just curious....

i've often considered purchasing a 40ft 5th wheel to be my college home, or just to save some money on rent.

im wondering how the ol' 92 would handle such a beast? the turning radius of these 4x4's seems a bit marginal for towing, and of course the brakes aren't the best, but its not like i would be towing it all over heck.

anyone have any experiences/thoughts they would like to share? maybe even pics of your rig strapped to one of these mobile mansions?

 

wow with a W250 . I know the Dot would shut you down up here let alone the weight Of a dry 40 footer

 

40foot is pretty long. Who so big? What trans and gears you running? The extra lenth of the clubcab would help a little. Is your truck lifted or stock?

 

Find specs on the trailer first. That's not THAT big. I know a guy with a 46 foot car trailer he pulls behind his pickup. No Prob.

 

our 30 foot trailer is plenty long enough for 3 people to stay in. one person living in a 30 foot would be great.

 

i dunno, i figured 40ft seemed like a good size for something to live in permanently.

it also seems like they can be had somewhat cheaper. possibly because no one wants such a huge trailer?

i have NO idea what the tongue or dry weights are. anyone have a ball park idea?

whats the most i can tow behind me W250 (legally)?

 

no lift. auto trans w/3:55's

 

40ft 5th, id guess 10-13k dry 15% pin weight
per the manual auto 3.55 12k gross combined (entire vehicle and trailer weight)

 

I'd seriously consider a dually.

 

i pulled a 40 ft 5th wheel all over US with a 89 350 single wheel 3.07 no troubles.

 

It will pull it fine. It may sway a little due to the single wheels but people pull big trailers like that all over. Just take your time and you will be ok. As you said brakes are the biggest thing and knowing what the brake situation is on an ole Dodge be extra careful so you don't end up hurting someone or yourself.

 

I would get a good brake controller and make sure your trailer has good brakes on the axle (usually just on one axle) and learn how to adjust the controller for optimal braking: once you get a hang of it, you will feel the trailer brakes slow down the rig.

As far as weight goes, check the specs on a few manufacturers' sites, but those trailers are aluminum, vinyl, plastic, a little steel, can't be that heavy...

 

My sis has a 40' with 3 tip outs, probably one of the heavier ones around. I pulled it about 40 miles with my 92 with an auto. It caught alot of wind but it pulled it ok not great but ok. 65 mph was all I wanted to pull it and because of the brakes on these ole trucks I gave plenty of room to stop. It should do ok just to move it and not pull it all the time.

 

My Dad pulled a 33 footer all over the US. Same specs as you. 3.54, auto, 93 CC. After awhile he opted for the "Tekonsha" brake controller setup. It worked sweet. No problems pulling. Just a drop in MPG.

 

Oh, forgot to mention the Torque converter. That makes a huge difference.