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04-07-2017, 09:09 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 12
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Help Matching Tow vehicle to 5th Wheel!!
Let me start off by saying, I am coming to you for help as I REALLY need to get this right for safety sake!! The problem I am having is that I don't completely understand any of this to begin with. Now it's compounded by all the acronyms and completely contradictory numbers I am finding on the internet.......It's making my head spin!!!
My Tow Vehicle - Please let me know if I miss anything
I currently have a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 HD Laramie with 4 full doors and a 6.7 HO Cummins Diesel. It is a 4X4 SRW regular box with a 3:73 rear end and 17 inch E rated tires.
As for mods I have a full DPF and EGR delete (completely legal where I live) a 4 inch Flow Pro turbo back exhaust and a custom MAP and transmission tune by Double R diesel. I am not sure if it matters but I also have a complete titanium FASS 150 system with fuel heater and sump all monitored by a Edge color touch display.
I think my stats are a follows
GVWR - 10,100 lbs
Payload - 2,760
Base Weight - 7,335
GAWR Front - 5,500
GAWR Rear - 6,200
GCWR - 21,000 but some literature states 26,000
Max Trail - 13,500 - not 100% sure what this is or of it's accuracy as I've also found literature that states 15,000
5th Wheel
We are looking to purchase a 2017 Coachmen Chaparral 392 MBL. From the dealers website it's stats are
Hitch Weight - 2,452
UVW - 12,520
GVWR - 14,500
CCC - 1,980
Exterior Length - 41' 9"
Exterior Width - 96"
Fresh Water - 48 Gal
Grey Water - 85 Gal
Black Water - 45 Gal
Our intent is not to travel around the countryside with this trailer but to leave it at our lake lot 300 km (186 miles) away and skirt it in. That being said, not only do we need to get it there but we would like to have the option of being able to bring it home with the truck above should any warranty work need to be done.
Do you think we could safely tow this trailer with our truck? Thanks for all your advice and help in advance!!
Cheers,
Dean
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04-07-2017, 09:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Welcome to iRV2.
From the numbers you've provided , AND ! the limited use you describe , your truck should handle the trailer EMPTY to move it to and from the lot , with only a driver in the truck.
Max. trailer tow weight is calculated with only a driver in the truck.
One number that you don't have , that you have to have your truck weighed to get the info , is your axle weights; compared to the FAWR and RAWR; , of the truck to determine where the payload is available , so take the truck over the scales and have each axle weighed . Remember the hitch weight , if not already installed , has to be added to the trailers pin weight when calculating the load on the trucks rear axle.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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04-07-2017, 09:41 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 284
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http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2012/d...ammlup3500.pdf
this link should give you the specs as far as Ram is concerned just have to look up your vehicle.
Based on a quick look and based on what you stated in your post of not hauling it around the country but just to and fro occasionally I think you would be ok even if over the limits a bit.
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 27.5 RLTS
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04-07-2017, 10:01 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,596
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I'd do it in a heart beat. You're not loading up the 5er and heading out for big long trips. Thats where most get into trouble with weights.
I think you've though it out pretty good.
FWIW your tow rating is 13,550 according to Rams web site chart.
https://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_...wing.Specs.pdf
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04-08-2017, 01:22 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 542
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Hook up and enjoy. Chaparrals are nice trailers... we love ours . I have been eyeing that layout it looks great!
__________________
2014 Ram 3500 CCLB 4x4 Dually 68RFE, 370/800 Cummins 3.42 highway gear - Deep Cherry Red
2016 Coachmen Chapparal 360IBL
Sold - 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT QCLB 4x4 - Cummins Power
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04-08-2017, 03:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 230
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hmm, you are at max ratings, but should be ok if you drive sensibly for short hauls. and, your tranny appears to be stock 68rfe? from my own experience, the frame, brakes, suspension, engine can handle the load, but you can expect the tranny to wear rather quickly. for long hauls, a 42ft 5W is rather massive, so a dually 3500 would be a better, safer TV.
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04-08-2017, 06:02 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 12
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Thank so for all the advice so far, I really appreciate it!! I do have the stock 68RFE transmission but, as I said, will only be towing 180 miles either once which is the plan or twice a year (there and back) if work is needed.
If worse comes to worse, I also have access to my fathers in laws 2003 Dodge 2500 2WD long box common rail dually if needed.
Also, can Ford tow more than Dodge? My wife has a friend who's husband ties a 35.5 foot around with a F-350 bone stock 4x4 SRW diesel and swears he has more than enough power and never has been effected by the wind
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04-08-2017, 12:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsxrgrizz
If worse comes to worse, I also have access to my fathers in laws 2003 Dodge 2500 2WD long box common rail dually if needed.
Also, can Ford tow more than Dodge? My wife has a friend who's husband ties a 35.5 foot around with a F-350 bone stock 4x4 SRW diesel and swears he has more than enough power and never has been effected by the wind
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Any Dodge dually , should be a 3500 .
Some years of Ford truck had higher ratings for 5ers that they did for travel trailers .
Personally , I've never known a truck owner to lie about towing capability or fuel mileage.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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04-08-2017, 01:38 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
Any Dodge dually , should be a 3500 .
Some years of Ford truck had higher ratings for 5ers that they did for travel trailers .
Personally , I've never known a truck owner to lie about towing capability or fuel mileage.
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His likely is a 3500 then, I've not really paid attention to it and have not seen it in over a year.
As for the Ford, I don't think by any means he is "fabricating" anything, he was telling me he towed his trailer with his F-350 diesel SRW and had absolutely no issues or concerns what so ever. Since then however I've learned his trailer is 35 feet long to my 41.9. His weighs 9,155 dry and 11,700 GVWR to my 12,500 dry and 14,500 GVWR. I'm not sure how much of a difference a few thousand pounds make but I guess we will fin out!!!!
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