Towing too much?

[Indianacamper88]

Hello all,

I was reaching out to get some respected opinions regarding a camper I’m considering purchasing in the future. I currently own a 2022 Ram 2500 6.4L running 3.73 gears. Truck has a max towing capacity of 15,000 and a payload of 3,039 pounds. I’ve got a family of 4 with two small children. The wife and I have been debating trading in our 31’ Salem 263BHXL (> 7,500 loaded) for a Impression 315MB fifth wheel. Specs on that rig are 10,300 empty with an advertised tongue weight of 1,935. Personally, I’ve never pulled a fifth wheel and was curious on everyone’s thoughts on doing so with a gas HD truck? While I know I’ll be within my specs (but somewhat pushing the boundaries), I’m just not certain it’s going to be an enjoyable experience. Our camping consists of mostly local trips within a few hours. No cross county/mountain trips and being in southern indiana, most towing does include some moderate grades but nothing crazy. If we end up purchasing this rig, it would be with the intentions of purchasing a 3500 diesel within a year or so, for future comfort and the ability to take the rig anywhere we’d like. Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are as many on this forum have much more experience than I do. Thank you in advance!

[Kimber45]

i pull an 11k pound 5th wheel with a 1900 pound pin weight with a 6.4 ram. Dont even figure the single digit gas milage, but it tows just fine.

you will never tow a travel trailer again after towing a 5th wheel. hardly know its back there unless stopping or trying to get up to speed.

[corn18]

I think that combo will work fine. My 290RL is similar and I tow it with a 6.0 gasser. Works fine. I was convinced I needed to upgrade my truck until I watched the video of my truck towing max up the Ike. It made it, so I will keep what I have.


I found a video of your truck pulling max up the Ike. It struggled, but it made it. If it can make it up the Ike, it can make it up anything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBUNRegovis

So, power will work as long as you don't mind a high revving motor.


Weight wise, I think you will be fine as long as you don't load up real heavy. My guess is your trailer will weigh 12,000 lbs loaded with a 2400-2500 pin weight. That should work fine with your truck and family.

[Openroadorer99]

I agree on it will be fine. Go to the Ram sight that you can put in your vin number in and your payload and towing specs will be right from when it rolled out of the plant. My payload with me, full of fuel and such, was right on the money. from putting in the vin. i had enough stuff that would count for extra people. I have a 2 door so only 2 extra people.

[moose074]

Easy peasy I like the the video but honestly what percentage of time do most people spend going up steep 8 mile grades. Finally the ford had a 4:30 the ram a 373 not sure on the Chevy and not sure how fair that makes the comparison

[GreenImp]

If your within your trucks weight limits, there's no reason not to use it that isn't just a "want". Sure, having a diesel 3500 will be "easier", but that doesn't mean you can't get there just fine without it.

[wildmanabe]

Well i have had a DP, loved it. just got my 1st 5'er. Have a Titan XD Diesel. While back had to tow a 3500 lb boat for a friend. My 5'er total 8900lbs. Pin wt of 1275. Pulls better than pulling the boat. Turning is a learning experience but happens pretty quick. So much more room in the 5 than the DP.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wildmanabe

Well i have had a DP, loved it. just got my 1st 5'er. Have a Titan XD Diesel. While back had to tow a 3500 lb boat for a friend. My 5'er total 8900lbs. Pin wt of 1275. Pulls better than pulling the boat. Turning is a learning experience but happens pretty quick. So much more room in the 5 than the DP.

That pin weight is a fictional dry weight number.
No dry trailer's pin/tongue weight is a real world number.
Have you actually scaled it, loaded for camping?

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/fifth...olf/291RL/4819

[wildmanabe]

Not yet.

[wildmanabe]

Hey Dan, i seen post on TT pin wt hitches, Is there any way to actually see what the pin wt is on my 5er.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wildmanabe

Hey Dan, i seen post on TT pin wt hitches, Is there any way to actually see what the pin wt is on my 5er.

