Going from Class A to 5th wheel

Length isn't always the issue
Really depends on weight of trailer, pin weight and truck payload capacity.

My 5th wheel weighs 14K, has a 3000# pin weight and maxes out by 2007 3500 Quad Cab and it's only 34' long.

So my 'scientific wild ass guess' is NO. Gonna be to heavy of trailer

I would have to agree with Old-Biscuit. The truck will pull it but you may have issues with your GCVW ( Gross combined vehicle weight). With the nation wide crack down on over weight vehicles, due to fatal accidents, you could cause yourself some issues, especially if involved in a major accident.

I have been on scene where a tow vehicle was not up to par for the trailer / weight being towed. When major injuries or death is involved a "MAIT" (Major Accident Investigation Team) investigates the accident same as a homicide, which it is, and jail can result along with the civil nightmare that follows.

I admit this is worse case but, it happens all the time and I have set in criminal court, as an officer, feeling sorry for a guy that is dealing with a death and a criminal case. Just saying.

JMHO.

jdart wrote:
Trading my class A 35ft. Diesel for 38ft 5th wheel, Towing it with a 2007 Quad cab
2500 Dodge Big Horn Diesel. Will it handle it OK, 38 ft is a long trailer. Have towed boats before but never a 5th wheel.

You've given us a length to ponder whether your truck will be able to handle it ok...With an 07' 2500, I'd be more concerned as Old Biscuit stated, with the GVW of the 5er...Not "dry" or "empty" weight, or "dry" pin weight...but GVW of the 5er and go from there. To "ballpark" how much weight you'll put in the bed of the truck, add approx. 200# for a 5er hitch and take 20% of the GVW of the 5er you want to purchase to figure pin weight that will be sitting on the hitch...and go from there.

Look at GVW of the 5er and go from there....We don't know what brand or model, so we don't know if it's a light 5er or a heavy 5er.....Length, to me, isn't as big a concern as the GVW of the 5er and the amount of pin weight (approx. 20% of 5er's GVW), I'll be dropping in the bed of the truck...

I don't know what the GVWR/RAWR/GCWR of an 07 2500 Dodge would be...Cummins will more than handle it...don't know about suspension/tranny.....but again, this ALL hinges on the GVW of the 5er you're talking about towing with the truck , and it's pin weight.

Mine is 36' and weighs about 10.5K loaded. Old-biscuit's is 34' and weighs 14K. So, the weight is more important than length.

The biggie is the pin weight, but to me the overall length is very important. I have driven in some windy weather with a 3/4 ton 98 RAM and a 32.5' 5er and I know what it's like to be pushed around by wind and it can only get worse with length. I also know what it's like to tow in wind with a Dually and 37.5' 5er, it was rock solid. I know different situations but the fact is the longer the rig is the more it will effect the TV.

A relative just bought a 42' Bighorn with a GVWR of 16K, he has towed it with his 03 RAM short bed 2500 and he said the RV overpowered the Truck. He is looking for a new truck and I recommended a 3500 DRW. He does not like the idea of dealing with the dually so who knows he may end up with a 3500 SRW. The length and pin may be fine for his rig but the length pushed me to recommend a DRW.

Weight is a big issue, there are many posts about it! Get your setup weighed, all axels and total once you have loaded your 5th wheel. Without actual weights everything is just a guess. As far as the lenght once you have towed it will not matter going down the road, your issues will be backing into tight spots, it can be done, just a little more effort is required. I think you will find you have more room than the class a gave you, so enjoy it!

Awww heck, go ahead and do it. After the first pull when it takes you hours to come down from the adrenaline rush, then go shopping for the correct truck for the job.
I can not understand the mentality of peoples thinking, buy the smallest tool and then expect it to do the biggest of jobs?

the 5th wheel is a 2000 38ft Signature by Thor. the truck a 2007 Dodge heavy duty Cummins short bed, I will have to check out the weight . Thanks to everyone will have to look at a shorter camper looks like

jdart wrote:
the 5th wheel is a 2000 38ft Signature by Thor. the truck a 2007 Dodge heavy duty Cummins short bed, I will have to check out the weight . Thanks to everyone will have to look at a shorter camper looks like

Not necessarily so...again, though length has some bearing, in reality it's the WEIGHT of the 5er that we're trying to figure out....Do the research on the above 5er and see what GVW is..we can go from there...

Does your Dodge have the 5.9L or the 6.7L? In mid 2007 the 6.7L came out. Much stronger engine and far more durable transmission but the 5.9L is one of the most bullet proof reliable diesels made.