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 > Need advice if safe for my pickup to pull a heavy 5th wheel

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JKJavelin

Milwaukee, WI

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Posted: 07/27/23 11:50am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Veebyes wrote:

It is not pulling the thing, it is the stopping the thing.

Sooner, rather than later, there will be that split second situation when you will wish that you had a whole lot more truck. Some car will brake suddenly infront of you. You will go into an exit too fast. 16,000lbs of trailer will want to overtake a way too small truck. It won't be pretty.


I would say it a bit differently. Sure it can tow it, BUT can it HANDLE it in a panic lane change just for one example. The answer is NO.

This brings up something I've been wondering about. I like the idea of my truck being heavier than the trailer (fifth wheel), so the tail is not wagging the dog. Is the Pin weight considered part of the truck or part of the trailer? Here, I'll give you my latest Cat Scale numbers.
Truck front 5180, rear 6900, total truck hitched up 12,080. Trailer axles 9380.
My pin weight is 2700.
Now unhitched weights are truck 9380, trailer 12,080.
So, physics guys, hitched up there's more weight on the truck axles, but which vehicle does the pin weight actually belong to in a panic maneuver.
I'm guessing it belongs to the trailer.
JK


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valhalla360

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Posted: 07/27/23 03:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

For all but the smallest 5ers, the trailer will weigh more than the truck. That's OK.

While the pin weight is still part of the trailer from a functional point of view, yes it helps plant the trucks rear axle solidly in place. Where a light duty truck can run into problems is when you overload the rear axle. The springs & tires start flexing more than they were designed for... resulting in a wobbly unstable ride. You also have the risk of those and other parts failing as they are loaded beyond their ratings.

* This post was edited 07/28/23 07:44am by an administrator/moderator *


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Veebyes

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Posted: 07/28/23 12:51pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It is always reassuring going down the road knowing that your truck is WELL within it's limits.


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TexasNate

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Posted: 07/28/23 11:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We got the rv hauled for us. The hauler said the tongue weight was 3850. Is a dually going to be an absolute requirement to pull it safely?

Cummins12V98

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Posted: 07/29/23 03:44am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

TexasNate wrote:

We got the rv hauled for us. The hauler said the tongue weight was 3850. Is a dually going to be an absolute requirement to pull it safely?


What is the GVWR? Divide by 4 and that is most likely your pin weight.


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bucky

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Posted: 07/29/23 04:30am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The OP stated that the hauler provided the tongue weight. Heck yes it's dually time.


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TexasNate

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Posted: 07/29/23 04:48am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

bucky wrote:

The OP stated that the hauler provided the tongue weight. Heck yes it's dually time.

Yeah it's higher than the specs claimed but he said he weighed everything and that was the actual value.

cummins2014

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Posted: 07/29/23 07:57am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Veebyes wrote:

It is not pulling the thing, it is the stopping the thing.

Sooner, rather than later, there will be that split second situation when you will wish that you had a whole lot more truck. Some car will brake suddenly infront of you. You will go into an exit too fast. 16,000lbs of trailer will want to overtake a way too small truck. It won't be pretty.



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JIMNLIN

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Posted: 07/30/23 08:45am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

TexasNate wrote:

We got the rv hauled for us. The hauler said the tongue weight was 3850. Is a dually going to be an absolute requirement to pull it safely?

Now add all the things (weight) you going to put in the trailer plus your stuff your going to carry in the bed of your truck may be closer to 4500 lbs all depending on scaled rear axle weights.
Too much for even a new gen 350/3500 srw truck unless you mod the truck with higher rated tires/wheels and rear spring pack.

Some of the new gen 350/3500 srw trucks may have a 4000-4500 lb payload sticker. However thats a gvwr based payload from front and rear axles.
About the most these trucks can carry in the bed (rear axle) is in 3500-3800 lb range all depending on scaled rear axle load numbers.

Safe bet is a 350/3500 drw. Depending on brand/year models they can have rawrs from 9350-10500 rawr and 6K-7K lb in the bed payloads.

I started pulling trailers in the early '60s some times making a living.
Back then and even now the trailers brakes have stopped the trailer and the trucks brakes stops the truck.


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Chuck ..

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Posted: 08/12/23 05:02pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Number 1 question: Will you be able to stop this RV safety?

2. Only after doing your homework and research you will be able to answer these questions. There is web sites that will help you go through the process step by step.

3. Never believe a RV or vehicle/Truck salesman to give you the truth on how much you can SAFETLY tow. You have to do your own homework period. Did you know a 67 VW bug will pull a 18,000 pound RV! That is out of the Salesman's parking lot down hill.

4. Newer truck are soooo much better than the older models. Newer Diesel Trucks: Exhaust breaking for down hills breaking , speed control breaking automatically, tow haul mod and all around can tow much more.

5. Keep doing you homework and you find the answers. Lots of good people on this site to help you out.


Chuck

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