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Old 11-15-2020, 02:23 PM   #1
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Fifth Wheel Purchase

My wife and I are looking for a fifth wheel we can pull with our 2020 Ram 1500 crew cab... 5.8 eTorque, 4x4 with 3.90 gear... supposedly can pull close to 12K.

We have been looking at the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 25RES and the Jayco Eagle HT 24RE... somewhat similar in floorplan that we like, and keeping the price under $40K. Have not really looked much elsewhere, but would be open to suggestions.

I did not want to post this in one of the brand forums because it might not be fair to one brand over the other.

I was unable to find out much about how the Keystone is built, but Jayco puts a good bit of info on their site about the features of their units. I like the idea of the Nev-R-Adjust® Brakes that the Jayco has... their Laminated Wall Construction... ClimateShield... and the fully enclosed and heated underbelly. Keystone may have similar features, but apparently not as advertised, with the exception of ClimateGuard.

The reviews are somewhat of a "wow"... could not believe all the poor reviews I am reading of both brands. There does seem to be more poor reviews for Keystone than Jayco, although it seems like each have their share of issues.

Curious if anyone has these particular units, or maybe if I can simply hear from owners of these brands and/or models.

No offense, but not knowing what participation and ownership of these models is like in the various RV forums, you may see this cross posted in another forum.

Regards,
Sonnie
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Old 11-15-2020, 04:13 PM   #2
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Just hang on. The weight police will be here shortly to tell you your truck won't pull a fifth wheel.
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Old 11-15-2020, 04:15 PM   #3
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I have a 2013 Keystone Vantage 25RBS travel trailer with zero problems so far. The Keystone Montana for several years was the best selling 5th wheel.

I kinda like the Keystone Cougars half tons also.

To me, the Jayco and Keystone are about the same. The Cougar would be my pick by a little bit.

But be aware - 5th wheels advertised to be half ton towable really arn't. The pin weight on most of these 5th are still too heavy for most half ton trucks. There are only a few half ton trucks that are muscled up enough to tow a 5th wheel. The F-150 with HDPP and Nissan Titan XD are two of the most muscled up half ton trucks. These trucks have a rear axle capacity of 4,800lbs and 4,900 pounds respectively. Payload on these trucks are around 2,300lbs.

And maybe 150/1500 series trucks that are not optioned with all the features. I saw a 2020 Ford F-150 xlt a payload of just over 2,000lbs.

Look inside the drivers side door jam for your occupant and cargo capacity. Also look at your rear axle weight capacity. Figure 1,400lbs minimum as the pin weight and often times it is 1,800 - 2,000lbs on these 5th wheels.

An accurate percent to use is 22% of GVWR of the 5th wheel.

If you list your payload and rear axle capacity there are 5th wheels that you can tow. But they may not be the ones you are looking at.
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Old 11-15-2020, 04:47 PM   #4
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Yep... I don't think this is happening with my truck. The door sticker shows an 1162lb payload, and that would not include several hundred pounds of options I've already added.

I don't even think we'd be safe pulling a tiny travel trailer.
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Old 11-16-2020, 06:32 AM   #5
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How about something like this?


https://youtu.be/y1OfqTykEtQ
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Old 11-16-2020, 10:17 AM   #6
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Sonnie P, you will get the same answers here as on the other forum. A 1/2 ton truck can pull a small 5er. It can pull more travel trailer. The payload capacity of the truck will limit what weight you can place on the rear of the truck.

Ken
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Old 11-16-2020, 11:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman View Post
Sonnie P, you will get the same answers here as on the other forum. A 1/2 ton truck can pull a small 5er. It can pull more travel trailer. The payload capacity of the truck will limit what weight you can place on the rear of the truck.

Ken
This probably needs to be moved to the travel trailer forum now.

We were originally looking at travel trailers and my friend got us side-tracked on 5th wheels. IF we got back to considering a travel trailer. I am curious as to what we can safely pull with my truck.

I was mistaken on the payload... transposed the numbers. Sticker in door well shows 1612lbs.

1612lbs to start.
-400 - my wife and I
-100 - tool box with a few tools (I can pick it up easily)
-200 - other stuff in the truck (sub box, running boards, etc)
-150 - ? truck hitch weight
762lbs - is what the trailer hitch weight can be - am I calculating this correctly?

We will have some clothes in the trailer... no water... a couple of lounge chairs, hoses, cables, a few dishes, and some food. We'll add a Dishmate for our Dish satellite.

So if I am safely at about 600-700lbs hitch weight... how do I calculate what the weight of the trailer can be?

Regards,
Sonnie
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Old 11-16-2020, 01:10 PM   #8
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SonnieP you're spot on your numbers. My son's going through the same dilema with his older Ram 1500 that has about the same CCC.
Needless to say he's very disappointed. He never intended to buy a TT when he bought his truck several years ago. Plans have changed and he's been looking at TT's. With almost nothing for TW and having 3 kids he's not happy at the units that fit his weights.

600-700 lbs for hitch would put you in the 5800 lbs loaded TT range. Most figure a tongue weight of 12% and up.
5800 x12%=696 lbs
Figure 1000 lbs to go in the TT so a UVW in the 4500-4800 lb range.
You also need to keep an eye on the dry tongue weight. Some brands have higher dry TW than others. You'll want to start out around 10% so you don't overload the tongue.
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Old 11-24-2020, 05:44 AM   #9
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While i dont think youll good for a fifth wheel, one thing we always do is put everything in the trailer. That 200lb toolbox doesnt need to effect your truck weight. Figure out your hitch weight, and see where you can put everything to maintain proper loading. The first couple times might be a pain, but youll figure out where everything goes and it wont be.
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Old 11-24-2020, 07:47 PM   #10
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Just look around at all the Grand Designs trailers and 5th wheels. Among best quality.
We pull the 150 series behind our 1500 Ram, 5.7L, 392hp, 3.9 axle, reliably and easily.
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