Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-22-2015, 04:09 PM   #15
Member
 
DougL3NC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: China Grove, NC
Posts: 70
Go bigger than you need! I bought a 3/4ton Yukon to pull a 4,500lb 25' ultra-lite R-vision. There were other vehicles that were capable, but having near a 30% safety margin and larger brakes is nice!

We're are buying a new TT after the first of the year and now I'm glad we bought a bigger vehicle.
DougL3NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-22-2015, 05:41 PM   #16
Member
 
MSD81's Avatar
 
Texas Boomers Club
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Van Alstyne TX
Posts: 56
Thanks for the input folks...lots to consider
__________________
Mike and Susan
2015 Columbus 320RS
2017 Ram 3500 MegaCab Diesel 4x4
MSD81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2015, 06:49 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,230
Quote:
I think I will just go ahead and buy a 1 ton, probably a diesel now. If I don't upgrade from the TT to 5th now, is there an issue with having too much truck?
Oh yeah....its very possible to have to much truck. BTDT.
But the real question is at what point is the truck too much ie:.... rear suspension is to stiff and starts beating the trailers frame/hitch/interior or it creates a rough ride for the driver and occupants.
Much depends on how small and lightweight the trailers frame is.... and your perception of what is a rough ride.

Quote:
Is a short bed OK for a 5th wheel?
Sure...you bet. There very popular for pulling trailers of any type. I have a long bed and a short bed truck. One isn't any better for pulling my 5th wheel RV or any of my heavy my GN trailers.
My one ton DRW crew cab 4x4 chevy sits in the trailer shed as its simply too long for the garage where the quad cab short bed 2wd Dodge sits. Both pull my derated 16k triaxle GN stock trailer (7k axles) just fine.

[QUOTE]Another question then....I cannot use the cruise control with my current truck.
Will a newer 1 ton allow me to use the cruise without jumping in and out of overdrive?[QUOTE]
From a F150 probably a 5.4 to a newer gen diesel will be nite and day different. The diesel will hold OD much better than your F150.
At some point even the diesel tranny will have to downshift or unlock the TC clutch on the steep grades. But nothing like your F150.
__________________
'03 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 3.73 NV5600 Jacobs
'98 3500 DRW 454 4x4 4.10 crew cab
'97 Park Avanue RK 28' 2 slides
JIMNLIN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2015, 07:04 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
monkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
Looking at a "big" 5th wheel, I'd also go with a duelly... For us, like you in a way,, this new truck is my daily driver,, (2015 Silverado 2500 4x4 Duramax crewcab short bed) so I didn't want a duelly... Yes I drive a much bigger truck at work... For us, when we sell the class A , we'll get a TT or medium size 5th wheel, and this truck will pull (And Stop) it fine... Look in to it,,, a lot of 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks now days use the same axles/brakes... Not much price difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton SRW ... I just couldn't find a 1 ton SRW here... Had to go out of state to get my truck...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20151101_122048.jpg
Views:	135
Size:	467.9 KB
ID:	112608  
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
monkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2015, 07:17 PM   #19
Member
 
MSD81's Avatar
 
Texas Boomers Club
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Van Alstyne TX
Posts: 56
We went and looked at some 5vers today. Within our price range, I think we will be under 15k max towing. I will lean towards a srw. I am particular about keeping my vehicles garaged especially how long I keep them and in the TX heat.

I will try to find a 2014-15 used Ram or Ford. Is there a better rear axle ratio to try to find?
__________________
Mike and Susan
2015 Columbus 320RS
2017 Ram 3500 MegaCab Diesel 4x4
MSD81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2015, 11:22 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,442
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSD81 View Post
We went and looked at some 5vers today. Within our price range, I think we will be under 15k max towing. I will lean towards a srw. I am particular about keeping my vehicles garaged especially how long I keep them and in the TX heat.

