Towing with a shortbed?

[steved]

Looking to buy a second truck, preferable a later 4x4 SRW QC 2nd gen. Going to turn the current truck into a toy/work rig. The one issue with buying used is the fact your choices are somewhat limited to what is offered at the time.



We currently have a small 5vr that is actually meant to be towed with a 1/2-ton truck (5k total weight, 500 pin weight), so I would have no issues towing it with a shortbed; but as with anything, your goal is to someday upgrade.



With that said, what would be the heaviest pin weight that could realistically (and safely) be hauled with a shortbed??

 

[EricBu12]

Do a search on this subject a read for a weekend!!

There have been a lot of advancements on the ability of trailers to be towed with a shortbed. . A lot of trailers have clipped front corners and a little longer pinbox so you can do almost a 90 deg turn. . .

I thought I had this down pat when I had a 2500 and a big 5th. had a thing called a RV5. it was a 10" extension of the kingpin and it worked pretty good til I put a $500 hole in the front corner of the trailer. . so I got the 5th airborne Sidewinder. . see a few posts near this thread on this. This is a dream. no sliding 5th wheel hitches or whatever, just a better pivot for shortbeds. . it also has an airbag on the hitch to help the ride.

Now, as for weight...

I towed a 36' 5th wheel which was too heavy for it but I compensated for it with good power, brakes, jacobs E-Brake, and "F" rated 19. 5" 12 ply tires... What is recommended is around 10-12K load max. . mine is 15,500#. with around a 3000# pin... I also had a suspension add-on that helped the on-board weight ability. .

If you have stock engine, brakes, and "E" tires, best to get an E-brake a least and some gauges. for Fuel Pressure, boost and pyro. If you have the overloads on the 2500 which is the towing package for it, then the 10-12K trailer is good for it. . It could take a little more. . like 13K at the outside.

The salesman will tell you that you can pull a big 15 or 18K with that just because it is able to be pulled by a shorbed with the clipped corners. . they have no clue on weight ratings or ability.

So when you look for a truck, no big lifts with big tires. . not good for 5th wheel pulling. . A tow package and light package will be good as it will have the bigger alternator. Any moderate power add-on is good as it won't get the engine too hot when towing.

On the older trucks, the 5600 manual is good for pulling especially if you have a South bend clutch or equivalent. Don't have any clue to the Autos but a lot of people have done ATS upgrades to these to make them able to tow a good weight trailer. as well as deeper trans. pans and such.

Hope this info points you in the right direction for upgrades. good luck

 

[Jim W]

I am pulling a 11,500 Lbs 5er with a pin weight of 1,725 Lbs, my TV is in my signature.



Now here comes the weight police.

 

[TMRoper1669]

Do a search on this subject a read for a weekend!!



There have been a lot of advancements on the ability of trailers to be towed with a shortbed. . A lot of trailers have clipped front corners and a little longer pinbox so you can do almost a 90 deg turn. . .



I thought I had this down pat when I had a 2500 and a big 5th. had a thing called a RV5. it was a 10" extension of the kingpin and it worked pretty good til I put a $500 hole in the front corner of the trailer. . so I got the 5th airborne Sidewinder. . see a few posts near this thread on this. This is a dream. no sliding 5th wheel hitches or whatever, just a better pivot for shortbeds. . it also has an airbag on the hitch to help the ride.



Now, as for weight...



I towed a 36' 5th wheel which was too heavy for it but I compensated for it with good power, brakes, jacobs E-Brake, and "F" rated 19. 5" 12 ply tires... What is recommended is around 10-12K load max. . mine is 15,500#. with around a 3000# pin... I also had a suspension add-on that helped the on-board weight ability. .



If you have stock engine, brakes, and "E" tires, best to get an E-brake a least and some gauges. for Fuel Pressure, boost and pyro. If you have the overloads on the 2500 which is the towing package for it, then the 10-12K trailer is good for it. . It could take a little more. . like 13K at the outside.



The salesman will tell you that you can pull a big 15 or 18K with that just because it is able to be pulled by a shorbed with the clipped corners. . they have no clue on weight ratings or ability.



So when you look for a truck, no big lifts with big tires. . not good for 5th wheel pulling. . A tow package and light package will be good as it will have the bigger alternator. Any moderate power add-on is good as it won't get the engine too hot when towing.



On the older trucks, the 5600 manual is good for pulling especially if you have a South bend clutch or equivalent. Don't have any clue to the Autos but a lot of people have done ATS upgrades to these to make them able to tow a good weight trailer. as well as deeper trans. pans and such.



Hope this info points you in the right direction for upgrades. good luck

How do you like your 19. 5's?

 

[steved]

I'm more interested in how they balance and carry the weight. I am fairly familiar with the differences, and what factory equipment is best for towing that kind of weight... just never did it with a short bed that moves the balance point around.



I'm assuming by what's said is that they can carry the same weight as a long bed 2500, just have issues turning??

 

[ScottLewis]

Steved:



I'm on my 2nd SWB CTD and 2nd 5th wheel in 11 years. Both 5ers had about 2K pin weight and were in the 11K+ range. I have been quite happy with the towability and handling. I have a manual slider hitch which I rarely use. I've never hit the cab because I don't try to turn 90*. You can't do it with a pull trailer, why try with a 5th wheel.



Dan

 

[EricBu12]

The 19. 5" tires are very durable. . Running empty, they do have a little balance problem. When loaded and towing, I don't notice it as much. They are about half worn and they started out at 21/32nds so they are a little less than 11/32 now. I think they might get a lot of side cracking before they wear out too far. . Was thinking of getting them regrooved as they say they are re-grooveable.

The tire loose next to the truck is the stock 265 75-16" "E"... ... ... ... The 19. 5" is Michelin XDE-MS 245/70R-19. 5"

 

[Ram4Sam]

One thing you need to look out for is the bedrail clearance. Your small 5er that was built for the smaller 1/2 ton trucks is probably built lower than the bigger fifth wheels. That, and the 4x4 trucks are lifted from the factory, you may not end up with much clearance. You will probably have to flip the axles to get enough bedrail clearance.



Sam

 

[steved]

Already tow this one with my 3rd gen, 2500, 4x4... got that covered.