Pulling a 3650 w a F350 SRW

[AZMike]

Hello,
I've been looking for some time at many different 5th wheels, and really like the Trilogy 3650RE, and 3650 RL, and am wondering if anyone has 1 that they pull without a dually, and there experience. I know if it's loaded you're over the towing capacity from Ford, and am hesitant to do it. I don't want to go to a dually cause I drive the truck besides towing. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Also I've been looking at the Cardinal 3850RL cause of the lighter weight, but I'm just not as impressed with the fit and finish. Does anyone have any experience with this unit.

Thanks

[lgray]

I have a Trilogy 3650 RE and tow it with a 2011 Silverado 2500, 6.6 Duramax Diesel. I have had my Trilogy since October and towed it about 1500 miles on three trips with no issues. This included a trip to Ashville, NC Mountains. I was towing a Columbus 320 RS, which was about 4,000 pounds less. I bumped my brake controller from a 6 to 7 and made no other modifications. I have the exhaust brake. The Trilogy is easier to stop, I suspect due to better brakes and heavier duty axles. No problems with stability. I have no plans on upgrading to a 1 ton.

[ependydad]

I'll be the dissenting voice - I have a dually for towing and we regularly drive it for every day life. Put almost 18k miles on it its first year and only 5k were towing miles. I don't drive it every day, but often enough. I don't mind my girl's big butt. I like a chick with big hips!

[Twisty]

Simply check the GVWR, GCWR, payload rating and the 5th wheel towing capacity of the truck.
If the numbers work go for it!

"I don't mind my girl's big butt. I like a chick with big hips!"
HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Well said my friend, well said!!!!!!!!!!

[lgray]

I did leave off one modification, due to the tongue weight of the Trilogy ( approximately 2750 and 2950), I added air bags. This raised the capacity of my ¾ ton from 2500 to 5000 pounds. Not sure about your Ford…my truck is rated for up to a 17,600 pound fifth wheel. Dry, the Trilogy 3650’s come in just under 15,000 pounds.
If you are ordering a new Trilogy, I would suggest that a very important “option for safety” on the 3650’s would be the upgraded 17.5 wheels and Goodyear G114, “H” rated tires. They have a capacity of 4,850 pounds each and are essentially commercial, truck tires. From the factory, this was only a $900 option and will last a lot longer than the standard 16 inch ST tires, name brand or not.

[jevanb]

a 2011 2500HD silverado has a rear axle rating of 6200lbs your truck is way over,and bags do not give you more capacity. He wants, I assume to be legal and safe. To the OP get a 1 ton if this is the coach you desire, it is clearly in that range with a 2800 dry pin weight by the time you are camping ready including fuel that # will be closer to 37-4000lbs

[lgray]

You sir are incorrect.

[Ford Idaho]

Air bags do NOT increase the tow capacity of any rig.

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by lgray

You sir are incorrect.

I am known to be, but I would like to see your scale #`s because I have the same truck and I am sitting at the max axle weight and I started with 1600 pin not 2700

[John Hagen]

I would agree with the air bags not changing the capacity of the truck. It is based on axle size, brakes, and frame. My 2007 F-250 was overloaded with my Cedar Creek and when I had the Mor/ryde IS added, they told me I was looking for trouble. Get in an accident and they find out you are over the limits of the trucks design and you become liable pretty quick.

Not worth the risk. Get the dually if it meets your needs. At the very least see what a 350 or 3500 can do without the dually.

I don't like the wide hips but it keeps me safe!

John

[Oaklevel]

I agree the air bags do not increase capacity they do help level out the rig......

I went too with the girl with big hips & won't go back..... Towed a fiver with a regular truck , went bigger trailer & the duelly & would not go back to a 4x4 or 4x2 for towing. I take the duelly anywhere I want to go........ It gets much better fuel economy than the gas Hemi did.

[jbrostek]

the 2014 has a dry weight of 14795, dry pin of 2735 and GVW of 17735. Based on the dry and GVW, I would say your pushing most SRW trucks. I know my 2006 ignoring pin weight max 5th wheel weight is 15600 due to 4x4 crew cab. Even looking at the 2014 weights your max is 15900 for 4x4, and 16300 for 2x4. While the DRW could handle the weight, I would go with something lighter a 15500 GVW 5er if you want to stick with a SRW.