I will try to find a 2014-15 used Ram or Ford. Is there a better rear axle ratio to try to find?
You will regret not having the stability of a DRW pulling anywhere near 15K in my humble opinion. When towing that weight with your SRW in windy conditions and/or a semi passes you, remember my post.
__________________
2014 Raptor 300MP, 2014 Cowboy Cadillac - Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Longhorn 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel DRW 4.10 Rear End, 5588 Payload, Firestone Airbags, Curt Q20, TST507
raineman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 07:09 AM   #21
Senior Dude
 
Dogpatch's Avatar


 
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Somewhere, BC.
Posts: 5,613
Blog Entries: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by raineman View Post
You will regret not having the stability of a DRW pulling anywhere near 15K in my humble opinion. When towing that weight with your SRW in windy conditions and/or a semi passes you, remember my post.
I can attest that my new Ram 3500 SRW SB has no issue whatsoever pulling my 40' Cardinal 5th wheel at 15,300 lbs. Both power or stability wise.

I had air bags installed to re-level once loaded but it's not wishy-washy at all. I don't feel a thing when a semi goes by!
Maybe having a compound hitch has something to do with that.

In Tow Hall mode, it doesn't drop a gear on hills. When I'm running on flats, I'll take it out of tow hall and run 6th gear with out any issue.

Depending on the truck and 5er pin weight, you'd be fine with a new Ram 3500 SRW SB in the 15k 5th wheel range. Going up from there I'd recommend the DRW. That is only with a 2015 Ram. The other trucks don't have that carrying capacity so you really have to do your math on weights!

Don't let anyone tell you there is no difference between a 2500 and 3500 series or 250 and 350 series. Although they may have the same engine and heavy duty brakes, it's the suspension that's different and your carrying capacity will be less causing issues in stability.
Having a 4:10 or 3:73 gear rear end will give you a bit better take off from start, but my 3:42 gear rear end in mine works fine. It's not a top fuel dragster and I don't drive it that way.

I did all the comparisons on trucks and weights when I put my set up together. My 2015 Ram 3500 SRW SB 4x4 has no issue with handling my 15,300 lb. 5th wheel. Based on proper calculations, I'm within specs in all weight categories.

If you need help figuring out what to go with what, PM me. I just took the class! LOL
The guys on this Forum were also a great help to me and have a lot to offer once you get past the "mine is better than yours" egos and get down to the real number crunching. They taught me how to do my calculations.
(By the way, that's not a personal stab at anyone, everyone has an opinion on what they like).
__________________
Les (RVM12), Bonnie and 4 leggers Shelby and Tea Cup
Triple E Empress A3802FW Diesel Pusher 330 Cat
FMCA-420438 Good Sam
Dogpatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 08:10 AM   #22
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,442
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogpatch View Post
I can attest that my new Ram 3500 SRW SB has no issue whatsoever pulling my 40' Cardinal 5th wheel at 15,300 lbs. Both power or stability wise.

I had air bags installed to re-level once loaded but it's not wishy-washy at all. I don't feel a thing when a semi goes by!
Maybe having a compound hitch has something to do with .......


Have you ever pulled the same load with a DRW? I have pulled with both. There is a significant difference in stability between the 2. You can say an SRW is just as stable all day long. It is just not the case. Physics dictates otherwise.

To the OP. Good luck finding your truck.
__________________
2014 Raptor 300MP, 2014 Cowboy Cadillac - Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Longhorn 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel DRW 4.10 Rear End, 5588 Payload, Firestone Airbags, Curt Q20, TST507
raineman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 08:21 AM   #23
Senior Dude
 
Dogpatch's Avatar


 
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Somewhere, BC.
Posts: 5,613
Blog Entries: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by raineman View Post
Have you ever pulled the same load with a DRW? I have pulled with both. There is a significant difference in stability between the 2. You can say an SRW is just as stable all day long. It is just not the case. Physics dictates otherwise.

To the OP. Good luck finding your truck.
Never owned one because I never needed one!

I've never said an SRW is as stable as a DRW.
What I said was, that for me, towing what I tow with the truck I'm towing it with, there is no stability issues and I, personally, see no need for a DRW.
A DRW doesn't suit my needs, my lifestyle or my garage.

