Hi guys,

Have a question for you all. I have a 2005 1500 4x4 SLT Hemi, the short box. Looking to pull a 25' fifth wheel, thoughts? Its a 2006 Vanguard VW248SL. GVWR of the fifth wheel is about 7000 lbs. Looking at using a slider hitch in the back.

Truck has the tow package I believe, trailer brakes. Thoughts, think its too much?

This would be a tow here or there not very often.

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...am-limits.html

 

Do-able. I pull a tractor, box blade and trailer combo that's a little bit heavier than that with no real problem. I only do it about 3-4 times a year and it's all back country roads and never over 20 miles one way. I'd not like to do it for any real distance though.

You may find you need air bags which would be a small investment and brake controller, but on a "once in a while" basis, you should be fine other than the fact that gas mileage is gunna suck, big time. If you have 3.55 gears then a re-gear to at least 4.10s wouldn't be a bad idea either...

 

Me and my Bud have both 07 and 08 4x4 Rams 1500 QC Short box. We do alot of camping on weekends and travel about 3 to 4 hours on go about 300 to 450 kms average. That's on the way there the go and back is double time and mileage. We have both 3.55 and are stock from one end to the other. Except me i have CAI since may and my Bud had to add a leaf spring on the back because of the weight of his 7000pds 25 ft fifth wheel. I own a 24 ft 4500pnds TT. Except that we average 12 MPG and often on kickdown, the truck is a charm. I'm looking to SC and exhaust and 4.10 gears for that matter. If it can help you, we often pass Fords and Chev climbing hills with noooo problems even with our 3.55. Hemi is definitely the way to go for towing. 100 km/h no wind the engine rev at 1800 rpm. Go ahead they are ok.

 

My truck comes with 3.92 rear end. I am looking to do it maybe 2-3 times a year 2-400 KM one way camping trips.

 

I would def reccomend airbags for the rear. They are $200 and are pretty easy to install. I did mine on my back in my driveway in about 40min with basic tools. Eliminate any squish in the back and your truck will handle MUCH better with all that weight on it especially due to the length of the trailer. Everytime you hit a bump and that back end squishes, the front end gets raised up. Bags will prevent that.
Dont do add-a-leafs as they are harder to install IMO and are a terrible ride.

 

I triple agree, a leaf will get harder ride that's why i did not got some on my truck. But best is by far air balloons also can see helper leaf but the air balloons are the choice number one far in front.

 

For that among of trips, stay stock with 3.92. So few trips wo'nt pay back investment of upgrading gears. Well that's my taught. I'm still learning here. But you will have bit less kick down that i have. Go ahead and enjoy your trips.

 

Dad put bags on his 09 Duramax and said the same thing, was a couple hundred bucks and took about an hour.

I'll probably do the same thing then. Just still wondering about Rear Axel Rating now though. I think its 3900 pounds, catch is the payload on these truck I think is about 1300 pounds. If the pin weight on the Fifth is about 1100, thats only 200 spare. Then you have to add the weight of the driver, passenger, dog and any gear in the truck.

 

Yeah, payload is crap. Your right on with the numbers. Ohh, and don't forget about the weight of the hitch. those things gotta be 100lbs??

On a side note, I've put almost 2k in my bed with my airbags. If your not traveling across country and are on the borderline of max weight. i don't think it will be a problem.

Also Hammer, your FAQ for towing weight #'s are for 17" wheels and/or 2wd's no? I know right away that 20" wheels reduce towing capacity by 1,000 lbs. I checked my towing and it wasn't 9k due to my 20's I thought? I'll check again and repost.


* just found this.