Forum Discussion

Major_Dad's avatar
Major_Dad
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014

What do I need to tow 5th wheel with RAM 2500 Megacab?

I am entertaining the possibility (not a probability yet) of moving to a 5th wheel with my 2010 Ram 2500 CTD Megacab. I am not sure I am ready to go without using my truck bed; I am just entertaining the possibility at this point. My payload is 2,140 (max trailer weight 12,400), so I know to keep the pin weight way below that. I am thinking about something like THIS. I know nothing about 5th wheel hitches except that with my 6'4" box I probably need a sliding hitch, though I've never seen one in action. That is the extent of my knowledge. I've been towing travel trailers for years so I am not new to towing, but am totally uninformed about where to start as far as hitches go. I have read some of the threads but they tend to get more technical than I am ready for at this point. Any suggestions for my first baby steps in this direction?
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2014
    Megacabs have very limited payload. Figure 200-250 lbs for a slider hitch and you are down in the 1800-1900 range for pin weight. Take the GVWR of trailers that you are looking at and figure 20% will be pin. You will find that you are limited to smaller entry level 5th wheel trailers.

    So stay with a bumper pull!

    Chris
  • Major_Dad's avatar
    Major_Dad
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Me Again wrote:
    Megacabs have very limited payload. Figure 200-250 lbs for a slider hitch and you are down in the 1800-1900 range for pin weight. Take the GVWR of trailers that you are looking at and figure 20% will be pin. You will find that you are limited to smaller entry level 5th wheel trailers.

    So stay with a bumper pull!

    Chris

    The pin weight for the Open Range Light I am looking at is 1265 lbs (see link in original post). The gross weight is 9520 lbs. As far as size, we don't want a huge trailer, just something not too far north of 30'...just big enough for a couple empty nesters with a couple dogs. I have looked at Open Range products, and they don't seem entry level to me. I do not have my heart set on a 5th wheel at all, but I do like some of the features in this trailer. I really like the OR Roamer travel trailers as well. I am just examining options at this point.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2014
    A Mega-Cab that I looked at in 2010 (before I selected my long-bed Chevy) had a SHORTER than short-bed box on it. Something like 5'-8".

    That would make any fiver slightly problematic.
  • Major_Dad's avatar
    Major_Dad
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Allworth wrote:
    A Mega-Cab that I looked at in 2010 (before I selected my long-bed Chevy) had a SHORTER than short-bed box on it. Something like 5'-8".

    That would make any fiver slightly problematic.

    Mine is definitely 6'4". I am 6', and every time I need to get something out of the bed seems to be all the way against the cab; I have to climb in and get filthy. My feet are well inside the box when this happens.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    That 1265 dry pin weight will be more on a loaded trailer. Payload may be a real concern
  • avvidclif1's avatar
    avvidclif1
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Major Dad wrote:
    Allworth wrote:
    A Mega-Cab that I looked at in 2010 (before I selected my long-bed Chevy) had a SHORTER than short-bed box on it. Something like 5'-8".

    That would make any fiver slightly problematic.

    Mine is definitely 6'4". I am 6', and every time I need to get something out of the bed seems to be all the way against the cab; I have to climb in and get filthy. My feet are well inside the box when this happens.


    Measure it, don't guess. My Ford has a 6.5' box and I have a slider that I never use. Mostly because of the extended pin box on the trailer and the sculpted front end. I looked at the Open Range website and all they showed had the extended pin box and sculpted front end.

    My "guess" is you would be fine. If you go without a slider get in a parking lot and just see how much you angle you can back at w/o hitting the cab. Or better yet when you pick it up (if you haven't bought a hitch) get the dealer to let you try a regular hitch in the dealers lot and if you decide you need a slider you can buy at the time. You may pay more at the dealer but you will be getting what you need and not what you think you need.

    PS. I looked at the one you are thinking about and it's sculpted to the max. I doubt you would need a slider.
  • Major_Dad's avatar
    Major_Dad
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    That 1265 dry pin weight will be more on a loaded trailer. Payload may be a real concern

    That is another question...is that pin weight dry weight, or is it based on gross weight? The trailer's cargo capacity is about 2055 lbs, so do I take 20% of that and add it to the pin weight? If so that would be a pin weight of 1677 lbs, which SEEMS to be well under my 2140 payload.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2014
    Check your payload available after all the people, dogs, bicycles, tools, etc. are in the truck. What is left is for the hitch at around 250 pounds and the pin weight that will be at least 1900 pounds (20 percent of 9520). Just the fifth and hitch will eat all or almost all your available payload leaving nothing for those inside.


    If you opt for the megacab dually one ton (3500) you will likely be just fine. The later megacabs had the payload increased to about where it is with the crew cabs.
  • Major_Dad's avatar
    Major_Dad
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    avvidclif1 wrote:
    Major Dad wrote:
    Allworth wrote:
    A Mega-Cab that I looked at in 2010 (before I selected my long-bed Chevy) had a SHORTER than short-bed box on it. Something like 5'-8".

    That would make any fiver slightly problematic.

    Mine is definitely 6'4". I am 6', and every time I need to get something out of the bed seems to be all the way against the cab; I have to climb in and get filthy. My feet are well inside the box when this happens.


    Measure it, don't guess. My Ford has a 6.5' box and I have a slider that I never use. Mostly because of the extended pin box on the trailer and the sculpted front end. I looked at the Open Range website and all they showed had the extended pin box and sculpted front end.

    My "guess" is you would be fine. If you go without a slider get in a parking lot and just see how much you angle you can back at w/o hitting the cab. Or better yet when you pick it up (if you haven't bought a hitch) get the dealer to let you try a regular hitch in the dealers lot and if you decide you need a slider you can buy at the time. You may pay more at the dealer but you will be getting what you need and not what you think you need.
    Thanks...that makes a lot of sense.
  • Major_Dad's avatar
    Major_Dad
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    jmtandem wrote:
    Check your payload available after all the people, dogs, bicycles, tools, etc. are in the truck. What is left is for the hitch at around 250 pounds and the pin weight that will be at least 1900 pounds (20 percent of 9520). Just the fifth and hitch will eat all or almost all your available payload leaving nothing for those inside.

    The pin weight for the Open Range Light I am looking at is 1265 lbs. The gross weight of the trailer is 9520 lbs. Nothing in the truck except me, my wife, and dogs. The bed would necessarily be dedicated to the 5th wheel hitch, so nothing else would be hauled back there..

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