Just curious as we are currently looking into buying a fifth wheel. Mainly because I'd like to eventually tow my 17' boat behind it. Anyway the question I have is: How closely do I need to be to my trucks rated tow weight? I've got a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab 4x4. The tow limit is 7400 lbs. w/20" wheels, which mine has. The weight limit for the same truck w/17" wheels is 8500 lbs. The 5th wheels dry weight is just shy of 7500 lbs. Should I start shopping for a different fifth? Or would this model be alright as long as I don't pull my boat? I figured if I can't pull the boat because of too much weight I'll eventually get a new 3/4 ton anyway. Thanks for any info.
get a heaver TV I have a 28ft 5er I pull with a F-150, 5.4, CC, 4x4. It pulls camper good but it won't stop as good as I would like. Not sufficient for hilly country. I am at the extreme limit of my CGVW so I don't even consider going to the mountains. Safety should be the uppermost concern here. I speak from experience here as I have just purchased a Chevy 2500 as my TV. With your 1500 you to will probable be ok to pull and stop the camper but not the camper and boat. If 7500lb is dry weight you must add the weight of all your things you carry in the camper. Look at the CGVWR for your truck then add the weight of the truck, camper, what you carry and the boat to see if you can pull it. IMHO you will be grossly overweight here. You take yours and everyone you meet's life in your hands when you tow overweight. Just MHO later Dewayne
ldl - Thanks for the reply. Yeah I didn't actually plan on towing the boat until I get a heavier truck. But that's the reason that we're getting a fifth so we'll be ready to tow a boat when I get the bigger truck.
Dump the 20" wheels, the 17's look better anyway. Forget the boat, make the wife leave the makeup and hair bag at home, and stay out of the mountains. Seriously, go sparingly loading the trailer, trying to not go over 8500 lbs. Stay out of the big hills where you can get into bad weather conditions like ice, snow, and high winds. You could add air bags or a set of helper springs to the rear end of your 1500 for some extra stability, but bottom line.... if you are wanting to add that boat, and be safer in general with your setup, look for that 3/4ton you mentioned.
Thanks for the replies guys. And RJF's Red Cummins, who said anything about the wife coming along? lol. But seriously, we don't plan on venturing much more than 100 maybe at the most 200 miles from home(Northeastern Lower Michigan) for a couple of years. And the boat won't be coming along behind the the 5er until I get the new 3/4 or one ton Ram. They're just introducing the new 2010 models at the Detroit autoshow this January. So in a few years I'll hopefully have a new heavy duty Ram, and my boat will be able to come along. But by then it'll be time for a new boat!lol. P.S. The airbags. What do they cost? Will they help all that much with the load? Thanks again guyswaytogo
No mountains "Dump the 20" wheels, the 17's look better anyway. Forget the boat, make the wife leave the makeup and hair bag at home, and stay out of the mountains." I second this emotion. As I stated my 150 will pull and stop ok on level to moderately rolling hills, but no mountains. waytogo My camper to the best of my memory weights approx 6700lb dry. I think about 7500 loaded, don't hold me to this. When I hook to my TV it only lowers the bed about 3". That surprised me at first. Just picked up my new to me 2006 Chevy 2500 D/A, 4x4, CC, SRW, SB last Wednesday and will install my hitch Saturday. Now I feel safe going to the mountains. DW and I have been wanting to go there since we got back into camping 3 yrs ago but were scared to try because of limitations of F-150 in stoping that much weight there. Don't know what the teraine is where you live but my advice, FWIW, is stick to the side of caution. Even with a 3/4 ton you still need to be sure you stay under the CGVWR if you add the boat to the mix. You would be fine as far as weight on the truck but the combined weight of the truck, 5wl and boat might go over the total weight you can pull, and safely stop, especially in mountainous or very hilly country. I am no expert and these are just my opinions and we all know about opinions. But this is what I go by. Thanks Dewayne
To my knowledge, Michigan is fairly flat, but has major ice/snow/wind issues. May be wrong though, been years since I was in Michigan.
