5th wheel at 19,000# can it be done?

[scoobert]

i am getting a new 5th wheel. however my tow truck is a suburban. diesel as it may be it is useless to tow a 5th wheel. so my question is with the right equipment and driving style can it be done.

my idea is this.
1. dual electric fans to aid in cooling.
2. lower thermostat.
3. rear air bags to cope with the added 3500lbs in the bed of the truck.
4. electric brake of course.

keep in mind i have a 5speed, so i don't have to worry about frying an auto tranny. and i dont see how this is harder then a 1/4 mile run on the clutch.

tires might be an issue and i would use 20" steel rims and e rated tires.

why do i want to do this? because otherwise i would have to buy a new truck just to tow this.

 

[Da1Chief]

The RCs are not even rated to tow a flea. The QCs can pull a small/med boat or light trailer, THAT is IT.

You try pulling a 5th wheel and you can kiss that tranny along with some other vital parts bye bye..... IMO...

 

[razorbackfan]

i am getting a new 5th wheel. however my tow truck is a suburban. diesel as it may be it is useless to tow a 5th wheel. so my question is with the right equipment and driving style can it be done.

my idea is this.
1. dual electric fans to aid in cooling.
2. lower thermostat.
3. rear air bags to cope with the added 3500lbs in the bed of the truck.
4. electric brake of course.

keep in mind i have a 5speed, so i don't have to worry about frying an auto tranny. and i dont see how this is harder then a 1/4 mile run on the clutch.

tires might be an issue and i would use 20" steel rims and e rated tires.

why do i want to do this? because otherwise i would have to buy a new truck just to tow this.

Are you asking if you can tow a 19k 5th wheel with your RC? I'm not sure if I read your post right? You did say 5spd so I'm assuming you have a different truck? You need to expand on what your talking about for a tow vehicle.

 

[FATJACK]

What the heck kinda 5th wheel weighs 19,000 lbs???

 

[razorbackfan]

My 53' dyno trailer with a LQ in the front only weighed 18k. It would put a one ton dually on the axle blocks. I towed with a class 8 tractor and a F550 1.5ton dually.

 

[ViperJeff]

WOW...........

Have a tow truck on "Ready Alert"

 

[viperhauler]

i am getting a new 5th wheel. however my tow truck is a suburban. diesel as it may be it is useless to tow a 5th wheel. so my question is with the right equipment and driving style can it be done.

...a suburban is an suv....(if i'm reading that right)...so how you gonna put a 5th wheel on it????

19k is too much, imo....i towed a loaded bobcat rig for several years, cat 252, backhoe attachment, pallet forks, and the trailer...and it was all the 550 ferd could do...kept heating the trans up...traded it on a 3500 cummins ram 6pd...but the trailer would lift up the dually on steep grades....go figure....

 

[scoobert]

first i screwed up i ment 6sp.
second this is my new trailer if i decide to go that way instead of rv....
http://www.sunnybrookrv.com/westpointe/3783SB.php

i was thinking this is not that far different from the v10 found in the 2500 and 3500. as for kissing the tranny goodbye??? how the heck if its a stick will it be hurt?

 

[scoobert]

current truck... see why i cant tow a 5th wheel.
you can get a dolly but i cant put 19K on a auto tranny.

 

[500snakz]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...don't do it. Plain and simple. NO!

I bet you are one of those guys that would put a tow hitch on a vette!

 

[bigike]

A auto would handle the trailer it just needs to be a good towing auto. Allison's what I'd go for get a old chevy diesel and let her eat.

Your RC would flip over with out a 5th wheel in it and the tranny would laugh at you.

 

[ShaneKennett]

get an rv. It'll save your 10 and it will be way better for long trips. plus your wife or kids can walk around in it while you are driving.

 

[Da1Chief]

You have asked out opinion about towing 19K lbs trailer and some of the more Knowledgeable individauls on these trucks (I am NOT INCLUDED in the Knowledge part) have shared that opinion with you. You choose not to beleive us.

OK, I have changed my mind. I say do it! Some individuals have to learn the hard way. Go for it... Education can get expensive.... Just be sure to let us know how much this school in advanced towing cost you...

 

[OnceBitten]

first i screwed up i ment 6sp.
second this is my new trailer if i decide to go that way instead of rv....
http://www.sunnybrookrv.com/westpointe/3783SB.php

i was thinking this is not that far different from the v10 found in the 2500 and 3500. as for kissing the tranny goodbye??? how the heck if its a stick will it be hurt?

VERY DIFFERENT! Even the V-10's in the 2500/3500 are crappy tow engines (no torque and poor milage) Your cluch will be gone in no time! BTW are you just trying to get us all fired up If so it worked:congrats: If not, save yourself a lot of heartache and trade the Sub for a heavy truck.

 

[FATJACK]

Your dry weight on that 5th is 14700, still gonna need a HD truck to tow it safely. You will have a 3000 lb, hitch weight which is easily triple what you should have in the bed of a 10, plus you will need a 400 lb. slider hitch installed. Your SRT-10 will NOT tow this trailer even with serious modifications, believe me I have been in the RV business for 24 years.

BTW, SunnyBrook is a great choice.

 

[ctsrt10]

dude did you fall out of your bed this morning you want to put a 5th wheel in the bed of your 10
1. will you get one to fit yeah all the mounts are the same
2. will it pull it yeah on the flats till you hit a hill and gearing is wrong an your a dead duck in the water and your clutch is goin to get smoked.
3 if you needed a tow truck to pull a camper you bought the wrong truck bro sorry to say i know you said you just got it at our last gtg. but man your F CKED if you have to pull a 5th wheel. if you want ill sell you my 04 ram 3500 cummins crew cab dually. fully built tranny, oringed and studed heads,super phat shaft 62 turbo made for towing,truck has 54,000 miles on it and gets 28mpg let me know and oh yeah it has more goodies then i listed shoot me a p.m

 

[Silverback]

Ford F-450.

 

[tsmith3]

I think I might have a solution to your problem... If this guy can use an S-10 you should have no problems using your suburban.


Class lll Hitch Install... (patent pending..)
Wouldn't you love to see how the trip went....? Good chance he ended up doin' some unintended off roadin' somewhere. Check the 'hills' in the background. Howja like to meet this rig on a two-lane road...coming down the mountain in your direction...?

She's hitched up and ready to roll!! Amazin' how the extra weight smoothes out the ride.
Needed to air up the rear tires a bit ('bout 160 psi).

Added some super heavy-duty chain for extra support on the tailgate, (note the 'Heavy-Duty 'S' hooks to attach the chain) Also paid-up for some BIG Number 5/16" sheet metal screws to attach the Reese hitch frame to the tailgate (see 'em there? one on each side...) Likely two more through the carpet into the floor pan inside...
Yep, probably overkill, but didn't want the possibility of having an axerdent.

Most of the time was spent on the front porch whittling down that MASSIVE solid pine 4"x4" to fit precisely down into the hole in the ball mount receiver.
Note also - The 14"x14" piece of 3/8" plywood on the underside of the tailgate to distribute the load more evenly and beef up that tailgate support.
'A MAN CAN'T BE TOO SAFE'...!!

 

[Silverback]

Looks like Jerry has been busy again.

 

[ViperJeff]

Would you guys quit posting my truck....


Guess I should have scibbled out the "Ski Utah" too!


J