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RobWNY's avatar
RobWNY
Explorer
Mar 05, 2018

Help with Possible Upgrade to 5th Wheel

I’m considering upgrading from my 2014 Heartland Trail Runner 27RKS to a 2018 5th wheel. My TV is a 2015 2500HD Doublecab Gasser with the standard 6.5 ft. box and 4.10 gears. I’ll be keeping it so I understand I’m somewhat limited and will have more difficulty in mountainous regions, have less torque and worse fuel mileage than a diesel would provide. I can’t afford to upgrade truck and trailer at the same time because my DW and I have both recently retired and I have no interest in buying either truck or trailer used as a compromise. I’m looking at the Forest River Flagstaff 524RLBS or it’s sister the Rockwood 2440BS. It’s one of the lighter 5th Wheel models I’ve seen with the floorplan I like. It's weight specs are similar to my Trail Runner that I have no issue towing. The 5th Wheel also comes with the Reese Revolution Pin Box as standard equipment which claims that a slider hitch wouldn't be necessary. I have no clue on whether this is true or not. I’m thinking my 2500 will tow it just fine but I’m looking for the expertise from the members of this forum.

First, what is the overall opinion of Forest River 5th Wheels in the Flagstaff and Rockwood brands and do you see any red flags for me to consider before trying to negotiate a deal?

Here are the Specs
Flagstaff 524RLBS/Rockwood 2440BS
Dry Weight : 7,226 lbs., Payload Capacity: 1,854 lbs., Hitch Weight : 1,080 lbs.

2015 Chevy 2500HD 4X4 Doublecab 4.10 gears

Max towing weight 17,900
GCWR: 20,500
Max Towing 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 14,200Lbs.
GVWR 9500
GAWR FRONT 5200 GAWR REAR 6200
PAYLOAD 2892

Current Trail Runner ratings

GVWR: 9000
GAWR: 4400
Cargo Limit 1698

Thanks in advance for your input.

28 Replies

  • donn0128, I indicated in my original post I wasn't upgrading my TV.
  • SugarHillCTD, thank you. I will look at the Anderson Ultimate hitch. So far I've only been trying to figure out if the 5th Wheel option will work. All of these Ultra Lites are advertised as "1/2 Ton Towable". I think that means that they are really 3/4 Ton towable lol
  • Rob,
    I was scanning the specs you provided and it looks like you will be fine.

    I am in a similar situation (2012 2500HD crewcab, 4x4, gas, short bed, 4.10) and will be bringing home a (new-to-us) '16 Cougar 25RKS 5th wheel in 2 weeks.

    While my 5th is a few hundred pounds less than yours, we are both being smart about capacity and stay way below max towing.

    I did install an Andersen ultimate hitch.

    BTW, I am new to 5th wheels but not RVs. We have had 5 different truck campers over the past couple of decades and a couple of them were very HEAVY so I have experience with GVWR, RAWR and payload.

    John
  • You have given basically useless information. What is the fivers GVWR? You will never tow a 7200 pound fiver. More likely its going to be close to 10,000 pounds. But, can you pull it? Probsbly. Will you like the experience? Maybe. That is an answer you have to make. Personally I would get more truck first, then shop for your "ideal" fiver.
  • agesilaus, those specs come off the Forest River website. I have no idea if they are accurate or not
  • Busdriver, Thanks for your thoughts. I know I won't win any races and won't get very good fuel mileage and I'm fine with that for now. In a few years, I can do something different with a TV but for now it's what I have to use so I'm trying to be realistic if I want to upgrade at all.
  • Hitch weight aka pin weight looks low to me, rule of thumb is 20-25% of gross weight = pin weight. Which would put the pin weight of that 9000 pound fiver near or over 2000 pounds. The weight experts will have their say and maybe I'm wrong.
  • That will work. You know that you will not get the greatest fuel mileage or tow The fastest. Some will tell u that u need F450 dulley. I tow several years with a 6.0 Chevy 2500 with a bigger fifth wheel than that. did not get the best fuel mileage or win any races always got where I wanted to go