We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, with a V8, 5.7 liter engine. It is a four wheel drive, and a long bed. We have done quite a few mods to it because we previously owned a Travel Lite truck camper (with no slides). We also upgraded the tires to E size tires. Along with that, we installed four Bilstein shocks and a Bilstein shock/damper, an additional leaf spring, a K&N filter, and a sway bar. Oh, and two air bags.We have sold the truck camper and purchased a 2018 Starcraft Solstice 28TSI. After we purchased it, but before we have picked it up, we were told by another dealer that our axle ratio is not enough for towing this particular fifth wheel. We currently have an axle ratio of 3.73, and were told it needed to be a 4.10. According to the manufacturer of the fifth wheel, its dry weight is 8,791 lbs, GVWR is 10,500 lbs and the hitch weight is 1,390 lbs.According to the label on our truck, the GVWR is only 8,800 lbs. With all the modifications we have previously made, will we be safe towing the new fifth wheel? Or should we have the axle ratio modified to 4.10?Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to be specific with all the numbers and the modifications we made on the truck.Thanks for any input!

Add the scale weight of your truck and the 1,400lb hitch weight and tell us that number.

Pin weight you listed is dry, not loaded ready to camp. Expect a pin weight closer to 2500 pounds. Towing a fifth wheel is all about load carrying capacity, not towability. If you think you want to stick within the mfg GVWR as listed for the truck, you need to get some accurate weighs of the truck. The gas motor helps but I suspect you have a GVWR of 10,000 pounds and scale ready to travel around 8,000 pounds. You might have enough power, but I seriously doubt you will be happy. Your in MI, so your travel is relatively flat. Get into the mountains and all bets are off. Will 4.10s help? Not enough to be worth 2500 more dollars spent on your truck.

What the max cargo capacity of your truck? Need to look closely at the CCC and GCWR. My bet is you do not have enough truck to be legal. 250/2500 have a low CCC to start with.

BarbOh! wrote:We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, with a V8, 5.7 liter engine. It is a four wheel drive, and a long bed. We have done quite a few mods to it because we previously owned a Travel Lite truck camper (with no slides). We also upgraded the tires to E size tires. Along with that, we installed four Bilstein shocks and a Bilstein shock/damper, an additional leaf spring, a K&N filter, and a sway bar. Oh, and two air bags.We have sold the truck camper and purchased a 2018 Starcraft Solstice 28TSI. After we purchased it, but before we have picked it up, we were told by another dealer that our axle ratio is not enough for towing this particular fifth wheel. We currently have an axle ratio of 3.73, and were told it needed to be a 4.10. According to the manufacturer of the fifth wheel, its dry weight is 8,791 lbs, GVWR is 10,500 lbs and the hitch weight is 1,390 lbs.According to the label on our truck, the GVWR is only 8,800 lbs. With all the modifications we have previously made, will we be safe towing the new fifth wheel? Or should we have the axle ratio modified to 4.10?Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to be specific with all the numbers and the modifications we made on the truck.Thanks for any input!While I often side with the "weight police", I think that the mods you've done, especially the extra leaf, will allow you to safely tow this rig. I think that the 2,500 lb pin is maybe a =bit= much, but it =could= be 2500, if you're at gross weight. Just be sure you're within your tire ratings for the weight they'll carry. I'd be willing to bet that the rear axle is the same as a 1t truck, but with smaller brakes, so it will likely be able to handle the load. Seems to be the norm.If you plan on staying in the flatlands and "hilly" country, you'll probably be OK, but you'll definitely be working it on the uphills. I would't worry about the 3.73 axle; most of today's trucks come that way. 4.10's almost have to be ordered, or you have to get specific packages to get that ratio. Just be prepared to let the engine run upwards of 4k RPM to get the horsepower available. Gassers are =designed= to run at those RPMs, so don't think you're babying it by trying to run at a lower RPM, unless conditions warrant it.Lyle

Look at my signature. Our Cougar is 6500 empty with a GVWR of 9900. So a little less than the trailer you are consideringOur truck has a 6.0L gas engine, 4.10 axles and a 6 speed auto trans.In hilly or mountainous terrain I would not want much more trailer weight or 3.xx gears. If most of my driving was on flatter roads then 3.73 axles would do the job.But we live in the White Mountains of NH and nothing is flat. 4.10 gears for us.You are coming from a truck camper that may have been heavy but now you also have to overcome the rolling resistance of 4 trailer tires too.I think that with your current setup your trans will be dropping into 2nd on many hills. Our previous truck with a 4 speed tranny was doing it and it was tiring to drive like that.

