Towing 35+ footer

[MBarmer]

I think i've decided against a 5er due to only having a 2500. I think the payload is going to be too much.

That said, the wife and i have picked out three campers that we really like:
Jayco Jay Flight 33RBTS
Jayco Eagle 324BHTS
GD Reflection 308BHTS

all of these campers are around 1000 lb tongue wt. and 10-11K GVWR

the problem is they are all 36-37 ft long.

How are those going to pull behind a RAM 2500 CCSWB 4x4 6.7?

[APT]

A 5th wheel with 1500 pounds of dry pin weight will likely put him over GVWR/payload by 750-1000 pounds when loaded. As he said, all the other numbers would be fine. Many that do it increase the rear spring rate.

37' TT can pull just fine behind a 130" wheelbase 3/4 ton Excursion or Suburban. His 150"+ truck should be even better.

[ReneeG]

Agree with others on the FW. Our last TT was our longest and heaviest at 32' and 10k. Problems in towing with our F250 V10 short bed. The only way to stabilize it in towing was to have a Hensley Arrow hitch. Worked like a charm. When we got our FW, the HA was traded in for a TrailerSaver hitch.

[IdaD]

You'll get a better towing experience with a fifth wheel in a shorter overall package. Stay within your axle and tire ratings on that truck (6000/6500) and you'll have no issues and it's perfectly legal as long as you are properly registered with your state. Your truck is identical to a non-Aisin SRW 3500 other than the rear coils, and the axle rating is only 500 lbs lower than the 3500. The only reason the payload is so limited is the class 2 10k GVWR limit.

As far as I'm concerned once the travel trailer hits the length of the smaller fifth wheels (30-32' these days) you're better off in a fifth wheel.

[Jayco-noslide]

I'm always coming out against long trailers but for just too many reasons to go into. We had a 25 ft. 5th wheel and once traveled with friends with a 35 ft. 5th wheel and that experience reinforced my opinion but they wouldn't agree. I think about 30 ft. is a good length but even that can be too long in some campgrounds.

[Sandia_Man]

I don't see any issues with this combo if it's properly set-up. We are a few feet shy of 37' but our 3/4 ton tow vehicle does a solid job of toting our 10K# TT around the four corner states. No doubt tongue weight will and needs to be more than 1K# for optimum towing results. Just pick one of the better WD/SC hitches and once dialed in you should have a satisfactory towing experience.

For the exact same reason, our next rig we are going with a longer, higher-end TT as well. Those are some very nice TTs above, I like both Jaycos but the Grand Design's unit just appeals to me more. Today's TT floorplans are nearly identical with their 5er counterparts, and the plus is that a 3/4 ton TV can more readily handle their payloads. Enjoy your awesome new TT!!!

[Walaby]

I pull a 32Ft TT, 36ft tip to tip with my 2500 quad cab, 6ft bed. Not a problem in the world with the right WD hitch setup.

Granted, mine's a diesel, but I still think you'd be fine with the 6.4L gasser.

Mike

[jasoncw]

I also say 5'er, but the extra length isn't that big of a deal. You just need to allow yourself a bit more clearance around corners. FWIW, I have an Excursion and the Eagle 324BHTS (measures 37'2" tongue to bumper). I just drove from Detroit to Myrtle Beach and back with no issues.

[dodge_guy]

Well unless you are going to load up the trailer all the way to its GVWR using the GVWR is going to be on the heavy side. I always say to use the dry weight and add 1500 lbs to that. So the first trailer would be 8500lbs empty, add 1500 and your at 10k lbs loaded for a trip. So figure 12.5% for tongue weight and you have 1250lbs.

The Dodge will tow it with no problem with a good hitch such as the Reese Dual Cam.

FWIW my trailer is 7100 dry and has a GVWR of 11,200lbs! 4100lb CCC! Loaded for a trip I'm at 9200lbs. I pack heavy, but I could easily lose 300 lbs. my tongue weight is 1200lbs+/-.

I agree to go with a 5'er. There has never been one post of someone who was overweight that it ever happened to. As long as you stay under the axle ratings I would be OK with it!

[MBarmer]

if you go strictly by the numbers on a 5er, i'm over payload.

I'm still within all other specs. FGAWR, RGAWR, towing cap., tires, ets.

Its just the fact they rate it at a 10000 lb vehicle.

I'm the guy that hopes for the best and plans for the worst. I dont want something to happen where i'm in a situation (accident, fatality, etc) and Highway Patrol drags me to a scale and says i was "negligent" in towing and insurance doesnt cover, civil lawsuits, etc.

[Nicholsfamily05]

Wouldn't see a problem with that length and a 2500.
We used our past 2500 with only a 5.7 with a 34'. TT.
Towed great but we had the trailer with the V nose so it cut down a little on the wind resistance but I can't remember what WDH we used.

Why would you say the 5er is to heavy for your 2500?

[TomG2]

You might be better off with an F-150 according to the ads and advice on here. Just kidding, and I agree that a fifth wheel makes more sense if you want/need that much living space. I am an old guy who remembers when some mobile homes were only about forty feet long.

[APT]

Expect more like 1400 pounds of loaded TW for all of those options. With a properly sized and adjusted WDH with integrated sway control, I cannot imagine having any problems towing comfortably with that truck.

[MBarmer]

I pull a Jayco 28BHS now, which is about 31 ft long. Ive never had any issues even with the EZ Lift WD hitch.

Is there going to be that much difference for just 6-7 more feet and 3000 lbs?

I would upgrade WDH for sure.

Oh, and i do have jake brakes. Emissions still in tact though.

[Bob_Olallawa]

Buy a good hitch like a Reese Dual Cam or.... and enjoy the new trailer. I pull a 37ft trailer with no problems with my GM 2500 HD. I also think there will be closer to 1,400 lbs tongue weight when loaded for use.

[coolbreeze01]

I think you would be better off with a 5er.