|
02-09-2012, 10:32 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1
|
Fifth Wheel Hitch 15k Enough?
Just purchased an Alpine 3500re with shipping weight of 12287 lbs and dealer advised a reese 15k hitch to pull fifth wheel. They advised this is ample for our towing needs. Question wisdom of this. Granted we are to only add aprox 3000lbs additionally and maybe we won't even get close to that, but still seems awfully close to that 15000 lbs mark. Towing with a f350 dual wheel long bed.
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 01:38 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
|
Hitch
Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyManCamping
Just purchased an Alpine 3500re with shipping weight of 12287 lbs and dealer advised a reese 15k hitch to pull fifth wheel. They advised this is ample for our towing needs. Question wisdom of this. Granted we are to only add aprox 3000lbs additionally and maybe we won't even get close to that, but still seems awfully close to that 15000 lbs mark. Towing with a f350 dual wheel long bed.
|
That's what we have, 15K, one of my only regrets is that we didn't just order the Reese from Ford with the truck... Would have been cheaper and come with 18K. However, if your within the spec's, the 15k is going to be lighter and easier to get out of the bed if you so choose or need to.
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 08:49 AM
|
#3
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: brighton
Posts: 69
|
I use a 15 k with my 3500 Re . no issues,. pulls fine and I have humped it down some narly dirt roads.
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 09:42 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North Texas
Posts: 1,000
|
Actually, I believe it is a 25K Reese hitch that comes with (at least) the 2011 F-350 if custom ordered. It's a nice hitch, attaches to the truck bed very nicely, and was VERY worth it!
Ron
__________________
2011 Alpine 3640RL (Beauty)
(Gone! Now replaced by Beauty3)
2016 Ford F-450 (The Beast)
Diesel 4x4, DRW, LB, CC
Comfort Ride Hitch
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 01:08 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 31
|
We have the same 3500re and was giving a 26k is it over kill or like a truck more is safer pulled by a 2500hd 4x4 2011 6.6 duramax.
__________________
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 01:59 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
|
Hitch rating
Quote:
Originally Posted by geo
Actually, I believe it is a 25K Reese hitch that comes with (at least) the 2011 F-350 if custom ordered. It's a nice hitch, attaches to the truck bed very nicely, and was VERY worth it!
Ron
|
Just checked the Ford site, you Sir are correct. They now offer 25k hitch standard when package is ordered, awesome deal. When we were ordering, it was a 18k hitch.... Wish I had of taken that deal! I paid about the same as they are offering now for the 25k.... and ended up with the 15k! Living n' learning.... However hopefully this is our retirement unit and won't be purchasing again!
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 03:18 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Inverness
Posts: 74
|
TO close to the limits, go for a larger rating. Reese has a 18k go with that one. A little more money but you stay away from the limit and your safty is important just in case. Also the guy behind you
__________________
2017 Cougar 26RLS Fifth Wheel
2017 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax Diesel 4x4
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 04:28 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 478
|
Seems to me you answered your own question: 5er 12287 lbs dry add aprox 3000lbs cargo and unless I'm missing something you're over 15K by 287 lbs. When we purchased our 5er Dealer was going to add in a 16K, said no deal at least an 18K, they didn't have an 18 so we ended up with a 20K. Which in the long run is good as we're looking to upgrade to a 16K unit so we don't have to worry about or change the hitch. Ours is heavy, but the top head comes off by pulling two pins. I can get it in and out of the TV by myself.
__________________
2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Ext Cab LT DRW Duramax/Allison pulling a 2012 SOB (still Thor, but not a Keystone), Dual ACs, 4 Door Fridge, Fireplace, Sleep Number Bed, Level-Up Auto Levelers, Disc Brakes, Winegard DirecTV SlimLine Auto Dish, Onan 5.5K, Splendide Combo Washer/Dryer, GY G114s on HiSpec 17.5 wheels, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Mor/ryde IS.
Michelle & Ann Sullivan and 4 American Shorthairs
|
|
|
02-10-2012, 04:38 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
|
I wonder when the last time a 5th wheel hitch that was even remotely close its rating failed due to overstress?
I don't think I'd be sweating it.
|
|
|
02-11-2012, 10:56 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 478
|
Maybe not, but if something happens and the John Law or Insurance run the numbers and determine you were exceeding your hitch ratings you will be at fault for at least part if not all. Each individual has to make those decisions for them self, we're only offering suggestions and guidance, if an individual choses to ignore the facts, that's their business.
__________________
2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Ext Cab LT DRW Duramax/Allison pulling a 2012 SOB (still Thor, but not a Keystone), Dual ACs, 4 Door Fridge, Fireplace, Sleep Number Bed, Level-Up Auto Levelers, Disc Brakes, Winegard DirecTV SlimLine Auto Dish, Onan 5.5K, Splendide Combo Washer/Dryer, GY G114s on HiSpec 17.5 wheels, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Mor/ryde IS.
Michelle & Ann Sullivan and 4 American Shorthairs
|
|
|
02-11-2012, 11:59 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
|
In the OP the gentleman was concerned that he might come close to the rating of the hitch. One could take the position that a larger hitch is required even though he likely won't exceed the rating, and danger of failure is essentially nonexistent, but there is just no end to that.
I agree that facts are good, and it seems to be a fact that stress failures of 5th wheel hitches are virtually unheard of, especially in the case as stated. But as you say, anyone is free to ignore the facts.
|
|
|
02-11-2012, 10:56 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ottawa Valley
Posts: 329
|
I suggest the 16K aside from weight for the simple fact that it rotates/angles front to back AND side to side. The 15K does not pivot side/side.
Makes less problems unpinning if truck is not on same angle as trailer(ie uneven ground)
__________________
2011 325SRX , Mor-Ryde Pinbox
2004 Ram 3500DRW 6spd,4x4,QC.LB ,340L aux tank
1999 Concours
2014 FJR
2014 Jetta TDI
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|