Ten Year Anniversary Trip

[aaron_dios]

Hello all,
New to the site here.

The wife and I (and 2 boys ages 6 and 😎 are going on a trip this summer for our 10 year anniv. trip. I know I know.... why are we bringing the kids. I went on the same trip when I was about their age and remember every day of it. We are picking up the boys in Hunt texas from their summer camp. and hitting the road to Santa fe, thru Durango and Silverton CO. into Grand Junction. then to yellowstone, Mount Rushmore denver and back to Dallas. I'm taking 2 weeks off to do this trip.

This is my first time to pull a 5th wheel. We are renting a 36ft Redwood. I'm pulling it with a 2014 Ram 2500, single rear wheel, with the 6.7 Diesel. I Don't like taking highways and once in CO i will begin going thru the mountains with steep grades and hairpin turns. the trailer weights about 13000 lbs. My worry is the braking on the trailer. Do these trailer have good brakes on them? I trust the truck and make it up the hill its the coming down that will get you.

Any tips or mods I should make to the truck or anything I should make sure the trailer has safety wise. Also i'm open to suggestions on the trip and routes, things I must see or shouldn't miss. Here is a link to our trip route

***Link Removed***

[laknox]

CabinetmakerII wrote:

If memory serves me correctly, the road from Cortez to Ridgeway is not a walk in the park. It is steep with lots of switchbacks and climbs to over 11,000 feet at Lizard-head Pass. Also, a FW tows differently then a conventional TT. FW's tend to "cheat" the corners (so swing them wide)and they are slower to react to steering inputs when backing. I recommend you take the rig to an empty parking lot and play with it a little before you hit the road. Good luck on your adventure!

Not as curvy as 550 north of Silverton and, IIRC, not as steep in most places. 550 is just as high in the passes, so that's a wash, IMO.

Lyle

[IdaD]

reppoc12 wrote:

Here's my take. Your truck with airbags (assuming 18" or 20" wheels and 6500 lb RAWR) is every bit as capable as a SRW 3500 of the same year. Literally the only difference is the rear coils, but the rear coils with supplemental airbags should carry a load at least as well as the 3500 leaf suspension. Everything else between the two trucks is identical. Well, except you have a rear swaybar on the 2500, which I don't think the 3500 has standard - so that's actually an advantage for your truck.

That being said, based on the trailer weight numbers posted, I think this trailer is pushing into DRW territory, at least if you plant to load it up to the full GWWR. I've said before and I still believe that on these newer HD trucks the difference between a 2500 and SRW 3500 is a whole lot less significant than the difference between a SRW 3500 and a DRW 3500.

There is a difference in the posted capacities of the 2500 and 3500. We know he has a 2014 Ram with a 6.7 cummins. I assumed everything else to show the difference. Lets say it is a 4x2, crewcab, automatic transmission (DG7), 3.42 rear, and tradesman trim.
According to the 2014 Ram Body Builder guide:
2500 in this configuration has a payload of 2,660. Rear GAWR of 6,000 and GCWR of 25,000
The same configuration on a 3500 SRW has a payload of 4,190. Rear GAWR 7,000 and GCWR of 25,000
They have the same GCWR, but the payload and rear axle limits are considerably different.

The trip sounds wonderful and I hope you and your family have a great time.

Yes on paper there's a difference in capability. In reality it's an identical truck aside from the rear suspension, and the airbags nullify that difference. FWIW, the 18" and 20" wheel 2500s have a 6500 lb RAWR. There aren't too many new 2500s with 17" wheels but there are some. Again though once you supplement the coils (and tires/wheels in those rare cases) you've effectively created a SRW 350 in all but name only.

[CabinetmakerII]

laknox wrote:

aaron.dios wrote:
try the link again

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zrZy4YO7hSX4.k-UXOG1uz42E&usp=sharing

My advice to a newbie would be to skip taking the FW on the 550 altogether, especially if locked in to the Redwood. Just do the round-trip on the train out of Durango, then head west to Cortez, then up 145 to Placerville and cut across 62 to Ridgeway and on the 550 to Grand Junction. I drove this southbound last year, and they're nice roads. A side-trip into Telluride could be done, too, if time permits. Beyond GJ, I have no knowledge.

