Ten Year Anniversary Trip

The info you have is a bit off.... here is the published DRY weights of the 2014 36RE (which is what you are looking to rent) -
Hitch Weight 2448 lbs
Gross Weight 16000 lbs
Dry Weight 13554 lbs
Cargo Weight 2446 lbs

I would do some weighing of my truck to see if its up to the task before taking such a big trip..

Welcome to the forum! If you are used to bumper pull trailers, you will like the towing, and ease of hookup/unhook of a FW.

I tried your trip plan route, but wouldn't work (said need permission). The time will go fast, but like you remember, I'm sure the kids will have a great time! I'm sure you and your wife will enjoy sharing in the excitement! You may even decide to purchase a FW after the trip.

Have a safe trip, make sure trailer brakes are working good, before you hit the mts.

Jerry

aaron.dios wrote:
thanks all for the tips and opinions. Im installing the rear bags for sure. the towing weight of the truck is around 16k and i believe the trailer hitch weight is around 1700 lbs. i was thinking of a 5th wheel because of the ease of pulling vs a bumperpull that i have heard. Ive pulled many trailer/ campers/ loads. just not a 5th wheel. I know it is alot of miles and spots but im planning on 15 days. we are easy and flexible. the Redwood is in Rowlett texas on RVshare.com. its the only 5th wheel around me that I found. im fine with pulling a smaller trailer but the price on the Redwood was actually a very good deal from what i could see.

1700 lbs pin wt is =dry=. Figure 20-25% of the GVW as a worst-case, so you could be upwards of 3,700 lbs on the pin at GVW. Way too much trailer for that truck. Airbags do NOT increase payload, only level the load you have.

Yes, a FW will pull a lot nicer than a TT and does give you a lot more room, but it's not identical to pulling a TT, that's for sure.

As others have said, doing the road from Silverton to Ouray is spooky. I drove it last year in my Civic and wished like hell I'd've grabbed a Xanax from my wife before doing it, and I've been driving mountain roads 40+ years here in AZ, and a lot of it towing. Don't know why it spooked me, but certainly gave me 2nd thoughts about doing it with a FW without some "mental prep", for sure. Yes, we did encounter a number of RVs and semis, so it's doable, but not lightly. Over a route like that, a 1t dually for that Redwood would be most appropriate...or a =much= lighter FW. Yes, in normal situations, truck stops itself and trailer stops itself, but if there's =any= issue, then the truck has to stop the whole load, and that's where it gets truly scary.

This sounds like a trip I'd love to make, and have driven a good portion of it, but it's not one you take without lots of prep. I'd much rather see you rent a TT, get it set up properly, and be safer than find yourself in a situation that might risk your whole family.

Lyle

thanks all for the tips and opinions. Im installing the rear bags for sure. the towing weight of the truck is around 16k and i believe the trailer hitch weight is around 1700 lbs. i was thinking of a 5th wheel because of the ease of pulling vs a bumperpull that i have heard. Ive pulled many trailer/ campers/ loads. just not a 5th wheel. I know it is alot of miles and spots but im planning on 15 days. we are easy and flexible. the Redwood is in Rowlett texas on RVshare.com. its the only 5th wheel around me that I found. im fine with pulling a smaller trailer but the price on the Redwood was actually a very good deal from what i could see.

Sorry, too busy giving unsolicited advice and forgot to answer the OPs question about braking etc. I assume your truck has an exhaust brake, USE IT. Additional watch that you don't let things get away from you descending hills. Go slow at the crest and keep the speed under control as you go down.

First, sounds like a great trip that the kids will enjoy and remember!

Second, I'd echo the cautions of others here. Both with respect to 'that's a lot of trailer for a newbie with a 2500' and that's a lot of miles.

You might be more comfortable with something a little smaller, otherwise you might be worn out "white knuckling" it hours a day...that can be very taxing on your nerves and such that you dread the start of each road day and may not be able to make the miles you're planning.

Your family might be more comfortable with a shorter route where you travel only 200-250 miles per day with down days every few. I know my kids did not enjoy the scenery of the drive as much as I did, and unfortunately kids these days have electronics to avoid boredom.

Think hard about scaling back your aggressive dreams some, but regardless enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime family experience!

ford truck guy wrote:
Where are you renting a 36' Redwood ? I can say that since your NOT taking highways and staying on small , windy , hilly roads . NOT TO DO IT.. Your 3/4 ton will not be able to stop that rig if needed in a hurry...

I upgraded my trailer brakes to Discs , and what a difference ! Not to mention you will be over on all your numbers for that 3/4 ton SRW... I pull a Redwood with a new generation ( 2015 ) F-350 SRW and at my capacity on all numbers... but still under by a small margin.. I would never do it with a 250/2500

His 3/4 ton is identical to a 1 ton aside from the rear coils, which I suspect will hold the pin weight just fine. Same frame, same axles, same brakes, same tires, same wheels, same drivetrain, etc. The difference between a 250/2500 and a SRW 350/3500 is the most overblown thing on this site.

OP, I'm curious about what this trailer weighs, but I think you'll be fine. If you find you are sagging excessively, throw on some Timbrens or airbags and you've effectively created a SRW 3500.

One final question - do you have 17" wheels? Almost all of the newer 2500s have 18" or 20", but if you have 17" that will drop your tire rating a bit (and the axle rating accordingly).

That is a lot of trailer for a 2500. Make sure your payload ratings are high enough for that pin weight and GCWR is good for the total weight.

As for the route, I definitely would not recommend US 550 from Silverton to Ouray (the million dollar highway) on the way to Grand Junction. That is a very steep winding narrow highway with no shoulders going over three high mountain passes. Especially so for someone towing a 5er for the first time.

And secondly the amount of time. From Hunt direct to Yellowstone and back alone is at least 6 days long days (probably in excess of 10 hrs per day) of travel without even considering all the other places you mention. Even on the interstates, with stops for rest/food/fuel you probably will not average much better than 55 miles per hour if that much. Add in all the side trips and you would probably be on the road 10 days or more. Not much time to actually stop and see things. That trip will be a killer for all.

Where are you renting a 36' Redwood ? I can say that since your NOT taking highways and staying on small , windy , hilly roads . NOT TO DO IT.. Your 3/4 ton will not be able to stop that rig if needed in a hurry...

I upgraded my trailer brakes to Discs , and what a difference ! Not to mention you will be over on all your numbers for that 3/4 ton SRW... I pull a Redwood with a new generation ( 2015 ) F-350 SRW and at my capacity on all numbers... but still under by a small margin.. I would never do it with a 250/2500

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