Now maybe if I was driving a Ford or a Chevy, I'd lean more towards agreeing with you LOL.
Likely need a triple rear wheel.
There.....that ought to stir up some turd!
__________________
Les (RVM12), Bonnie and 4 leggers Shelby and Tea Cup
Triple E Empress A3802FW Diesel Pusher 330 Cat
FMCA-420438 Good Sam
Dogpatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 09:03 AM   #24
Senior Member
 
JohnBoyToo's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, Tex-US
Posts: 6,196
It's not the weight you will be pulling that is a concern, it is the weight you will be CARRYING on your rear axle that will be a concern...
while I pulled our 16k redwood 38gk with a 1 ton SB with air bags, the tongue weight on the rear axle was too much for it...

it never broke, but it never stopped reminding me it was back there and I towed it ONLY in the southeast before we got rid of it, never in the extremes of the mountains.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	RW and 350.jpg
Views:	154
Size:	291.1 KB
ID:	112631  
__________________
'11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT RR10R pushed by a '14 Jeep Wrangler JKU. History.. 5'ers: 13 Redwood 38gk(junk!), 11 MVP Destiny, Open Range TT, Winn LeSharo, C's, popups, vans, tents...
JohnBoyToo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 10:43 AM   #25
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
Quote:
Originally Posted by monkey View Post
Looking at a "big" 5th wheel, I'd also go with a duelly... For us, like you in a way,, this new truck is my daily driver,, (2015 Silverado 2500 4x4 Duramax crewcab short bed) so I didn't want a duelly... Yes I drive a much bigger truck at work... For us, when we sell the class A , we'll get a TT or medium size 5th wheel, and this truck will pull (And Stop) it fine... Look in to it,,, a lot of 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks now days use the same axles/brakes... Not much price difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton SRW ... I just couldn't find a 1 ton SRW here... Had to go out of state to get my truck...
Your truck will pull and the truck and trailer will stop them selves. That is NOT the problem. Can your truck HANDLE the LOAD placed on the rear axle????????????

This is where people can and WILL get into trouble.
Cummins12V98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 10:47 AM   #26
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo View Post
It's not the weight you will be pulling that is a concern, it is the weight you will be CARRYING on your rear axle that will be a concern...
while I pulled our 16k redwood 38gk with a 1 ton SB with air bags, the tongue weight on the rear axle was too much for it...

it never broke, but it never stopped reminding me it was back there and I towed it ONLY in the southeast before we got rid of it, never in the extremes of the mountains.

Nice to see "SOME" understand how things work in the real world!!!
Cummins12V98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 12:13 PM   #27
Senior Member
 
glennwest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,596
and just because it states 9750 axle capacity doesn't mean you will enjoy towing like this either. With suspension fully loaded it rides like a sled. Fine as long as road is smooth. Good luck with that.
__________________
2003 Teton Grand Freedom. 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L and Ultrashift.2016 Smartcar carry on deck. Full time going from job to job. Building and maintaining plants across the USA. Sold 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
glennwest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2015, 02:29 PM   #28
Senior Member
 
JBurg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Rock Springs, Wyoming
Posts: 368
I like Glenn's earlier post. We should all just get HDT's. Of course then the argument will be " My Peterbuilt is better than you Volvo!" And so on...
__________________
2015 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn CC LB Dually. Cummins, Aisin, 4X4, 4.10 gears. Max towing-28,750. Max payload-5,436. 2016 DRV Mobile Suites 41RSSB4
JBurg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
5th wheel



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Would a Lab pick a Class A or 5th wheel? G-JLD9 RV'ing with Pets 14 04-20-2015 10:21 AM
NEW to 5th Wheel looking for advice on a truck teamam 5th Wheel Discussion 91 04-18-2015 08:22 PM
For people new to 5th wheel lifestyle suiteowner 5th Wheel Discussion 10 04-03-2015 12:38 AM
First Pictures Of Our 5th Wheel and Truck Larry 1190 New Rig Show-Off! 8 02-24-2014 07:07 AM
My first buy - 5th wheel hieuvnguyena 5th Wheel Discussion 7 01-24-2014 07:51 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.