Enough truck for 5th wheel?

BarbOh! wrote:
We have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, with a V8, 5.7 liter engine. It is a four wheel drive, and a long bed. We have done quite a few mods to it because we previously owned a Travel Lite truck camper (with no slides). We also upgraded the tires to E size tires. Along with that, we installed four Bilstein shocks and a Bilstein shock/damper, an additional leaf spring, a K&N filter, and a sway bar. Oh, and two air bags.

We have sold the truck camper and purchased a 2018 Starcraft Solstice 28TSI. After we purchased it, but before we have picked it up, we were told by another dealer that our axle ratio is not enough for towing this particular fifth wheel. We currently have an axle ratio of 3.73, and were told it needed to be a 4.10. According to the manufacturer of the fifth wheel, its dry weight is 8,791 lbs, GVWR is 10,500 lbs and the hitch weight is 1,390 lbs.

According to the label on our truck, the GVWR is only 8,800 lbs. With all the modifications we have previously made, will we be safe towing the new fifth wheel? Or should we have the axle ratio modified to 4.10?

Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to be specific with all the numbers and the modifications we made on the truck.

Thanks for any input!

While I often side with the "weight police", I think that the mods you've done, especially the extra leaf, will allow you to safely tow this rig. I think that the 2,500 lb pin is maybe a =bit= much, but it =could= be 2500, if you're at gross weight. Just be sure you're within your tire ratings for the weight they'll carry. I'd be willing to bet that the rear axle is the same as a 1t truck, but with smaller brakes, so it will likely be able to handle the load. Seems to be the norm.

If you plan on staying in the flatlands and "hilly" country, you'll probably be OK, but you'll definitely be working it on the uphills. I would't worry about the 3.73 axle; most of today's trucks come that way. 4.10's almost have to be ordered, or you have to get specific packages to get that ratio. Just be prepared to let the engine run upwards of 4k RPM to get the horsepower available. Gassers are =designed= to run at those RPMs, so don't think you're babying it by trying to run at a lower RPM, unless conditions warrant it.

Lyle