Well, I have never towed anything big before, so please be patient.

TW = 2005 QCSWB, auto, 2500, cummins of course.

Trailer = ?? maybe a 5th wheeler, but what size?

So, based on what I see real quick. I think GVWR is 9000 lbs, truck weighed 7020 lbs with me and 1/4 fuel. So say 7300 lbs with full tank (rough numbers all around, just to get idea). So that should leave me 1700 lbs Tongue or Pin weight?? Total combined weight from dodge site says 20000 lbs, that mean possbly a 11,000 lbs 5th? I do know that truck would have more load and trailer would be heavier due to being loaded also so would need to be a less weighted trailer. But just trying to understand a few things using fake numbers.

Now. what would air ride do for me? I assume just give me more tongue/pin weight from trailer?
How does one go about increasing the towing weight or tongue/pin weight and do you need to re-register the truck to show this and how do you proof that it is now increased? Or does it come down to what the GVWR is for that truck no matter how much bombing you do to increase those things?

I know exhaust brake would be installed also to help stuff out.

Just thinking about getting something in the next year so trying to do my homework before then. Sure is nice looking at all those trailers but would rather know WHAT I can legally tow and look at those sizes. Sure would be nice to get into a 24' - 26' 5th as only for wife and myself.

Thanks in advanced and I have joined the RV.Net forum to learn more. Just so much researching to do.

 

By the numbers, you can't tow much in the way of a 5th wheel and not be over on GVWR. Your pin weight should be about 20-25% of 5th wheel weight. You need to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch to your truck also as this takes away from payload capacity. If you are lucky enough to have 1500 lbs of payload left, you could tow a 6000 (25% pin weight) to a 7500lb (20% pin weight) trailer. Basicly, you will see the 2500 is not worth squat on paper. The 3500 SRW would net you an extra 900 lbs payload and the DRW would get you to what you really should have if you want all the numbers to work out. You should end up seeing the same info on RV.net

 

I agree about having a 3500 drw. But have never really towed anything before, just briefly some stuff to get something from point A to point B once or twice (maybe 9000lb total).

And the truck is mostly a daily driver that gets about 30,000 miles a year. So even new to camping and would probably only go 4 - 8 times a year to start but hopefully becoming a full timer in the years down the road. Which would dicate a newer truck at that time.

Just trying to figure out what I can do with what I have. Figure something small 20' - 26' either TT or 5th for now is better then nothing. But boy, those numbers add up real fast in the real world compared to what the brouchures says.

 

I have a 30' 5er with two slides (see pics) and the trailer can be 11,400 totally loaded I am around 9,500-10,000. Usually don't haul water in tanks and the truck has no problems it pulls like a dream.
I know you might hear differant from the weight police but you should have no problems 30' and under.

 

I got a WW 30' 5th wheel, fully loaded with toys it is 9800lbs. Pin weight is 1850 and my truck pulls it fine. So should your 2500. I do recommend you get a Pullrite superglide hitch if you get a 5th wheel. With the short bed and the superglide I have about 4 inches from trailer to cab while approaching the 90* but it does not hit and I can do over 90*. It would definitely hit with out the slider hitch.

 

See my Sig. I take a look in the rear view mirrors every once in a while to make sure the 5th is still following me. I don't think you will have any problems with any 5th wheel up to about 10,000lbs.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I know the motor can pull just about anything. I guess I will probably be within my limits since it will only be a once in awhile thing to go camping and to be able to tuck it into some of the campgrounds around here (they don't have the largest sites) I probably won't go big for being my first one.

I do plan on including a good slide hitch & exhaust brake. Already have the tow/snow package so have those extras under the hood. Now the good (going to shows) and bad (finding $$ for this) will start to happen.

 

exhaust brakes and a stock automatic wont work to well, with a standard its a dream, you will have to spend some more cash to get the auto to run properly,

i think what youll need is something like a chip for a auto tranny, to keep the torque converter locked, but have also heard the 05 autos might be programable someday

 

To ease your mind on the original question, once you hook up the trailer GVWR goes out the window.

At that point you have two vehicles GCVWR... Combined... As long as you are not over combined weight rating you are fine.

At least that is my understanding of the law. I could be wrong, as always, but I am pretty sure about this one.