Enough truck for 5th wheel? | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

bid_time
Nomad III
Aug 20, 2018
slapshot12 wrote:
...My bet is you do not have enough truck to be legal...
Curious - What law will he be braking?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2018
Your post expresses your concern. You don’t want to dance on the max lines. Need more truck.
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Aug 20, 2018
Look at my signature. Our Cougar is 6500 empty with a GVWR of 9900. So a little less than the trailer you are considering

Our truck has a 6.0L gas engine, 4.10 axles and a 6 speed auto trans.

In hilly or mountainous terrain I would not want much more trailer weight or 3.xx gears. If most of my driving was on flatter roads then 3.73 axles would do the job.

But we live in the White Mountains of NH and nothing is flat. 4.10 gears for us.

You are coming from a truck camper that may have been heavy but now you also have to overcome the rolling resistance of 4 trailer tires too.

I think that with your current setup your trans will be dropping into 2nd on many hills. Our previous truck with a 4 speed tranny was doing it and it was tiring to drive like that.
laknox
Nomad
Aug 20, 2018
BarbOh! wrote:
We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, with a V8, 5.7 liter engine. It is a four wheel drive, and a long bed. We have done quite a few mods to it because we previously owned a Travel Lite truck camper (with no slides). We also upgraded the tires to E size tires. Along with that, we installed four Bilstein shocks and a Bilstein shock/damper, an additional leaf spring, a K&N filter, and a sway bar. Oh, and two air bags.

We have sold the truck camper and purchased a 2018 Starcraft Solstice 28TSI. After we purchased it, but before we have picked it up, we were told by another dealer that our axle ratio is not enough for towing this particular fifth wheel. We currently have an axle ratio of 3.73, and were told it needed to be a 4.10. According to the manufacturer of the fifth wheel, its dry weight is 8,791 lbs, GVWR is 10,500 lbs and the hitch weight is 1,390 lbs.

According to the label on our truck, the GVWR is only 8,800 lbs. With all the modifications we have previously made, will we be safe towing the new fifth wheel? Or should we have the axle ratio modified to 4.10?

Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to be specific with all the numbers and the modifications we made on the truck.

Thanks for any input!

While I often side with the "weight police", I think that the mods you've done, especially the extra leaf, will allow you to safely tow this rig. I think that the 2,500 lb pin is maybe a =bit= much, but it =could= be 2500, if you're at gross weight. Just be sure you're within your tire ratings for the weight they'll carry. I'd be willing to bet that the rear axle is the same as a 1t truck, but with smaller brakes, so it will likely be able to handle the load. Seems to be the norm.

If you plan on staying in the flatlands and "hilly" country, you'll probably be OK, but you'll definitely be working it on the uphills. I would't worry about the 3.73 axle; most of today's trucks come that way. 4.10's almost have to be ordered, or you have to get specific packages to get that ratio. Just be prepared to let the engine run upwards of 4k RPM to get the horsepower available. Gassers are =designed= to run at those RPMs, so don't think you're babying it by trying to run at a lower RPM, unless conditions warrant it.

Lyle
slapshot12
Explorer
Aug 20, 2018
What the max cargo capacity of your truck? Need to look closely at the CCC and GCWR. My bet is you do not have enough truck to be legal. 250/2500 have a low CCC to start with.
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2018
Pin weight you listed is dry, not loaded ready to camp. Expect a pin weight closer to 2500 pounds. Towing a fifth wheel is all about load carrying capacity, not towability. If you think you want to stick within the mfg GVWR as listed for the truck, you need to get some accurate weighs of the truck. The gas motor helps but I suspect you have a GVWR of 10,000 pounds and scale ready to travel around 8,000 pounds. You might have enough power, but I seriously doubt you will be happy. Your in MI, so your travel is relatively flat. Get into the mountains and all bets are off. Will 4.10s help? Not enough to be worth 2500 more dollars spent on your truck.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2018
Add the scale weight of your truck and the 1,400lb hitch weight and tell us that number.

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Enough truck for 5th wheel?

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