I have an 06 2500 SRW long bed cummins with 6 speed and 411 rear end. I am looking at a fifth wheel thnat weighs around 11000 lbs so they say, prolly around 15000 loaded up with toys, and 2500 or so on the hitch. I know it is rated to tow 13,500. I should have got a one ton dually, but we were planning on a smaller trailer. I will mainly be around Texas, small hills here and here. With the added air bags, would this be safe? THANKS

 

Man, thats pushing it!

 

This topic has been hashed over several times and always generates a good debate. Here's my take on your situation. I had the same truck you have. It towed my old 8,000# fifth wheel great. Then we decided to upgrade to a newer and heavier 5th wheel.

I tried to convince myself that the 2500 would tow it safely even though the numbers were not in my favor. But I can tell you this. Once I hitched up the new 5th wheel to my truck and took off, I felt like the rv was overpowering my truck. It just weighed too much...it didn't feel safe.

I have seen similar rigs going down the highway and thought to myself, "They're doing it. Why shouldn't I?" Or better put, they're being unsafe. Why should I let it bother me? But it did bother me. It just didn't feel safe.

As much as I hated to, I sold my 1 year old 2500 and got a 3500 Dually. Now I have peace of mind. Was it worth it? You bet! There' nothing worst than being on vacation and worrying about things that could go wrong, hoping they don't happen.

You just have to go with your gut feeling. Just the fact that you ask for opinions here tells me you are doubting the safety of your proposed rig.

I would go for a smaller, lighter rv or get a bigger truck. That's just me. I'm sure others will disagree.

Good luck with your decision.

 

We Had a 2000 Silverado 8,600 lb towing cap, and towed a 2002 Cougar 245efs weighed 8,040 lbs. loaded. Pulled awsome. Then we bought a 2004 Ram 2500 5.7ltr Hemi. 8,800 TC. Towed even better. We decided to get a 2006 Cougar 278efs it was supposed to weigh 6,400 dry with 2,000 lb Carrying Cap. well we picked it up and it weighed 7,000 even Dry. Loaded it up and it weighed 8,800 lbs witch was our towing cap for the dodge. Didn't quite tow as nice and didn't feel safe. So we just traded the Dodge for a 2004 Dodge 3500. From personal experience I would not go over on your truck towing capacity. Better safe than sorry.
George

 

with air bags it still wouldnt be too safe. air bags still put strain on the axle. The cummins will pull it no doubt, but thats a hell of a camper to be pulling with a 2500

 

IMHO 15000 needs a 3500 dually

 

Anytime you overload any vehicle beyond its recommended capacity there's a liability issue . Suppose some idiot just pulls right out in front of him and you hit him . You've got problems . Suppose your insurance company says you were negligent and overloaded your truck , we're not paying ? If the other guy gets a sharp attorney you've got real problems . You endangered the public by operating an unsafe vehicle . It's not worth the risk .

 

Hmm can u tow it?

i dont doubt the cummins power to get that load moving at all, i doubt the trucks frame and suspension.. I would say yes, but not for too long a distance, or going too fast.. ID try it, for a trial short tow, if it seems ok then go for it if not, then id say dont risk it...

Tx

 

Think of it this way, There are exceptions, but Usually the towing is not the problem. The problem is stopping safely, If it feels like the trailer is pushing you when your stopping it is not safe.
George

 

I didn't know they released the 06's yet

Oh well, that doesn't matter, you are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY over weight if yo get that 5vr.
You need a 3500 Dually just to keep it close and within safety guidelines.
I'm not saying the truck won't pull it. But the truck isn't designed to tow it & stop it safely.
If you deside to go that way make sure you let me know when you are on the road and which way you are going so I can go in the oppisite direction

 

Looking at getting a SRW 3500 to tow a fifth wheel rated at GVWR 13740, dry weight of 9410lbs without options so most likely 10500 dry, pin weight of 2080lbs.

Don't really want to drive a DRW as a daily driver, so hoping this would work ok, getting close to payload limit of around 2980lbs on truck though once you add gas and driver plus passenger.

 

seems to me, and i am going to ask here because this thread seems to have the right people in it.....

Is it just me, or do these RVs seem to do something different than a gn flatbed with the same weight? people are always putting more weight on gn flatbeds and pulling with 2500s than a similarly weighted camper? Is it the top-heavy design of the camper that gives it an unstable feel?

justwonderingabouttrailersTrey

 

I think that you will make a good choice to get the 3500 ""SRW"". I bought the 3500 srw for towing my Snowbird (14,100 scaled) and have been totally satisfied. Was towing with a F250 PSD and had no problems towing, truck problems not related to towing. I plan on getting a slide in which was the reason for the 3500, else I would have opted for the 2500. Like the man said towings not the problem, its the stopping (safely).
As far as towing 5ers or flat beds there is not much difference. Fivers look top heavy but they are hollow and are not top heavy. They do have a large side sail effect but if the hitch weight is heavy enough and the tires are right minium effect will be felt. When going down the road I push semis the same way they push me as I go by. I have towed both for many years and the biggest difference I have noticed is the brick effect of the 5er. I have always had an exhaust brake and manual trans which helps with the braking.

 

First of all, a 15,000# trailer should not have 2500# on the pin. It should have more like 3750#. If you have only 2500# pin weight on 15,000# trailer, it's going to be lifting the *** of your truck off the ground, VERY DANGEROUS.

You might want to check out

http://eth.cdevco.net:8080/towlimits.php or my towing guide for estimates. 15,000# is pushing it if you ask me because of your tire limits.

 

I have grossed 33000 on a 2500,did it pull it alright,ya, did it feel good, NO. I switched to a 3500 and got rid of the tire sway but it is still a big load. Tires and rims are the problem with big loads. I'd try the one ton if I were you, you'll like it better in the long run.