Max recommended trailer length for a SRW

[SpectatorRacing]

Assuming I keep within the payload and GCVW ratings of the truck, in your experience, what is the maximum "safe" enclosed trailer length that can be towed with a single rear wheel 2500 / 3500 CTD?



I'm looking at a 40ft or longer gooseneck bi or tri axle car hauler and am wondering if there's enough rear rubber with a SRW to control something that size. Weight is not an issue, the weight difference between a 36' and a 44' is negligable for my application...



Thanks!

 

[CUMMINZ]

22 feet:-laf:-laf

 

[HBarlow]

It is not possible to answer your question without knowing the hitch weight of the trailer. The most significant limiting factor with a Ram 2500 is hitch weight.

Keep in mind the longer the trailer the greater effect it is going to have on the truck in windy or poor traction conditions such as rain, snow, or ice. A long trailer can easily become the tail wagging the dog.

 

[RonD]

If your going to tow a large size trailer don't even think about a SRW truck, go and buy the Dually, you won't regret it, I bought a SRW, never again, next year it gets replaced.

 

[domehead]

I agree with RonD if you are going to tow you should think about getting a Dually.

 

[roberthall0]

I tow a 24' equipment trailer and a 32' fifth-wheel camper with no problems and have driven in some pretty rough/windy weather.

 

[SpectatorRacing]

Thanks for the responses, guys. This thread isn't about the trailer weight, I asked about that in another thread and got the answers I needed (I think from Harvey ). This is specifically about the "tail wagging the dog" situation mentioned above. I should have said in my OP "assuming I keep within the payload and GCVW ratings of the truck". I will go and add that statement.



I curently pull a 26' tag, and occasionally pull a 32' tag which weighs ~12k lbs. I have no issues with either of these, even in some ugly winds and rainstorms. I would feel safe with a 32' goose, but would like to know if that's the limit or if I can go to a 36' or even 40' without having to crawl along at 50 mph.



While a nice thought, going to a DRW is not an option at this point based on the other functions this truck must perform.



Thanks again, guys.

 

[roberthall0]

The length of the trailer and the tongue/pin weight have a lot to do with how well the trailer handles. If you don't want the tail to wag the dog you need a significant amount of the loaded trailer weight on the rear tires of your truck. I've always heard that the pin weight for a fifth-wheel camper should be approx. 15% to 20% of the loaded weight of the trailer. I assume this general rule would also apply to a goose neck. I would also assume that this general rule becomes even more important the longer the trailer is.

 

[SpectatorRacing]

That makes sense. With living quarters and the water tanks full up front I'll have to weigh the pin and see if there's enough to balance the car in the back...



Thanks Robert.

 

[DennyDay]

Invest in a Hensley Hitch, and you can cover up to a 1400# hitch weight - - - the trailer will not wag the truck- - - add a Max Brake and you will have a rig that will be unbeatable -- -- just stay with in the manufacturers weight limits on both the truck and trailer, and you will find the extra $$ well spent

 

[SpectatorRacing]

What's a Henley hitch? I have a una-goose, it's rated at 10k# downpressure and 40k# towing weight... seems more than enough.



And what's a max brake? Sounds interesting...

 

[Powder Extreme]

A hensley hitch is for bumper pull trailers, not goosenecks, apples and oranges.

In basic terms, a Max Brake controller hooks into the trucks braking system for exact modulation of trailer brakes instead of relying on inertia. It works about the same as the factory trailer brake in GM vehicles. The harder you step on the pedal, the more braking pressure (voltage) is applied to the trailer, regardless. Even if you aren't moving.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Btw, I've towed 38' goosenecks with my old SRW trucks loaded with 14-18k many thousands of miles and never had a problem at all. A gooseneck trailer doesn't have swaying problems like a bumper pull does. The biggest advantage of a dually (aside from the obvious weight capacity) is less sidewall flex due to the extra set of tires. Sidewall flex is a HUGE factor that will cause trailer sway, both in the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Since you don't need to worry about that with a gooseneck, as long as you are under the load capacity of the rear axle, a SRW will tow the trailer just fine.

 

[DennyDay]

Sorry - - - Missed the gooseneck part

 

[DThweatt]

im towing a 39' toyhauler, with a srw truck. I think its 2k pin weight.



its a tall one at 13'. im currently in SD and towed it from NV.



no problems up to the speed limit (70 TO 75MPH) and in windy conditions towing through the rockies.



watch your tire pressure.....

with about 1/3 tank of fresh water (bout 35 gal) i was at the max rear axle weight (tanks are forward of the axles. but when we use it as a camper I have no toys in the back.



when my rock crawler is in the back im at 14,500 on the trailer. as it sits now its 9880 on the trailer so around 11,800 combined (trailer axles (3) + 2K PIN)

 

[DThweatt]

heres a pic

 

[AABEN]

Assuming I keep within the payload and GCVW ratings of the truck, in your experience, what is the maximum "safe" enclosed trailer length that can be towed with a single rear wheel 2500 / 3500 CTD?



I'm looking at a 40ft or longer gooseneck bi or tri axle car hauler and am wondering if there's enough rear rubber with a SRW to control something that size. Weight is not an issue, the weight difference between a 36' and a 44' is negligable for my application...



Thanks!

Any thing over 30 FT to be safe should be a dully. I am a snow bird and I have seen where people pulling large trailors with a single axle has had some riggs tore up. They are not rill stable in curve. You will find a lot of curves in the mountins down pushing you down is when most get in trouble or a curve road.

 

[AABEN]

heres a pic

If the law would ever put this rig on the scales he will dig deep in his pocket to pay the fine!! Then he will pay some one to come to pull it home for him .

I would bet his plates are over loaded. Jest weight the rig. I would bet his weight on his tires or over what the tire comp states. I run 10. 000 LB plates on my truck.

 

[DThweatt]

If the law would ever put this rig on the scales he will dig deep in his pocket to pay the fine!! Then he will pay some one to come to pull it home for him .

I would bet his plates are over loaded. Jest weight the rig. I would bet his weight on his tires or over what the tire comp states. I run 10. 000 LB plates on my truck.

WOW...

seeing as I'm in Nevada. my plates are good. not every state has weight limits on their plates.



how do you know how much this weighs?



do you ASSUME im a 20 year old and this is my first truck. shame on you.



and yes I do have a WEIGHT ticket in my truck from a certified scale.

do i need to show it to you?



let assume I know what im doing. and have towed with SRW 4x4 trucks for the last 8 years. and have towed this trailer since 2007.



We went from Las Vegas to MAINE last year... hmmmm never got stopped... but maybe because im legal.



I tow over the rockies almost every year since 2001... just to get to the river its a 18 mile drive down some 7 and 8% grades. then up the other side.



don't assume unless you have pulled this trailer with a SRW truck.

 

[DThweatt]

maybe you can teach me something... ... what is the max axle weight on a AAM 11. 5 rear axle?



do you know why?



what is it for a AAM 11. 5 rear axle in a duelly application. .



why?



when you can answer it ... let me know. then i'll tell you what im running.