Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-09-2012, 10:32 PM   #1
FamilyManCamping
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.
FamilyManCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 01:38 AM   #2
jje1960
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
Hitch

Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyManCamping View Post
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
jje1960 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 08:49 AM   #3
hsmunoz
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.
hsmunoz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 09:42 AM   #4
geo
Senior Member
 
geo's Avatar
 
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
geo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 01:08 PM   #5
alpine 1
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.
__________________
alpine 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 01:59 PM   #6
jje1960
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
Hitch rating

Quote:
Originally Posted by geo View Post
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
jje1960 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 03:18 PM   #7
captbru
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
captbru is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 04:28 PM   #8
mhs4771
Senior Member
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
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
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2012, 04:38 PM   #9
smiller
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.
smiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2012, 10:56 AM   #10
mhs4771
Senior Member
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
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
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2012, 11:59 AM   #11
smiller
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.
smiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2012, 10:56 PM   #12
LittleJoe
Senior Member
 
LittleJoe's Avatar
 
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
LittleJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.