Need Advice on New CTD short box

[HEYBOSS]

OK, brother in law ready for his first new CTD 2500

He would like to get one with short 6' box to pull a to be 5er

and that's where the problem begins. My questions are:



1) will the truck be stable as it would be with a long bed?

It would be a 2500 4X4 QC. that would be about the same wheel base as a regular cab w/long box.



2) Will he be safe with a 5er extended box pin? another words would the 5er clear the truck's cab on turns with the hitch properly installed? I know another choice would be installing a slider hitch, but if a 5er with an extended pin works, probably would be a better option. Your opinions, advises will be greatly appreciated thanks, Fred.

 

[Shooter]

An extended pin is a given and to safely manuver and back a slider is good to have. The $100. 00 for the slider is cheap insurance. I dont think any 5th wheels come w/ out an extended pin any more as they are the same price from the mfg.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

NewCTD

This is just my opinion. If I was going to buy a new CTD to tow a 5th it would be a 3500 2wd quad cab long bed 6 speed with the 4:10 rear end for the following reasons.

1) There is another thread running about GCVWR. Unless you are getting a 5th under 29' you probably will be over GVWR , GCVWR or both. Whether the truck can pull it or not is not the issue. It is the LEGAL weight rating of the truck.

2) The 4x4 sits too high and you either have to lower the truck or raise the 5th. PITA.

3) Don't short yourself on the bed. I had a 6' bed for over 20 years and there was always something I wanted to carry that was too long.

4) The H/O 6 speed with the 4:10's gives you the highest tow rating avalible from Dodge.



The above is just one person's opinion and as Dennis Miller would say, "I could be wrong"



Tracy

 

[Batman]

Fred, Fred, Fred... ... ... ... ... ... .

With you having a dually AND a 5er I'm surprised you don't insist that your brother-in-law get one also.

Two ?; does he already have a 5er?, if so/or not, what weight is it, or will be???

If he keeps with your size 5er or less, I would think he would be alright. However, IMHO I think having a sliding hitch would be a PITA. I would suggest the long bed.

I agree with the above posts. But, you drive my auto, I feel I have a perfect set-up for what I tow and how I drive. And, for some reason, I didn't have to do anything to my trailers axles for my 4x4? (maybe my model is adjusted for it in NE??)

As far as stability, I don't think there is much difference between a short and long box. But a dsefinate diff. btwn a 2500 & 3500

Be Safe

 

[Jay]

I've had three shortbed pickups and pulled 2 different 5'ers, both with extended pin boxes without any problems.

 

[Fireman]

If I had it to do over again

I would just get the 8' bed. But I didn't. What I wound updoing is buying a Pull-Rite 3300 sliding hitch. The hitch automaticly moves back during tight turns (almost always when backing). I can completely jack knife the rig without hitting the cab. It is a great hitch that works very well, but it is pricey. At $ 1,795. it was cheaper than trading trucks. Knowing what I know now I wold get the 8' bed and a $500. hitch.



Fireman

 

[RustyJC]

We tow a 13,500 lb GVWR 36' triple slide 5ver. On the heavier 5vers, extended pin boxes may be harder to find because of the higher pin weights of these rigs - ours has a vertical pin box, and I don't believe an extended pin box is available.



Our 5ver is by no means the heaviest available and scales out with a pin weight around 2,500 lbs when loaded. This means a 3/4 ton Ram with an 8,800 lb GVWR could weigh no more than 6,300 lbs fueled and loaded with passengers and cargo when pulling our 5ver without exceeding the truck's GVWR. Don't believe I've ever heard of a Cummins-powered 2500 that weighs anywhere near 6,300 lbs.



Our new truck is a 3500 4x2 Quad Cab long bed, ETH/DEE with 4. 10 axle. This gets us a 21,500 lb GCVWR and a 14,700 lb "trailer tow rating", the highest ratings available on a Quad Cab with a GVWR that will handle our pin loads.



Rusty

 

[HEYBOSS]

OK, may be I should be a little more clear on the subject.

