Community Forums

Snowboat · 09-28-2015, 04:04 PM

Hello. I just joined this forum after lurking before buying. I'm curious if anyone has broken the towing rules one time. I just bought a 39' 10", 20k, 2,900k pin weight, from a man in Onalaska, Wi. I need to get it to Gillette, Wy. I have hauled around a Lance pickup camper on many long trips and it weighs in at almost 4k when its full of everything. The truck is an F-350 with Super Springs and Timbren overload and a 6.0 engine. The trailer has triple axles with disc brakes and new tires. The route has no mountains or cities. I realize that the truck is not adequate but I want to know if anyone has done something similar, just one time. Thank you.

Gordon Dewald · 09-28-2015, 04:08 PM

After reading this forum I am sure you may find many who not only do it one time but consistently do it.

tuffr2 · 09-28-2015, 04:42 PM

Going from a truck camper to a heavy 40' 5th wheel...good for you. That should be a great 5er.

The 2,900 lb. pin weight sounds too light as 20% (normal pin weight percent) of 20,000 lbs. is more like 4,000lbs pin weight. But the TS if triple axle might have a pin weight of 2,900 lbs.

From WI to WY cool trip. If you can not borrow a dually truck I guess you got to try it. Since you carried a 4,000 lb. truck camper already you will probably be fine.

Good luck

stanleyz · 09-28-2015, 07:00 PM

Yeah no problem. Only concerns are 1. Do the trailer brakes work and 2. are the tires on the rear of the truck rated for that pin rate. I don't mean to be argumentative but pin rates usually run around 15%. I guess the trailer has 3 axles. Most of those big TS 5ers do. Check the dates on those. it is a 4 digit number like 4010 that would be the 40th week of 2010. I'd be very careful if tires were more that 4 years old regardless of thread. These Ford trucks are tough. If the 6.0 don't implode you will be fine.

wingnut60 · 09-28-2015, 07:18 PM

Stanley,
What is the tow vehicle you are showing--first one for the Suites?
Joe

Snowboat · 09-28-2015, 08:21 PM

The brakes on the trailer work and the rear tires on the truck are rated for the weight.

Stickdog · 09-28-2015, 09:41 PM

Safe travels!

stanleyz · 09-29-2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Stanley,
What is the tow vehicle you are showing--first one for the Suites?
Joe

Hi Joe. yeah, I towed with that for a year before I went to my first Dully, an 08. Just after I got the 08 modified like I wanted a drunk old woman hit me and they totaled it. So, her insurance company bought me a new truck. The one in the picture is a short bed F250 I already had when I bought the MS. I beefed everything up and it towed the MS fine. It was however a bit exciting going over and around mountains so I went to a DRW. Much better towing. I just added the picture so the OP would have an example to look at. You will note that the 250 is sitting level (air bags) and the tires and wheels were 19.5 inch. I'm not sure they were on there yet when this picture was taken.

On another note, I got the one stabilizer off and had it rebuilt. And, of course once I re-installed that one it just caused the other one to fail. Problem is finding a spot to remove it. I need 18 inches below the bottom of the tire. I guess someday I'll get it finished. I think I have a spot in front of my house but I have to do it when the wife is away.

Also, I found a leak on the way home. I have caulked, taped and caulked the tape on every seam or potential point of failure I can find. It hasn't rained yet since I did it so I hope I got it. You have any leaks? if so where from?

Airmech · 09-29-2015, 01:01 PM

To the op, is the 20k the gross weight? Are you hauling it loaded or empty? If empty that would make the trip much easier than loaded. The length is nothing to worry about until you turn a corner. Going down the highway its easy. Just take your time and as the others have said make sure all equipment is working properly before you leave.

caissiel · 09-29-2015, 09:39 PM

You are good to go. A 5th wheel will tow very well, just be concern about the length..

Snowboat · 09-30-2015, 06:40 AM

20 k is the empty weight. The only thing that will be in the 5er will be air. I put new Goodyear G16's on the 5er and new 285/r16's on the truck so the rear axle tires will carry 700 lbs. more. Hoping for no snow.

Gordon Dewald · 09-30-2015, 08:55 AM

Good luck. Try to miss the Darwin Awards.

Rolfsted · 09-30-2015, 08:07 PM

Keep us posted how the 6.0 does. I just bought an F350 cc lb dually in July and am towing my 13,000 lb 5th wheel to Door County from central Illinois Monday. I'm excitedly nervous.

It's stock and has much more power than my last 2 7,3 powerstrokes. So, I'm really anxious to see how it tows.

wingnut60 · 10-10-2015, 08:33 AM

Stanley,
Haven't had any major leaks--have put Eternabond over both cap seams. Had a BR slide window leak give me fits and still not sure I have it fixed.
Just returned from 3 weeks in Colorado, hardly any rain, but furnace quit lighting...always something.
Joe