My wife and I are considering the purchase of a travel trailer and doing some vacationing.

I have a 95 2500 (See sig) standard cab long bed single rears. Mechanically, the truck is all fairly stock . I have put on a new 180 injection pump and placed a BHAF for air intake.

Questions about the truck:
Should I be looking at upgrades for the pump, injectors..... Tranny? (Yes, gauges I know about).

Suspension:
The truck does not have a factory rear sway bar. Should I be looking into getting one?

Trailer:
What are your opinions on 5th wheel or tag-along?
If we go 5th wheel, what kind of hitch do you guys like that wont break the bank?

Were a family of 4 with two large dogs (That would be traveling with us... yes, we'll have to take two vehicles for now as we all dont fit in the 3 seater standard cab. )
So, trailer length will probably be in the 25 - 30 ft depending upon if its a 5th wheel or not.

I appreciate any ideas.
Were just starting to think about this.

Rich.

 

5th Wheel trailers are the best for towing behind a pickup. The others are only good for putting behind auto's. If you truck has enough power to pull it as fast as you want to then all you really need to add is a boost and pyro gauges.

Edwin

 

How stable is a single rear axled truck pulling a 5th wheeler?

 

25 foot, you would be fine. 30 foot, you'd probably want a dually.
I would think around 28-30 feet is probably a safe limit for a SRW truck. Opinions?

 

Talk to little lady and explain that a new or atleast new to you truck is the place to start. You have 2 kids and a dog, that means you require a Quad cab. You will spend more money on gas taking 2 cars. See what you get for yours on a trade for an 03 or newer QC then go from there. Just my opinion

 

I know o/o's that deliver new fivers with 3/4 ton SRW

 

We have used several fifth wheels and have always stayed in the 28ft length,even when the two girls were still at home. I might add that slide outs are nice,they do add weight and if you could do without one you can pick up a fairly decent nice fifth wheel for a great price as nowdays everyone wants the slides and if you don't go as much the non slides are alot cheaper. Just go and look at some with and without slides and judge for yourself. Oh I have pulled all ours with our 2500 single wheels with no problems at all. Goodluck,,Rick

 

Go with the 5er, you'll love the tow. Look at RBW lil rocker hitch. Good solid hitch (15k) that won't break the bank. We've had numerous 5ers and always a srw (now 3500), never any complaints or problems. Now haulin 13.5k

 

Rich - upgrades for power will depend on what you think after you have purchased a trailer and towed it. I've towed a 29' 5th wheel with a 91 Ford F350 with 7.3L idi, towed it just fine if you're not in a hurry up hills, did much better with Banks turbo kit (18K combined weight). Personally I think you should upgrade the transmission before or at the same time you put more power to it, instead of waiting for it to start slipping, because that might happen when it it VERY inconvienent! (like on vacation - been there, done that, sweated the ride home!)
Suspension: sway bar - helps with tt and campers, not for 5th wheel. Overload springs are good to have, especially with a 5th wheel and a 3/4 ton, with a tt you can use WD bars to help keep it level.
5th wheel trailers tow WAAAAAAY better than TT's: no swaying, no jerking. 5th wheels use up truck bed space - bad if you want to put bikes/motorcycles, quads, dogs, etc. in truck bed. Don't skimp on a 5th wheel hitch, get one that tilts front/back and side/side, makes hooking/unhooking easier, less stress on truck and trailer.
SRW truck is fine towing 5th wheel.
Whatever you decide, have fun, and try not to stress. There is one thing for sure with RVing, there is no ONE perfect rig. My wife & I have had two different 5th wheels, a camper, and currently have a small motorhome.
Finally, GET AN EXHAUST BRAKE, it will be the very best upgrade that you will do.