife would drive but didn't like towing with it. We got stuck at the Grand Canyon in 2010 on vacation when I had a pinched nerve in my back and couldn't even sit up or walk, let alone drive. Luckily, a friend who is an over-the-road driver and his wife were out there with us, and Greg drove our rig back to Houston. After that episode, my wife said, "I'm NEVER going to be caught in this situation again!! Either get a truck that I can drive (when towing) or we're going to give up RVing!"



She has been pulling our 5th wheel ever since we got our 2011 with the 68RFE 6-speed automatic and has done an excellent job. The only way she can GET experience is to get out there and do it, and I don't have any real concerns with the way she's picking it up. I don't know that I would turn her loose by herself yet, but she would probably do just fine.



Rusty

My wife was the same way when we owned our '00 3500 dually with the NV5600. She could drive it, but wasn't comfortable towing with it. We've owned automatics before and since. My wife retired a year before I did, and when we prepared to take a trip during that year, she had the 5th wheel hitched to the truck (automatic trans), loaded and ready to go when I arrived home from work. I'm very comfortable when she drives, and if I get tired/sleepy driving, I ask her to drive and I take a nap.



I have always wanted her to be able to hitch the 5th wheel and tow it in case I ever became disabled away from home and not be able to do it myself. It's very easy for her now that we only have a slide in truck camper and never take it off the truck when we are away from home.



Bill