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Old 02-24-2020, 06:28 PM   #1
sourdough
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SumoSprings - New 5th wheel

As many know I'm getting a new 5th wheel. Unfamiliar territory since I never wanted one but.... Not being "with it" and trying to do everything prior to my arrival to get it, with an extremely compressed timeframe to get it and then move to other pressing issues motivates me to keep asking questions looking for some advance guidance.

I have a new Ram 3500 and weights will be OK but I'm wondering about the pin weight vs how the truck sits. Tongue weight should be in the 26-2650 range. I'm used to bumper pulls; the pin weight will be much higher. I am going to go with an Andersen hitch. My question, thought, is this; this is a new 1 ton. I have no idea what/how it will tow but I'm comfortable with that. I do however wonder if I need to have the SumoSprings waiting for me at home for install before I pick up the 5th. The headlights on this truck are VERY bright and I don't want to blind anyone. I'm worried that the squat caused by that much weight may put me in that "zone" and I don't want to be there....I deal with "those" people all the time. So, thinking of the SumoSprings to minimize squat.

Anyone running the 1 ton with something about that weight? Use Sumo or Timbrens? Are they needed?
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:39 PM   #2
JDDilly
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You need to look at the cargo capacity of your new truck and calculate everything you will be carrying. Include: people, pets, fuel, DEF, hitch, Pin weight, and any other cargo. I have a similar truck with DRW and the cargo capacity is around 5800 lbs. I calculated a carry around 4500 lbs. I pulled it for the first time this past Saturday and there was no squat at all.
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:46 PM   #3
chuckster57
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If it were me, I’d wait and see. Are you planning on towing it home in the dark? How long does it take to get a set sumo springs delivered? If you order them and find you don’t need them, what is the return policy? I understand being prepared, but I’m a cheapskate when it comes to spending money that maybe I don’t need to.
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:50 PM   #4
sourdough
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDDilly View Post
You need to look at the cargo capacity of your new truck and calculate everything you will be carrying. Include: people, pets, fuel, DEF, hitch, Pin weight, and any other cargo. I have a similar truck with DRW and the cargo capacity is around 5800 lbs. I calculated a carry around 4500 lbs. I pulled it for the first time this past Saturday and there was no squat at all.

Thank you. I'm versed in the weights and should be well within them but I see vehicles, even duallys, with the rear squatting with a 5th wheel; just want to avoid that.
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Old 02-24-2020, 07:02 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
If it were me, I’d wait and see. Are you planning on towing it home in the dark? How long does it take to get a set sumo springs delivered? If you order them and find you don’t need them, what is the return policy? I understand being prepared, but I’m a cheapskate when it comes to spending money that maybe I don’t need to.

Thanks Chuck. I'm thinking the same thing. My intention is to pick it up mid day and take it home...60 miles. I can have the Sumo's in 2 days or so. I just have so little time after getting the RV that I want things as close to being done as I can get before I park it and leave. My thought is if I really need them or not and don't know if that is actually something that can be determined before delivery....just sitting trying to cover the bases; ordering the "tripod" for the pin; new tires; slide toppers (hope that's not a UH OH); and so many other things. Pulling a bumper pull the 3500 is overkill; with the 5vr I'm thinking I'm just hoping I don't have to tell DW I'm buying another new truck....diesel.
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Old 02-24-2020, 07:30 PM   #6
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I would wait and see, your Ram should be fine.
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Old 02-24-2020, 09:57 PM   #7
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My pin is about 3K. I have the 2019 3500 SRW diesel. Not sure if that makes a difference in the actual ride height or not of the rear. This is how mine sits hooked. I am a bout 0.5-1.0 inch low in the rear of the truck. This is stock suspension
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Old 02-25-2020, 06:13 AM   #8
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Sourdough, skip the pin tripod, they are next to useless. Look into JT Strongarms, yes they cost more, but we have them and are rock solid!
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Old 02-27-2020, 07:36 AM   #9
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I have Timbrens on my 2016 F-350 DRW. Fixed my sag. My pin is about 3360.
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Old 02-27-2020, 08:18 AM   #10
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I would recommend waiting.
With my 3500 drw GMCs I added Timbrens not for the sag but to take the harshness off the overloads. With the 16.5k 5th wheel hooked up it lowered the rear about 1/2" to 1" putting it to about a 1/2" off the overloads making every little bump slamming on the overloads VERY harsh. Once I added the Timbrens they made contact with the 5er loaded stopping that hard slam, when unloaded they very rarely ever made contact.
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Old 03-12-2020, 07:44 AM   #11
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I have Sumosprings on my F350 and they reduce squat about an inch. They also reduce lean unloaded on curvy roads. If you have a choice in capacity, go with the lower capacity for less harshness.
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Old 03-12-2020, 08:24 AM   #12
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I did not add the SumoSprings and I've towed the new trailer twice. I was really surprised when first dropping the pin on the hitch in the bed. The bed squatted a little but not as much as when the bumper pull tongue was on the ball. I assume the added weight of the Equalizer and the extended pivot point behind the truck.

