5th wheel camper question...
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
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From: Aurora, Iliinois
5th wheel camper question...
I have a 2000 F250 Superduty XLT Supercab 4x4 with the 7.3 PSD
My question is this : I have 315-75-16 tires, and a 4" Superlifts suspension lift... Can I haul a Fifth-wheel camper? I have a buddy with the same truck only slightly smaller tires and he is INSISTING that the tires and lift I have will not be an issue with hauling a fifth-wheel camper...
Can anyone else shed a little light on this for me with FACTS?
Thanks ! ! !
Scott
My question is this : I have 315-75-16 tires, and a 4" Superlifts suspension lift... Can I haul a Fifth-wheel camper? I have a buddy with the same truck only slightly smaller tires and he is INSISTING that the tires and lift I have will not be an issue with hauling a fifth-wheel camper...
Can anyone else shed a little light on this for me with FACTS?
Thanks ! ! !
Scott
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Joined: Apr 2005
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If the tires are load range E, the only problem that I can fore see would be bed rail to trailer overhead clearance (tires and lift). Most people try for at least 6" of clearance (this allows truck and trailer movement while entering/exiting driveways and driving on uneven ground).
Depending on the trailer, you maybe alright, or you may have to raise the trailer, so that it is level while towing with the need clearance on the bed rails.
Depending on the weight of the trailer, your tire/gear combination may be too tall.
Depending on the trailer, you maybe alright, or you may have to raise the trailer, so that it is level while towing with the need clearance on the bed rails.
Depending on the weight of the trailer, your tire/gear combination may be too tall.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
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From: Aurora, Iliinois
I was planning on going with a 26' fifth wheel trailer...it doesn't seem too heavy and I'll find out specs on it tomorrow...
I still have the factory gears...but the trailer will be used mostly for driving on level ground, as it'll only really be used to go to Oshkosh, WI for the airshow once a year, and a few times a year at the Sportsman's Club about 25 miles from my house.
Any ideas on the load restrictions on my truck? I have a Bullydog Power Pup programmer, K&N intake, and 4" turbo back exhaust...
Thanks !
Scott
I still have the factory gears...but the trailer will be used mostly for driving on level ground, as it'll only really be used to go to Oshkosh, WI for the airshow once a year, and a few times a year at the Sportsman's Club about 25 miles from my house.
Any ideas on the load restrictions on my truck? I have a Bullydog Power Pup programmer, K&N intake, and 4" turbo back exhaust...
Thanks !
Scott
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
You should have no problem pulling the load, but with the lift kit and the tires you may have problems hooking up to the load.
You don't see a lot of lifted trucks pulling 5vers. Most are stock height.
Your truck is rated for a maximum of 20,000 GCWR. Per the Owner's manual Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting the GVW from the GCWR.
You don't see a lot of lifted trucks pulling 5vers. Most are stock height.
Your truck is rated for a maximum of 20,000 GCWR. Per the Owner's manual Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting the GVW from the GCWR.
Last edited by redford; Aug 7, 2007 at 07:59 AM.
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From: Amsterdam, NY
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Take a look at the fiver...
On some 5th wheels and trailers you can change the axel connection to gain a few inches in height. Also, most 5th wheels have an adjustment at the hitch that might provide a solution.
A 26 footer should be no problem weight wise, but I would add the caution that the center of gravity will be higher and must be considered.
Also, I wouldn't want to make a blanket assumption that I will always be on lever ground. You could do a lot of damage if you underestimate a rise going into a campground, service station, or parking lot and screw things up pretty good.
Good luck.
Chuck
A 26 footer should be no problem weight wise, but I would add the caution that the center of gravity will be higher and must be considered.
Also, I wouldn't want to make a blanket assumption that I will always be on lever ground. You could do a lot of damage if you underestimate a rise going into a campground, service station, or parking lot and screw things up pretty good.
Good luck.
Chuck
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
Sounds like your bedrail to trailer is about what a F350 (new) would be, so I'd say you are okay.
Best way to tell before you spend a dime is to take truck to local RV dealer and slide that sucker under a trailer. You can guessimate where the hitch will be....or at least the dealer will. If he wants to make a sale, there shouldn't be a problem.
Best way to tell before you spend a dime is to take truck to local RV dealer and slide that sucker under a trailer. You can guessimate where the hitch will be....or at least the dealer will. If he wants to make a sale, there shouldn't be a problem.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
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From: Aurora, Iliinois
Someone from the RV forum told me anything over 55" of bedrail height might cause me problems... I measured my bedrails and they are 59" at their highest point. My question is this : I had 2 yards of mulch in the back of my truck a couple weeks ago and she squatted about 4"... Ya think the 55" he mentioned is pre-loaded weight? or if she needs to be 55" when loaded down?
I'm sure I sound like an idiot...but hey...I'm new!
Scott
I'm sure I sound like an idiot...but hey...I'm new!
Scott
More Turbo
Joined: May 2006
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From: Plano Texas
I'm about to put 315's 3.5 lift as well. The trailer dealer told me if I have a problem they flop the springs in the back so it would ride higher in the back so the bumper wouldn't bottom out. From other people they say I shouldn't have any problem.
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With that height, your 5th wheel will most likely ride nose high. This puts more weight on the rear tires of the 5th wheel and leads to overheating and pre-mature tire failure, which usually results in damage to the side of the camper. I learned the hard way. Been there, done that.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 603
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From: Plano Texas
From what they told me if you flop the springs over it will level it out. Your nose wont ride high. I'm just saying what the dealer told me they have done to several trailers that are towed with lifted trucks.
New User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Central Cal
My 2004 F250 has a 6" with 305/70/16's on it and i tow a 35' 5th Wheel Toybox. It was necessary to flip the axles on the trailer so that it towed level... i was overloading the rear axle on the trailer and having tire problems. But other than that the trailer tows great. my gears are 3.73's
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
The dealer is the last place I would get advice from, especially if the sale of the trailer hinges on the advice they give you. They will lie to make the sale.
Cobra40GT, the bed rail height is critical. The truck will squat when you hitch the trailer, but the trailer will follow. There are 2 important things to be watching here.
First, bed rail clearance. That is the distance from the trailer to your bed rails. If you don't have enough, the truck and trailer will come in contact when you traverse uneven ground, like a parking lot entrance or a dip in the road (especially in the South West).
Second, as mentioned above, the trailer has to sit level when loaded. Nose down will put too much weight on the front axle, nose high will put too much weight on the rear axle.
Cobra40GT, the bed rail height is critical. The truck will squat when you hitch the trailer, but the trailer will follow. There are 2 important things to be watching here.
First, bed rail clearance. That is the distance from the trailer to your bed rails. If you don't have enough, the truck and trailer will come in contact when you traverse uneven ground, like a parking lot entrance or a dip in the road (especially in the South West).
Second, as mentioned above, the trailer has to sit level when loaded. Nose down will put too much weight on the front axle, nose high will put too much weight on the rear axle.