Quick Question for DAD!!!!!

[CumminsPuller]

He has a 99' CTD, CC, auto, 3. 54, 4x4, overload springs..... Him and mom are looking into a 35 foot fifthwheel... ... . The ones he has been looking at are approximately 12-15000 lbs. The tongue weight is about 2000-2500lbs. Is he OK with this much weight in the bed? Any opinions or helpful hints? How many of you guys are doing this?



Jason

 

[Bob Wagner]

It will do it IF you upgrade the transmission





I pull a 30' 5er over 10K with ease

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by CumminsPuller

He has a 99' CTD, CC, auto, 3. 54, 4x4, overload springs..... Him and mom are looking into a 35 foot fifthwheel... ... . The ones he has been looking at are approximately 12-15000 lbs. The tongue weight is about 2000-2500lbs. Is he OK with this much weight in the bed?

Is the truck a 2500 or 3500? Towing a 13,500 lb 36' 5ver, we're just about at our ratings (10,380 GVW versus 10,500 GVWR; 21,180 GCW versus 21,500 GCWR), and we have the highest-rated towing setup Dodge makes.



Rusty

 

[CumminsPuller]

Sorry about that........

He has a 2500... ... ... ... .....



Jason

 

[RustyJC]

If it's a 2500, he's going to be pulling way over his ratings. He has to make his own choices, but I would strongly recommend that he look at a 3500 if he really wants to pull a 12-15,000 lb 5ver. The pin weight on a 15,000 lb 5ver is probably going to run around 3,000 lbs, well over the GVWR capacity of a 2500. It's not just pulling the 5ver that's the challenge, it's controlling and stopping it!



I think the advice you get will tend to fall into two (2) camps - those of us who try to stay within the truck's ratings for legal (tort or civil) and other reasons, and those who don't.



Rusty

 

[TPCDrafting]

legal or not, he'd be happier with the way a 3500 handles the load over a 2500. Those that have 3500's have told me that it's a much more stable ride. Plus having twice the tire on the road, he won't have high tire temps on long trips which cause more tire failure and quicker wear. just my hay penny.

 

[klenger]

Option 1: Bigger truck.



Option 2: Smaller Trailer.

 

[KennyM]

I would not tow anything that heavy with a 2500, also you should have 4. 10's in the rear. Just my $. 02. Ken

 

[RCone]

Having towed a 35' 5ver, three slide outs, weighing in about 13,500 MT with my 96CTD 2500 auto, I wouldn't do it again. Had Banks power, pump turned up, PacBrake etc. Pulled it no problem, stopped pretty well, but took out transmission and TC (no mods) at 36,500 miles. I would opt for a lighter 5ver. The newer ones are lighter. I now tow a 29. 5 5ver, double slide (measures more like 31 or 32 feet), have more room in it than the 35' and weighs 5,000 lbs less keeping me within the GVWR. But whatever he does, do beef up the transmission and DON't tow in OD. Also, RideRite airbags work really good in the back for stabilization.



Roger