RAM options for towing 5th wheel - advice requested

[TMyers]

Here is my setup. 2005 Keystone Mountaineer Montana - 35' long. Towing with my 2013 CTD Ram with 6'4" bed, B&W Turnover mount with the B&W Companion Slider Hitch. Before I get to a campground, Ill pull over and release the slider to the rear position. I can almost do a 90 degree turn. (Toolbox is removed when towing the 5th wheel.)

Yes, I'm over the truck's GVWR by 700 lbs., but under the rear GAWR by 400 lbs. We were fully loaded when the CAT Scale was done. Truck was full of fuel but camper's tanks were empty. My 2013 2500 has the rear leaf springs just like the 3500. My pin weight is 1900 lbs. and lowers my truck about an inch on the stock rear suspension.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I've seen plenty never, HAPPEN.

If I had this type of hitch I WOULD do a pull test EVERY time as these types are notorious for this type of damage. I do know of a B&W drop, the guy pinned his handle open. Did not close and pin/lock and BAM. I NEVER pin my handle open!!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

T

New camera system with 12" touch screen you can zoom in on both the trailer ball and the 5ver hitch. Dont know about the 8.4 screen.

Typical, they make these improvements AFTER I bought mine like selectable location of backup cam viewing.

 

[Ozymandias]

T



Typical, they make these improvements AFTER I bought mine like selectable location of backup cam viewing.

The cameras integrated in the rear view mirrors can also set to different angles, close view or wide view, its a very nice system, i played with it in @RVTRKN new truck. Go check it out on a dealers lot.

 

[TFucili]

That would be in between the 12" screen freezing up, going blue screen, locking onto the front camera when noone selected it, etc., etc., etc.

 

[Cummins2014]

If I had this type of hitch I WOULD do a pull test EVERY time as these types are notorious for this type of damage. I do know of a B&W drop, the guy pinned his handle open. Did not close and pin/lock and BAM. I NEVER pin my handle open!!!

View attachment 117162

Thats a 16K Reese , its the type of hitch if not mistaken you can back into with the jaws closed, and it opens them provided you don't have the handle locked. Had one, great hitch, can't come open because its pulling against the jaws, and prevents them from opening if its the same hitch I'm thinking about. Also the way the handle was it apparently caught when making a turn and opened if not locked There were reports taking the handle off ,and repositioning it or cutting it down.

That picture is ancient ,and been around the internet for years. You have posted it nearly as many times as you have your truck, fifth wheel , and Amsoil.

 

[Wiredawg]

I've had B&W Companion and I NEVER lock mine open. When unhooking, I place chicks, even on level ground, drop front landing gear until there's no weight on the hitch, and then pull locking pin from closed position, and open the jaws, and easy release. When connecting, open handle and jaws, but no locking pin. Back up, jaws grab king pin, and handle closes. I then insert locking pin. Simple, but unforgiving of errors.

Cheers, Ron

 

[RVTRKN]

Old habits are hard to forget, I always look up the throat to make sure jaws closed on pin AFTER doing everything else.

 

[Wiredawg]

Old habits are hard to forget, I always look up the throat to make sure jaws closed on pin AFTER doing everything else.

You're EXACTLY right. After I lock the handle, I go to raise the landing legs and see jaws locked PERFECTLY. On 20 years, no dings to hitch not locking. On my 09 4500 with my then BRAND NEW Cyclone, got home from the dealer, I unhitched, moved truck a couple feet forward, then hit auto level. Didn't know first thing Level-Up system does is drop the front, so left a nice divit in the flatbed. A pickup would have been EXPENSIVE.

Good discussion.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DesertRiders]

The RAM rear air covers suspension issues. You might install a set of 19.5" rims and tires when towing and put OEM wheels and tires back on for other times. As I posted on RV.net, the 19.5's have a higher minimum inflation. Maybe someone will come along and post about ride empty with them. You sure are rope-a-doping the issue.

Depending on you state you may have to license the truck for 14K.

