All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Should I be worried about an RV that is too long? abednego wrote: LoneCowboy wrote: don't forget your class A license (not a CDL, but you do need more than the regular driver's license over 26,000lbs combined GVW) you can do it, lots of people do, every day, and most of them do fine. But when it goes wrong, it's going to go wrong in a big way. IMHO (and it's just my opinion) you need something like a 450/550 4500/5500 to tow something that size. Not for the go, but for the whoa and the control. I appreciate what you're saying here. I checked the Dodge site, and the 4500/5500 takes you to the commercial site, and then nothing shows up with a truck bed. Or am I missing something? i dunno, maybe for Dodge you have to geta custom bed?????? I know you can buy Ford's F450/550's that are just pickups. If you are in Denver go out to Christopher Dodge world (Colfax and I-70 on the west side more or less). They are an enormous volume dealer. They'll know or put in touch with the right people. (not a recommendation to buy, just to go look, if they don't have one, nobody in the area does)Re: Should I be worried about an RV that is too long? resmas wrote: LoneCowboy wrote: a 40' fifth wheel is certainly overweight for a 3500 1 ton. :h:h:h I am not sure what you are basing that statement on. There are TONS of 40' fivers that can be safely hauled by a 1-ton truck.... TONS! Even toy haulers - we tow a 43' toy hauler with a 1-ton Dodge dually. No Ok, I checked 2012 dodge's site. a 3500 (dually, they don't seem to come as SRW's in 3500 but I could have missed it) with 4.10 gears has a tow rating of 17,950lbs most (although you are correct, not all) 40' toy haulers have GVWR's in the 18,000lb and up range ( I looked around). So, even if you do find one that's under 17,950 you are literally right on the edge. non-toy haulers (regular 5th wheels) are worse. 40' Teton's, 24,000lbs GVW (my favorite) And I think we'll all agree that most 5th wheels on the road are overloaded. but even if you get it under the tow rating, you are right at the edge. You are talking about a 30,000lb vehicle with hydraulic brakes and crappy electric brakes (all electric brakes are crappy). and then you have to consider pin weight. The 3500 dually's appear to have a payload of 3000lbs. But that includes passengers and "stuff" in addition to pin weight. don't forget your class A license (not a CDL, but you do need more than the regular driver's license over 26,000lbs combined GVW) you can do it, lots of people do, every day, and most of them do fine. But when it goes wrong, it's going to go wrong in a big way. IMHO (and it's just my opinion) you need something like a 450/550 4500/5500 to tow something that size. Not for the go, but for the whoa and the control.Re: Should I be worried about an RV that is too long?a 40' fifth wheel is certainly overweight for a 3500 1 ton. but ignoring that for the moment. 5th wheels turn WAY better than TT's, it's effective length is really quite a bit shorter (between the overhang, etc) and you can truly jack knife it (on purpose) You have to watch your tail swing. You can clear your obstacle and then whack the other (blind) side with the tail swinging around. 5th wheels are TALL (also gives you lots of head room) I'm in Longmont (just north) and I've got a 45' motorhome and there have been only a few RV parks locally we haven't been able to get into. (and they clearly tell you that up front, we don't try). Make sure you tell the park people when making a reservation how big your rig is, they'll put you in the right spot. It takes a long time to clean a bigger rig. (both inside and out) but we love that king size bed.!!!!!!
GroupsRV Newbies We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Jul 30, 20244,030 Posts
RV Newbies We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Jul 30, 20244,030 Posts