What is the best setup for hauling 5th wheel campers ?

[Tuesdak]

Thanks for all of the information, I'm leaning towards a 3500 drw cc or mega cab with the cummins and aisin transmission with max tow package.


Not in a rush though, will do more research before I buy anything. Also have to find a flat bed trailer. There are several manufacturers near me.

Better Built, Econoline, Lone Wolf just to name a few. Not afraid to drive somewhere else to get one either.

The RV haulers won't sign you on with a short bed MegaCab. (There are a few MegaCab long bed conversions out there.) 5th wheels are proven safer (don't hit the cab damaging the trailer and who cares about your truck) as far as brokers are concerned with long beds. You may be better off with a 8' flatbed as there is a risk of hitting the rails with a 5er if the road culverts, bumps, etc. are just right.

As this is a work truck with Hot Shot in mind you may need every inch on an 8' bed for cargo. Note the fuel tank in the bed takes up cargo room. I have commented on aux tanks and recommend the ones that are not made of metal due to Biodiesel and ease of clean out. See our bugs in fuel (link) and attempting to clean that slime off: it rinses off the OEM style plastic type fuel tanks and has to be boiled out or pressure washed off metal tanks. Our TransferFlow tank was ruined by bugs in fuel where I suggest Titan tanks would have survived like my OEM plastic tank did. Wet dirty buggy diesel is to be expected all over the USA and Canada: Always get and keep your fuel receipts so if you get a batch that plugs your filters or worse you can go back on the station etc. Gasoline in diesel from a screw up of the fuel delivery driver is not unheard of.

As SnoKing and others have mentioned DOT rules and logbooks are something you need to look at. This is the not-fun paperwork that limits you to 11 hours of driving a day, mandatory days off, condition of your truck should they decide to inspect it (it's worth $50.00 from Horizon if you pass), and things like sleepers. Are you really going to sleep in a hot/cold uncomfortable pickup? Rent one and try it. The DOT can have a field day if you attempt to make a sleeper out of the rear cab or you can "get away with it". (Field day is shutting you down for the 34 hour restart. Yes you "park it" at the scale and get a hotel. Fines are likely.) Another type of truck with a DOT legal sleeper would be a better choice. Have you looked at how much fun keeping your "logbook" up to date is? No you can't fill it out at the end of the day! You have to fill it out every time you start or stop: The DOT doesn't care how bad you got to pee if that logbook isn't up to the current stop it will pi$$ them off making them look harder at your rig or fine you. The DOT loves to set up at rest areas for logbook checks and no you don't get to pee first. If you are lucky they will just waste your time with a log book lecture after a rig inspection. Here is an in depth look at the Government "We are here to help!" PIA Logbooks you fill out: http://www.truckingtruth.com/cdl-training-program/page93/logbook-hours-of-service-limitations It may be a PIA, but, it keeps brokers from making your route too long. For example the parts broker we had for delivering parts in AZ had a delivery routes that were so long they violated Hours of Service and On Duty limits. Someone got busted at a scale with too many batteries for cargo and no hazmat placard. They were hauling a couple pallets of dead returns from a dealer. OOPS! Anyway the DOT investigated the broker. Instead of flat out shutting them down they explained the rules and followed up. They paid a large fine for the privilege. However they had to shorten the routes up for the drivers leaving Phoenix to all 4 corners of the state. They did so by hiring local people in the towns we delivered too and we just dropped off to a few storage units. This cut out the many stops per town local deliveries and got the drivers time on the road and in service in compliance. So I may call paperwork a PIA, but, it does really keep brokers from abusing drivers. Before DOT: leave at 2 AM and get back at 5 PM. After DOT it was 11 hours on the road max and 14 hours on duty. We did ok because we had two drivers one loading the trailer the night before night and shaving off 3 hours.

That said we had to hot rod our old truck for the grades in AZ. Doing 33 MPH up some of the frequent 'miles long' grades was costing us serious time and violating Hours Of Service. GAmes can tell you about the fuel plate he has in his truck even while wanting to keep the MPH in the 60's because going below that starts to cost some serious time. This won't apply to newer trucks of course.

 

[GAmes]

As SnoKing and others have mentioned DOT rules and logbooks are something you need to look at. This is the not-fun paperwork that limits you to 11 hours of driving a day, mandatory days off, condition of your truck should they decide to inspect it (it's worth $50.00 from Horizon if you pass), and things like sleepers. Are you really going to sleep in a hot/cold uncomfortable pickup? Rent one and try it. The DOT can have a field day if you attempt to make a sleeper out of the rear cab or you can "get away with it". (Field day is shutting you down for the 34 hour restart. Yes you "park it" at the scale and get a hotel. Fines are likely.)

You and SnoKing have been out of the loop for awhile. 2000 and newer trucks are mandated to have electronic log systems as of last month. They make the cheating of paper logs, or forgetting to log stops and log book checks almost a thing of the past. Also, to sleep in the truck it is perfectly legal to log it as off duty time. I pulled my back seat out and fabricated a bed that sleeps very comfortably years ago. About a dozen level one inspections, no faults found. Only when the weather is severe do I find lodging, below 20 and above 80. There isn't any requirement for the 10 hour break to be in a sleeper or motel.

