I know the post is a year old,, just wondered how the fifth wheel towing is going??

I have bought a 4500# dry small fifth wheel to try an pull with our 2000 goat. 5.9 4x4.

Will see what happens

 

Your 2000 is a vey different from a 4th gen. Your 5.9 is gutless compared to the Hemi. I had a 1990 Dodge D350 with 4.10 gear years back. This 1500 pulls MUCH better then that truck hands down. You'll pull 4500lbs ok. What gear ratio is in your 4x4?

 

I got the 4.10 gears ,, thats a plus I hope?

I might go back to the 265/70/17 tires too? I have 275/17's on it now

 

4.10 is a plus. You'll pull it just fine. Nothing like a 4th gen but you'll be ok.

 

What about 355 gears? I overloaded the back with bags of cement a while back it sagged a bit more than I would have preferred but I didn't realize I was overloading it. Anyway other than the sag it had power as if I had nothing in it that is making me wonder if I would be okay with a trailer? Or should I throw in some 356's since I am using the 20 wheels in summer when I would tow the trailer and well 17's in the winter on steel rims. My concern that nobody talks about is can the OEM tires handle and trailer and what about the 20 chrome clad alloys? Sorry to hijack but similar info.

 

3.55 gears are not rated to tow as much as 4.10s Without a chart maybe 1000lbs less. 3.92 to 4.10 are the preffered towing gears.

 

Totally disagree. If you are driving the truck, it's your responsibility to be safe not someone elses. That's the problem with society these days, always want to blame someone else. I applaud the one who started this thread for wanting to get educated on this issue.

 

go back to the 265/70/17 tires too? I have 275/17's on it now

 

I am installing my 5th wheel hitch in a couple weeks, my trailer weight is similar to yours. I have already installed the firestone coil bags after the first time I put my quad in the truck (2010 QC TRX) and having major sag in the rear, the quad weighs 600lbs. The coil bags made a huge difference, so if your hitch weight is 1000lbs. in my opinion your gonna need some suspension help. By the way this is my second set from Firestone for this truck, the ones installed last fall like many others didn't survive the cold Canadian winter, Firestone had no problem sending me a new set on warranty, and even admitted they are working on new material which will hopefully withstand the cold.

 

Do yourself a favor after hooking up your rig, drive without any air in the bags. If you can tow safely at the speeds and over the terrain you intend to drive on, then you'll be OK in case the bags fail during your trip. I do not trust the bags after having numerous leaks.