Info on TV and newly bought 5th wheel

drsteve wrote:

No comment on truck ratings and where each rating may be derived from as that's where we likely differ in opinion.

Probably derived from the manufacturer's literature. Not sure how opinion comes into play... The numbers are what they are.

They sure are what they are, however you know that, especially on 3/4ton trucks, some components are de rated based on the mfgs rating to comply with the general DOT class weight limits.
So you can be "over your rated limit" in some ways with a particular vehicle and after spending $50k on a newer better rated vehicle, find out that it has the same component as the previous one but magically it's rated higher because the number on the front fender starts with a 3 instead of a 2.

But that's cool. I like buying used 2500s that someone used lightly and decided it wasn't "rated" for what they were using it for. To those of you in this category, thank you for paying the depreciation for me...

Safe and legal have far less to do with it than secure and comfortable. Unless you are a total moron when it comes to vehicle maintenance, or driving, you will be safe. You won't be running bald tires and worn out brakes, and you won't let any mechanical issues linger until something falls off the truck. You will instinctively adjust your driving style and speed to compensate for the change in weight and handling characteristics of the heavy trailer in tow. You will be smart enough to recognize that something is not right, and will turn around and go home long before something bad happens.

As far as legal, simply put you are not going to get pulled over and weighed anywhere in the United States, even if you have exceeded your truck's registered weight capacity. RVs are not subject to commercial DOT enforcement. You would have to be committing some sort of moving violation to get pulled over, and the only reason you'd get weighed is if you got lippy with the officer and torqued him off to the point where he's throwing the book at you.

Comfort is all in the eyes of the beholder. Some people are more tolerant of certain driving qualities than others. You need to feel confident, secure and most importantly comfortable driving the rig, or you will absolutely HATE it.

drsteve wrote:
Salespeople will tell you an S-10 can pull that fiver.

Years ago a sales drone told me I could pull a 7000 pound trailer with my high top conversion van with a TBI small block. Only having owned smaller trailers and pop ups, I believed him. Several white knuckle trips and a roasted transmission later, I upgraded to an appropriately sized truck.

Surprisingly while shopping for my current trailer we were informed our F250 could not pull it and we would need a 1 ton. We were going to get one anyone but I appreciated the honesty and we did buy from them.

No comment on truck ratings and where each rating may be derived from as that's where we likely differ in opinion.

Probably derived from the manufacturer's literature. Not sure how opinion comes into play... The numbers are what they are.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
You're right, that wasn't cool. I apologize.


Someone gots to tell the other side of the story from just the blatant "OMG, your truck will NOT tow that trailer without killing babies and endangered species" mentality that some on here have.

IF you read my post I completely laid out what his 2005 2500 was rated for and where it is limited....IF one uses ratings.
Otherwise.....hook it up
Anything else is just justification

You're correct. And great info it is, as you presented the info the op didn't know about his truck or trailer apparently.
No comment on truck ratings and where each rating may be derived from as that's where we likely differ in opinion.

Grit dog wrote:
You're right, that wasn't cool. I apologize.


Someone gots to tell the other side of the story from just the blatant "OMG, your truck will NOT tow that trailer without killing babies and endangered species" mentality that some on here have.

IF you read my post I completely laid out what his 2005 2500 was rated for and where it is limited....IF one uses ratings.
Otherwise.....hook it up
Anything else is just justification

You're right, that wasn't cool. I apologize.
So how does it tow?
Do you have concerns other than the trucks ratings on paper?
Is it a short box truck, long box? Bone stock? Drivetrain or suspension mods?
What type of towing do you plan on doing? X country or weekend warrior in the flatlands?
How fast do you want to get there? Want it to handle 80 mph across Kansas with a cross wind, or are you cool with 60 mph in the right lane?

A dually will make it much more stable than a srw. A comparable dually won't pull it any faster or stop it any better than your truck if properly set up. Apples to apples it's the same truck with heavier springs and 2 more tires. You're correct there is a lot to consider.
Dually is the easy button solution and is a good thing.
It is however potentially an expensive upgrade all things considered.

Someone gots to tell the other side of the story from just the blatant "OMG, your truck will NOT tow that trailer without killing babies and endangered species" mentality that some on here have.

OK< OK, that's enuff beating for one day. Thank you all for your inputs. Think I'm going to consider a dually to be on the safe and legal side.
And, you don't pull a trailer with an aircraft. That's for the guy with the dig.

Oh and you already purchased the trailer. How'd it tow?
Is there a specific problem you're trying to fix or did you just sign for it and not know how to get it home now?

IdaD wrote:
It's incredible how different the real world if from RV.net. I don't know much about a 2005 2500, but if it's anything like the current versions the capability difference between the 2500 and SRW 3500 is minimal (at best). In terms of reality, that is. On this site the difference is huge.

Edit - I haven't looked up the trailer specs to see if it's in DRW territory. If it is those trucks come with a notable bump in capability - at the expense of some other things.

Well based on someone's in depth weight analysis on the previous page, sounds like it's so where around 3k pin weight.
This thread will go nowhere just like the other 100s the op could have searched for before asking the same question for the 20th time in the last month.

I'll reserve my reccomendation as a search will show mine dozens of times as well as everyone else's who posts here.
I will say though if it's an auto trans you'll hate the gear splits with 14k or whatever it weighs. Also an exhaust brake is a great addition to any older diesel that will support it.

Oh and if the OPs handle of jet mech means jet mechanic, I'd hope he has a basic grasp of vehicular operations and capabilities if repairing jet airliners for a career....