Towing a 40' Travel Trailer??

[X96mnn]

I would recomend a 5th wheel if you can find the same plan and the price or deal can be the same. The thing with the 5th wheel going with a 40ft trailer would not put much more behind your truck as roughly 5feet of it would be in the bed.

I just went from a 30ftTT to a 38ft 5th wheel and there is 3 more feet behind me. I actually backed into a spot tonight that gave me issues with the TT, first shot with the 5th wheel. Could have been a fluke but the towing and all aspects so far has been much better then the TT.

[tburt]

Originally Posted by 38FLCamper

Problem with a 40' bumper pull TT (we had a 36') include:

Ability to get into/out of gas stations/shopping plazas
- More gas stations moving pumps perpendicular to the road
- Are there steep grades into/out of the plaza/gas station
- Shopping plazas adding more islands/obstructions getting into their lots

Ability to get into/out of sites at campgrounds
- Tree clearances on both sides of the roads (your swing will require it)
- Has someone parked their vehicle on the other side of the street where you need to swing
- Is there room to park your truck on the site once you are setup
- Can you get into the campgrounds where you typically camp


Keep in mind your total length = 40'+ TT + 18/19' TV = Probably over 60' depending on if you have long bed/short bed/crew cab, if the 40' includes length of hitch and such.

Highly recommend drag wheels be mounted (very heavy duty) on the rear frame (not the bumper) to prevent bottoming out. If they are heavy enough you will not need to worry about your bumper being damaged.

I didn't use drag wheels on our 34' TT but they're probably a good idea.

It looks like Paktron makes some for fifth wheels / trailers. Most are fixed but they also offer a heavy duty swivel caster which may work better.

Paktron

Are there other brands out there?

[DocGTO]

I'm pulling a 40 foot 5er and it is just as easy as my 26 ft tag and can make tighter turns.

Any reason you don't go 5er?

[tburt]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

I'm pulling a 40 foot 5er and it is just as easy as my 26 ft tag and can make tighter turns.



Any reason you don't go 5er?

Just curious, what is your TV and what is the dry and tongue weight?

[mud yapster]

Well mine is 41.5' long 12,700 dry 16,000 loaded tougue is about 2800 to 3000 loaded and its a beast. LOL yes I can tell its behind my 1 ton and I cruise along at 55 to 65 mph getting 9 to 10 mpg. Caution I take wide turns. LOL

[DocGTO]

2014 Chevy 2500 HD crew cab short bed four-wheel-drive. Dry weight is 10,800 pounds with a pin weight of 1725 pounds.

[tburt]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

I'm pulling a 40 foot 5er and it is just as easy as my 26 ft tag and can make tighter turns.

Any reason you don't go 5er?

Thanks for all the input. 5er vs TT? Here is what our process has been so far.

First, probably good to point out we needed a specific floor plan and equipment. My wife requires the use of a WC and needs assistance with steps for getting in/out of the RV or up to a second level. After an extensive search, we've been talking to custom builders.

We actually started with a 5er in the 40 foot range. The weight would probably in the 12,500 to 13,000 lb range with a 3,000 to 3,200 lb pin weight.

With this, we'd be overweight with our 2011 Dodge 2500 diesel on both GCWR and GVWR at dry weight. I read many forums stating people didn't have problems with exceeding their GCWR and/or GVWR but I was uncomfortable making that choose and regretting it later. I'd have probably stayed on this path if we could be in the 10,500 lb range with a 2,000 lb pin weight for a 5er.

The TT is roughly the same length (obviously with it all behind the truck) and lighter option as well as reducing the cost some. It also keeps the floor plan on a single level and more accessible.

[DocGTO]

What about a 5er toy hauler? It has the ramp in back So that would make it much easier for the WC.

There are quite a few lighter weight options out there. I gave you the wrong dry weight. Mine is right at 10k with a loaded weight of 12k. We have an aluminum framed unit which saves weight.

With your truck all you would have to do is add air bags and onboard air. I had a 2010 Dodge and the rear springs are softer so it squats easier but will pull and stop no problem.

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by goduc

JMHO but I'd never buy a 40' TT. Not because of the towing aspect but because I really doubt the integrity is there. IMO a 36' 5'er would be the better choice. I haven't seen any 40' TT's that are built on a strong enough frame with adequate suspension.
CCC's are usually quite low as well as holding tanks.

There is plenty of threads / post on this forum of 5vers with frame flex problems.
And if you do a search most all are 5vers.
Here is one:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...lex-61305.html

[tburt]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

What about a 5er toy hauler? It has the ramp in back So that would make it much easier for the WC.

There are quite a few lighter weight options out there. I gave you the wrong dry weight. Mine is right at 10k with a loaded weight of 12k. We have an aluminum framed unit which saves weight.

With your truck all you would have to do is add air bags and onboard air. I had a 2010 Dodge and the rear springs are softer so it squats easier but will pull and stop no problem.

Considered toy haulers and they fix the problem of how to get into the 5er with a WC but most of the floorplans don't work for accessibility. The 5er floorplan we considered put the kids beds on the upper level with a queen bed on the lower level with everything else including bathroom and living area. This is an atypical floorplan for most 5ers. An aluminum frame isn't offered by the company we are working with but I agree would help to reduce the weight if it was.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by tburt

Considered toy haulers and they fix the problem of how to get into the 5er with a WC but most of the floorplans don't work for accessibility. The 5er floorplan we considered put the kids beds on the upper level with a queen bed on the lower level with everything else including bathroom and living area. This is an atypical floorplan for most 5ers. An aluminum frame isn't offered by the company we are working with but I agree would help to reduce the weight if it was.

Is it feasable to go to a 3500 DRW for you? In either situation, it would be better for a longer TT (DRW for more stability) and the extra weight of anything you tow. Just an idea.

Good luck!

[tburt]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

Is it feasable to go to a 3500 DRW for you? In either situation, it would be better for a longer TT (DRW for more stability) and the extra weight of anything you tow. Just an idea.

Good luck!

Doc, thanks for the input/responses. A 3500 DRW would definitely handle anything we decided to tow but I wasn't planning to go down this path.

Our 2500 Dodge SRW didn't have any problems towing our 34' TT. Will adding an additional 6' of tow length and an additional 2,000 to 3,000 lbs make that much of a difference? We do plan on using a good hitch such as the Pro Pride. I've also considered addking Hellwig sway bars to the truck.

Just curious what others might be using to tow a long travel trailer

[jimdd810]

Best suggestion find one and pull it to see how it goes. Any self respecting dealer will let you


Life is a highway!!!!!

[Rockwoodjoe]

I pull a Rockwood 2703ws and its 32 feet long. Last week we camped at a florida state park. Reserve America said the site would accommodate a 36 foot unit. What it did not say was the entrance was overgrown and had a sharp angle to back in. It was a bear to get the trailer in rubbing both sides and the truck with vegetation.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by tburt

Doc, thanks for the input/responses. A 3500 DRW would definitely handle anything we decided to tow but I wasn't planning to go down this path.

Our 2500 Dodge SRW didn't have any problems towing our 34' TT. Will adding an additional 6' of tow length and an additional 2,000 to 3,000 lbs make that much of a difference? We do plan on using a good hitch such as the Pro Pride. I've also considered addking Hellwig sway bars to the truck.

Just curious what others might be using to tow a long travel trailer

I think with a set of air bags with on board air and a good WD hitch, your truck will be fine. The #s are confusing but I've owned that truck in 2010 and it will tow and stop that load no problem. Just needs some assistance with the sag.