One time tow???

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Mar 22, 2004 | 03:39 PM

rnpollard

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From: Ft. Benning, GA

One time tow???

First time on the forum and I'm learning a lot.

I own a 01 SuperCrew 4x4, 5.4.

I am going to be moving from Central Virginia to South Georgia and I am going to live in an RV for a while. I found a good deal on a 5th wheel here in VA and am wondering if I can safely pull it to GA.

It weighs 8K empty. As far as I can tell that exceeds my trucks max by a couple of hundred pounds. If I take it easy can I do a one time tow?

I don't want to pass on an awesome RV but I really don't want to hurt my truck.

Thanks!!!

Rick

Mar 22, 2004 | 05:19 PM

AJ Goss

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From: Las Vegas, NV

If you're only exceeding the GCWR by a few hundred pounds, you'll be fine. Make sure that you have brakes working on the trailer, and make really sure that you have a tranny cooler. Your tranny will be the first to go if you don't, especially towing that much weight.

Mar 22, 2004 | 05:57 PM

johnsdiesel

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From: Denton,TX

The key point in what you said is that it weighs 8K EMPTY. At least 20% of that is going to be pin weight, which would be about 1600 lbs of the empty weight. Once loaded, and let's face it, if you're moving with it and going to be living in it you'll have it loaded to the max, you can easily add several thousand lbs to that. I'm willing to bet that the empty pin weight puts your truck above the GVWR for a SuperCrew. This combination will be very unstable going down the road and will put a major strain on your drivetrain. I would not recommend buying the 5er. Most fifth wheels are not designed to be towed with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck, and many of the 3/4 ton trucks towing them are way overloaded as well. You would be much better off to buy a travel trailer that will tow from a ball hitch. With 10% of the weight on the hitch, you can buy the same amount of trailer without putting as much strain on your truck (and the drivers around you).

Mar 22, 2004 | 08:35 PM

SoCalDesertRider

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Besides the wieght issue, which is significant, the other problem with the SuperCrew is that the bed is so short on those trucks that you will have a hard time turning with a fifth wheel witout hitting the back of the cab. You need some space between the back of the cab and the rear axle to manuever the trailer. The fifth wheel hitch cannot be mounted behind the rear axle iether.

You would be best off with a 3/4 ton or one ton longbed truck for pulling a fifth wheel.

Johnsdiesel gave you good advise about buying a bumper pull trailer instead of the 5th wheeler. Get a good class III/IV reciever hitch, a weight distributing hitch system, sway control, electric brake control setup, and keep the weight below what the truck is rated for, you should have no problems.

Mar 22, 2004 | 09:04 PM

johnsdiesel

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From: Denton,TX

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCalDesertRider
and keep the weight below what the truck is rated for, you should have no problems.

And be sure to calculate what it will weight fully loaded, not the dry weight.

Mar 22, 2004 | 09:27 PM

rnpollard

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From: Ft. Benning, GA

Thanks for the advice.

I guess I knew the answer before I asked. I've figured that the max towing would be around 7800 lbs. I will try to keep the "dry" unit weight down to about 6000 or so.

Thanks for the sound advice.

Rick