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Old 09-28-2018, 02:10 PM   #1
alpo
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Compatible 5th Wheel for 2500 Ram?

I am toying with the idea of a 5th Wheel, but am having problems finding one compatible with my truck. I have a 2014 Ram 2500 Cree Cab with the Cummins Diesel. I was looking at the 8529RLS which looked like one of the lighter ones but feedback has not been favorable due to Pin Weights. The sticker in my door limits me to 1960#. I had thought the upgrade might have been feasible given the Truck which was actually Factory equipped with the 5th Wheel attachments. I guess not all is as it seems. What is not actually easy to find is a “Max Hitch Weight” for TTS, any help would be appreciated (doable 5ths and Max Hitch Weight for a Larger TT). Thanks!
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Old 09-28-2018, 02:41 PM   #2
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Gotta ask, what brand is the 8529RLS? That would help us look at specs and floor plan and maybe give some recommendations that are similar, but work better for your truck
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Old 09-28-2018, 02:54 PM   #3
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Our Cougar (279RKS) is fairly typical of most "mid-size" 5th wheels. 30' long, 2 slides, nicely but not overdone furnishings etc. Our unloaded pin weight is around 1500 pounds. Loaded, we're about 1850. The posted payload for our Ram 2500 is 2001 pounds, so we're pushing it as far as payload goes. Instead of adding an overload spring I installed a set of Timberens. When I load the Cougar on the truck I still have over 1/2 inch clearance between the Timberen and the rear axle. Almost no squat.
Bottom line, a 2500 may not be the best option for a fifth wheel TV due to payload limitations even for a "mid-size 1/2 ton towable" 5er. We've never had a problem and I've never felt like the truck was being over taxed but we're certainly at the legal limit. That said I'd trade the close to the limit payload problem for the added stability of the 5th wheel. Personal choice on my part.
As for max hitch weight for a 2500, that's a function of the hitch as long as you don't exceed the max payload weight of the truck.
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Old 09-28-2018, 03:01 PM   #4
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Most manufacturers do not provide a "loaded pin weight" for any model. The reason is because owners can (and usually do) load differently. That would mean the pin weight for one family owning a specific model could be significantly different than another family with the same trailer, but a different cargo loading style.

I suppose one "sort of reliable" way to determine the anticipated pin weight is to calculate the percentage of the empty pin weight and then extrapolate that to the trailer at GVW. As an example, if the trailer empty weight is 8000 pounds and the empty pin weight is 1600 pounds, that would be a 20% pin weight. If the GVW is 12000 pounds, then the anticipated pin weight at maximum weight would be somewhere around 2400 pounds. Keep in mind this is just an approximation based on the pin weight when empty and can vary significantly depending on what and where the owner loads his cargo.

Another, probably easier way to calculate the anticipated pin weight is to just calculate the maximum/minimum weight to be somewhere between 15-25% of the GVW. So for the above 12000 pound trailer, the anticipated pin weight should range between 1800 to 3120 pounds. Most of us anticipate around 20%, so for most of us, that would be the 2400 pounds, same as above. This is also the "middle of the road between the 15-25%.

As I said in your other thread, 3/4 ton diesel trucks do have a "niche" in RV towing, it's just not in middle to heavy weight fifth wheels and honestly, very few light weight fifth wheels have pin weights that are compatible with the limited payload which is caused by the 10,000 GVW. Some will argue the GVW is "artificial and the truck is the same as....." It's up to you to determine whether you choose to knowingly ignore the manufacturer's payload certification or follow it. Honestly, it's more a legal consideration than a physical capability consideration, at least in some applications. Which ones? That's the issue that can get you into some serious trouble if you're ever involved in an accident and wind up in court, accused of being overloaded.

I say, "To each his/her own".....
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Old 09-28-2018, 03:03 PM   #5
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The 8529RLS is a Flagstaff Lite 5th Wheel. That Unit has a “Unloaded” Pin Weight of 1506#, But has a GVW of 10100 “Fully” Loaded, which would compute to a 2200# Pin Weight. I have thought of running with the Tanks at minimum, but it would be close regardless, I would need a more precise weight of the Trailer and it would be difficult getting that. Using the unloaded Pin Weight only allows 700#, less 200# for the Hitch and 350# for Passengers only leaves 150# for Cargo. And that is possibly the Lightest 5er Flagstall has!
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Old 09-28-2018, 03:17 PM   #6
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You could save some weight by using the Anderson Ultimate hitch, only 50 pounds complete. Plus, with the 5er most of the cargo you might carry in the truck winds up in the 5er cargo hold.
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Old 09-28-2018, 03:50 PM   #7
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I was extremely disappointed in the Ram 2500 payload, my 2016 mega cab was 2070#, my Primetime Crusader had an empty pin weight of 1975#, not much payload left after that. Although I never had any issues towing it, I felt like I needed more truck and upgraded to a 2018 F350 SRW with a payload of 3480#.

