Bironside, lets take this offline now. No need to manipulate this forum. I'll PM you.

PS: I don't think anyone has the answers but I can give you my opinions based on experiences I've had.

 

 

Hey Sixpack,,,,,,,,, another Kitty owner! I would think that you don't have any problems pulling that Cougar with the mods in your sig. I sure wish I had the 6 spd like you have though.

 

Thanks Dennis. I like your setup as well. The truck is setup perfectly for towing the 5r. How do like your 286efs. I'm almost thinking I would like that setup a little better (it has the rear kitchen doen't it?). All in all I like the setup though. My brother (24' Nash) and his brother-in-law(276efs) also have CTD's and when we all head out, it's like a parade of CTD's rolling down the highway! What a sight! Later Phil

 

My Rig

 

The wife and I really like our Cougar. The double slides really make it seem a lot roomier. There is a diagram of the floor plan in my Photo Gallery. My folks have the 278EFS that they pull with an 00 Ram 2500 V-10 and they like theirs also. Even though I was brought up to respect my elders,,,,,,,,,,, I still can't resist passing Dad and Mom's rig when we start climbing the mountains to go camping together.

 

I don't exactly reccomend going with the color matched stuff
If you ever have to have it repaired they can't color match the fact that it has faded, also when you waste oil and other things on it it causes it to stain real bad. It's not noticable on the good old black liners

 

Bironside, you know you are pushing your payload to the max, according to DC specs. Your payload max is 2160lbs and your 5VR dry hitch weight is 1694lbs according to Fleetwood.
Basically that leaves you with being able to carry 4 people of just 125lbs each and nothing else in the truck. You will most definatly have to do some type of suspension mod to carry that 5VR
For a look at some more Over the Rail LINE-X you can look at Members Photo Gallery

 

Don't I know it Super, I was freaking for a bit there when I found out just how much the truck weighed, 7590lbs, me moma and a full tank of diesel. The tires are rated for 3K+, it has a tow and plow package, and has already one more leaf in the rear then my cousins 97, he says he can put 3.5K of hydraulic fittings in the back no problem so, Ya I will wait and see.

I had not even contemplated the spray in liner. The rails I originally was talking about were for the hitch and I was concerned about getting stuff under the drop in liner.

"Husky makes 2 styles of hitch for the fivers."

I went to the dealer yesterday and looked at the rails that go right on the bed and the unit for under the bed. I was worried that I might damage the rails (for the hitch) with logs and ***** but now seeing how heavy they are know they will be fine. I also will be going with a short box 3500 down the road (five to seven years) when this truck has worn out its usefulness and the guy there showed me that I can get an add on slider when I need it for the same hitch so that is the way I will go, the 15.5 K Husky with the rails above in the bed no slider for now.

"These work just fine on top of a spray in liner as well."

The line-x guy has given me a price for the black spray in liner above the side rails of the truck for $500 and will do that when I get rid of the drop in liner. You don't know anyone that could use a mopar liner with the Dodge crest? One month old, I paid $400 (dealer said he gave it to me at half price ; ) )but would be grateful for $200. It has the knock outs for the inside the box tie downs so I think it would only be good for the new Dodge trucks.

The camper dealer also will upgrade my trailer brake controller to the prodigy for $150 and that is also probably the way I will go after reading the posts, mind you there is:

MBS BrakeSmart™ Electric Trailer Brake Controller

This controller evidently will also be able to read EGT/Transmission temp/ and Boost? , digitally, saving the space of future so called required gauges.

So I guess I have committed to spend another $650 minimum, go figure. Oh, all funds are in multi-colour Canadian.

A spring guy here said he would give me two leafs each side for an additional 1000 lbs in the back, but I will wait and see how the trailer does before making a decision on the suspension.


Looks like most of my questions are answered for now, though I still would like to see what 2500 CTD guys are hauling.

 

27 foot 1991 Alpenlite 5th wheel, I forget it's there untill I hit a Big grade then it never gets me under 55.

 

Maaannn....I thought I was getting along with winter OK this year, and then you cats bring out those pictures....I miss summer, I miss my 5er, I miss the boat........ ..nice going