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Lynne Marie · 03-23-2013, 01:04 PM

We are considering trading in our 2010 Sprinter KBS travel trailer for a 2011 Alpine 3640RL 5th wheel. We have a 2500 diesel 4 wheel drive Dodge Ram to pull it with. Would appreciate feedback from Alpine owners out there! We've received mixed info on whether or not our truck will be able to pull the 12,200 pound Alpine.

BFlinn181 · 03-23-2013, 01:11 PM

You didn't say what year truck, nor whether it's a 2 door or 4 door. Best source of towing capacity is your owner's manual. From what I've seen, you would be right at the limit for some configurations of that truck.

TXiceman · 03-23-2013, 01:41 PM

Pull it, probably yes, BUT, the pin weight will probably have you over your trucks GVWR and or rear axle GAWR.

You need load up as for a trip with passengers, full fuel, cargo and add 150# for the hitch. Get the truck weighed.

In the owners manual you will find a GCWR for you particular truck, cab, engine and axle ratio.

The door jamb will have the GVWR and axle GAWR.

GCWR - loaded truck = maximum loaded trailer weight you can tow within ratings.

GVWR - loaded truck = maximum loaded trailer pin weight.

Forget the brochure dry weights for the trailer and the pin weight. A trailer can easily go over the dry weight by 1000# or more.

The actual pin weight will run about 20% of the trailer GVWR.

Ken

Lynne Marie · 03-23-2013, 01:55 PM

We have a 2010 ram with crew cab, 4 doors. It's a cummins Diesel engine and long bed. 4 wheel drive but I don't know if that matters.

JIMNLIN · 03-23-2013, 08:48 PM

I don't own a Alpine but according to the '12 Alpine 3640 RL specs it has a 15500 GVWR and weighs 12244 dry with a 2535 lb dry pin weight all with 4 slides.

The trailer may weight closer to 14000 lbs after loading.

The trailers pin weight will be closer to 3000 lbs after loading.

I have a 2500 Dodge truck and IMO this trailer is well above all its tow/haul ratings.
Dodge Body Builders Guide shows the '10 2500 crew cab long bed Cummins has a 9600 GVWR with 6000 RAWR.
Tow rating range from 9600 with the 3.42 gears up to to 12600 lbs with the 3.73/4.10 gears.

As you see by the trucks numbers and the trailers wet numbers the 2500 truck is gonna' be overloaded.

I would look at trailers in the 12k-13k range with a 2000-2300 lb dry pin weight.

Cumminsfan · 03-24-2013, 10:17 AM

If you go buy the towing guide then no. If you pick and choose then yes, but you'll be border line. 12,200 dry is going to be 13,500 loaded min. Dry pin is already 2300lbs, add 200 for hitch, 2500, then add 500lbs for cargo and bedroom things, and you're at 3000lbs on the pin. RAWR of 6200-3000 for pin=3200. Rear axle weight of 2800lbs leaves you 400lbs for the RAWR. So by going with RAWR yes, but by going with the trucks cargo rating and GVWR no. GVWR is 9600lbs. You'll beover the GCVWR also as the 13,500lb 5'er + over 10,000 for the trucks GVW and your over the 21,000 Ram GCVWR. I have a 12 Ram CTD CC LB and the payload is 2176 and GVWR is 9600, tow rating of 12,500. IMO you need to be looking at 10-11,000 dry and dry pins in the 1900-2100 range. FWIW a 3500 is the same as the 2500 sans the rear spring config. Ignoring the leagal end of the numbers game you could add airbags or Timbren and have the same as a 3500. The 3500 has a 25-2700lb cargo rating and 13,500 maxtow. Same RAWR though.

RustyJC · 03-24-2013, 10:50 AM

A 2500 (3/4 ton) is not rated to pull a 15,500 lb GVWR 5th wheel. If you want to pull over the manufacturer's ratings, that's your choice, but I wouldn't if I were you.

Rusty

webslave · 03-24-2013, 12:32 PM

I tow the rig in my signature, and by the numbers, I'm right at the edge. I tow fine, stopping is not a problem, stability is not an issue and I have some comfort zone in axle ratings.

The trailer I own is ~9600 dry and my full load is under your "dry" starting point. I wouldn't even consider it (the Alpine you are looking at)... As much as I hate to say it, "more truck" or "less trailer" is the order of the day...

Lynne Marie · 03-25-2013, 12:50 PM

Thanks everyone. Looks like we'll have to pass on the Alpine! Bummer.

caissiel · 03-27-2013, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynne Marie

Thanks everyone. Looks like we'll have to pass on the Alpine! Bummer.

I have a Heartland BigCountry 3500RL that I tow with my F250. Its maxed and the lowest pin weight of the 3 FT models Heartland makes. I feel very comfortable towing it and very easy on fuel. The truck needed spring plies to make the ride smoother due to Fords ride for comfort policy.
My 15500 lbs BC pulls better then the previous 11400 lbs 5er. With 7k axles and load rangeG tires its like taking 5k lbs off the trailer any day. The pinload is also perfect for my rear axles. While other models realy load the axles. JAYCO trailers are some of the worst on pin load. Manufactures load the pins while limiting the load on flimsy 6K axles and load Range E tires.

RustyJC · 03-27-2013, 07:01 AM

cassiel,

What's your truck's actual GVW when loaded and towing versus its GVWR?

Rusty

caissiel · 03-29-2013, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

cassiel,

What's your truck's actual GVW when loaded and towing versus its GVWR?

Rusty

Truck is rated by Ford for 10k. Trailer has 14k axles so 24k lbs capacity. Ford rating for 5th wheel at 23k.
Axle rated for 7400lbs(not by Ford but by manufacturer) tires and rims rated at 3750 lbs. My rear springs are rated way above that with 2 extra plies at over 1000lbs each pair.
Every thing is loaded 1/2 way between truck and trailer wheels including washer dryer. Total load in trailer weights in at 1100lbs plus 70 imperial gallons of water direct on the 14000lbs axles. If only 6k axles on similar unit I would not attempt towing with SRW Ford. This is the only model in could find with 7k axles with good pin weight and mid w/d location.
I weighted a previous trailer and payed and had had a 1/4 Ton Ranger at 4600lbs while having a known 400lbs pin load on a 3200lbs truck. Never used those paid scales again.

RustyJC · 03-29-2013, 07:36 AM

If I missed it, please correct me, but I don't see where you answered my question. What is your truck's GVWR and what is its actual GVW loaded with the trailer attached?

Rusty

azdryheat · 03-31-2013, 12:48 AM

The rear axle load limit is based on the tire capacity. Notice that limits on the rear axle always match the load capacity stamped on the tire? Get higher rated tires, like what the 3500SRW uses, throw on some air bags and your 2500 will be in good shape. Seems the axles, brakes, shocks, frame, and drive train are all the same between the 2500 and 3500SRW - only the tires and an additional leaf spring are different. That's where the air bags and beefier tires come into play.