4x4 problems with pulling 5vr??
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New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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4x4 problems with pulling 5vr??
Brand new to the forum....lots of info here....getting information overload
one questions....
has anyone heard that I should not pull a 5th wheel with a 4x4.... have heard numerous comments from some older folks...they hear of problems with pulling with 4x4's, but of course car salesmen and 5vr salesmen say no problem...
just heard one can get into a bind using 4x4 due to it being 3 inches higher
does anyone know of any situation that you could get into with a 4x4 and not with a 2 wheel drive
comments
one questions....
has anyone heard that I should not pull a 5th wheel with a 4x4.... have heard numerous comments from some older folks...they hear of problems with pulling with 4x4's, but of course car salesmen and 5vr salesmen say no problem...
just heard one can get into a bind using 4x4 due to it being 3 inches higher
does anyone know of any situation that you could get into with a 4x4 and not with a 2 wheel drive
comments
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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I just got rid of a Ram 3500 2wd and got an F350 4x4. At the tailgate, the F350 is 3 inches higher. I pull a 34' Nuwa Hitchiker fiver. I haven't towed with the fiver yet (no hitch), but I set the old hitch in the Ford and dropped the trailer on it to check the heights.
The trailer will ride three inches higher at the front. Using a level on the floor, the difference is less than 1/4 bubble off level with the Ford where the trailer was dead-on level with the Dodge.
There was no difference in the bed rails to fiver clearance.
I'm getting a Reese 18K Signature Series hitch installed Thursday, so after next weekend, maybe I'll have a better idea of any problems I can expect.
The trailer will ride three inches higher at the front. Using a level on the floor, the difference is less than 1/4 bubble off level with the Ford where the trailer was dead-on level with the Dodge.
There was no difference in the bed rails to fiver clearance.
I'm getting a Reese 18K Signature Series hitch installed Thursday, so after next weekend, maybe I'll have a better idea of any problems I can expect.
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thanks for reply....sure would like to hear back from you after you pull for a few hundred miles....I have not purchased the 5th wheel (also looking at the hitchhiker, along with 5 other brands)nor the truck yet....but have been looking and reading lots... leaning towards the Ford F 350, Crew cab, single rear wheels..long bed....but am really up in the air about the 4x4....it would be good to have while driving the beaches here in south Texas....it was a no brainer until my brother in law says something about occasional problems with them.....and of course my wife thinks her bro is always right.... the dually would be more stable...but I just dont like the looks, and since I no longer full time, (used to be one of those motor home guys) we will use the truck about 6 months out of the year not pulling anything.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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i tow a 5ver with my f-250 4x4, no probs on my end. i love the 4wd when around rocky camp sites, getting good traction to get out with the 11,000# 5ver. Only thing to know is that the 5ver will sit approx. 3-4 inches higher than a 2wd and the extra weight of the 4x4 knocks off about 400-500#s of GVWR depending on truck. ENJOY THE CAMPING LIFE!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> but am really up in the air about the 4x4
Many times (I pull loaded trailers off road, not 5th wheels) being in 4x4 low will keep you out of a stuck. Such as starting up a slippery surface of wet grass or mud. I find moving the vehicle around at slow speeds off road in 4x4 low puts a lot less strain on the transmission too. Just stay off the gas pedal when making a lock to lock turn.
Many times (I pull loaded trailers off road, not 5th wheels) being in 4x4 low will keep you out of a stuck. Such as starting up a slippery surface of wet grass or mud. I find moving the vehicle around at slow speeds off road in 4x4 low puts a lot less strain on the transmission too. Just stay off the gas pedal when making a lock to lock turn.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by aurgathor
Towing or otherwise, you should only use 4WD when there is insufficient traction in 2WD mode -- wet grass, snow, sand, mud, loose gravel, etc.
Originally Posted by towandcamp
the extra weight of the 4x4 knocks off about 400-500#s of GVWR depending on truck.
Last edited by benwantland; Jul 22, 2006 at 07:06 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
No problem towing 10,000# 30 foot with F-350 4X4, short box. The trailer sits level when hooked up. This varies with the make of trailer depending on how low or high they sit. The hitch unit on my trailer is adjustable by moving 4 bolts.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Columbia, MO
bardave, you should be able to get your dealer to change the F-350 blocks on the rear axle (4 in hi) for the ones on the F-250 (2 in high). Also some of the 5ers have adjustable spring mounting points so that you can raise or lower your 5-W. I have the ESOF 4 wheel drive option. Its nice but, I wish that I had the manual shift. (this way I could use 4wd low but not lock the front hubs) I sometimes use 4wd when I have to back up a steep slope. (less stress to the auto tranny)
Last edited by bocomojoe; Jul 23, 2006 at 02:10 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
The main thing is to get the trailer to ride level. Once that is done you will be fine. For me that meant adjusting the suspention of the trailer all the way down to raise the rear end, adjusting the pin box all the way up and adjusting the hitch all the way down so that the trailer would then ride level. I wore out a set of rear trailer tires because they were carrying too much weight.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: N. Georgia
Originally Posted by bocomojoe
...I have the ESOF 4 wheel drive option. Its nice but, I wish that I had the manual shift. (this way I could use 4wd low but not lock the front hubs) I sometimes use 4wd when I have to back up a steep slope. (less stress to the auto tranny)
Joe
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I pull a GCVW 15.2K enclosed trailer
And I haul cars for a living now...pulling a 50ft 5th wheel for a customer 200mi delivery run.
I still own my Chevy 3500 2wd Crewcab dually. I just purchased my PSD 12/26....and I don't know how I towed with my other truck for so long. *sheepish grin* I will NEVER go back!!!
I have also gotten stuck in the grass with my old Chevy 2wd truck with trailer hooked up to where I had to have people come hook up to my trailer and move it. They of course had 4wd.....I even have pics of my Chevy stuck in my driveway in deep snow.
And I haul cars for a living now...pulling a 50ft 5th wheel for a customer 200mi delivery run.
I still own my Chevy 3500 2wd Crewcab dually. I just purchased my PSD 12/26....and I don't know how I towed with my other truck for so long. *sheepish grin* I will NEVER go back!!!
I have also gotten stuck in the grass with my old Chevy 2wd truck with trailer hooked up to where I had to have people come hook up to my trailer and move it. They of course had 4wd.....I even have pics of my Chevy stuck in my driveway in deep snow.