Towing w/short bed.

[mr.wilson]

I have an '03 4x4 with a short bed. What are the major concerns in pulling a 5th wheel trailer. I am looking at a 30' Gulf Stream, Canyon Trail weighing a little over 9K. Any recommendations as far as 5th wheel hitch or anything else to make the truck pull and handle Good.



Thanks,

 

[Grizzly]

You can do a search on this topic because this issue has been discussed many time. First off, you will need a sliding 5th wheel hitch. Second, what is the pin weight of the 30' 5er. The concern here is, do you have enough capacity on the truck. Is it a 2500 or a 3500 SRW. Your signature doesn't say. You may not get as much stability with a short bed as you would with a long bed.

 

[mr.wilson]

The truck is a 2500 and the hitch weight is 1000 lbs.

 

[Crash&Burn]

I have a shortbed and have towed a 28 ft fifth wheel for over 8 years withOUT a slide hitch. You just have to pay attention... . if the trailer get within 6 inches of your cab, pull foreword and take anthor stab at it.

Have NEVER failed to get r done.

 

[mr.wilson]

Another thing, the Dodge web site is a little unclear as too, what is the max hitch weight I can put on this truck for the 5th wheel trailer 1K-1. 5K-2K???



Is 1700 lbs of hitch weight too much?

 

[Boondocker]

Dodge isn't going to talk about hitch weight. The concerns are GVWR and GAWR. You need to get those numbers off your truck, then go to the scales and weigh your truck with a full tank of fuel. Estimate the rest of the truck payload (passengers, equipment, supplies, trailer hitch), then you can figure how much weight capacity you have left (as hitch weight). Trailer manufacturers are notoriously optimistic about their weights.

Check TDR member Ken Lenger's awesome website, and read his Towing Basics and Definitions before proceeding.