What 5er are you towing with your 3/4 ton

[Scott Thompson]

I have upgraded my tow vehicle from a 2010 Toyota Tundra 4x4 with the 5.7 to a 2018 Ram 2500 limited 4x4 with the 6.7 Cummins. We are looking to get a new 5th wheel in the 34 to 40 foot length. I would like suggestions from those members who tow with a 3/4 ton vehicle. We would like to find one with with front or rear living. The advertised towing capacity is 17,100 lbs

We have always and will continue to tow with empty. Fresh, grey and black water tanks. Extra weight will be the usual inside items, propane and maybe a few sticks of firewood.

We like the Grand Design 379FL GVWR 16000lbs

[tomkatb]

We have the same truck.

Unfortunately the payload of that truck limits hitch weights!

Realistically, according to the sticker, it is around #1600 lbs. I weighed it.

I would recommend the Anderson hitch to save weight. Also works well.

I am over sticker like #500. But, under axle/tire capacities. Tows well.

Been in 40 mph winds. It was fine. Stops well.

[Kimber45]

I tow a heritage glen 372 rd with my ram 2500. 43 foot ultra light. 5 slide elevated rear living 11k pounds.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by Scott Thompson

I have upgraded my tow vehicle from a 2010 Toyota Tundra 4x4 with the 5.7 to a 2018 Ram 2500 limited 4x4 with the 6.7 Cummins. We are looking to get a new 5th wheel in the 34 to 40 foot length. I would like suggestions from those members who tow with a 3/4 ton vehicle. We would like to find one with with front or rear living. The advertised towing capacity is 17,100 lbs

We have always and will continue to tow with empty. Fresh, grey and black water tanks. Extra weight will be the usual inside items, propane and maybe a few sticks of firewood.

We like the Grand Design 379FL GVWR 16000lbs

I will be towing this with my 2019 Ram 1500 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2898KS - Ultra Lite Fifth Wheels Travel Trailers / Fifth Wheels by Forest River RV Yes I know I will be at max on my payload which is 1855 .... and under about 900 on towing which is 11660 .... go ahead a judge me I am use to it on here ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXFK9W5HYX8

[walaby]

My recommendation.


Weigh your truck, full fuel and passengers. Get front and rear axle weights.


Determine Rear GAWR by looking at sticker on door jamb. Subtract actual Rear Axle weight from GAWR. That is the remaining axle weight capacity you have to accommodate the 5er pin weight, and hitch.


Assume ~200 lbs for hitch if you are getting a conventional one. 60 or so I believe for a Andersen Ultimate.


In my planning, I am assuming worse case that I will eventually load up the 5er to the GVWR. Pin Weight estimates range from 20-25%. Split the difference. 16,000 GVWR times 22.5% = 3600 lbs.


This worse case scenario for pin weight should be below your RGAWR. Yes, you will clearly exceed payload, but many folks (myself included) focus on the RGAWR and to a lesser extent, the payload.


If you have remaining capacity of at least 3600 lbs rear axle, after weighing truck loaded with passengers and fuel, then you should be good to go. I suspect you won't, as the RAWR is probably 6500 lbs.


Mike

[Jjsav]

First This (w/ tundra):



Then This:



Now This (w/ Anderson hitch!):

[Ejs4029]

Looking at the Grand Design 379FL your going to be way over on payload looking at the spec's that 5er has almost a 3,000 hitch weight dry....

My guess is your payload is going to be under 2,000lbs with your RAM 2500 since it's diesel with the limited package with all the bells and whistles and 4x4 this is going to severely limit your choices in 5th wheels you really needed to go with a 1 ton to even consider that Grand Design.

[Jim34RL]

I have a 2008, 6.7L Cummins Dodge Mega Cab, 2500 pulling a 2016 34RL Cedar Creek 5th wheel trailer. The truck is not a stock model at all. I am running 60HP/120 lb.-ft. TQ over stock, TB exhaust, with gauges to monitor the EGT's, Boost and Transmission temps, with duel fuel filters, Mag-Hytec covers on the differentials and transmission for extra oil capacity and cooling. My tires are Nitto Dural Grappler LT285/70R/17 126R tires which are rated for 3750 LBS @ 80PSI.

[JohnD10]

I purchased my Chevy 2500HD gasser to be overkill for my previous TT.

When deciding to get a 5'ver, I did the not-so-popular thing...

That was to buy a 5'ver that was actually within the tow ratings of my new 3/4-ton truck with room to spare!

It is 33-feet long and weighs in at 9500 pounds loaded and with 1/2 tank of fresh water and some fluids in both the black and gray tanks (maybe 1/3 full).

[goduc]

Why didn't you get a 3500? You will be over the trucks CCC and RAWR with that Solitude.
You should post your question on the GD owner forum in the Solitude section. I think you'll find out that GD's brochure weights are under the shipped weight.

I tow a lot less than that with an 18 2500 6.4 4.10. My pins only 1800 lbs. the Ram 2500 coils aren't as solid as the previous model leafs. I towed the same exact 5er with a 12 CTD 2500 and it was a more solid tow.
I'd seriously think about something in the 1800-2000 dry pin weight.

