Hi All

I am wondering if any of you have any experience with a High output cummins and the 6 speed tranny pulling a very heavy - 16000 Lb (fully loaded) fifth wheel.

The truck is only rated for 13,500 Lbs (2500 4x4 shortbox) but I'm hoping to push the limits. In Alberta they are not concerned with overweight RV's and If I have to go to BC or the states I can always run it as light as possible...

The trailer I have in mind is a 34' Newmar Kountry Star with three slides and it weighs 13,500 Lbs empty. It is a gorgeous unit but very HEAVY.

Did anybody here try hauling something this size with a stock pickup? Can the truck handle it well?

What minimum mods would be recommended to pull this baby effortlessly.

Any comments are welcome

Thanks for your Help

 

This is personal preference only, but I wouldn't go that heavy without the DRW's. The HO 6-speed with not have a problem with it, but the stock suspension might, and you will probably be over load limit on your tires. The pin weight on the trailer you mentioned will probably be around 2000 lbs. (roughly 850kg), that's running empty, and will be close with any gear or other stuff in the truck to maxing the tires' load limits. You will have to be very attentive having the proper tires on the truck, and very careful for stopping distances - an E-brake is recommended in this weight range. Hope this helps some.

 

16,000 worth of trailer is technically too high of a GCWR for even a dually (23,000 lb limit), so I wouldn't try it with a 2500....or even a 3500 SRW, but that's just me. If you can distribute the load so that you don't exceed your axle rating then you'd probably be okay, but I don't think that's going to be possible on your truck.

 

I pulled mine with my 2500 Dodge V10 before my new 3500 came in. It was not a fun experience. I limited my trips and limited my speed. The new one handles it fine and I am pushing my weight limits.

 

My 5th wheel weighs 13,500 lbs loaded. We hit the road at 10,380 lbs GVW (10,500 lbs GVWR) and 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR). My wife wanted me to look at an 18,000 lb 39' Mountain Aire, but that's too far over my ratings for my comfort (and legal risk) level - and I have a 3500 dually!

My personal opinion is that 3/4 ton trucks pulling the largest 5vers (20,000+ lb Tetons, etc) is what's going to put RVs onto the radar screens of the state weights and measures folks, if not the DOT.

Rusty

 

Just a bit of advice to add to the above. FORGET IT. If you kill someone you will wear it. Buy a dually if your heart is set on the Kountry Star. Or look as something ligher in a trailer. Just realize you will not tow a very big fiver with your 2500. Not legally anyway.

Newmar's are HEAVY. I know; I am at the max.

Casey

 

Thanks for the feedback. I knew I was pushing my luck with this idea....Oh Well I can always get that 13,500 GVWR Triple E.

But man oh man those Newmars are NICE

 

They sure ARE.

 

I pull bigger loads than that with my truck don't worry about 16k.

 

If you live in Alberta and travel to B.C. (Bring Cash is what the truckers call it) be very careful what you're doing. Last weekend it cost me a $311 fine to find out that in B.C. they go by the manufacturers GCVW ratings. In Alberta we go by tire size. I grossed out at 15,500 kg and I'm legal to 16,000 in Alberta. Bought the permit before I left Edmonton for 15,500 kg and thought everything was good to go. Got inpounded at the scale for an axle overload. Had to hire someone else to unload my trailer and finish the job. Didn't make a dime that day. And just because you're not a commercial vehicle, don't think you're safe. They make routine stops of fifth-wheelers with out-of-provice plates. They love Alberta's laws.

As far as power goes, my 1 ton pulls my 40 foot float with no problems at all.

Ruadh