AlfaGold Fifth Wheel Model 270
Total Length* 35'4"
Total Height* 12'4"
Hitch Weight* 2,580
Dry Axle Weight* 11,620
Total Dry Weight* 14,200
Tire Size LT 215/85R16E
Payload (cargo) 3,799
GAWR (2 axles) 16,080 (3 Axles)
GVWR 17,999

* All weights, measurements and capacities are approximate

Unbombed 2002 2500 auto
http://www.alfaleisure.com/2004_gold/270large.asp

 

I would say no...too heavy....the pin weight itself
exceed your trucks ratings

 

Will it tow it - Yes
Will it tow it comfortably - Maybe - depends on the terrain
Would I try it with even with my 3500 DRW - No

You will be way over GCWR. Not sure about a '02 but a '03 like yours has a tow rating of 13,550.

With a GVWR on the truck of about 9000 and the trailer at 18,000, you are at 27,000 gross when the truck is only rated at around 20,000. Didn't even think of pin weight - after you put fuel and other accessories in the truck - you would be over.

What you need is at least something like an F550 (be nice if DC had a 5500) or even better, a FL60.

I tend to err on the safe side.

 

You need this Dodge chassis.

 

Why do they make these things if people can't safely tow them with a heavy duty pickup??

 

So that there is a bigger market for the baby Freightliners, Kenworths, Peterbuilts, and Navistars. Besides They don't care what it takes to safely pull them as long as they sell them. After the buyer has his first close call its a used RV and the owner has a choice take a loss on it and buy a smaller one or buy a bigger truck.

 

Hmmmm.....seems to me they could be held liable if they sell you a trailer heavier than your truck can tow....but then again I guess it's your responsibility to know what you can tow...not theirs.

 

Looking at the numbers:

Does my trailer need to weigh in at <9,000 LBS with a pin weight <2,000 LBS

Quad Cab 2 wheel drive w 5.9L 24V, Auto and 3.55s
GCWR=16,000
GVWR=8800
Max Trailer Weight for a short bed=9,900
the trailer weight allows for a 150lb Driver.

GCWR - MaxTrailerWeight= 6,100
Does the Truck with Fluids weigh over 6,100 lbs?
The question is, what does the truck weigh?

On top of this, there is the pin weight:
My factory installed LT265/75 R16 E's are rated at max inflation for 3,415 lbs
One would need to know the unloaded weight over the axle to then determine the allowed cargo weight.

I'm going to buy a new fifth wheel (my first), but I'm not going to buy a new truck. I'm starting to think that there is nothing on the market that I'm rated to tow.

 

Again, not sure about a '02 but a '03 has a curb weight of about 6300.

You should be able to find a 5er in the 9000-9500 GVWR range. Forest River has a few and Fleetwood has some. The Cougar by Keystone has 5 models under 10k that you should have no problem with. If you get one that is around 10k, just be caerful how you load it.

You can ask Dennis (RATTLINRAM) how he likes his 286EFS Cougar. He uses a '99 2500 to pull it.

 

I didn't realize there was that big a difference between the auto's and the HO 6 speed. My truck is rated at 20,000 GCWR and 13,650 for trailer weight. I can't find the payload info in my manual but I think it's around 2800 lbs.

My owners manual states: "The High Output Diesel engine was designed to utilize the new 6 speed capabilities, offering the customer the optimum towing package."

 

sdscuba,
I'm not sure if I would go any bigger than what I have now with an unbombed / auto. My truck does real well with the 286 EFS Cougar. Fully loaded, I'm guessing the 5er is right at 10,000 lbs.(Maybe a little less) The pin weight is right at 1060 lbs.
This rig is real comfortable to drive and the truck has no problem towing it , even in the mountains. However, I still would like to beef up the tranny a little in order to add a mild fueling box in the future.
You can go to my photo album and check out the floor-plan of our 5er. The double slides make for lots of room and with them situated toward the rear, it keeps the pin weight lower.
The only way I would go to towing something bigger and heavier, is if I move up to a HO/6spd 3500 DRW. There is nothing worse than being on the highway with a rig that ends up laboring and feeling like a rolling roadblock! Just my opinion. ;D

 

That load would be anything but comfortable in your truck, and in most trucks. I pull a 36' gooseneck trailer, it weighs in at 12500-13000lbs, and isn't that bad towing. I will say that when I towed it with a stock transmission, it was had on it . The last time out the shutter went from slightly worry some, to I hope this thing makes it home before the trany kills itself. They start to eat themselfes very fast. So make no mistake about it, when you start pulling a heavey trailer, it is only a matter on time before the trany will need attention. Don't get me wrong, I love pulling trailers, always have. But just be prepared for the added expense. How meany trips you will be able to make before things go bad, are really dependent on terrain, load, driving style,weather, and type of truck. Also the trailer sales people do not care how you pull the trailer, they are only interrested in the sale. Also most trailer dealers have a disclaimer on there sales recipt, releasing them of all liability from use of there product. They are not stupid, but maybe un-ethical. There are trucks out there that can safely pull these larger trailers. Ford has it's 450-550- series, that has very hich gcwr's. Dodge is missing the boat on this one, they should have come out with their own 4500-5500 back when the second generation trucks were released. How they missed it when the third gen came out, I have no ideal.

 

[quote author=y-knot link=board=11;threadid=21198;start=0#msg199212 date=1066739714]
That load would be anything but comfortable in your truck, and in most trucks. I pull a 36' gooseneck trailer, it weighs in at 12500-13000lbs, and isn't that bad towing. I will say that when I towed it with a stock transmission, it was had on it . The last time out the shutter went from slightly worry some, to I hope this thing makes it home before the trany kills itself. They start to eat themselfes very fast. So make no mistake about it, when you start pulling a heavey trailer, it is only a matter on time before the trany will need attention. Don't get me wrong, I love pulling trailers, always have. But just be prepared for the added expense. How meany trips you will be able to make before things go bad, are really dependent on terrain, load, driving style,weather, and type of truck. Also the trailer sales people do not care how you pull the trailer, they are only interrested in the sale. Also most trailer dealers have a disclaimer on there sales recipt, releasing them of all liability from use of there product. They are not stupid, but maybe un-ethical. There are trucks out there that can safely pull these larger trailers. Ford has it's 450-550- series, that has very hich gcwr's. Dodge is missing the boat on this one, they should have come out with their own 4500-5500 back when the second generation trucks were released. How they missed it when the third gen came out, I have no ideal.
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D-C has it covered, it has a Freightliner name on it. The FL50 and FL60 are comparable to the F550/F650 trucks. There are plans at D-C to put a Dodge body on a Freightliner FL50 frame, but I haven't heard the offering date as yet. Just FYI.

 

Ed, that is one beautiful dump truck; where did you see it at? I haven't seen anything like it in this area with a Dodge body on it.

 

Thanks for the great replies.

Topics like this are great and helpful, not only does it make one research what their truck is rated for, you also get insight from people who push that rating.

My second choice fifth that we were looking at last weekend is a Silverado by CrossRoads.

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/Silveradofloorplans.html

This fifth would just push the limits of my truck. If I look at the same truck, but a 2003, the limits are With 3.73 Axle Ratio You Can Tow 11550 lbs2. Dodge's math comes out a little higher than mine.

SF32CK
DRY WEIGHT 9773
GVWR 13865
CARRYING CAPACITY 4092
HITCH WEIGHT 1865
AXLE WEIGHT 7885
EXTERIOR LENGTH 33’11”
EXTERIOR HEIGHT W/AC 12’4”