Don't feel lonely, it's against the law to put a 180 tstat in these trucks too...found that out the hard way, lol!

 

I'm not sure where some posters on this thread get their information from because it is incorrect, missleading and dangerous.

Firstly, we're talking about a 29' 5th wheel here, with a tonge weight of about 1,300 pounds dry. That's too much for a half ton truck.

Secondly, 5th wheel trailers have much higher tonge weights than conventional trailers, not the opposite.

Thirdly, how in the world could one get the tonge weight of this rig down to 600 pounds by changing the load?


I know, because I've been in the same position as the guy who started this thread. I too had a 3/4 ton and traded it in on a half ton because I was told the trailer was "half ton towable". Turns out that's not the case (yes I put air bags in it as well). I was fortunate that I didn't loose too much when I returned the truck for a one ton.

I'm not saying you "can't tow that trailer with that truck, I'm just saying you shouldn't. I realize you are probably kind of stuck with that particular truck now for a while.

If anyone were to be thinkig of buying a half ton truck to tow a mid size or larger 5th wheel I would advise against it.

Mike

 

Dennis01, chances are great that you won't ever have to scale your truck. But if you are ever to go into BC and NWT Canada you may have too. Every now and then DOT sets up a check stop by the scales near the border and start checking people. I went thru one here in the NWT and there was a guy from Alberta pulling a camper and a boat. You can't do that here. The guy had a choice, leave the boat or the camper and continue on the 500kms to Yellowknife. No way, no how he was allowed to continue with both. They were also checking weight limits, brakes, lights etc.

Anyway, I think we are just making sure you are aware what can happen.

Good luck.

 

5th wheel trailers have their pin weight (what you called tongue weight) situated over the rear axle instead of hanging way out in back like a bumper pull (tagalong) trailer. It is expected that for any given trailer the pin weight of a 5th wheel setup is typically between 15-25% of the total trailer weight. I don't know what the exact pin weight capacity is for a RAM 1500 but it definitely is going to be higher than the rated max tongue weight for a bumper pull trailer.

Also, regarding another prior comment about axle capacities... When towing a 5th wheel trailer the pin weight is spread out much more evenly across both truck axles. If the pin weight were 1000 lbs and your truck started empty with 3000 lbs on front axle and 2500 lbs on rear axle it doesn't end up 100% of that pin weight (i.e. 3500 lbs total) on the rear axle.

Trailer towing can be complicated and dangerous if done poorly. It's right to learn everything you can about your tow vehicle, your trailer, and the dynamics of towing the specific situation you plan to tow (size, configuration, road conditions, etc.). Do more than read a few web forums because a lot of the info spread in them can be very misinformed.

Rob

 

Another problem is the max towing is for the "stock" truck. So if you add for example air bags on the back, or replace the coils with air bags or heavier duty coils, then you up the capisity of the truck. If you run load range e tires instead of load range c then your max towing goes up. This conservation can/will go on for a long time and everyone has their own right and wrong.

I have personally seen a 30' equpiment trailer with a bobcat and trackhoe being towed down the interstate by a S10.

And I know of big rigs that are overloaded on a regular basis, or a tow truck towing a truck is most of the time over loaded.

The bottom line is you have to feel safe in your truck and if you feel your truck is to squirmy then by a bigger truck.

 

This trailer is between 4500 and 5000 lbs pounds. Not sure of tongue weight. Pulls great. Stops great. Enough power to accelerate even on pretty steep inclines. NO AIR BAGS. In fact I had wished for a little more 'sag' to level trailer out a bit more.

 

Mike I agree many posts on here can be misleading. By the way how did you determine my tongue weight to be 1300 lbs. Are you assuming all 29' trailers weigh the same? Mine is a superlight, all aluminum const. and weighs 5700 lbs. dry, I know guys have 29' or smaller trailers that weigh 8-10000 lbs. so would that not affect tongue weight? I enjoy reading all the feedback on this thread since I started it, the advice and suggestions are always interesting. I find a lot of them don't read the whole post when replying, for example, I have said I only pull a few hundred kms. never in the mountains, I'm getting told I could lose my insurance, appear before a judge, get sued, pulled over by MOT etc. etc.

 

The rule of thumb for tongue weight for trailers is 10-15% of trailer weight when fully loaded. For 5th wheels, the pin weight is around 20%. These are considered the safe weights. Here is a link to Californias DMV towing recommendations. Other states are probably very similar.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt12.htm

Since you have a 5th wheel and stated on your opening post that you have about 7000 total weight, then the pin weight is around 1400 #s. That plus the stuff in the truck like passengers and gear put you over the limit.

 

Dennis, I assumed you have a 275RLS. (I may be wrong) They advertise a tonge weight of 1,240 lbs. Add to that 60 lbs of propane and you get 1,300 lbs.
Are you sure about the 5,700 lbs? Seems very light to me, or is that the weight over the axles.
My 28' Tango weighs 6,750 lbs dry but she's well over 8,000 lbs when I scale it. Food, beer, BBQ, camp stove, water etc. It all adds up.

The other misconception folks have is that accessories like air bags raise your vehicles tow or weight limits. They don't. It's clearly stated when you buy items like air bags.

Anyways, sounds like you are keeping things under control. Have a great summer.

Are you on the mainland or island?

Mike

 

Mike
There are scales about 5 miles from home, so next time I hook up I will weigh the unit. I do know that air bags don't change weight limits, but they sure help in handling.
I actually live in Southern Alberta (where men are men, and sheep are nervous) so hills are few and far between, that is why I have no problems pulling with the 1500, the biggest challenge pulling around here is wind. Last week on the Trans Canada many RV'S (and semis) were actually held up because of wind gusts around the 50+mph range.