Opinions on New 5th wheel

[MandM2711]

My wife and I are brand new to this. Have never done anything like this. We rented and loved in, and now want to have our own. Recently purchased a RAM 2500 Diesel. Have been doing a lot of reading here.

The rigs we are considering are the following:

Grand Design - 29RS, 303RL or 317RST

Coachmen Chaparal 336TSIK

Rockwood 8289WS

Cougar 313RLI

Outdoors RV - Glacier Peak.

Any suggestions I have not listed?

I am interested in opinions on quality, as well as tow ability by my RAM 2500. I have weighed the truck with my wife and I in it already per suggestions I have read here to do so. To not exceed the 10,000 GVWR I have 1,760 payload remaining. That was before I had the hitch installed of witch I purchased the B&W companion. So probably lose another 250# with that. I am disappointed with the remaining payload, but want to do what I can to stay within the ratings.

[MandM2711]

i have come to realize that the pin weight is where the 3/4 ton falls short if I go by the gvwr. It seems some go by the rear axle if I do that I have about 3300# pin weight capacity. But going by GVWR only about 1500#. Looked at the alum a lite. At this point prob between the grand design 29rs keystone extra lite or the Rockwood all should work weight wise.

Any thoughts on the manufacturer grand design vs keystone vs forest river

Thanks

[TXiceman]

You might take a look at these 5ers
https://www.livinlite.com/fifth-wheels.php

AS you see, a 3/4 ton truck limits you on pin weight and you have to consider the trucks loaded weight before you even add the 5er.


Ken

[Cummins12V98]

MandM2711 wrote:
My wife and I are brand new to this. Have never done anything like this. We rented and loved in, and now want to have our own. Recently purchased a RAM 2500 Diesel. Have been doing a lot of reading here.

The rigs we are considering are the following:

Grand Design - 29RS, 303RL or 317RST

Coachmen Chaparal 336TSIK

Rockwood 8289WS

Cougar 313RLI

Outdoors RV - Glacier Peak.

Any suggestions I have not listed?

I am interested in opinions on quality, as well as tow ability by my RAM 2500. I have weighed the truck with my wife and I in it already per suggestions I have read here to do so. To not exceed the 10,000 GVWR I have 1,760 payload remaining. That was before I had the hitch installed of witch I purchased the B&W companion. So probably lose another 250# with that. I am disappointed with the remaining payload, but want to do what I can to stay within the ratings.

Weigh your rear axle ready to tow. Subtract that number from your rear axle rating. That is your available pin weight. Fact is less than 100# will transfer to your front axle when loaded.

Guess my question is why are disappointed with payload? The facts are available before you bought and it sounds like the 3500 would have been a better choice for your 5er desires.

[MandM2711]

Thank you for that information. It is that GVWR that is so difficult to stay under. Being new to this, we are concerned about going over that by using just the rear axle rating and the GCWR. Looked at the cougar lite, those look like they could work. Any opinions between that and the Grand Design 29RS as far as quality? I believe that will work too.

[laknox]

bpounds wrote:

MandM2711 wrote:
Front is 5060
Rear is 3180

I will take a look at the cougar x-lite.

Thanks.

As you can see, you've got plenty of spare capacity on that rear axle. Which is probably rated for 6k or 6.1k. I would use that as my guide. Your tires and wheels will be rated for at least that much.

Your fiver won't put much on the front axle. Not a factor up front.

Not sure the stock tire size, but I went from the OEM 245's on my D'max to 265's and picked up nearly 1,000 lbs more tire capacity. The 245's put me well below the rear axle capacity. I now have more tire than axle capacity.

Lyle

[lhenry8113]

Might take a look at the Northwood products. Lars

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/

[CWSWine]

These are my weights with my 3/4 ton with 28SGS loaded to go camping. I weight both the truck and 5er on a CAT scale to get these numbers. This is is you if want to say within the "Manufacture GVWR Specs" This give you an example of 5er ready to go camping.


click My
scale Weights

[goducks10]

bpounds wrote:

MandM2711 wrote:
Front is 5060
Rear is 3180

I will take a look at the cougar x-lite.

Thanks.

As you can see, you've got plenty of spare capacity on that rear axle. Which is probably rated for 6k or 6.1k. I would use that as my guide. Your tires and wheels will be rated for at least that much.

Your fiver won't put much on the front axle. Not a factor up front.

x2

[bpounds]

MandM2711 wrote:
Front is 5060
Rear is 3180

I will take a look at the cougar x-lite.

Thanks.

As you can see, you've got plenty of spare capacity on that rear axle. Which is probably rated for 6k or 6.1k. I would use that as my guide. Your tires and wheels will be rated for at least that much.

Your fiver won't put much on the front axle. Not a factor up front.

[CWSWine]

I had a Chevy 3/4 ton 2500 diesel and the Cougar XLite 28SGS max out the "Manufacture Specs" almost to the pound loaded and ready to go camping and that is a CAT scale weight. I like the 5th wheel and pulled really nice.

[MandM2711]

Front is 5060
Rear is 3180

I will take a look at the cougar x-lite.

Thanks.

[bpounds]

You won't be able to stay under the GVWR of that truck, with either the Grand Design or Cougars that you mentioned. I didn't look at all the others specifications, but assume they are in the ball park.

You weighed the truck, but did you get front and rear weights? I would suggest you will be okay if you stay under each axle weight rating. There is no reason you should not be able to haul a 10k GVWR fiver with your Ram, which is the gross weight of the Grand Design 29RS. I think about 10k is where you want to be on a 3/4 ton truck.

In the Cougar line, suggest you take a look at the "Half Ton" or "Xlite" series. Those match up well to a 3/4 ton truck. Not really 1/2 ton suitable, in my opinion. I'm pulling one of those with my 3/4 ton. Good value priced trailer, and the 3/4t truck handles it with ease.