 

[SnoKing]

You and SnoKing have been out of the loop for awhile. 2000 and newer trucks are mandated to have electronic log systems as of last month. They make the cheating of paper logs, or forgetting to log stops and log book checks almost a thing of the past. Also, to sleep in the truck it is perfectly legal to log it as off duty time. I pulled my back seat out and fabricated a bed that sleeps very comfortably years ago. About a dozen level one inspections, no faults found. Only when the weather is severe do I find lodging, below 20 and above 80. There isn't any requirement for the 10 hour break to be in a sleeper or motel.

Show me the new reg and not requiring 75" long bed!

 

[fenderbender]

Show me the new reg and not requiring 75" long bed!

You log off duty. Nowhere does it say you have to log sleeper berth. Just have to have 10 off duty

 

[Tuesdak]

You and SnoKing have been out of the loop for awhile. 2000 and newer trucks are mandated to have electronic log systems as of last month. They make the cheating of paper logs, or forgetting to log stops and log book checks almost a thing of the past. Also, to sleep in the truck it is perfectly legal to log it as off duty time. I pulled my back seat out and fabricated a bed that sleeps very comfortably years ago. About a dozen level one inspections, no faults found. Only when the weather is severe do I find lodging, below 20 and above 80. There isn't any requirement for the 10 hour break to be in a sleeper or motel.

No disagreement - Dad has retired so we are out of the business for a few years now. It is an example of the "student" red-tape stuff the OP needs to learn. Electronic or not planning your day around HOS is going to be a learning curve. The 10 off duty 75" sleeper berth debate is an area the OP will need to research and make their mind up on. Honestly more power to you Most of the time hauling RV's one has an RV "sleeper" behind them and when you don't the magnetic DOT bullseye signs are off the side of the truck. edit: I read where some carry a tent and point to it when questioned. Seriously this is where the OP can take an example of "Loose lips sink ships" and not let a hair splitting DOT officer result in a fine.


An interesting resource to subscribe to is OOIDA, owner Operators Independent Driver's Assn. https://www.ooida.com/ Because one of their February press releases discusses "exemptions" to the electronic logging mandate.

 

[RVTRKN]

The OP needs a lot of research, before embarking on a such an expensive ordeal. I went through it in 08, and pulled a Weekend Warrior to Salt Lake from Moreno Valley one time only. Getting a CDL, registering my truck for 26K, the expense of the C&C vrs regular pickup, could have bought an 07 5.9 instead of the C&C & the high cost of commercial insurance. That weekend Warrior cost me $25.00 to deliver it to the Dealer after all of my expenses were figured in. Once arriving late to Salt Lake from complications due to a bad trailer plug, I called in for the next load, and they wanted me to return deadhead to pick up another. That's no pay to return 500+ miles on my dime only to do it over again. I declined the load, and that was enough for me. After all the money I spent on my rig, I lost $25.00.

So OP, think real hard about what your getting into.

 

[GAmes]

No disagreement - Dad has retired so we are out of the business for a few years now. It is an example of the "student" red-tape stuff the OP needs to learn. Electronic or not planning your day around HOS is going to be a learning curve. The 10 off duty 75" sleeper berth debate is an area the OP will need to research and make their mind up on. Honestly more power to you Most of the time hauling RV's one has an RV "sleeper" behind them and when you don't the magnetic DOT bullseye signs are off the side of the truck. edit: I read where some carry a tent and point to it when questioned. Seriously this is where the OP can take an example of "Loose lips sink ships" and not let a hair splitting DOT officer result in a fine.


An interesting resource to subscribe to is OOIDA, owner Operators Independent Driver's Assn. https://www.ooida.com/ Because one of their February press releases discusses "exemptions" to the electronic logging mandate.

As often as not I'm not pulling a new RV, so "the sleeper behind me" is not an option. Even when it is, most of the time it is much easier and just as comfortable to sleep in the truck. That old tent story is the result of a myth that lasted for years, the myth being you couldn't sleep in the tow vehicle. The FMCSA regs never said that but a lot of people that didn't have a command of the English language thought it did. The reg is reworded now so the myth has evaporated. Besides, it takes more than a 75" long bed to qualify as a sleeper anyway.

Besides my older than 2000 truck being exempt from requiring an ELD there are other exemptions, one of them being the transport of new RVs to the dealers. Sounds great on the surface, but it also prevents a driver from getting a backhaul, such as a return to factory RV, a boat, a privately owned RV, a cargo trailer, etc.

 

[BUrichich]

I just started RV hauling, and while it's new and fun because I'm addicted to that purrrrrring noise, I didn't know about the 11 hour driving rule - a mandatory 10 hour break after 11 hours driving. I like my truck... but not enough to sleep in it for 10 hours at a time, and I found hotel rooms eat profit pretty fast. An up-and-back from TX to IN can be a nice chunk of change for 1100 miles, but then it's 4 or more nights for me at ~ $70/night.