For a ballpark loaded hitch weight, use 20% of the trailer's GVWR.
That would be around 2289lbs.
But weighing at a scale is the best. Second would be using a Sherline scale.
I'm guessing you're over your truck's payload capacity.

[wildmanabe]

Hitch Weight:1,255 lb. GVWR:11,455 lb. UVW8,358 lb .CCC3,097 lb. Info from FR site

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

i pull an 11k pound 5th wheel with a 1900 pound pin weight with a 6.4 ram. Dont even figure the single digit gas milage, but it tows just fine.

you will never tow a travel trailer again after towing a 5th wheel. hardly know its back there unless stopping or trying to get up to speed.

X2....You won't get as good gas mileage as a diesel, but it should tow that RV without a problem.

Kimber45's also correct that after towing a travel trailer and a fiver, you'll never go back to a TT. Fivers seem to tow so much better and can be a shorter tow than the TT, since you've got about a quarter of the RV length over the truck bed. Storage and space inside and outside a fiver is also much better.

Only downside to the fiver is they don't respond as quickly as a TT when turning them. It'll take some getting used to that, but shouldn't be a show stopper for you.

[tomkatb]

You are kind of close on payload.

If you use the Anderson Ultimate hitch it is #200 lighter than most of the others.

Add lithium batteries instead of 4 gc2 batteries. Saves a lot of hitch weight.

Put nothing to speak of in the bed of the truck.

That truck will pull the rv anywhere.

Likely you will need to replace the bump stop with Timbren overloads. Just to be sure the trailer is level.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wildmanabe

Hitch Weight:1,255 lb. GVWR:11,455 lb. UVW8,358 lb .CCC3,097 lb. Info from FR site

I already posted a link to those numbers.
1255lbs is a fantasy number, as I said in post #8.
That number doesn't include the weights of batteries, factory options, dealer add-ons, water or trailer cargo.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by bikendan

For a ballpark loaded hitch weight, use 20% of the trailer's GVWR.
That would be around 2289lbs.
But weighing at a scale is the best. Second would be using a Sherline scale.
I'm guessing you're over your truck's payload capacity.

I think you're the only person to think he might have an issue based on your guesses and estimates.

I'm just pointing that out because sometimes we give too much weight (no pun intended) to opinions on the internet.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Mike134

I think you're the only person to think he might have an issue based on your guesses and estimates.



I'm just pointing that out because sometimes we give too much weight (no pun intended) to opinions on the internet.

I suggested that they scale the combo.
Anybody towing a 5th wheel with a half ton, should be doing that.
That member keeps using fictional dry hitch weight numbers. They need to know that those aren't real world numbers.

I have no issues with the OP and their combo.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by Mike134

I think you're the only person to think he might have an issue based on your guesses and estimates.

I'm just pointing that out because sometimes we give too much weight (no pun intended) to opinions on the internet.

No, he isn't the only one.

[FrankH35]

I had basically the EXACT same configuration as you and opted for a longer and heavier travel trailer instead. My decision was based on a lot of factors. I was looking at mid bunk fifth wheels of that similar length and weight and decided it wasn't worth the upgrade for slightly more inside real estate than I had with the 263BHXL. I too was worried about pin weight, the inability to store things in the bed of the truck and my lack of experience towing this type of camper. Then you factor in the crazy costs of campers right now--especially higher end fifth wheels. I know people claim fifth wheels handle better, but I guess it's all just what you are used to. Time will tell if I eventually regret it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Mike134

I think you're the only person to think he might have an issue based on your guesses and estimates.

I'm just pointing that out because sometimes we give too much weight (no pun intended) to opinions on the internet.

When a site has 154,907 members as FRF does, it's stretch to say that anyone is "the only person to think" any particular thing. It seems you'd have to wait until all 154K members checked in before you could make such a sweeping, general statement.