New 5er

[mspoe]

I am waiting on the delivery of my 2012 8288WS (Diamond Package) and recently bought a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi 4X4 to pull it. It has the full tow package and I am planning on having the RV dealer install the hitch. Any special tips on this combo by those experienced RVers out there would be much appreciated.

Marshall

[TURBS]

Take it wide take it slow that what I tell my dw when shes pulling the rig!


Welcome to the forum you'll learn all you need to know here.

[donn]

Are you serious? Pulling a fiver, any fiver over 18 feet with a 1/2 ton is just plain silly IMHO.
How much does this fiver weigh? Specs please.

[mspoe]

Listed at 7,800 lbs

[TURBS]

I dont believe its just silly .
respectfully Donn I believe a managed towing situation can achieve great results .
Most people don't pull down the interstate at warp speed nor do they pull mountains with a grade that rivals a 600 hp peterbilt . loaded properly a 32 foot 5th wheel can yield great results .
He also never stated how far and long he intended to tow . Most people drive less than 100 miles round trip for a weekend trip .
my camping friends pull a 8528bhss 5er flagstaff with a half ton ford 5.4 liter with no issues
with a 7660 uvw and 32 foot 7 inches long I think it pulls like a dream and stops no worse than my 3/4 6.0 liter chevy .

I guess since you think he's crazy for pulling his unit with a half ton pickup you've been there before ? Then you cant criticize .
And if you haven't then an apology should be in order.

The man just came on here to tell everybody how proud he was and you tear him down.

mspoe I hope you have a wonderful upcoming camping season !

[TURBS]

fyi skeptic

2012 dodge ram 1/2 ton towing capacity " 10,250" lbs
2012 dodge ram 1/2 payload capacity "1,501 " lbs

Im guessing hes just fine

[Dave_Monica]

Well said f1100turbo. That's not anyway to welcome a newcomer to the forum!

Donn, you need to sign yourself up for some sensitivity training.

Dave

[crocus]

The hemi has lots of power to pull your camper, although the pin weight on it is going to be pretty heavy for your truck. You may have to add air bags, if that is possible on the rear coil suspension.
Your fifth is the new version of ours, and I think you are going to love it!
I hope you ordered the atrium windows, as they really light up the interior.

[donn]

Honestly guys have you actually check the specs of that fiver? It is listed at over 10,000GVWR. That could translate into a pin weight over 2000 pounds. If the OP is looking strictly at net or dry weights he is going to be in for a wake up call sooner than later. While it may be advertised as 1/2 ton towable it is plane foolish to encourage this sort of a mistake. especially by a newby. The specs he is relying on for the truck are again unrealistic. He really needs to load that truck up like he is going to go camping and go to the scales for some accurate weights. Next he needs to add for the hitch to the scaled weights and subtract those numbers from his trucks GVWR as listed on the drivers door post. He will be really really lucky if he actually has a payload of 1000 pounds. IMHO the OP is going into a potentially dangerous situation. Warning him of the foolishness of this move is the only prudent thing to do. Don't like it, too bad. This is my opinion and having towed overloaded I will not compromise on my stance on this subject.

[amxpress]

After adding your hitch, fiver, & passengers, you will be exceeding ther payload of your truck, by over 500#.
Adding air bags does not increase your payload capacity, it just levels your truck.
The fact is, too much trailer for your truck, or not enough truck for your trailer.
Can you pull it? Yes
Was it designed to pull it? No

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by donn

Honestly guys have you actually check the specs of that fiver? It is listed at over 10,000GVWR. That could translate into a pin weight over 2000 pounds. If the OP is looking strictly at net or dry weights he is going to be in for a wake up call sooner than later. While it may be advertised as 1/2 ton towable it is plane foolish to encourage this sort of a mistake. especially by a newby. The specs he is relying on for the truck are again unrealistic. He really needs to load that truck up like he is going to go camping and go to the scales for some accurate weights. Next he needs to add for the hitch to the scaled weights and subtract those numbers from his trucks GVWR as listed on the drivers door post. He will be really really lucky if he actually has a payload of 1000 pounds. IMHO the OP is going into a potentially dangerous situation. Warning him of the foolishness of this move is the only prudent thing to do. Don't like it, too bad. This is my opinion and having towed overloaded I will not compromise on my stance on this subject.

Its listed at 9250 not over 10,000

[crocus]

"Its listed at 9250 not over 10,000"
======================
donn never lets facts get in the way of his rants!
Just like his claim that the pin weight would be over 2000 lbs. Simply ridiculous.
But I will agree with the fact that this is a lot of camper for a 1/2 ton, no matter what tow package it has. The OP will be fine if he is just touring around locally, or can sit out tough towing conditions, but I wouldn't want to be in the position of being forced to drive this combo in a 40 mph crosswind.
A 3/4 ton would obviously be a better choice.

[Rugged Brown]

I am towing the Flagstaff version with the same truck. Mine is a quad cab with 3.92 gear ratio. I added Timbren SES to level the truck and it also adds stability when travelling. It doesn't add towing capacity. My usual camping jaunts are 200 kms return trip on winding, undulating biways. I pack the camper as light as possible but in the end, I do know that I am over my cargo capacity. I travel with due care and caution and always give plenty of stopping distance. Could I use more truck; definately. Can my present setup meet my needs; definately. Will you see more 3/4 Ton trucks towing bigger campers; definately. Are they overloaded too; definately. Having said that, I would not go for any bigger fiver with a 1/2 ton. Bottom line is be careful, drive safely, arrive alive.

[dretired]

Soooo.... If my 2010 F150 supercab 4x2, 5.4, 3.55 limited slip, Tow pkg, 6 1/2 box rated by FORD to be MAX capable of 9,800 lbs towing either a 5er or TT...what dry weight should i be at with a 5er or TT ?? Its just the 2 of us...and a 10lb dog

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dretired

Soooo.... If my 2010 F150 supercab 4x2, 5.4, 3.55 limited slip, Tow pkg, 6 1/2 box rated by FORD to be MAX capable of 9,800 lbs towing either a 5er or TT...what dry weight should i be at with a 5er or TT ?? Its just the 2 of us...and a 10lb dog

10 lb dog puts you over sorry!

[Labzy]

Do you know how many people I know in the construction business that consistently overload those 1500s with crap on a daily basis?

Almost all of them do.

They will be the first ones to tell you that those trucks really are made "Ram tough" and they can take 'a beating' and then some.


Btw....Welcome to the forum!!!!!

[dretired]

Marshall.. How many people and what would the weight of ALL the gear loaded in both the 5er and Truck be ??

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dretired

Soooo.... If my 2010 F150 supercab 4x2, 5.4, 3.55 limited slip, Tow pkg, 6 1/2 box rated by FORD to be MAX capable of 9,800 lbs towing either a 5er or TT...what dry weight should i be at with a 5er or TT ?? Its just the 2 of us...and a 10lb dog

Also what is your payload capacity and or your Max hitch weight?

[dretired]

1730 lbs payload.. 5th wheel hitch rating 15k

[dretired]

just looked at the 2012 Ford F 150 tow ratings. A supercab 4x2 , 3.5 ecoboost, with max tow pkg, 6 1/2 box..3.73 gear.. 11,300 lbs conventional or 5th wheel.. 16,900 lbs gcwr....