Towing heavy with a short box 2WD 3500

[klenger]

So, I'm considering getting a 2008 or maybe 2009 CTD 6. 7 68RE auto 2WD short box quad cab to replace my 04. 5 (see sig). It appears that the useful load with the new truck would be around 3500 lbs (2WD helps a lot). This would allow for about 2500 lbs for the 5th wheel pin weight and 1000 lbs for passengers and cargo. Looking at only the weight capacity, this would allow me to tow 5th wheels trailers in the area of 34' or so (thinking HitchHikers). I'm comfortable with the weight numbers, but what I am cautious about is towing 5th wheels that long with a shorter wheel base truck. I know a dually long wheel base would do the trick nicely, but don't want to go bigger than what I have now.



Question is: How many of you have or are towing heavy/long 5th wheel (or gooseneck) trailers with a short wheel base quad cab, and do you notice any "tail wagging the dog" because of the shorter wheelbase? All opinions considered.

 

[Jeepinjason]

I tow a 12,000 pound Wildcat 32QBSS 5th wheel with my Megacab shortbed SRW with no problem. It is a little over 34' long and I get absolutely no tail wagging and can hold the steering wheel with one hand when passing or being passed by Semi's

 

[Forrest Nearing]

should be just fine...



the pin weight will help, and having a dualy w/ a wide track will help also...



why not just get a quad though? the price isn't that much more

 

[CROW]

Went from a 2003 3500 short bed with an expensive slider hitch to a 2005 dually to tow my fifth wheel. Much more comfortable with the training wheels back there especially in the big wind which always seems to blow when I am towing. I was within 400 lbs of the rear axle capacity in the single axle truck but have a lot of capacity left in the dually. Gotta put up with size of the dually when not towing, but still am happy that I made the change. I personally would not go back to a single axle truck to tow a tall fifth wheel but that is just my view; many do and are fine with it. Options can add the the advertised pin weight of a fiver.

 

[RJOL]

I have to agree with the comment above... I went from a 2500 to a 3500 DRW. I towed the same trailer with both (32' HitchHiker with a 2800lb kingpin weight). The difference between the 2500 and the 3500, while towing, were immediately noticeable. The dually is much more comfortable to drive, while towing, and much more stable...

 

[Grizzly]

The long wheel base offers a better smoother ride then a short wheel base. As RJOL said, a DRW offers more stability while towing heavy. I think that the same geometry would apply to a longer wheel base as well.