Good luck in your search
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Old 09-28-2018, 04:51 PM   #8
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Thought about that. If I went with a Fifth Wheel I would try to load more toward the back of the Trailer to keep the Pin Weight lower (as well as travel with Water Tanks near empty). I will also be looking for other 5ers to see what else is out there. Of course I could just use my Coachmen Greedom Express 24RBS a bit longer, smaller but still nice.
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Old 09-28-2018, 05:05 PM   #9
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Yeah, Rams don’t have the best Loading, but they have the best ride (Coil Springs). “Most” of the time I thankful for the ride (it is a daily driver), but when it comes to Trailering a bit disappointing.
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Old 09-28-2018, 05:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpo View Post
Yeah, Rams don’t have the best Loading, but they have the best ride (Coil Springs). “Most” of the time I thankful for the ride (it is a daily driver), but when it comes to Trailering a bit disappointing.
With my 16500 lb. FZ405 Toy Hauler on the back, mine rides like a Cadillac!
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Old 09-28-2018, 06:38 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by skikrazee View Post
I was extremely disappointed in the Ram 2500 payload, my 2016 mega cab was 2070#, my Primetime Crusader had an empty pin weight of 1975#, not much payload left after that. Although I never had any issues towing it, I felt like I needed more truck and upgraded to a 2018 F350 SRW with a payload of 3480#.

Good luck in your search
It's all in what you buy and how it's equipped. Rams are now equitable with most any other HD truck. All 3/4 ton trucks have a problem if you want to equip it with the diesel...all of them. In the case above a '16 2500 has a payload of 2070; my '14 2500 has a payload of 3190...you gotta know what you are getting and why.
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Old 09-28-2018, 06:40 PM   #12
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With my 16500 lb. FZ405 Toy Hauler on the back, mine rides like a Cadillac!
I assume you have a 3500, probably a DRW.
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Old 10-11-2018, 09:24 AM   #13
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What? I find most 5th wheel manufacturers do provide the empty pin weight.


Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Most manufacturers do not provide a "loaded pin weight" for any model. The reason is because owners can (and usually do) load differently. That would mean the pin weight for one family owning a specific model could be significantly different than another family with the same trailer, but a different cargo loading style.

I suppose one "sort of reliable" way to determine the anticipated pin weight is to calculate the percentage of the empty pin weight and then extrapolate that to the trailer at GVW. As an example, if the trailer empty weight is 8000 pounds and the empty pin weight is 1600 pounds, that would be a 20% pin weight. If the GVW is 12000 pounds, then the anticipated pin weight at maximum weight would be somewhere around 2400 pounds. Keep in mind this is just an approximation based on the pin weight when empty and can vary significantly depending on what and where the owner loads his cargo.

Another, probably easier way to calculate the anticipated pin weight is to just calculate the maximum/minimum weight to be somewhere between 15-25% of the GVW. So for the above 12000 pound trailer, the anticipated pin weight should range between 1800 to 3120 pounds. Most of us anticipate around 20%, so for most of us, that would be the 2400 pounds, same as above. This is also the "middle of the road between the 15-25%.

As I said in your other thread, 3/4 ton diesel trucks do have a "niche" in RV towing, it's just not in middle to heavy weight fifth wheels and honestly, very few light weight fifth wheels have pin weights that are compatible with the limited payload which is caused by the 10,000 GVW. Some will argue the GVW is "artificial and the truck is the same as....." It's up to you to determine whether you choose to knowingly ignore the manufacturer's payload certification or follow it. Honestly, it's more a legal consideration than a physical capability consideration, at least in some applications. Which ones? That's the issue that can get you into some serious trouble if you're ever involved in an accident and wind up in court, accused of being overloaded.

I say, "To each his/her own".....
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Old 10-11-2018, 10:40 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Jerry S View Post
What? I find most 5th wheel manufacturers do provide the empty pin weight.
?!? I'm pretty that's what John said. Am I missing something?
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Old 10-11-2018, 11:53 AM   #15
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Yup. Sticker will show UVW (unladen vehicle weight) and GVWR ( gross vehicle weight RATING).

Depending on manufacturer UVW may/not include battery and propane.
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Old 10-11-2018, 01:01 PM   #16
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You are correct he said loaded pin weight, I missed the loaded part. Thanks

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?!? I'm pretty that's what John said. Am I missing something?
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Old 10-11-2018, 05:48 PM   #17
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Quote:
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What? I find most 5th wheel manufacturers do provide the empty pin weight.
I'm not sure what you read, but you might want to do a bit of "re-reading".... My "exact quote" is: "Most manufacturers do not provide a "loaded pin weight" for any model." What that means is you have to "use your noggin" to understand that if they do provide a pin weight and it's "NOT" a loaded pin weight, then it must be "TAAA DAAA" a empty pin weight.....
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Old 10-11-2018, 07:57 PM   #18
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Some interesting reading on the subject of 3/4 ton and one ton SRW differences.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/09...0s-differ.html

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Old 10-12-2018, 11:41 AM   #19
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Some interesting reading on the subject of 3/4 ton and one ton SRW differences.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/09...0s-differ.html

Article was weird. It's only an approximate 50% difference in payload. Only. LOL
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