Pin weight is the issue, not the trucks GVWR. Like I have responded a few times in your treads, I towed a 16K 5th wheel for to extended round trips to Az from NW Wa and did my homework choosing a 5th wheel with a 2435 lb dry pin weight(which I verified with Heartland). We had a Cardinal 29' for 11 years and found that only the smallest Cardinal and also Montana line up had light enough pin weights to match up the 2015 RAM Laramie CC 3500 4x4 SB truck we already had. Cedar Creek had a model that would have worked, however I did not like the interior.

We traveled heavy, full timing in the Big Horn for a year and a half. I knew going it that I could not add a washer/dryer and generator and stay under the truck's 7K rear axle rating. The LT275/70R18E tires along with the OEM 20's are rated to 3640 each, so there is NOT a lot of extra capacity there.

So, it boils down to that 2600 number that manufacturer is fuzzy on, and what you want to add to the trailer that will increase pin weight.

Given all if this, I have been in the same AZ RV resort for 12 winters now, I have seen lots of SRW truck arrive year after year that I know are well over their trucks manufacturers ratings and in a lot of cases over their tire ratings.

You can buy the trailer you want and set it all up the way you want it, and hit the scale. Then decide if you need 19.5 wheels and tires.

My recommendations:
Pucks
Aisin
Rear air
18" OEM wheels and tires

I would also add that we towed the Bighorn in very windy conditions several times without issue. DW decided that she was not comfortable traveling with the 39' foot fifth wheel back and forth to our AZ park model, so it became our Northern home and we bought a commuter trailer.
View attachment 117155 View attachment 117154

SnoKing... Thank you. I do appreciate your comments and perspective. I'm just taking in everything that everyone says. There is much for me to learn about determining capacities and such, and to investigate, calculations to be made, and preferences to consider, and then... much to think about as options.

I'm just taking my time to fully and carefully explore all the related issues and consideration.

At present, I'm looking at a different 5th wheel, which has an estimated pin weight 300 lbs. lighter than the Vilano 320. Given all of the other factors weighed in, that should bring me somewhat under the max payload of the truck I am considering.

As for the truck's GVWR.... that has never approached being an issue for the units I am considering. Just payload/pin weight.

I haven't made up my mind about anything, thus far.

As for your comment that you think that I am "sure dope-a-roping the issue", all I can say is thank you for your time thus far; perhaps you have exhausted your ability to participate on this. But I am not near finished exploring the options and learning more about the variables.

Have a wonderful evening, sir.

 

[DesertRiders]

You're EXACTLY right. After I lock the handle, I go to raise the landing legs and see jaws locked PERFECTLY. On 20 years, no dings to hitch not locking. On my 09 4500 with my then BRAND NEW Cyclone, got home from the dealer, I unhitched, moved truck a couple feet forward, then hit auto level. Didn't know first thing Level-Up system does is drop the front, so left a nice divit in the flatbed. A pickup would have been EXPENSIVE.

Good discussion.

Cheers, Ron

Ron... thank you for that. There are many tips and tricks to learn around the subject of towing a 5th wheel!

 

[DesertRiders]

Here is my setup. 2005 Keystone Mountaineer Montana - 35' long. Towing with my 2013 CTD Ram with 6'4" bed, B&W Turnover mount with the B&W Companion Slider Hitch. Before I get to a campground, Ill pull over and release the slider to the rear position. I can almost do a 90 degree turn. (Toolbox is removed when towing the 5th wheel.)

Yes, I'm over the truck's GVWR by 700 lbs., but under the rear GAWR by 400 lbs. We were fully loaded when the CAT Scale was done. Truck was full of fuel but camper's tanks were empty. My 2013 2500 has the rear leaf springs just like the 3500. My pin weight is 1900 lbs. and lowers my truck about an inch on the stock rear suspension.View attachment 117157 View attachment 117158 View attachment 117159 View attachment 117161

TMyers... thank you! That's all very useful information for me to consider. I appreciate that, and the photos!

Surprised at how light your pin weight is! Quite nice.