 

[GAmes]

I didn't know about the 11 hour driving rule - a mandatory 10 hour break after 11 hours driving. I like my truck... but not enough to sleep in it for 10 hours at a time, .......

Who sleeps for 10 hours? It is a mandatory 10 hour break between up to 14 hour duty days, how long you sleep is optional. You really need to earn the HOS rules, it appears you don't have a full grasp of them.

 

[BUrichich]

Yep, apparently... which is why those of us without a lot of experience appreciate your insight. Thanks for your post.

 

[masterdrago]

I thought I would never get this thread read. I have very little experience pulling our new 5r at just over 15k# max 17k. I bought the compromise 3.73 and it pulls just fine, at least in my limited experience. It just does what it is supposed to do all day long. MPG is 8-10 in central Texas hill country.

 

[6V92TA]

I thought I would never get this thread read. I have very little experience pulling our new 5r at just over 15k# max 17k. I bought the compromise 3.73 and it pulls just fine, at least in my limited experience. It just does what it is supposed to do all day long. MPG is 8-10 in central Texas hill country.

your limited experience and the ability to acknowledge it will set you free. its the replies of a series of "experts" here who made for the seemingly endless refrain.

 

[Cummins12V98]

^^^^^^^ How about filling in your public signature ^^^^^^^^

 

[Newsa]

your limited experience and the ability to acknowledge it will set you free. its the replies of a series of "experts" here who made for the seemingly endless refrain.

Maybe this thread wasn't the most important TDR thread ever. But there are other threads/postings that really sort of helped me dodge a serious bullet. Threads about the rear fuel filter heater not being activated at the factory, threads about TSB's I wouldn't have known about, advice about how to keep my improperly treated Florida fuel from gelling on me when driving north in winter, info about batteries /tires, etc. And a few very nifty pieces of advise about how to turn off my seatbelt chime, and how to turn my console keyed 12V charger/outlet to full on with the battery (works in key off positiom). As well as warranty advise (extended and fed emissions)

Other threads are just fun to weigh in on and disagree on. Gearing of the rear differential is NOT the most important thread. The load tables provided by RAM are adequate for anyone who is purchasing. I don't think anyone maliciously posted wrong info in their opinions in this thread.

I believe there are experts with experience behind their wisdom on here. And even the expert's will have differing opinions. Just like doctors might give different diagnoses and lawyers can have different advise to clients.
It was an entertaining thread. And fun to weigh in with an opinion.....even if it wasn't well received.

Yes, fill in your signature. We know you have 4:10's and a 68RFE. And your parents named you after a Detroit Diesel 2 cycle.

 

[NIsaacs]

Here you go, OP.

Nice, barely used '17 Ram 5500, oil field hotshot rig, complete with step deck trailer.

https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/4525833?ad_cid=1

Nick

 

[JR]

Notice how close the trailer sits to the deck, and the length from front of trailer to back of truck. Seems like that could be an issue on uneven ground. Nice rig tho for sure.

 

[GBBrown]

After struggling to get thru this post, and skipping thru some of it I've got one question and one opinion...
If running 3.42 and 4.10 side by side pulling the same weight and getting basically the same MPG, why wouldnt you pick the 4.10's. Only advantage I see with 3.42 is if you run empty a lot.

My opinion on the idea of running the 3.42 in 5th is like a 4.10 in 6th is like comparing apples to oranges...yes they run the same RPM but theres more to it than RPM. Put them side by side set up that way pulling the same load at the same speed and mash the throttle and see which one pulls away.

 

[Newsa]

After struggling to get thru this post, and skipping thru some of it I've got one question and one opinion...
If running 3.42 and 4.10 side by side pulling the same weight and getting basically the same MPG, why wouldnt you pick the 4.10's. Only advantage I see with 3.42 is if you run empty a lot.

My opinion on the idea of running the 3.42 in 5th is like a 4.10 in 6th is like comparing apples to oranges...yes they run the same RPM but theres more to it than RPM. Put them side by side set up that way pulling the same load at the same speed and mash the throttle and see which one pulls away.

Mash the throttle and you might get a seat full.if dead pedal???:-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

If running 3.42 and 4.10 side by side pulling the same weight and getting basically the same MPG, why wouldnt you pick the 4.10's. Only advantage I see with 3.42 is if you run empty a lot.

More pressure on the pinion and ring gear for the 3:42,is the difference. MPG is subjective, but the 4:10 will have better MPG when towing and 3:42 is better empty.

 

[NIsaacs]

Notice how close the trailer sits to the deck, and the length from front of trailer to back of truck. Seems like that could be an issue on uneven ground. Nice rig tho for sure.

Yes, seems too close. Also note the trailer size and axle placement, I think it is going to overload the truck pretty fast. Odd that it is for sale already. The seller sounds like a woman, so maybe a divorce settlement?

Nick