[WestWardHo]

We totally agree with jbrostek. A Dually is a must for us.

[rattleNsmoke]

It's like peeing into the wind. A waste of time trying to change some minds.

[Arcosanti]

I just pulled my 2013 3650RE 4400 miles round trip in my 2013 GMC Sierra Denali srw 2500 4x4 without any modifications or problems. According to the Trilogy catalogue, I should've been overweight on that truck. According to 2 different scales during the trip, with a full tank of fuel, and 2/3 of the fresh water tank full, I was right at my max weight, so I was legal in my truck with that trailer. That must mean that my trailer doesn't weigh as much in reality as the catalogue says it does.
I expected to need airbags, but I was perfectly level after hooking up. I had to make a extremely sudden panic brake at 70mph while changing lanes when a semi swerved to avoid a crash, and amazingly, I really didn't feel the trailer behind me at all. If that had been a bumper trailer, it would've either jackknifed or had been one scary recovery. I went from Omaha, Ne to Key West, Fl, through the Nashville, Chattanooga area, and was happily surprised that my truck didn't have any trouble going the speed limit. The integrated engine exhaust kept the downhill anticlimactic as well.
FYI, I averaged 10.4MPG round trip, with a high of 12.5 in Florida, and low of 8.4 coming home with extremely strong winds. The only time that I was was concerned about that huge trailer behind me was with the very high cross winds in the last hour of the trip. I I would've liked the long bed at that point, and especially the dually. I was fine at 65mph, but 70mph felt a little iffy. My next truck will be the 3500, just to give me the extra towing weight. I'd rather be at 85%max that 98%, which is where I'm at now.

[rlreed]

If you do your research you will find the only difference between a 2500 and 3500 is the overload springs on the 3500. Frankly I like my airbags over the overload springs... Also the dual rear wheel does not increase capacity much at all....

[DutchF]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'll be the dissenting voice - I have a dually for towing and we regularly drive it for every day life. Put almost 18k miles on it its first year and only 5k were towing miles. I don't drive it every day, but often enough. I don't mind my girl's big butt. I like a chick with big hips!

And I agree. I love driving my dually, towing or as a DD.

[DutchF]

Originally Posted by rlreed

If you do your research you will find the only difference between a 2500 and 3500 is the overload springs on the 3500. Frankly I like my airbags over the overload springs... Also the dual rear wheel does not increase capacity much at all....

True. But a dually has better traction, braking and stability (both sway and roll). 6 tires on the ground vs 4.

BTW, next time you happen to get the chance, take a look under a dually and compare the sway bar size to a SRW truck.

[lgray]

“Why can’t we all get along?” Different manufactures, different years and truck features/configurations (standard, extended, crew, axle, engine & bed size) generate significantly different capacities. Newer models tend to have higher limits. In older models there are significant differences between manufactures in capacity.
Do your homework on you own truck. Find the proper spec.’s and make an informed decision…I found mine before finalizing my deal; http://fifthwheelst.com/documents/11ChevTraileringPoster.pdf
Opinions and preferences will differ. I doubt that too many Dually owners have ever trailered their fifth wheel with a 2500 that is within its legal capacity. Conversely, many of us 2500 owners would love to have a dually, but is it an absolute necessity and/or worth a $20,000 to $30,000 upgrade to trade for new TV?…not for me.

[jbrostek]

While most 3/4 and 1ton share the same chassis and brakes, relize that their legal weight rating differs. And if you have a accident or issue, you can get in trouble for being over weight if you choose to go over the legal weight ratings.

Now I know people who tow big 5ers with 3/4 tons, one is happy with it but her 5er is just at the 3/4 ton threshold with a diesel. Another has a trailer that is truely meant for a 1 ton. I believe he has spent about 4k getting his truck able to tow the trailer comfortably. Me I would take the 4k and trade in the truck for something that doesnt require air bags, tires, a helper spring just to handle the trailer.