FWIW my 1800 lb pin drops the rear 2". I can't imagine dropping another 1500-1800 lbs in the bed. You still have to add the hitch, propane, batteries and all the other stuff you carry in front of the axles.

[Justice12t]

I have the below setup in my sig. With the gas 6.2L I have 3k in payload. I stayed away from a diesel because of losing so much payload. There are some good suggestions above to investigate. I haven't weighted mine since adding 4 GC batteries, my solar equipment and so on, but I can tell you I'm glad I have 3k of payload. BTW, my dry pin number was somewhere around 1300lb. Good luck it can get frustrating...

[Mountndream]

Diesels pull great but eat up payload. A friend of mine has the exact same Ram 2500 but with a Cummins diesel. His Payload is 800 lbs less than my 2979.

[jtatum65]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

Diesels pull great but eat up payload. A friend of mine has the exact same Ram 2500 but with a Cummins diesel. His Payload is 800 lbs less than my 2979.

Thats because the diesel engine weighs 800lbs more than a gasser. I have the same RAM 6.4 gasser pulling a Phoenix 336RL, which we just bought last Sept. And have no problems pulling it whatsoever. Just wish I could the same fuel mileage as the diesel...lol

come on spring!!

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by jtatum65

Thats because the diesel engine weighs 800lbs more than a gasser.

thank you, thats the point I was making

[67L48]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Looking at the Grand Design 379FL your going to be way over on payload looking at the spec's that 5er has almost a 3,000 hitch weight dry....

My guess is your payload is going to be under 2,000lbs with your RAM 2500 since it's diesel with the limited package with all the bells and whistles and 4x4 this is going to severely limit your choices in 5th wheels you really needed to go with a 1 ton to even consider that Grand Design.

Exactly.

There are several arguments, of varying degrees of quality, that can be made for the capability of the 3/4 ton diesel being greater than the apparently under-rated specifications would lead one to believe. However, what can't be argued is the official rated payload on the sticker of your door jamb. With a 3/4 ton diesel, particularly those well optioned, you'll be limited by this number ... or forced to ignore the number by entertaining the aforementioned arguments that hand-wave the ratings away.

To stay within published specifications on your truck, you'll have to be careful with your trailer selection and stick with light pin weight models.

Generally speaking, if you want a 40' 5er, you'll have more options and an easier time staying to spec with a 1-ton. If you get one of the luxury 40'+ models, then you probably need a DRW or something larger than a standard 350/3500 1-ton.

Alternatively, get a gasser. You'll lose the grunt towing power, but you'll pick up a lot of payload. A 1-ton DRW gasoline engine has a shockingly high payload capacity, for example.

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by goduc

Why didn't you get a 3500? You will be over the trucks CCC and RAWR with that Solitude.
You should post your question on the GD owner forum in the Solitude section. I think you'll find out that GD's brochure weights are under the shipped weight.

I tow a lot less than that with an 18 2500 6.4 4.10. My pins only 1800 lbs. the Ram 2500 coils aren't as solid as the previous model leafs. I towed the same exact 5er with a 12 CTD 2500 and it was a more solid tow.
I'd seriously think about something in the 1800-2000 dry pin weight.

FWIW my 1800 lb pin drops the rear 2". I can't imagine dropping another 1500-1800 lbs in the bed. You still have to add the hitch, propane, batteries and all the other stuff you carry in front of the axles.

Solitudes are heavy. I purchased a Reflection 337 and tow it easily with a one ton F-350. Go to the Grand Design forum and check. There should be any number of folks there that can chime in.

Here is the link: https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/forum.php

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by sfsgm

Solitudes are heavy. I purchased a Reflection 337 and tow it easily with a one ton F-350. Go to the Grand Design forum and check. There should be any number of folks there that can chime in.

Here is the link: https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/forum.php

Just checked. That's nearly 3k pin weight. I wouldn't do it.

[Triple SS]

Our f259 super duty diesel pulls our rock wood signature ultra lite 8301WS with no trouble

[jjrver]

We tow our 2019 CC Silverback 29Ik with a 2018 f250 CC powerstroke 4x4. Have towed approx 5000 miles so far, no problems.





2018 F250 4x4 Powerstroke
2019 CC Siloverback 29IK

[67L48]

Originally Posted by Triple SS

Our f259 super duty diesel pulls our rock wood signature ultra lite 8301WS with no trouble

That's a 33.5' 5er with a pin weight that's probably in the 1,500 lb range. That's a lot smaller than what the OP was looking at.

Plus, it's probably easier to tow it, since you have the rare 99/128 ton truck.

Originally Posted by jjrver

We tow our 2019 CC Silverback 29Ik with a 2018 f250 CC powerstroke 4x4. Have towed approx 5000 miles so far, no problems.[...]

34'10" trailer is smaller than the OP is looking at. I'm also guessing your pin weight is in excess of 2,200 lbs ... which is really pushing a 3/4 ton diesel, in terms of rated payload. I have no doubt that it pulls fine ... but I have serious doubt that you haven't exceeded your payload rating.

Because both of these examples is smaller than the OP's desired trailer length, they sort of serve as "no" answers. It comes back to how much you care about the ratings.