Batman, you know I would try to insist on a dually, I already convinced him going with a Cummins but on a dually maybe not. I didn't have to do anything either on my truck or trailer because of the truck's height although I've heard of a few people having problems with the 4X4 heights.

I've towed my 5er with a 3/4 Chevy single wheels and that's why I have a dually and anyone that towed single and went to a dually will know what I'm talking about. IMHO you just can't beat the dually for towing, but that's Me. He doesn't care for the extra wheels, to each it's own. Now the reason he would like a short bed is that the long bed won't fit in his garage and you don't want your baby out in the cold or hot sun, he wants the 4X4 for the winter and also comes in handy when trying to pull out that 5er on wet grass, he wants the Auto to keep his arm over his sweetee when driving and a coffee on the other hand. I'm also aware of weight ratings for the 2500. He didn't buy a 5er yet and wants to go with one no bigger than a 26' so as far as weight ratings he should be OK. His main concern, one will the truck be safe at 65-70mph towing due to it being a short bed, longer wheel base=better stability. Also because it's short bed, does he have to have a slider hitch if he went with a long pin box? Another option, knock down the garage wall and extended it but than Fred would be stuck with him working on that wall Sorry for the long post but I know I can count on my TDR members.

 

[klenger]

The right tool for the job.

In defense of little trucks...



If you are pulling a 13,500 lb GVWR 36' triple slide 5ver with a 2500 lb pin weight, then the correct tool for the job seems to be the 3500, ya da ya da ya da. Some would even say that the correct truck for a large 5er is a medium duty truck instead of pick up truck.



If your intention is to pull a 24 - 28 foot 5er that weighs 7000 - 10,000 lbs, a 3500 seems to be kind of a big hammer for someone who wants a practical truck for daily transportation and occasional trips with the camper. Being able to put the truck in the garage is also important to some of us. So is manuevering in parking lots.



Having just picked up my 5er yesterday, I am as much a novice at this as anyone, but my combonation tows fine, and the truck does not even hit the overload springs with the 1600 lb pin weight. As for turning clearance, it seems to be very good. I don't think I could hit the cab going forward, and I still have the slider hitch if I really get into a tight spot.



Alot of people seem to disapprove of short box quad cab trucks for towing a 5er, but I have not ever heard them comment on towing a 5er with a long box standard cab, which has a shorter wheelbase.



I've read some very heated comments about towing slightly over the GVWR because of liability and legal reasons. Do we never exceed the speed limit by 3 MPH or coast through a stop sign?



What's the best tool for you may not be a good one for me.



I'm feeling much better now.

 

[Shooter]

^^^^^^What he said ^^^^^





Ken get at least a 13" tv/vcr---been there done that returned it and got the 13 at COSCO for same $ as the one I needed the rifle scope to see.

 

[mbrolin]

If the 5er isnt overly heavy a shortbox will do. I will say,talking from experience,that a LWB is better overall for towing. You will need a sliding hitch of some sort if the 5er does not have an extended hitch. It must come with the extended hitch from the manufacturer as I do know that a majority of the welding shops will not put an extension on due to liability factors.

 

[JohnB]

I agree with Ken--I have towed my 9K, 2K pinweight trailer about 5000 miles in varied conditions and terrain with no hints of being under trucked. Turning radius is not a concern, having never had to slide my hitch, even in some pretty tight areas, (my pin is 1/2" in front of the axle). Your choice depends on the size trailer you intend to end up with and the use of the truck when not towing. No combo is perfect for all uses.

 

[klenger]

Shooter



We already have the 9" TV/VCR from our previous camper. You haven't experienced DSS Sat TV till you're seen it on a 9" set via an RF connection. The on-screen menus can be challenging.



I'm thinking that a 15-17" flat screen would look real nice, but still too $$$.



Sorry for the interruption, now back to our regularly scheduled forum post.

