5th wheel towing question

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Mar 12, 2009 | 12:59 PM

2005Dually

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5th wheel towing question

Hey guys I have a quick question for ya-

My buddy has an 06 250 sb cc 6.0 4x4 and he is considering a few different 5th wheel toy haulers, none of which ar over 33' and max weight around 16-17000k. The truck is stock height but a 2.5" leveling kit is on the way. My question is are rear air bags an absolute must with this trailer? Thanks in advance.

Mar 12, 2009 | 01:29 PM

diesel_dan

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Foothills, CA

The leveling kit will raise the front so it looks "flatter" when empty, but with weight in the bed this isn't needed. Yes I would bag it, and he should realize that weight is over what the truck is rated to tow. If he's looking at that weight of the trailer "dry" he will be very overloaded when he's ready to go camping.

I wouldn't recommend the level kit at all for this application running at or over the edge of the truck's capacity.

Mar 12, 2009 | 04:07 PM

2005Dually

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I just talked to my buddy again and we think the guy at the dealership (trailer dealership) was mistaken on the loaded weight of the trailer. It seemed real high to me but now were coming back with around 10-11k loaded. I am still going to recomend the air bags to him. Thanks for the reply diesel dan.

Mar 12, 2009 | 05:09 PM

69cj

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From: Middle Tn.

My 5er is 11k with a 1500 lb. pin weight. My f-250 sits level when hitched to the 5er. f-250 is 100% stock except for Bilstein shocks. You should have no problem.

Mar 12, 2009 | 06:05 PM

ATV Racer

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I agree with 69cj. I have a 30' toy hauler, 4 atvs packed in with all my goods. Absolutely no problems. Truck rides level and pulls like a mule. "02 SD 250.

Mar 12, 2009 | 07:17 PM

texans

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Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Abilene, Texas

I have a 06 that I pull a 38' Fith wheel with. Coming in around 13K+ dry. around 16 or so fully loaded. I needed the air bags to pull it once I got the Rockstars and bigger tires. before I could pull it, it just set really low

Mar 12, 2009 | 11:11 PM

bfife

still plays with trucks

Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Twin Falls Idaho

Before he buys a trailer he should load his truck with fuel,folks and all the other stuff he plans on traveling with. Then go to the local CAT scale or equivilent and weigh the truck LOADED. subtract that weight from the GCVW rating and that will tell you the maximum LOADED trailer weight you can tow. It will also tell you how much pin weight you can put on the rear axle. Air bags won't increase the weight capacity of your truck, they are just a bandaid giving folks a false sense of security and the ability to overload their brakes and physical limits of axles,tires, wheels etc. know your weights before you buy and make a informed decision. Barney

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Mar 12, 2009 | 11:41 PM

joe blow

Logistics Pro

Joined: May 2004

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I have a larger 5th wheel. I have a 6" edge kit all spring with deaver spring packs. I bought firestone kit 2330. I found that the weight from the 5th wheel will squat the truck's rear enough to make my truck sit like a pre runner. Now add fire wood to the mix ( I line the entire bed up to the 5th wheel hitch with wood) it really squats. I ordered the bags and had to make custom spacers that measure 2.5" in heighth. I inflate the bags to 75 psi and the truck levels great and rides spongy but nice. I RECOMMEND THEM.

Worse case.....you'll have 'em if you need 'em. The kit is about 250.00 for the application applying to 5th wheel hitches. The spacers cost me 15.00 in steel (4" schedule 80 pipe and four 4x4x1/4" precut steel plates) and about 3 hours of fabbing mostly to figure the best way to make them.