I'm thinking of buying a 2005 Jayco 5th wheel camper. It is a 35ft lone and a 5th wheel hook-up. I just need to tow the camper to our land, about 600 miles across the back roads of South Dakota. Not interested in speed, just a safe passage to get there. I've towed my bumper pull 36 ft travel trailer there, 3 years ago, with my 94 Ram 2500 4x4 very easily a couple years ago, & before that a 27 ft 5th wheel camper which I sold to get the larger and current 36 ft one we own. Truck is pretty much stock, automatic except for a 3,000 rpm up grade governor I installed a year ago. I read that the Ram 2500 with the diesel engine, does have the one ton suspension, b/c of the engine weight..True?

The newer 35 foot 5th wheel camper has a GVW I think of 15,500 lbs.? or close to that. I've towed smaller campers/trailers for several years, so I do have a measure of experience. In about a year, I would like to get about a 2003-2006 CTD truck, to pull this trailer south for the winter...suggestions welcome about my '94 pulling this newer 35 ' 5th wheel Jayco..thanks!

 

I had a '94. Without going into a lot of detail, no. You'll be over GCW, truck payload and maybe even axle weight. That '94 is an 8800# GW truck and that weight trailer could have a 20% pin weight of around 3,000#.

I'm far from being the weight police, but a 15,000# trailer is way too much for the '94 2500.

 

If you pulled the 36 tag up there without any issues, the 35 5er shouldnt be a problem

 

I've been to Vietnam, Beirut, Kabul, Chicago and Oakland without any issues, too.

 

Thanks for the response's! The newer 35ft 5th wheel camper is a "Hard-body" fiberglass sided and is heavier than the 1996 35 ft aluminum sided Jayco, bumper pull I towed out there 3 years ago. again, the newer 35 ft unit is a 5th wheel and I think the GVW on its tag was 15,500-+. I have a friend who has a 2001 CTD long bed Ram 3500, but I don't think he has the 5th wheel hitch. A dully one ton should work? thanks for the response & further suggestions welcome!

 

I just noticed that you have P rated tires instead of LT E rated. Those are another issue for the pin weight you would have.

 

I looked into it & I do have the LT truck tires! need to change my info on the list to it.

 

It will pull it. You just have to ask yourself how safe, fast, comfortable, etc. you want to be.
Sounds like the back way out there is desolate, so I would consider cell service, water, extra spare parts like radiator hoses, fan belt, lift pump if applicable, not sure on a ve truck, 2nd spare tire and spare trailer tires, extra box 454 Casull etc.

 

Thanks! Been that route 100x times in 15 years, so yes, 454 Casell. lol. Truck has been maintained very well, New lift pups, all hose's, water pmp, many, many parts replaced, weather it needs it or not..I call it Preventive-Maintenance, new Timken frt bearings, brake lines, drilled brake rotors, u-joints,..the usual Money-Pit! lol.

** how safe, fast, comfortable, etc. you want to be.**

Fast- don't really care how long it takes
Comfortable- not concerned, just get there.
Safe- major concern and would just go slow. What suggestions on "Safe"..IF,IF I did use my truck, please. Thanks!

 

If you only want to tow it to your property and not tow again until you have a better suited truck then it's not the GVWR that you need to know it's the empty weight and the weight on the pin empty. While a pin weight of 20% is desirable you could go down to about 18% but no less. I would guess at an empty weight of about 11000 lbs so 20% is 2200lb pin weight. Your truck is a reg cab long box so it should be close being able to carry the 2200lbs, your tires are rated at 3042lbs each which will probably be the deciding factor.. I used to tow a 36ft Cardinal with my 2001 2500 quad cab long box 5spd, I did have an exhaust brake though. My current 36ft Crusader 3 big slides has a GVWR of 13700lbs and an empty weight of 9700lbs but it is a newer trailer so lighter.

 

I was thinkin exhaust gas temp and Zombies.....hence speed and extra ammo..