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kodiakcanuck's avatar
kodiakcanuck
Explorer
Aug 09, 2019

Towing 5th wheel near the trucks limits

Without starting up the great "can halfton's tow 5th wheels" debate, what are your thoughts on how the truck would handle this tow:

5th Wheel Trailer
2005 Flagstaff 8524 CBS
25 feet
Pin/hitch weight 1010 lbs
Gross Weight 8115 lbs
Dry weight 5866 lbs

Truck
2014 Ram 1500 4x4 crewcab, 5.7 VB 3:92 rear end
Max towing 10,000 lbs
Max Payload 1450 lbs

The max payload weight would be close, so nothing else could be added in the truck. Mostly just driver and passenger in the truck.

I have towed a 29 foot travel trailer that had a heavy 800 lbs hitch weight and a good weight distribution set up and it still felt comfortable, so although this 5th wheel would have a heavy set up on the payload, the trailer would be shorter than I have previously towed.
  • The rear axle and tire ratings are the critical things to look at, imo. My guess is you'd be very close on those metrics. Ratings aside, it would probably tow nicer than your 29' TT did with the same truck. You could band-aid it a bit with higher rated tires and Timbrens or bags.
  • Agree with Old-Biscuit, it will work if you can stay under rawr/tire rating. You will likely be over payload some, but 2014 truck won't break in half over a few hundred lbs.

    Jerry
  • Definitely at the limits and more than likely over payload with a GVWR of 8115#. Most 5ers have a pin weight ranging from 20% to 25% easily eclipsing your payload capacity, even if your 5er weighs in at let say 6500# because no one tows around at factory stated UVW, at least 1300# of payload is gone. That being said your truck has a nice transmission and decent gearing for towing, I know I have seen other half tons towing more, you may feel it is doable as towing comfort level varies for every one. Good luck, hopefully it works out in your favor.
  • 1,450 payload is terrible! My 2015 Tahoe, an SUV, had 1595. My new Silverado is 1720.
  • 5th wheel
    Pin weight is carried by trucks rear axle

    Brochure pin weight of 1010# is DRY pin based on DRY trailer weight of 5866# (17% ratio)

    Using that 17% (which is LOW) WET pin will be closer to 1380#
    Just ate up that 'payload' number...add in weight of hitch, weight of paseengers, weight of backpacks/bags, wight of stuff under seats, in center console, in door pockets (yep ALL that stuff subtracts from payload)


    More importantly is trucks AXLE/Tire Load Ratings
    What is weight being carried by those BEFORE adding Wet Pin weight??

    SO load up that truck CAMP READY (everybody/everything etc) and hit the scales (CAT Scales) then look up trucks axle ratings. (RAWR/3900#)
    How much more weight can you add before reaching AXle ratings
    Tires/max load on sidewall.how much weight can they carry??


    Answer those questions then you will have a better REAL World idea of HOW Much weight can truck handle