Is It too much weight?

[LLLytle]

I'm still searching for a new fiver. Wife is set on a new Nomad North Trail 2805. It is 31' 6" Dry weight 10300 (actual, not calculated) Question is, is this to much for my truck. See sig for details on truck. Thanks for all the help. I know at Dodge site they claim I should be able to pull a trailer that weighs 12900 but I want to here it from people that have experience pulling this kind of trailer and weight. Thanks

 

[David Muench]

Sounds doable to me. . Is your truck a 2500, 3500, or 3500 dually?

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I would say you're OK on the weight if you don't plan to full-time it in RVing. Your tongue weight should not be a problem. It all depends if your truck is a 2500 or 3500. That's upper limit towing for a 2500 but comfortable for a 3500 SRW or DRW. The 4. 10 makes a difference. As a weekend RVer, I put about 1000-1200 lbs. in my trailer

 

[rKortan]

Is it too much weight

I am sure you will have no problem towing anything up to the listed legal weight. As a mater of fact you can go to an even greater weight if you make a few simple changes. But if you want to maintain the factory warranty and keep the truck stock you will still be fine.

I tow a 5er with my 94 and have no problem even in the mountains around Lake Tahoe. Since you have a new truck you will be fine... ... ... ... ... ... BK

 

[RThompson]

Couple of things I would want to know before hooking up to this unit.

Do you have tow package with anti sway bar? E rated tires? What will be the total pin weight loaded? And how does that work out with rear tire load capacity.

If you are without the tow package and are at or over the max weight on rear axle it can be a very mushy ride going over bridge approaches at highway speeds. If the trailer doesn't sit level when hooked up everything is amplified as far as handlling goes.

 

[David Muench]

He doesn't have a rear anti-sway bar, none of the 3rd gens come with those.

 

[LLLytle]

Sorry I didn't say it was a 2500 it has the tow package. Tires are "E" rated. Hitch weight, dealer said 1450 I think its going to be more like 1850 loaded I don't have to much faith in some dealers( say anything to make sale). Hows this for a price? MSRP is 27,246 have them down to 19,000+tax, thats 31% off MSRP for Nomad North Trail 2805 fully loaded. glass sides, chrome wheels, 21' awning, living/dinette slide, 27" TV w/DVD player and surround sound system, does that sound fair? Thanks for all the replys.

 

[Murietaman]

99 2500 4:10 quad 4x4. I pull a 29 RK Alpenlite. 10,300 empty. Pulls and stops great. I wouldnt go heavier without a 3500.

 

[Steve M]

I tow a 10,400 lb actual weight 5th wheel with a 1900 lb pin weight. Truck sits level and handles the weight without sway or any sensation that I'm overloaded. The rear springs and tires are rated for 6,000+ lbs. I have 4800 lbs on the rear axle. My Cummins is a standard output with 47RE, my second 47RE and a 47RH in my '95. Never a problem. I can maintain 70mph in all but the longest rolling hills in O/D and it holds O/D down to 55mph full throttle. If I lock out O/D I can run 65mph at 3,000rpm for as long as it takes to reach the top. We get 11-12mpg towing the high profile 5th wheel. Pics are in my reader's rigs at left. Other than high bed rails, I think you'll be fine...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WELLLLLL...

We sure saw a lot of folks out there towing stuff like that on our recent long trip - but let's face it, by the time you get that rig loaded, and tanks filled - you WILL be at or above the weight rating for the truck...



Will it pull it - sure, will it STOP it safely ummmmm, maybe... Will you be able to make the same safe emergency manuevers as you would a trailer nearer the MIDDLE of the weight rating for your truck - probably not...



Is you life and the lives of those around you worth the risk?



YOU decide!



Traveling with a rig that heavy on a limited basis - and mostly out in relatively flat terrain is ONE thing - doing it regularly and in frequent hilly terrain MIGHT lead to THIS:



#ad




A $3200 transmission bill - and watching someone ELSE tow yer rig in for you can sure ruin yer day - at least it did for my RVing bud as HE then was forced to watch ME tow his too-heavy 5er in for him with a hated Dodge, and he wrote out the check...

 

[bulabula]

Originally posted by LLLytle

I'm still searching for a new fiver. Wife is set on a new Nomad North Trail 2805. It is 31' 6" Dry weight 10300 (actual, not calculated) Question is, is this to much for my truck. See sig for details on truck. Thanks for all the help. I know at Dodge site they claim I should be able to pull a trailer that weighs 12900 but I want to here it from people that have experience pulling this kind of trailer and weight. Thanks

Your truck, outfitted with your add-ons, and you and your better half, probably approach 7800 lbs (a SWAG). That leaves you 1200 lb pin weight if you watch your 9000 GVWR. That 5'er pin weight is over that I'm sure. Will you be able to pull it? Easily. Will you be able to stop it? Sure, easily. Swept areas are only a little higher on dooleys; all SRW's are the same.



Your options are to buy the one you and she like; take a bath and trading in for a DRW 3500; or talk her into a smaller/lighter unit. I think you'll be ok with your orig choice.



Even the fella who just posted above who saved the day by pulling the load that killed the Ferd transmission used a 2500 with 3. 55's.



I did forget to mention that my boat/trailer is 30', but only 9000 lbs. Pulls it with ease.

