Community Forums

Bill98116 · 08-17-2015, 08:13 PM

OK.....I'm upgrading from our 2006 Class C to a 5th wheel. I found a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel for tow vehicle. I know that will be plenty of power. However, this Dodge has only a 6' bed. The dealer says it is ok for a 5th wheel. I'm not so sure! Would like to know if anyone has experience with using a 6' bed for a 5th wheel. The 5th wheel I'm looking at is a Cougar 301SAB.
Thanks for the help.

Bill

Dasmoeturhead · 08-18-2015, 05:27 AM

Good morning Senior Chief, thanks for your service Brother.

Yes that pickup will work withany 5th wheel trailers just fine. Not sure how heavy the one is that you listed, but make sure your not over your trucks GVWR. I've had 2 Ram pickups with the Short beds, and have towed 5th wheels with no problems. You might want to invest in a slider hitch just to be safe. I don't use one, but some say they wouldn't tow without one. I towed a 14,000 lb 5th wheel just fine with my old 2500, but I don't recommend a rig that heavy.

TDI-Minnie · 08-18-2015, 02:13 PM

Not sure what year and model, but look closely at the payload specs. Some configurations (like mine) are too low for a 5er. Get a 3500.

Gordon Dewald · 08-18-2015, 05:58 PM

IMO a short bed does not have enough advantages to warrant using as a tow vehicle for a 5er. Slider hitches are a pain in the butt.

Knew a fellow who has a short bed and tows a 5er. Has dents on both sides of the cab.

Bill98116 · 08-20-2015, 02:11 PM

Thanks for all the advise. I told the Dodge dealer that I'm not interested in the 6 foot bed any more. He is trying to find me an 8 foot within my price range. Man, they are expensive!!
My wife and I are still mullin' over the whole upgrade deal. I'm 67 right now and we are both in good health so far as we know (thank the Lord!) But spending that much money at our age on a new truck and RV may be a bit foolish. On the other hand, I don't want to be afraid to do things we love just because we are getting older. Old age stinks!!

JIMNLIN · 08-20-2015, 08:34 PM

I use crew cab trucks so I prefer a short bed over a long bed for towing my 11200 lb 5th wheel rv or any of my heavy GN equipment/stock trailers.

The short bed Dodge has a 6' 4" bed length which may or may not require a sliding hitch.
Some of the new 5th wheel trailers have a notched/rounded corners for short bed trucks and no slider.

I also have a crew cab long bed 3500 DRW 4x4 chevy that does all my off pavement jobs. Its is a bitzch to maneuver even around a loading yard but boy is the 4x4 nice moving heavy trailers around in a muddy pasture/worksites.

JIMNLIN · 08-20-2015, 08:35 PM

wow ..lightening hit close and made a double post or double click...jeeez time to change my shortz

Gordon Dewald · 08-21-2015, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill98116

Thanks for all the advise. I told the Dodge dealer that I'm not interested in the 6 foot bed any more. He is trying to find me an 8 foot within my price range. Man, they are expensive!!
My wife and I are still mullin' over the whole upgrade deal. I'm 67 right now and we are both in good health so far as we know (thank the Lord!) But spending that much money at our age on a new truck and RV may be a bit foolish. On the other hand, I don't want to be afraid to do things we love just because we are getting older. Old age stinks!!

Our estate lawyer says the best five words to have at the bottom of your will is: "Sorry we spent it all!"

We are 67 and are doing the things we want to do while we can. Cannot fathom trying to start doing it at 87.

Our 450 has a 179 inch wheelbase. There are some places a bit more difficult to get into but we can do it if we are going to stay for a while. Just takes a bit of jockying. If we are only staying a short time we have the option of staying somewhere else or making the effort to get in.

Longer wheelbases may eliminate you from a few areas, make it difficult to get into some but it can be done.

EHaase · 08-21-2015, 12:03 PM

I would not be quick to dismiss the short bed. Remember you won’t always be towing and a short bed is much easier to park than a long bed. I had a Sandpiper that was 10.5K and the king pin was essentially straight down. I had F250 short bed with a slider hitch but only had to use the slider once.

Dasmoeturhead · 08-21-2015, 05:53 PM

4 Ram dually megacabs here today . No sliders, and no dents .

Army Nurse · 08-22-2015, 07:45 PM

I had a used Superglide in my Dodge 3/4 ton short bed that worked great. I took it out when I traded that truck on the 3500 I have now. Sold it for $200 more than I paid for it.

sassyannie · 08-29-2015, 02:10 PM

We towed Jayco 5th wheels quite easily with our Dodge Ram DRW 3500 Mega Cab (short bed). We even put a spare tank in bed, installed air bags and had a Super Slider Hitch. Worked great...no issues with. You just have to outfit properly. Loved all the extra room the Mega Cab gave us.
We would not even consider a Crew Cab.

smonagle · 08-30-2015, 07:01 AM

I tow a fifth wheel with a Ram 2500 short bed. We have the Reese slider hitch and I love it. I have not even had to use it yet while backing up, even in tighter spots. I'm glad I have the slider just in case. It ties just fine. I wouldn't second guess buying another setup like this.

monkey · 09-08-2015, 10:45 AM

I'm sort of like the OP.. Looking right now to buy a new 2015 3500 Ram Crew cab short bed SRW 4x4 to pull our next rv,,, be it a TT or 5th... Dealer sure made it hard to walk away yesterday,,, but we aren't done... Hard to spend part of our retirement,, But hopefully it will be paid off since I'm about 57.... 12K off list and we haven't even started to haggle yet !!!!