Flagstaff Super Lite 526RLWS

navygrandparents · 09-04-2017, 05:33 PM

We are considering a Flagstaff Super Lite 526RLWS 5th wheel and the empty wt. is approx. 7500#. We would be pulling with a 2017 Ram 1500 Quad cab with 5.7 Hemi, 8 spd. trans., 3.91 diff. with locked diff. We are sure that the tow specs are about 13,200#. Does anyone think that we will not be able to do this towing or are we OK? If not we also would consider the same truck with 3.21 diff. and pull a much smaller MicroLite 25KS and the weight is about 4500# and the truck is rated at 8200#. This is food for thought for us, a 5th wheel for more aggressive rv'ing or the Micro Lite for weekend trips closer to home. Thanks everybody.

Wobbles · 09-04-2017, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygrandparents

We are considering a Flagstaff Super Lite 526RLWS 5th wheel and the empty wt. is approx. 7500#. We would be pulling with a 2017 Ram 1500 Quad cab with 5.7 Hemi, 8 spd. trans., 3.91 diff. with locked diff. We are sure that the tow specs are about 13,200#. Does anyone think that we will not be able to do this towing or are we OK? Thanks for all input.

I am pulling/driving that model 5er with a new 3/4. You can do it but you are hanging out there if you want to go into the hills with a 1/2, eh. If it is a "we" thing be thoughtful of those that you care for... This is your call...

navygrandparents · 09-04-2017, 05:57 PM

Thanks Bob & Michelle,
Being as the 1/2 or 3/4 ton has the same drive train and diff. ratio and all other accessories I thought the weight was well within the specs for the 1/2 ton but being not sure is why I am asking. Let me correct some weight specs as I quoted wrong. The 5th wheel is about 7500# but the 1/2 ton with the 3.91 diff. will pull 10,600#. The 3/4 ton will pull 13,200 with the 3.91 diff. Thanks again, Harry

spydunks · 09-04-2017, 06:34 PM

We tow a 8524RLBS, same weight with an F150. We are in the same boat (except for your better gear ratio) and it does fine. We aren't full time, so the amount we tow isn't significant. The trailer tows awesome, and while we are a little slower on the hills, I have no issues with sway, chunking, or braking.
Paul

**bikendan** · 09-04-2017, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygrandparents

We are considering a Flagstaff Super Lite 526RLWS 5th wheel and the empty wt. is approx. 7500#. We would be pulling with a 2017 Ram 1500 Quad cab with 5.7 Hemi, 8 spd. trans., 3.91 diff. with locked diff. We are sure that the tow specs are about 13,200#. Does anyone think that we will not be able to do this towing or are we OK? If not we also would consider the same truck with 3.21 diff. and pull a much smaller MicroLite 25KS and the weight is about 4500# and the truck is rated at 8200#. This is food for thought for us, a 5th wheel for more aggressive rv'ing or the Micro Lite for weekend trips closer to home. Thanks everybody.

PLEASE reconsider pulling a 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton.
ESPECIALLY a RAM.
1/2 ton trucks rarely have enough PAYLOAD CAPACITY, for 5th wheel pin weights.
Towing Capacity comes second to Payload Capacity regarding 5th wheels.

What is the payload capacity of the Ram you're considering compared to the 5th wheel's pin weight.

Rams have the worse payload capacities of the 1/2 ton truck brands.

sasch · 09-05-2017, 07:35 PM

I am pulling the Rockwood sister 2440WS to your Flagstaff 526RLWS MI to WI hills and all were not a problem with 2015 Ram Eco Diesel @ 13.6 mpg. I previously had 2010 5.7 Hemi and hear to tell you the ED out preforms the Hemi and should with approx 20 more ft lbs of torque which isn't much but does show up on the hills. I also watched a tow test comparing the Ram Eco Diesel to the Ford Eco Burst and the Ram put down the Ford rather handily threw out the test phases but to be honest I was impressed on how well the Ford 150 did. Bottom line, I wouldn't have a problem with 5.7 - maybe add some airlifts in the rear and expect 8 mpg and more than average downshifts on the steep hills. At least that was my experience with a 6 speed transmission.

itat · 09-05-2017, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasch

I am pulling the Rockwood sister 2440WS to your Flagstaff 526RLWS MI to WI hills and all were not a problem with 2015 Ram Eco Diesel @ 13.6 mpg. I previously had 2010 5.7 Hemi and hear to tell you the ED out preforms the Hemi and should with approx 20 more ft lbs of torque which isn't much but does show up on the hills. I also watched a tow test comparing the Ram Eco Diesel to the Ford Eco Burst and the Ram put down the Ford rather handily threw out the test phases but to be honest I was impressed on how well the Ford 150 did. Bottom line, I wouldn't have a problem with 5.7 - maybe add some airlifts in the rear and expect 8 mpg and more than average downshifts on the steep hills. At least that was my experience with a 6 speed transmission.

sasch, your Rockwood Ultra Lite 2440WS is not the Rockwood twin to the Flagstaff 526RLWS. The Rockwood 2650WS is its twin model. The 526RLWS is 3' longer.

navygrandparents, when it's loaded to camp, the 526RLWS is likely to be over 8000# with 1400# or more on the pin. I agree with Bikendan that the payload is the first rating to be exceeded. What is the payload (aka "cargo carrying capacity") of your RAM 1500?

sasch · 09-05-2017, 08:34 PM

Sorry - my error- I mis read the 526RLWS as 524RLWS

navygrandparents · 09-06-2017, 05:30 PM

Bikendan,
I was totally uninformed about 1/2 ton payload weights and relied on tow weights. I have talked with my wife and have convinced her to look at 3/4 Ram which has a payload weight of around 2060# and a tow capacity of around 10300#. These numbers are approximate but are closer to what you have replied to. My wife really likes the Ram Laramie so the upgrade to the 2500 makes more sense. Thanks for your help.

itat · 09-06-2017, 06:30 PM

My 2016 F-250 has a payload capacity of 2621#. Does the RAM 2500 only have a payload of 2000#?

5picker · 09-07-2017, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itat

My 2016 F-250 has a payload capacity of 2621#. Does the RAM 2500 only have a payload of 2000#?

My brother just bought a 2017 Ram 2500 and the payload is 2650.
That's closer in line to my 2017 F-250 with a payload a few pounds short of 3k.

itat · 09-07-2017, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

My brother just bought a 2017 Ram 2500 and the payload is 2650.
That's closer in line to my 2017 F-250 with a payload a few pounds short of 3k.

The 2017 and newer F-series Super Duty trucks have the aluminum body so they gained a few hundred pounds of extra payload capacity. I bought in August of 2016. I decided not to wait for the aluminum bodied truck as I heard that bodywork would be problematic.

Mchurch52 · 09-15-2017, 08:04 PM

A Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi should be right around a 3000 pound payload (that's what my 2016 has) with towing of 12,300 or 15,500 depending on whether you get a 3.73 or 4.10 rear end. It would tow the trailer you're looking at just fine. If you're seeing a payload of only 2000 on a Ram 2500 that's because it probably has the Cummins engine.

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