 

[DesertRiders]

If I had this type of hitch I WOULD do a pull test EVERY time as these types are notorious for this type of damage. I do know of a B&W drop, the guy pinned his handle open. Did not close and pin/lock and BAM. I NEVER pin my handle open!!!

View attachment 117162

Excellent visual to learn from and hopefully not duplicate!

 

[Wiredawg]

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, don't forget to put your tailgate UP SECURELY after connecting to hitch... I have friends who ruined tailgate AND front of RV with a dropped tailgate. Your wife is your copilot AND teach her to check after you before taking off. Even now, she'll catch something I missed.

Feel free to ask anything.... no dumb questions. I'm excited for you... new truck and RVing best fun ever. Been all over the US and some of Canada.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DesertRiders]

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, don't forget to put your tailgate UP SECURELY after connecting to hitch... I have friends who ruined tailgate AND front of RV with a dropped tailgate. Your wife is your copilot AND teach her to check after you before taking off. Even now, she'll catch something I missed.

Feel free to ask anything.... no dumb questions. I'm excited for you... new truck and RVing best fun ever. Been all over the US and some of Canada.

Cheers, Ron

Thanks again, Ron. You are right... there are a lot of factors involved that may not be apparent, or clear, to someone somewhat unfamiliar with matching truck to 5th wheel. We all have our preferences with regard to each, and calculating up all the variables involved can take some time and thought to work through.

And, sometimes there is conflicting opinion on some aspects, which one needs to fully sort out for oneself through continued query and investigation. I appreciate all the helpful input folks have given here and over at RV.net.

 

[Ozymandias]

And very important for shopping- take care to get the max. GVWR for an SRW - they have several ratings for it, depending on several things.
Dont end up with a 10K GVWR.

 

[SnoKing]

SnoKing... Thank you. I do appreciate your comments and perspective. I'm just taking in everything that everyone says. There is much for me to learn about determining capacities and such, and to investigate, calculations to be made, and preferences to consider, and then... much to think about as options.

I'm just taking my time to fully and carefully explore all the related issues and consideration.

At present, I'm looking at a different 5th wheel, which has an estimated pin weight 300 lbs. lighter than the Vilano 320. Given all of the other factors weighed in, that should bring me somewhat under the max payload of the truck I am considering.

As for the truck's GVWR.... that has never approached being an issue for the units I am considering. Just payload/pin weight.

I haven't made up my mind about anything, thus far.

As for your comment that you think that I am "sure dope-a-roping the issue", all I can say is thank you for your time thus far; perhaps you have exhausted your ability to participate on this. But I am not near finished exploring the options and learning more about the variables.

Have a wonderful evening, sir.

I looked today again at my trucks carrying capacity. It is 3664. I am not sure how some have 4K+, my trim level, transmission etc is noted in sig line. According to the 2015 towing guide from RAM the payload is 3,920. So it appears the the Laramie with bucket seats is 256 pounds heavier than the base model noted in the guide.

Rear axle is listed at 2965. Ready to tow my rear axle was 3760. Which gave me a max around 3240 for pin weight. SnoKing

 

[gsbrockman]

I looked today again at my trucks carrying capacity. It is 3664. I am not sure how some have 4K+, my trim level, transmission etc is noted in sig line. According to the 2015 towing guide from RAM the payload is 3,920. So it appears the the Laramie with bucket seats in 256 pounds heavier than the base model noted in the guide.

Rear axle is listed at 2965. Ready to tow my rear axle was 3760. Which gave me a max around 3240 for pin weight. SnoKing

If I recall.....SWB SRW were 11,700 lb GVWR. LWB SRW are 12,300 lb GVWR.

 

[DesertRiders]

I have seen some 2019 RAM 3500 models - Limiteds and Laramies, Crew Cabs, with stated payload capacities between 3900 - 4100 LB.

 

[DesertRiders]

I looked today again at my trucks carrying capacity. It is 3664. I am not sure how some have 4K+, my trim level, transmission etc is noted in sig line.

Through a variety of measures, 2019 RAM 3500 models have significantly increased capacities since 2015.