Pulling a 5th wheel
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Good shocks are always good - wish I could afford them now. but pulling my 15K 5er with about 2K lbs on the hitch seems ok with only an overload spring on the truck. Mine is 34' long so I assume your 30' weights less. It drops the rear a little, but not below level. The dually rides really steady and I really don't think I "need" anything more. The shocks are original and have now 78K on them. But I may get air bags in the future anyway.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
I put on Firestone airbags and adjustable shocks...They made a world of difference in the way it handles a load (especially my 11.5' camper - man that thing puts about 5K of weight in the bed of the truck). My truck runs dead level when I put about 85 lbs. in the bags and turn them shocks up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
The Wildcat is a little over 8K UVW. I know the shocks on the truck have been replaced and I think they are Monroe's. I don't know the quality of them, seems like they are a soft ride. The front springs are starting to squeak pretty bad. Read about the spring isolators on here. Thanks for the replies above. What type of adjustable shocks would be good? What about the Bilsteins all the way around?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
The Wildcat is a little over 8K UVW. I know the shocks on the truck have been replaced and I think they are Monroe's. I don't know the quality of them, seems like they are a soft ride. The front springs are starting to squeak pretty bad. Read about the spring isolators on here. Thanks for the replies above. What type of adjustable shocks would be good? What about the Bilsteins all the way around?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
Cool, sounds like I need some stiffer shocks at the least. I don't drive that much, so a stiffer ride won't be a big deal. We do travel on some dirt roads out where we have our farm, but that's not a big deal. I guess the big decision is what shock to use. Rancho or Bilstein? I did order a Walker muffler to install to help out with egt's, although I don't think that is a problem. I do have the 6637 w/Pete's cover and the edge tuner that I run in tow mode when I'm towing. Somewhere down the road will be a dp, but I keep finding other things to do first.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
as for the GA: I had one on the previous 5th wheel and loved it. I too have th a B&W goose neck hitch in the bed and simply turning the ball over is much easier than dealing with rails and such. This was with a lighter trailer weighing in at less that 9K when loaded. Didn't bother me much with the hitch as the box on the trailer was pretty stout. Some trailers I see the box looks pretty flimsy and cheap, I wouldn't put a GA on those. My current trailer empty is 12Klbs or so, so fully loaded I don't want to know what it weighs. I pulled it home with the GA, Colibert brand, and it did just fine. My concern was with that much weight, I could see the GA folding up under and having the trailer come through the back window, so I bought the B&W 5th wheel companion to go with it. In summary, if the trailer is light and the box looks well built, then go for it. In the end it comes down to how you feel about it. I have seen the same GA on same size or larger trailers than mine, my trailer is 34'. But I didn't feel comfortable with it.
Definately get a 6.0 tran cooler or an additional cooler to put with it. I would recommend gauges as they are nice to watch through various terrain.
Definately get a 6.0 tran cooler or an additional cooler to put with it. I would recommend gauges as they are nice to watch through various terrain.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
I also have air bags, firestones. Makes a big difference in sway and stability. Not really needed but the improvement sure makes them worth it.
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Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
I had air shocks on my last f150. I loved them and swear by them. Adds another 500-1000lbs of carrying capacity for a cheap price. BUT, Dad and i noticed our trucks have the bottom shock mount u-bolted to the axle and that concerned me about doing it to my truck. The shocks are about $70 at Auto zone. Just a thought of a cheap capacity helper.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Garden Grove, Ca
00Dave, If you plan to do the 6637 mod, I would strongly suggest going with a 4" exhaust. Remember your engine is an air processor, thus if you push air in, you need to take it back out. Also I tow a 11,000lbs 5er and so far have not found the need for an additional tranny cooler. Going and coming,I typically have to go over a 4,100ft mountain (I5, the infamous Grapevine in Socal)Do get gages. On the question of gooseneck vs. 5er hitch, check with the Mfgr. of your 5er, some say OK, others, like mine say NO. Also remeber , the stiifer the shockes, the smoother your towed ride, but it can be he$$ driving unloaded. Get some air bags, Firestone or Airlift brand
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
00Dave, If you plan to do the 6637 mod, I would strongly suggest going with a 4" exhaust. Remember your engine is an air processor, thus if you push air in, you need to take it back out. Also I tow a 11,000lbs 5er and so far have not found the need for an additional tranny cooler. Going and coming,I typically have to go over a 4,100ft mountain (I5, the infamous Grapevine in Socal)Do get gages. On the question of gooseneck vs. 5er hitch, check with the Mfgr. of your 5er, some say OK, others, like mine say NO. Also remeber , the stiifer the shockes, the smoother your towed ride, but it can be he$$ driving unloaded. Get some air bags, Firestone or Airlift brand
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
squaredancer,
I already have the 6637 and cover, but I ordered a Walker 21470 muffler. I read on here that it was almost as good as the 4" exhaust since it is a straight through muffler. I do plan on upgrading the shocks to something firmer. Thanks for all the input from everyone. This is our first 5th wheel so we are learning. We do have a travel trailer but man does this tow different. It's not even really like our gooseneck flatbed or stock trailer.
I already have the 6637 and cover, but I ordered a Walker 21470 muffler. I read on here that it was almost as good as the 4" exhaust since it is a straight through muffler. I do plan on upgrading the shocks to something firmer. Thanks for all the input from everyone. This is our first 5th wheel so we are learning. We do have a travel trailer but man does this tow different. It's not even really like our gooseneck flatbed or stock trailer.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
squaredancer,
I already have the 6637 and cover, but I ordered a Walker 21470 muffler. I read on here that it was almost as good as the 4" exhaust since it is a straight through muffler. I do plan on upgrading the shocks to something firmer. Thanks for all the input from everyone. This is our first 5th wheel so we are learning. We do have a travel trailer but man does this tow different. It's not even really like our gooseneck flatbed or stock trailer.
I already have the 6637 and cover, but I ordered a Walker 21470 muffler. I read on here that it was almost as good as the 4" exhaust since it is a straight through muffler. I do plan on upgrading the shocks to something firmer. Thanks for all the input from everyone. This is our first 5th wheel so we are learning. We do have a travel trailer but man does this tow different. It's not even really like our gooseneck flatbed or stock trailer.
I was over there putting the goosneck adaptor on it this afternoon and they were taking the stuff they wanted out of it. Turns out the people I bought it from are REALLY cool. They walked us through EVERYTHING on the 5th wheel and they are cleaning it and even shampooing the carpet... They are giving is a lot of pots and pans and blankets also! They took care of it... 
Anyhow, from what I have read, looks like I either need gauges first or a bigger tranny cooler... I got the coolest wifey though! It's our anniversary next weekend and she said I got about $400 to spend on whatever I want... Looks like I'll be getting gauges! Here is the order I think I need to get things in... tell me if I am wrong or if you have a better order and why. I already ordered the #6637 filter with cover from Pete.
1) Gauges (Probably ISSPRO EV pillar 3 gauge kit from DieselManor)
2) Exhaust (MBRP 4in SS Duel)
3) DP Tuner
4) Bigger Tranny Cooler (6.0 tranny cooler swap)
I want to do things once and right the first time. I am open to suggestions! THANKS!!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
What he said!! Good choice, but you're looking at overshootin' that $400 budget by about $500- $600. Just do what we do- have the boxes sent to your work and don't ever tell the wife about any mods you do. Or is that just my situation 