Lyle

If memory serves me correctly, the road from Cortez to Ridgeway is not a walk in the park. It is steep with lots of switchbacks and climbs to over 11,000 feet at Lizard-head Pass. Also, a FW tows differently then a conventional TT. FW's tend to "cheat" the corners (so swing them wide)and they are slower to react to steering inputs when backing. I recommend you take the rig to an empty parking lot and play with it a little before you hit the road. Good luck on your adventure!

[reppoc12]

Here's my take. Your truck with airbags (assuming 18" or 20" wheels and 6500 lb RAWR) is every bit as capable as a SRW 3500 of the same year. Literally the only difference is the rear coils, but the rear coils with supplemental airbags should carry a load at least as well as the 3500 leaf suspension. Everything else between the two trucks is identical. Well, except you have a rear swaybar on the 2500, which I don't think the 3500 has standard - so that's actually an advantage for your truck.

That being said, based on the trailer weight numbers posted, I think this trailer is pushing into DRW territory, at least if you plant to load it up to the full GWWR. I've said before and I still believe that on these newer HD trucks the difference between a 2500 and SRW 3500 is a whole lot less significant than the difference between a SRW 3500 and a DRW 3500.

There is a difference in the posted capacities of the 2500 and 3500. We know he has a 2014 Ram with a 6.7 cummins. I assumed everything else to show the difference. Lets say it is a 4x2, crewcab, automatic transmission (DG7), 3.42 rear, and tradesman trim.
According to the 2014 Ram Body Builder guide:
2500 in this configuration has a payload of 2,660. Rear GAWR of 6,000 and GCWR of 25,000
The same configuration on a 3500 SRW has a payload of 4,190. Rear GAWR 7,000 and GCWR of 25,000
They have the same GCWR, but the payload and rear axle limits are considerably different.

The trip sounds wonderful and I hope you and your family have a great time.

[MFL]

aaron.dios wrote:
try the link again

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zrZy4YO7hSX4.k-UXOG1uz42E&usp=sharing

The trip link works fine now.

I think you have a great plan, and agree with IdaD, that your truck has a good amount of capability. My thought, even if you had a DRW, driving the scenic roads you want to travel, is going to be slow going. Not only the steep grades and tight curves, but the amount of traffic in Yellowstone area. There will be so many places you would like to stop, but no place to park a rig that size. My best trip through Yellowstone was on a motorcycle. I could stop/park most anytime.

A FW of 30' actual length, and loaded weight less than 10,000 lbs., would make that trip much more enjoyable.

In any case, life is short, stick to your plan, do it safely, you'll have some great memories!

Jerry

[laknox]

aaron.dios wrote:
try the link again

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zrZy4YO7hSX4.k-UXOG1uz42E&usp=sharing

My advice to a newbie would be to skip taking the FW on the 550 altogether, especially if locked in to the Redwood. Just do the round-trip on the train out of Durango, then head west to Cortez, then up 145 to Placerville and cut across 62 to Ridgeway and on the 550 to Grand Junction. I drove this southbound last year, and they're nice roads. A side-trip into Telluride could be done, too, if time permits. Beyond GJ, I have no knowledge.

Lyle

[aaron_dios]

try the link again

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zrZy4YO7hSX4.k-UXOG1uz42E&usp=sharing

[aaron_dios]

thanks guys for the replies. this is why i came on here.



***Link Removed***

[IdaD]

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.

Here's my take. Your truck with airbags (assuming 18" or 20" wheels and 6500 lb RAWR) is every bit as capable as a SRW 3500 of the same year. Literally the only difference is the rear coils, but the rear coils with supplemental airbags should carry a load at least as well as the 3500 leaf suspension. Everything else between the two trucks is identical. Well, except you have a rear swaybar on the 2500, which I don't think the 3500 has standard - so that's actually an advantage for your truck.

That being said, based on the trailer weight numbers posted, I think this trailer is pushing into DRW territory, at least if you plant to load it up to the full GWWR. I've said before and I still believe that on these newer HD trucks the difference between a 2500 and SRW 3500 is a whole lot less significant than the difference between a SRW 3500 and a DRW 3500.

[MFL]

After reading Lyle's post, and seeing Ford truck guys numbers, I'm going to have to say, too much trailer for the trip, no matter what truck being used.

Jerry

[ford_truck_guy]

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..

[MFL]

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

[laknox]

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

[aaron_dios]

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.