Fifth wheel for 2018 ram 2500 diesel

[tlparris]

We're pulling a Rockwood 2715VS Ultra-V with our 2018 Ram 2500 Longhorn (6.7L Cummins, A/T, Crew, 4x4 shortbed), and are wanting to move up to a fifth wheel for more room and storage and 4-seasons camping.

Anyone having satisfactory results with a Forest River 5-er and this tow vehicle?

Thanks!

Tom

[NMWildcat]

Guess I'm not sure exactly what you are after.
There are tons of 3/4 ton diesels out there pulling fifth wheels. I'm sure a lot of them are the same as your truck. Just determine what weights are in your range and stick to that when looking at potential fifth wheels.
Any specific questions?

[tlparris]

Originally Posted by tlparris

We're pulling a Rockwood 2715VS Ultra-V with our 2018 Ram 2500 Longhorn (6.7L Cummins, A/T, Crew, 4x4 shortbed), and are wanting to move up to a fifth wheel for more room and storage and 4-seasons camping.

Anyone having satisfactory results with a Forest River 5-er and this tow vehicle?

Thanks!

Tom

I wasn’t clear. Specific models in the Forest River lines.
Thanks!

[Kimber45]

open your door and check your payload sticker. that's a good start. No such thing as a 4 season camper, extended season or 3 season at best.

[ependydad]

I'm willing to guess that a majority of the Forest River lines aren't 4-season rated. RiverStone is the only one that I would guess is.

I can tell you that for certain neither my Sabre nor Spartan are after having both in mildly cold temperatures (what some would call cool!).

[chriscowles]

I think that would depend where you spend winter. Pretty much any camper is a 4-season camper in Florida. ;^)

[Kimber45]

good point. not in Michigan. prob has a payload about 2500 pounds? minus people and gear pin weight max about 1500-1700?

[upflying]

Better watch the pin weight, my truck has a cargo rating of 2400lbs.
A byproduct of the rear coil suspension.
Upgrade to a leaf spring 3500 Ram if you want a 5th wheel.

[Jim34RL]

OK this is HERSEY to all of the weight police out there in the either land of the internet.

I do not worry about payload at all. What I look at and stay at are axle loads and tire ratings. My tires on my 2500 Ram Mega CAB 6.7L diesel, are aftermarket tires they are Nitto Dural Grappler tires LT285/70/17 with a load rating of 126 and a speed rating of S. Which means the tires can support a load when inflated to 80 PSI of 3750 LBS each for a total weight of 7,500 on the axles. I run the tires at 70 PSI rear and 55 PSI front when towing. The 70 PSI will support a load of 3415 LBS each which for me is more than enough for my trucks towing needs.

I am towing a 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL, but I do not carry any fluids such as water and waste when towing. This is where most of the weight can occur for an example my tanks are each of 40 gallons, I have 4 tanks. When the water tank is filled up this would mean 332 LBS of weight. Or if all 4 thanks were full this would be approximately1,328 LBS of weight that I do not need to carry. I have weighed my trailer and truck and I am safe on my tire loads and axle loads. This is all that matters to me.

[67L48]

I also am not entirely sure what the OP is trying to get at. In a general sense, I think the 3/4 ton diesel is among the most popular TVs for 5th wheels here and on the road. So, from that perspective, tow away.

As mentioned above, the 3/4 ton diesels are almost always payload limited, with published ratings in the low 2,000s (check the door jamb sticker). There are several arguments why this payload rating doesn't matter, with some of those arguments better than others. Or, you can do as described above: figure out which ratings you meet, decide that those are important, and then disregard the others (payload, GVWR) that you might be exceeding.

Either way, the 3/4 ton diesel is probably the most popular TV for normal sized 5th wheels. For 43' Toy Haulers and such (big, heavy, 3,000+ lb pin weights), then probably duallies are more popular.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

OK this is HERSEY to all of the weight police out there in the either land of the internet.

I do not worry about payload at all. What I look at and stay at are axle loads and tire ratings. My tires on my 2500 Ram Mega CAB 6.7L diesel, are aftermarket tires they are Nitto Dural Grappler tires LT285/70/17 with a load rating of 126 and a speed rating of S. Which means the tires can support a load when inflated to 80 PSI of 3750 LBS each for a total weight of 7,500 on the axles. I run the tires at 70 PSI rear and 55 PSI front when towing. The 70 PSI will support a load of 3415 LBS each which for me is more than enough for my trucks towing needs.

I am towing a 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL, but I do not carry any fluids such as water and waste when towing. This is where most of the weight can occur for an example my tanks are each of 40 gallons, I have 4 tanks. When the water tank is filled up this would mean 332 LBS of weight. Or if all 4 thanks were full this would be approximately1,328 LBS of weight that I do not need to carry. I have weighed my trailer and truck and I am safe on my tire loads and axle loads. This is all that matters to me.

All well and good for you but hopefully you weighed with all those tanks full and still safe on your loading weight.

I would not want a combination where I couldn't carry full tanks or fluids.
We camp lots of places besides full hook-up campgrounds so being able to carry full tanks and whatever else we decide to take along is a must.

Some folks like to skirt by from full hook-up campground to full hook-up campground not carrying anything. To each their own. One blanket doesn't cover all. Every person's camping needs/experiences/equipment are different.

[Iwannacamp]

I am not a member of the "weight police", but I highly recommend you at least try and comply with the restrictions of your truck. It is sad that a "big ole" truck like ours have a "little ole" puny cargo capacity. I have seen cargo on later Rams as low as 1700#...pitiful.
I was limited to my 5er and feel certain I am over on pin with a 10K trailer as it is lighter than my old unit, but feels heavier when lowering the landing gear.

Just be cautious when selecting

[Hman0109]

You need to know what you want. For now, you can tow 17,000lbs. I am towing around 11,000 lbs right now and it’s nothing for my 2500 RAM diesel

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm willing to guess that a majority of the Forest River lines aren't 4-season rated. RiverStone is the only one that I would guess is.

My Cedar Creek is, but OP's truck could not pull it.

[thom125]

I've heard stories about front of 5er hitting rear of cab because of short bed truck....

[Old Bleu]

We tow our Cedar Creek 33IK with a ram 2500 with no problem. We use the Andersen Ultimate hitch, and last night I installed a Morryde pin box.

Don't know if you would consider this a 4 season camper, but we were cozy in Asheville, NC when the temperatures were in the 20's.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by thom125

I've heard stories about front of 5er hitting rear of cab because of short bed truck....

I've been towing 5th wheels with short bed trucks for over 25 years.
Never once hit the cab. I guess I'm either lucky or I don't turn sharp enough to hit.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I've been towing 5th wheels with short bed trucks for over 25 years.
Never once hit the cab. I guess I'm either lucky or I don't turn sharp enough to hit.

Or both...

short bed here and dents.... it can happen. In defense to me and truck it was my first camping trip. Now it is a priority.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by thom125

I've heard stories about front of 5er hitting rear of cab because of short bed truck....

Yep, it can happen if you aren't paying attention to everything at once (happens to all of us), and/or you don't have the right hitch for a 6.5' bed. The best solution is a Sidewinder type pinbox. Other solutions are sliding hitches and Anderson types.
I will always prefer 6.5' beds, but I also ensure my hitch setup allows me to turn 90° so I don't even have to think about it. One less thing to worry about

[Blair G]

This combination pulls great. 295RLS