 

[Fireman]

FRodrigues, this is a tough Question, But I'll try again. I have no reference as to the difference in stability between a 8' & a 6'6" box as I've never towed with a 8". I am very comfortable towing with the 6'6" bed,smooth, stable and no suprises. As for the hitch, some have told me that you don't need a slider, but even with an extended pin box it is still possible to hit the cab of your truck. I'll give you the figures and let you do the math. Center line of the rear axle to rear of cab approx 40"-Most trailers are 8' wideand have their pin boxes inthe center (lol)Giving 48" from the king pin to either side of the trailer . What happens when you jack knife the trailer to get it into a tight spot ?



anyway that's my feeble reasoning

good luck with your decision



Fireman



PS I also have a 4x4, Ihave a fairly tall trailer (Wheels are completely under the frame with no wheelwells insidethe trailer) so I have no problem with the taller truck

 

[RAMalama]

HOW MANY MILE A YEAR TOWING?

Like most of us percentage of RV towing miles will be nill. My only concern would be the weight ratings of both truck and trailer. Sounds to me a 3/4 ton shortbed 4x4 and a 26-28 foot fiver with at least one big living room dinette/sofa slide would make a great pair!!! Most new medium, and medium large fivers are sold only one way, and that means there set up to be towed by either shortbeds or longbeds. One less concern for the buyer and dealer. I'd buy the CTD he wants first and go looking for a fiver to match it. Finding one for his shortbed 4x4 will be a whole lot easier than you think. A nice 28ft Sunnybrook comes to mind.



Tracy - I must agree with you on your tow truck of choice if you were to buy one to tow heavy. And just because I have one is not why I say that, HONEST !!!!!



Rusty - Nice truck !!!!!!!!!



Me? I tow big and heavy. My fiver was over loading my 95 5sp CTD 4:10 by 3K lbs. Towed that way for a year and a half. My new truck with that 6 speed 4:10 is simply amazing and I'm under GCWR by 900lbs!!!!



Ian.

 

[JSoloman]

Short beds is all I've ever owned, just because I like the looks better. When I bought my 5th wheel, the first thing I looked for was a slide hitch. I've watched too many SWB's see-sawing around, trying to park and of course, it only takes once whacking the side of the cab to make you a believer.



The other with 4x4's, of course is height of the trailer with the bed rails. Why these trailer manufacturers don't make them for anything but 4x2's is beyond me. I just got done having my trailer lifted 4" and reinforced, to be able to clear ditches, and pitch points like RR crossings.



Hey Klenger... I want to hear all about the AF. My dream trailer for retirement...

 

[Dkevdog]

I have gotten close to hitting the cab on our cargo box 5ers we have at work as well as my own Wilderness. And that is on an extended Pin long bed truck. How???? Easy. You should see where and how we have to park them. I had a short bed truck. Once. That's all it took for me. I'll never have one again. I only wish they made a 10' bed NOw that would be a truck. I'm always filling my bed up and a 6' would never do it. So call it preference, but that extra bed ain't that hard to park and makes a hell of difference in space and manueverability. Just my . 04 worth.



Kev

 

[HEYBOSS]

Decisions....Decisions

A used 99 2500 QC 4X4 long bed just showed up at the local dealer. This is one truck that's hard to pass up, it has 25k, auto and loaded, one owner never smoked in, never towed, it is in mint condition. Leather all power, rear light covers bed mat, lund running boards painted to match truck, it even has the big chrome exhaust tip and all. Brother in law undecided because it's a long bed. I said go for it, he's getting the deal of the century, sometimes you just can't have your cake and eat too, but I surely wouldn't pass it up, tried to get it for my wife but I'm having a hard time convincing we need two CD's. Any way Monday he will have an answer, I'll post the verdict

 

[HEYBOSS]

New CTD Short box

I want to thank everyone for their reply and comments on this decision, it was very helpful, every one had good replies.

Brother in law decided on new Cummins with the short box.

Guess I don't have to help him extending the garage.

Once again thank you to all,



Fred

 

[Tentman]

Just got back from Traverse City (Northern MI), where I towed my 28' Jayco 5er all over the place. The QC short box works just fine to pull. Handles the weight just fine. My only real warning is get a rack on back for the kids bikes. I have a hole in the front of the 5er being repaired this week because I turned to tight to the right! Mt son thought it was cool how the handle bar went right through the metal on the 5er Anybody looking for a 12 year old?