Hello all, New to the site here.The wife and I (and 2 boys ages 6 and 8) 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***

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

Where are you renting a 36' Redwood ? I can say that since your NOT taking highways and staying on small , windy , hilly roads . NOT TO DO IT.. Your 3/4 ton will not be able to stop that rig if needed in a hurry... I upgraded my trailer brakes to Discs , and what a difference ! Not to mention you will be over on all your numbers for that 3/4 ton SRW... I pull a Redwood with a new generation ( 2015 ) F-350 SRW and at my capacity on all numbers... but still under by a small margin.. I would never do it with a 250/2500

That is a lot of trailer for a 2500. Make sure your payload ratings are high enough for that pin weight and GCWR is good for the total weight.As for the route, I definitely would not recommend US 550 from Silverton to Ouray (the million dollar highway) on the way to Grand Junction. That is a very steep winding narrow highway with no shoulders going over three high mountain passes. Especially so for someone towing a 5er for the first time.And secondly the amount of time. From Hunt direct to Yellowstone and back alone is at least 6 days long days (probably in excess of 10 hrs per day) of travel without even considering all the other places you mention. Even on the interstates, with stops for rest/food/fuel you probably will not average much better than 55 miles per hour if that much. Add in all the side trips and you would probably be on the road 10 days or more. Not much time to actually stop and see things. That trip will be a killer for all.

ford truck guy wrote:Where are you renting a 36' Redwood ? I can say that since your NOT taking highways and staying on small , windy , hilly roads . NOT TO DO IT.. Your 3/4 ton will not be able to stop that rig if needed in a hurry... I upgraded my trailer brakes to Discs , and what a difference ! Not to mention you will be over on all your numbers for that 3/4 ton SRW... I pull a Redwood with a new generation ( 2015 ) F-350 SRW and at my capacity on all numbers... but still under by a small margin.. I would never do it with a 250/2500His 3/4 ton is identical to a 1 ton aside from the rear coils, which I suspect will hold the pin weight just fine. Same frame, same axles, same brakes, same tires, same wheels, same drivetrain, etc. The difference between a 250/2500 and a SRW 350/3500 is the most overblown thing on this site.OP, I'm curious about what this trailer weighs, but I think you'll be fine. If you find you are sagging excessively, throw on some Timbrens or airbags and you've effectively created a SRW 3500. One final question - do you have 17" wheels? Almost all of the newer 2500s have 18" or 20", but if you have 17" that will drop your tire rating a bit (and the axle rating accordingly).

First, sounds like a great trip that the kids will enjoy and remember!Second, I'd echo the cautions of others here. Both with respect to 'that's a lot of trailer for a newbie with a 2500' and that's a lot of miles. You might be more comfortable with something a little smaller, otherwise you might be worn out "white knuckling" it hours a day...that can be very taxing on your nerves and such that you dread the start of each road day and may not be able to make the miles you're planning. Your family might be more comfortable with a shorter route where you travel only 200-250 miles per day with down days every few. I know my kids did not enjoy the scenery of the drive as much as I did, and unfortunately kids these days have electronics to avoid boredom. Think hard about scaling back your aggressive dreams some, but regardless enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime family experience!

Ten Year Anniversary Trip | Good Sam Community

laknox
Nomad
Feb 12, 2016
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
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
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
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
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
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
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
Nomad II
Feb 11, 2016
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
Nomad
Feb 11, 2016
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
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
try the link again

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zrZy4YO7hSX4.k-UXOG1uz42E&usp=sharing
aaron_dios
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
thanks guys for the replies. this is why i came on here.

***Link Removed***
IdaD
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
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
Nomad II
Feb 11, 2016
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

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