Toyhauler Tow Vehicle Choice

[macdaddy]

TFlewitt:



I am a commercial RV transporter and have pulled many of those 40+ footers like you plan to purchase with my '06 Dodge. The truck has 205k miles on it and is holding up extremely well. However, they are a huge load for a dually and, consider this carefully, I pull them from manufacturer to dealer empty, dry, etc. Yours will be loaded to maximum GVWR or beyond with all your belongings and toys.



The Dodge 3500 DRW you described will pull it safely and reliably if, and I underscore the if, you are an experienced and careful driver and RV puller but the weight will exceed the Dodge's design capability. The Dodge platform is strong and durable and the Cummins engine is capable of pulling it but your loaded combined weight will far exceed the manufacturer's maximum allowable gross combined weight and will overload and overwork the transmission and drive train. If the trailer brakes fail for any reason the Dodge brakes are simply not designed to stop 28,000 pounds in a reasonable distance in an emergency. If you plan to pull it an occasional weekend from SOCAL out to the Colorado River it might be a reasonable risk to take. If you plan to travel extensively as you stated and in mountainous terrain I recommend you reconsider. I have pulled an empty one enough to tell you with absolute certainty that you will not enjoy the performance on mountain grades. Yes, the Dodge Cummins will pull it over them and, if you have an exhaust brake installed, you will be able to survive the steep downgrades, but it won't be enjoyable. Basically you'll work the guts out of a little 3500 dually Dodge if you pull lots of miles.



A new Dodge Ram 4500/5500 cab and chassis would be a better and safer choice and so would an International 4300 LoPro or Freightliner Business Class truck.



I love my Dodge Ram and brag on its capabilities to anyone who will listen but I will also tell you truthfully, I would not pull a 43' Toy Hauler with mine. When I bought a new fiver earlier this year I carefully decided on a "32 footer" that is actually 34' long and weighs 14,000 lbs. loaded. With my Dodge and the trailer loaded for travel my gross combined weight is 23,000 lbs. , the maximum specified by Dodge. The Dodge pulls and handles the trailer comfortably. I would not buy a larger or heavier trailer to pull extensively in the mountains and all over the North American Continent.



Your choice, your rig, your money. I've answered your question.



Harvey

Listen to this man!!!!!!!!!!!!!, everything he said is true and accurate.



Call ahead of time for the RV trader, cuz you wont want to look at a 40+ Toyhauler after you pull it the first time. Then yours will be added to the growing list.



Dont mean to be harsh, just straight up.



Mac

 

[Bart]

A friend of mine, burned up two Dodge automatics while towing his Holiday Rambler 5'r with early Bronco inside. He gave up and bought a used line truck from a company called Custom something or other out of Las Vegas. They took a Cummins power tractor and removed the rear set of doubles, bobbed the frame close to the one set of doubles and derated it to under 26,000 pounds (< 26K = regular license). That big Cummins and 10 speed manual doesn't even know the 5'r is behind it. He only paid $25000 for the setup. It's a nice looking rig with a sleeper. This maybe an opinon for you. Down side is that the truck isn't used for anything else except pulling the 5'r.

You can do a search for used tractor trucks on the internet and find a lot of companies that do this. This Custom ???? works mainly with Freightliners.

 

[icman95]

If you're going to entertain that idea, I might be able to hook you up with the Freightliner tractor. I've actually seen that done several times.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Drum Brakes



Have you ever really looked at the drums on a larger truck ? Diameter has nothing to do with it. The average light duty truck with drum brakes, the braking surface of the drum may be what ? 2" wide. On a larger truck they will be 6" or more wide. It is the sq inches of surface area of friction that matters not diameter.

You might want to re-read the section on brake diameter vs friction material width... ... .



Brian

 

[NVR FNSH]

Well your police are wrong!!! Look to the dealers to help you out. Ask them to show you on papper what your truck can pull. The 4. 10 is a verry good one. I pull a fithwheel 38. 5 feet loaded 15000LB 100GAL fuel tank in truck bed 800LB 50gal water 400LB plus tool box a crose back of truck. Have 6 speed o3 HOP 3. 73 diff 4x4 3500 in flat country no wind 16 mpg at 60mph. in mountans drops to 7mpg up 14to 17 down . Push the pedal like you have and egg on it . I also have the jake brake. I would not pull one that big with out the jake brake,

I'm sorry but I don't believe you are getting an average of 16mpg towing a 38ft 5th wheel at the GCW your quoting. I'm lucky to get 12mpg @ 60 mph (1800-2000 rpm) with my 36ft 5th wheel at 21. 5K GCW.



Brian