5th Wheel - what can I tow?

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steveclv

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Hopefully there is someone with experience of 5th wheels out there :)

I have a 2005 Quad Cab with a Hemi and am looking to buy a 5th wheel to tow with.

As it's a shortbed I will need a sliding hitch but does anyone know what is the maximum weight that I can tow as a 5th Wheel? I'll choose something less than max, just need to know what max is.

Also what experience do others have with towing a 5er - good/bad?
 
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steveclv

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Ahh, it is a 1500 so maybe a travel trailer might be a better option
 

glass3222

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Never heard that one before

Look in just about any 1/2 ton owners manual and it will state that (not just dodge either)

I know of some trailer places that will not install 5th wheel hitch on any 1/2 ton as well.
 

txbass06

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The frames of most 1500's weren't designed to hold the added stress of a 5th wheel. There's not a single reputable trailer shop around here that would do the work. I've seen too many of them for sale around here with bent frames or fukked transmissions or rear ends to shake a stick at.
A decent sized trailer that's actually heavy enough to warrant a class IV hitch, would probably exceed the trucks payload rating anyways


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steveclv

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OK, you have convinced me :)

I'll see what sort of travel trailer I can get that's within the tow limits.
 

glass3222

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OK, you have convinced me :)

I'll see what sort of travel trailer I can get that's within the tow limits.

you will probably want to stay under 6000 lbs dry. Once you add water and all of the stuff you take with you, you will be about maxed out
 

rambob

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my dad had a 5th wheel hitch installed by a camper place in his 2nd gen 1500 5.2l excab.
he pulled around a decent size camper a few times a year. from LA to TN a few times.
he hasn't had any unusual problems with his truck.


I'm not saying it is recommended or not, b/c I don't know.
 

WhiteExpress

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My '00 had a 5th wheel hitch in it. The Gen II's had identical frames 1/2 to 1 ton...

The new trucks are obviously different (finally). I don't think rear coils lend themselves to a huge bed weight. I'd stick to a bumper pull. (Unfortunately)
 

Dan-P

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Towing a 5th wheel

Can a Dodge Ram 1500 , Hemi , axal 3,55 tow a 10,000. lbs 5th wheel?
 

Bigdaddy

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Stangshcky12

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8,550 properly equipped
Which means from the bumper with a weight distributing hitch not a fifth wheel
 
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