 

[LLLytle]

Thanks for all the replies. Have a little correction on the weight, Dealer said loaded was 10,300, when I actually got to look over the rig myself the unloaded weight was 7,950 with dry hitch at 1125. He had quoted the GVWR to my wife as the dry weight. As I am well within the capabilities of my truck I am on my way to purchase it, should have it by next week. Thanks again to all that answered.

 

[jimnance]

I'm pulling a 14K fiver and am 21,500 GCVW. My 2500 '03 is handling it just fine. The exhaust brake is a big help in getting things slowed down as are the brakes on the 3G which are a big improvement over the 2G trucks.



My new fiver will be about 2K more weight than the present one which may cause me to look at air bags as the pin weight may be a bit much. The new fiver has three axles with brakes which may actually improve stopping.



These Dodges are beasts!

 

[TurboTweaker]

Is this too heavy? a 6700lb 5er with 18,000 on the deck total weight scales out at 32,000 give or take a few. I tow that about 2 times a week with my 3/4 ton. handels great and holds the hills to 60 in OD other wise with the 4:10's its 60 with out OD nad she is screamin away.



Andy

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by jimnance

I'm pulling a 14K fiver and am 21,500 GCVW. My 2500 '03 is handling it just fine. The exhaust brake is a big help in getting things slowed down as are the brakes on the 3G which are a big improvement over the 2G trucks.



My new fiver will be about 2K more weight than the present one which may cause me to look at air bags as the pin weight may be a bit much. The new fiver has three axles with brakes which may actually improve stopping.



These Dodges are beasts!

At 16K gross weight, your new 5ver will probably have a pin weight of something like 3200 lbs. I don't know what your '03 2500's GVWR is, but it would be interesting to work the numbers in the following equation:



GVWR - actual pin weight = maximum allowable truck curb weight (loaded).



With large 5th wheels, 3/4 ton trucks almost invariably run out of GVWR before they run out of GCWR. We pull a 13,500 lb 36' triple slide 5ver with our 3500 that puts us on the road at 10,380 lbs GVW (10,500 GVWR) and 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 GCWR).



Rusty

 

[jimnance]

No doubt about it. I'm well over GVWR. I figure my vehicle weight at about +/- 11,800.



The vehicle can clearly pull the load. Also, many guys are out there pulling similar loads with their 3/4 ton pick ups. Does that make it legal? No. Is it safe? Maybe. Could insurance be a problem in the event of a serious accident? Yes.



Realize that automotive manufacturers develop their GVWR's based in part on marketing needs and in part an abundance of caution. They have a lot to lose if someone takes 22,000 lbs and plows it through another auto or house.



IMHO, the issue is realizing what you are working with and driving accordingly.



Even a 6,000 lb trailer behind a dually driven by an incompetant can be dangerous.



I've seen some huge motorhomes driven erratically by rather elderly drivers that scare the crap out of me.



So... . I think we all have to live within our own and our equipments limitations. When you've exceeded them you should know.

 

[jimnance]

No doubt about it. I'm well over GVWR. I figure my vehicle weight at about +/- 11,800.



The vehicle can clearly pull the load. Also, many guys are out there pulling similar loads with their 3/4 ton pick ups. Does that make it legal? No. Is it safe? Maybe. Could insurance be a problem in the event of a serious accident? Yes.



Realize that automotive manufacturers develop their GVWR's based in part on marketing needs and in part an abundance of caution. They have a lot to lose if someone takes 22,000 lbs and plows it through another auto or house.



IMHO, the issue is realizing what you are working with and driving accordingly.



Even a 6,000 lb trailer behind a dually driven by an incompetant can be dangerous.



I've seen some huge motorhomes driven erratically by rather elderly drivers that scare the crap out of me.



So... . I think we all have to live within our own and our equipments limitations. When you've exceeded them you should know.

 

[GFrance]

I'm towing a 32ft 5vr wt 12,000 lbs truck wt 7350 combo 19,350

Pin wt 1950 Yes i'm over for having 3:54 gears but not close to tire rating. Air bags helped the ride, dtt trany helped the pulling & a smart controller W/ exhaust brake saves on the brakes. I have been driving a big rig hauling gas at 105,500 lbs for 29yrs & feel comfortable with the combo i'v got.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by jimnance

So... . I think we all have to live within our own and our equipments limitations. When you've exceeded them you should know.

I guess what I don't understand is why someone would buy a brand new 2500 (3/4 ton truck) to tow a heavy 5ver knowing that they're going to be 20-30% over the truck's GVWR. Why not buy the right tool for the job to begin with? Yes, as a moderator on iRV2.com, I "see" far too many people towing super-heavy 5ers with 2500's, but that doesn't make it right.



JMHO. Flame away!



Rusty

 

[GFrance]

Originally posted by RustyJC

I guess what I don't understand is why someone would buy a brand new 2500 (3/4 ton truck) to tow a heavy 5ver knowing that they're going to be 20-30% over the truck's GVWR. Why not buy the right tool for the job to begin with? Yes, as a moderator on iRV2.com, I "see" far too many people towing super-heavy 5ers with 2500's, but that doesn't make it right.



JMHO. Flame away!



Rusty

I think it's like anything else. You start out small and end up bigger. When I bought my 2500 I owned a much smaller 5vr but then the wife wanted more room Who knows she might just be the resaon we become a two ctd family. Might be a 325/600 3500 6speed 410 in my future.