Fifth wheel trailer

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JohnHP

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I have a 2017 that I currently tow a 25' Keystone Passport GVW 7000 , thanking about a fifth wheel trailer @ GVW 8900 . what do you guys thank . not sure I want to add a fifth wheel unit to my bed .

John
 

McBroom

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I have a 2017 that I currently tow a 25' Keystone Passport GVW 7000 , thanking about a fifth wheel trailer @ GVW 8900 . what do you guys thank . not sure I want to add a fifth wheel unit to my bed .

John

I wouldn’t do do it. Takes up too damn much bed space and your Rebel was designed for off roading. It’s got a softer suspension than a standard 1500.
Stick with the bumper pull. You’ll thank yourself later.
JMHO


- The Blue Mule
 

crash68

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If your bed is the shorter 5.7' bed, you'll have to watch what fiver hitch you use as there will be clearance issues.
The major benefit to towing a fiver is the turning pivot point and the pin weight is on the rear axle. This greatly improved maneuverability and stability.
 

Elkman

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I doubt the frame of a 1500 pickup is strong enough for a 5th wheel hitch. The 2500 trucks have a much stronger frame and are designed for the addition of a 5th wheel hitch.

There is also the problem with the wheels and tires commonly used on 1500 class trucks when they have to support the 1500 lb or more load of a 5th wheel at the rear axle.

Download the Ram trailering guide for your model year and check its recommendations and warnings.
 
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crash68

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I doubt the frame of a 1500 pickup is strong enough for a 5th wheel hitch. The 2500 trucks have a much stronger frame and are designed for the addition of a 5th wheel hitch.

There is also the problem with the wheels and tires commonly used on 1500 class trucks when they have to support the 2000 lb or more load of a 5th wheel at the rear axle.
The make fivers just for 1/2 ton trucks, the pin weight is usually around or under 1500 lbs. If you can drag a TT behind the truck, the frame will easily handle a fiver hitch.
Pretty much all the Gen4 1500s have a rear GAWR of 3900 lbs, even with the GY SRA tires.
 

Elkman

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A GAWR of 3900 lbs is a meaningless number unless you weigh the truck itself. If the truck with the best empty weighs in at 2,000 lbs. then the load capacity is 1900 lbs. minus the 250 lb. weight of the receiver or about 1600 lbs. at best.

There is also the load capacity of the tires on the 1500 class trucks. With my 2500 truck the factory tires were rated at 3195@80 PSI or 7190 in total. I replaced them with tires rated at 3750@80P PSI to gain an additional 1100 lbs. of payload capacity.

Taking 1600 lbs. for the bed load capacity, and assuming the tires can each support 2000 lbs., then the loading 5th wheel would need to have an empty weight of 6000 lbs. or less. Go to any place selling 5th wheel trailers and see if you can find one that is less than 6,000 lbs. dry weight. They do not exist and for good reason as it would take a very dumb person to buy one.

It is far more sensible with a 1500 truck to go with a travel trailer where less load is placed on the truck's rear axle and wheels. If you want to tow a 5th wheel trailer then the smart thing to do is buy a 2500 class truck (excepting the Power Wagon) that has the stronger frame that is made for adding a 5th wheel receiver and has better brakes and great payload capacity right from the factory.

With a 1500 pickup the smart thing to do is either buy a travel trailer or a light pop-up slide in camper. With either choice the OP will be able to find a buyer when it comes time to sell it and move on to another RV.
 
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JohnHP

JohnHP

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Thank everyone I have decided NOT to go this way . do not want rails left in bed when I need to use it (lumber, trash runs , gravel ) . also the gain in size is not worth it . if I go to a fifth wheel I'll want even bigger .
 
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