Towing 5th Wheel with Power Wagon

trivium91 · May 22, 2018

Hi Guys i have a 2018 power wagon and looking to tow a 5th Wheel. The specs say 950LB tongue weight and dry weight is 7300 LBS. I figure given the hitch would weigh 200 LBS and myself and wife (for now) puts us at 1450LBS payload on the truck which is close to max. If i had an extra person or two in the back this would put us over the payload. Could i not just install airbags in the back to help with this? its my understanding that everything on the Powerwagon is rated for the weight its just the suspension as a the limiting factor, so would airbags not help to fix this issue? Also im wondering if the ride height will cause any issues pulling a 5th?

MADDOG · May 22, 2018

Airbags do not add to carrying/payload capacity. They just level out the truck.

Also, remember that adding anything to the trailer (propane, generator, clothes, food, pots, pans, dishes, blankets, etc....) adds to the loaded weight of the trailer and also increases pin weight.

If the pin weight you quoted is based on an empty trailer then even adding the basic supplies to it could have you over the truck's rated payload.

Kev12 · May 22, 2018

Airbags would be helpful with the squat the power wagon will probably have. I bought a 5th wheel for my 2500 with a dry pin weight of 1465lbs. The pin weight loaded is over 1800lbs, and that’s lightly loaded. I’m over payload by 300-400lbs but well under axle and tire ratings.

NewBlackDak · May 22, 2018

The weight police on here won’t like this…
A power wagon is a 2500 with soft springs. I wouldn’t feel bad at all about putting in air bags, and acting like it has the same 10001lb GVWR as the rest of the 2500s

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Kev12 · May 22, 2018

Unless you have the 5.7 and get the 9,000lb GVWR sticker like me, still can’t figure that one out...

NewBlackDak said:
The weight police on here won’t like this…
A power wagon is a 2500 with soft springs. I wouldn’t feel bad at all about putting in air bags, and acting like it has the same 10001lb GVWR as the rest of the 2500s

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NewBlackDak · May 22, 2018

Kev12 said:
Unless you have the 5.7 and get the 9,000lb GVWR sticker like me, still can’t figure that one out...

It’s all about upsell.

The PW gets an even more pathetic 8510.

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trivium91 · May 23, 2018

NewBlackDak said:
It’s all about upsell.

The PW gets an even more pathetic 8510.

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Yeah it has the 6.4 and the axles are rated for the weight from what i see its only the suspension which is not.

Bock · May 23, 2018

Yes, you will be over weight on paper, The PW has softer and taller springs then a norm 2500 but that is one part why the PW has a great ride to it. Air bags will raise your back-end up and adding couple of passage in the back seat will not hurt. Your axles and brakes can handle the weight. The problems I see are (1) your tires (2) the height of the bed and side walls. Make sure the 5th wheel that you are looking at can accommodate your bed height. This is why I when with a pull behind TH.

trivium91 · May 24, 2018

Bock said:
Yes, you will be over weight on paper, The PW has softer and taller springs then a norm 2500 but that is one part why the PW has a great ride to it. Air bags will raise your back-end up and adding couple of passage in the back seat will not hurt. Your axles and brakes can handle the weight. The problems I see are (1) your tires (2) the height of the bed and side walls. Make sure the 5th wheel that you are looking at can accommodate your bed height. This is why I when with a pull behind TH.

has anyone tried to pull a 5th with their power wagon?

trivium91 · May 24, 2018

Kev12 said:
Airbags would be helpful with the squat the power wagon will probably have. I bought a 5th wheel for my 2500 with a dry pin weight of 1465lbs. The pin weight loaded is over 1800lbs, and that’s lightly loaded. I’m over payload by 300-400lbs but well under axle and tire ratings.

sorry is this for a 2500 power wagon? Also wouldn't you be much over since you did not account for passengers?

Kev12 · May 24, 2018

Sorry, should have clarified that better, I have a 2500 SLT. My point was that the pin weight will be at least 300-400 lbs more than the advertised dry weight.(probably more than that, we pack light). I would figure at least 1250-1350lbs for pin weight. To save a few pounds in the bed, you could have an andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch installed, they only weigh 40lbs. The pin weight and hitch will put you right at payload max i would assume. With that being said, you can throw some airbags on the rear and should be fine on axle ratings. Like I said, I'm over payload but my 2500 has no issue towing or stopping our 5er.

Kev12 · May 24, 2018

Just saw a post on a forum that said he had a 7,000lb 5th wheel with a pin weight of 1420lbs... Just to give you an idea of what your true pin weight likely will be

BlkZrx · May 24, 2018

Kev12 said:
Just saw a post on a forum that said he had a 7,000lb 5th wheel with a pin weight of 1420lbs... Just to give you an idea of what your true pin weight likely will be

Likely true. 5'vers average 20% pin weight over the hitch.

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trivium91 · May 24, 2018

BlkZrx said:
Likely true. 5'vers average 20% pin weight over the hitch.

Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

right so maybe its a bad idea than since i will be heavily overloaded. It would be nice to haul the quad in the back and a trailer anyways. Still need airbags for that but at least i have more control over the pin weight and most trailer are about 10% of the overall weight as the pin weight.

Bock · May 25, 2018

trivium91 said:
has anyone tried to pull a 5th with their power wagon?

Not that I know of, but I am sure there is someone doing it. LOL

Bock · May 25, 2018

trivium91 said:
right so maybe its a bad idea than since i will be heavily overloaded. It would be nice to haul the quad in the back and a trailer anyways. Still need airbags for that but at least i have more control over the pin weight and most trailer are about 10% of the overall weight as the pin weight.

I think installing airbags would be nice on a PW, Make sure you use Daystar Airbag Cradle with your bags. The PW is a very capable truck.

McBroom · May 25, 2018

Kev12 said:
Unless you have the 5.7 and get the 9,000lb GVWR sticker like me, still can’t figure that one out...

Power Wagon with a 5.7???
I ain’t never...

I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 6.4L. USMC (ret)

trivium91 · May 25, 2018

Alright so think i decided to just get a trailer, i will likely be doing airbags anyways. Thanks the help guys.

loveracing1988 · May 26, 2018

Bock said:
I think installing airbags would be nice on a PW, Make sure you use Daystar Airbag Cradle with your bags. The PW is a very capable truck.

This, make sure you use these otherwise your power wagon becomes useless for what it was designed for and won't be able to flex anymore.

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pugfug · May 28, 2018

The lowered ratings for towing and payload are why we skipped the 5th wheel idea and went with a travel trailer instead. Our Power Wagon tows this one like a dream...

Towing 5th Wheel with Power Wagon

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