Whatcha think?

[WWTT29FKSS]

Before I bought the new Wildwood we've been yammering about elsewhere I ran the numbers on my tow vehicle.

Just want some more input on this.

GVWR of 8800, GCWR of 15,000 on my 2500 Ram quad-cab shortbox with a 5.7 Hemi and 3.73 gears. Empty weight factory of 6227 (I added a couple hundred because I figure Dodge was weighing it completely empty and who knows if they added the A/C) passenger, cargo, bedliner, Bully bars, fuel, hitch, etc added up to about 1000 pounds for a total weight of 7057.

Trailer weighs 6240 dry, axle weight of 5330, hitch weight of 910, then I added all my accessories and left a couple hundred pounds for A/C, even though it's ducted - not sure if it's standard or optional. Not going to be towing with water or gray, as I calculate I'm already close to the limit. I added 550+ pounds to the trailer dry weight and included 2-30 lb propane tanks full, a 40 lb battery, clothes, dishes, blankets, etc and figured on about 200 lbs of that. I left a little extra for water in the pipes, water heater, etc.

This towing weight demonstrator I found seems to indicate I've got about a thousand pounds towing capacity extra and I'm at 13,847 GCW w/ the trailer.

Just curious if you think I'm gonna be safe. I'm not planning on any hills because we live in good ol' mostly flat Minnesota. The truck does have an extra radiator and tranny cooler - came stock with the towing package.

I am a little concerned about braking though.

[pswayne]

I think you'll be just fine. I tow a Flagstaff 26FS (dry weight 4600 lbs) with a V6 F150 (rated to tow 5500 lbs). That's right, a V6. Never have had any problems. We even went camping once in the mountains of NC. I couldn't go much faster than 40 mph up a 6% grade, but we made it just fine.

[WWTT29FKSS]

Well, we towed the camper home. It's about 30 miles from the dealer to our house. It's a little different than towing the old Rockwood - but then again, this is closer to 6800 pounds and the Rockwood was around 4400 lbs.

I noticed a weird "hum" occasionally - it kind of sounded like it might be coming from the rear of the truck. It's hard to differentiate from engine noise as Dodge put a lower-flow muffler on my Hemi, so it's got a little louder exhaust note than I really wanted. It seems like the hum would get louder, almost like the engine was spinning up a little (but probably not the engine). It would go away after about 20 seconds or so, and whether I was climbing a small hill or towing level didn't seem to matter. It would reoccur a little bit later, and only happened when the truck was warmed up - when I'd been driving it a bit.

I know on this truck there are two separate fans and two radiators. I'm thinking one of them is for the tranny cooler or something, so maybe I'm just hearing the fan. Still, it worries me a little bit because I can't pinpoint the noise. It does do it only when towing, though. Regular street driving isn't a problem.

[ghamblen]

WWTT29FKSS. We had fifth wheel trailers for years before finally going to a motorhome. It is a good idea to have your truck and trailer weighed on a scale to get your exact weights. Weigh both together and then the truck separately to get your trailer weight. Most truck stops have certified scales and charge about $10 to weigh. Most farm elevators will weigh you for no charge if you ask. Your weights are important because, heaven forbid, if you ever get involved in an accident that goes to court, the lawyers will hang you out to dry if you are over the limit. I guess it boils down to how much value you place on your net worth. I don't think your brakes will be an issue, assuming the trailer has good electric brakes. Electric brakes are pretty weak for a heavy fifth wheel but should be fine for the weight of your trailer. We used to have a 1998 Dodge long bed dually with the Cummins diesel. I loved that truck.

[ReedMan]

Jeeze, if you can't tow that TT with a 3/4 ton truck then Dodge is doing something wrong. I would say that you are going to be fine. I assume that you have a good hitch setup and aren't planning on going 85 mph up hill.

Ha Ha

[MRimmer]

I have an 03 2500 and have never heard a noise as you are describing. Mine pulls very well and the truck should be able to handle it imo.

Mike

[heminfiver]

you should be fine i had the 2500 with the hemi and pulled a fifth wheel that weighed about 9,000lbs i was just a little over my cgvwr. never had pulling or stopping problems

[WWTT29FKSS]

Did a quick test camp over the weekend - didn't get much done as I was on call and spent about 10+ hrs at work Sat/Sun working on my server room.

Yeah, it tows fine, and I can handle small hills doing 60, but that strange occasional noise kinda bugs me. I'm going to take it in and describe it to the dealer - the truck is still under warranty for another few weeks.