I've decided to leave it as is for a while. The trailer is almost perfectly level as is the truck but the trailer is not completely loaded, and definitely not for a trip (fridge/canned goods/clothes etc.). I'll see how that looks. Bed clearance looks good and is even so right now I'm pretty happy. Just got to get a feel for that pin pivoting in the bed. I have DW just follow me around as I turn to get out of our property next door (pretty sharp to avoid all the tree limbs) and watch that pin arm swing around in the bed. I was worried about the cab and front of the 5th wheel but that looks good - it appears the pin arm will take out the side of the bed before anything happens to the cab.
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Old 03-12-2020, 08:49 AM   #13
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I am in your exact same boat. Just bought a 2020 Ram 3500 and just picked up my new 5er this past weekend. It was also my first time towing a 5er and something that large. It was a very windy day and I had an hour 45 ride home from the dealership... Towed like a dream! Barely noticed it was back there. The one difference is I opted for the factory air ride, so the truck stays level. However, as soon as I hitched up there was very minimal squat. My compressor kicked on and brought the truck up to level but it didn't have to raise it much. Hope this helps a bit
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Old 03-12-2020, 05:40 PM   #14
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Just a note about something I (a woman) know about pulling 5th Wheelers. Your hitch is pretty much above the rear axel, thus the tow weight is stationed above the tires, so there should be no problem with your bright lights, if they are not a problem with no tow weight.
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Old 03-12-2020, 05:48 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by GrandmaL View Post
Just a note about something I (a woman) know about pulling 5th Wheelers. Your hitch is pretty much above the rear axel, thus the tow weight is stationed above the tires, so there should be no problem with your bright lights, if they are not a problem with no tow weight.


That depends on how much pin weight there is. Your headlights are adjusted to the proper aim without any load in the bed. Now put 2000 pounds over the axle and the bed just may be lower, making the headlights aim “higher”.
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Old 03-12-2020, 07:32 PM   #16
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So how much towing do you do after dark? I wouldn't worry to much about it unless your a night time traveler.
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Old 03-13-2020, 06:00 AM   #17
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So how much towing do you do after dark? I wouldn't worry to much about it unless your a night time traveler.

You are probably correct. I always try to be in my campsite by 4pm latest so night towing would be an anomaly. At the time I posed this question the truck/trailer combo was unknow since I didn't have the new trailer. I knew the bumper pull dropped the bed and with the new pin weight being well over 1000 lbs. heavier (per weight sticker) I feared the worst, which didn't happen. I suppose my angst was also driven by the fact that where we winter in rural FL there seems to be a mandate for some things 1) all vehicles must have a loud or missing exhaust, 2) all big fishing boats towed on trailers must not have functioning lights and 3) all the trucks towing anything must have the headlights elevated to blind all oncoming traffic. I just wanted to avoid those situation.
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Old 03-13-2020, 06:20 AM   #18
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Danny, remember FDR's famous quote about fear.

As for the 3 things all trucks in FL must have, If your headlights were elevated then you were only 2 mods away from getting your FL tags!
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Old 03-13-2020, 09:14 AM   #19
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Headlight adjustment

Hey Sourdough,

Can't believe a 2019 Ram doesn't have that headlight adjustment dial that I thought all new trucks have. That's why many trucks I meet blind everyone, they have dialed their headlights up too high so they see better. I reset my Tundra lights right from the cab whenever the load changes.

Check your manual, my dial is below and to the left of the steering wheel. Yours may be located elsewhere.
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Old 03-13-2020, 09:32 AM   #20
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Why not some air bags with an onboard pump? I love that I can adjust on the fly for road comfort as well as gain some lift when needed.
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