Hello from a first time RV newbie (Updated 1/21/09)

Engne power is not the problem here. It's the weight. The max combined weight for the truck in this topic is 20,000 lbs. There are no modifications that will change that. I'm not a Ford fan because they cost so much more but here is the wab page for the F450 ( www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/features/specs/ ) . Hooked up with 4.30 gearing and a turbo diesel it's combined weight rating is 33,000 lbs. It will work.

FastEagle

QUOTE: "...if the rig is within the weight ratings, airbags (level the truck) and firm (max pressure "E" ) tires should do the trick.. on paper."

I agree totally -- but I think FE already said he's over weight for the truck. SO, now we need to help him do the homework that gets him safe with the 5'er he has because he's not going to change that trailer (at least I think not anyway) -- so, it mean he needs to deal with the TV instead ...

That means, uprade the one he has and remain overweight but safer, or go to a different truck. And I agree with dually too - although I personally dislike duallies, it is the right truck for some folks and for lots of these heavy applications. But now I have to bow out of this post because I have NO experience with the 5'ers or heavier trucks - so can't help with the upgrades or a new truck ... but will watch this with interest to see how this problem gets solved....

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your input. I have read all that you have said. It is true that my truck is not enough for the task. I talked to a truck builder in AZ a few days ago. He said I could modify my truck to do job except there would be one major concern. There's nothing I can do about the brakes. He said the brakes on my truck are not big and strong enough to safely handle that much weight. He also did some calculations and confirmed I needed truck with GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Granted this guy is a builder and he sales what he builds. So 33K may be overkill. The GVWR of the RV is 18,000 and the dry weight is 13,760.

So now I'm looking for another truck. I know Ford has one that will fill my need but for personal reasons I'm not fond of Ford. But I may have to swallow my pride on that one. Looks like I will have to trade in my 08 Ram 2500 and my 07 Tacoma to get a bigger truck. If I'm blessed, I may be able to drive away with a better truck and some cash. But considering the economy, I won't hold my breath.

Well the more I dig into all this, the more conflicting information I find. I just found this page: www.dodge.com/en/2008/ram_2500/durability/towing/ and it indicates I should be fine with the 2500. I'll just have to be careful of my added load weight. I estimate to start out about 1500 pounds. My max should be about 1890 pounds. Maybe I will add air lifters for now and in the future I get a bigger truck. I'm still waiting a call back from my brother who knows an expert about this stuff. I'm also waiting for a call from Dodge.

If you believe that 'dealer page' talking about stripped down weight and under test conditions they set up for maximum 'reliability' that pushes the 'safety statistics' instead of listening to the guys with personal experience driving these trucks every day and who understand what happens on the road with this kind of load, I expect we'll be picking you and your family up off the side of the highway someday.

You already told us how uncomfortable that drive home was -- imagine coming down a 5-6% grade on a curving highway with all that weight pushing you ... then tell me again what the 'dealer page' says while he's trying to sell a vehicle.

So, you might convince yourself you're safe here because you may have made a mistake matching truck to trailer and it will cost some pretty good $$$ to fix that error, but I bet you won't convince many others on this site ... and you might say "it's my business what I do" -- but not when you're coming at me or other RV'ers in the opposite lane with an unsafe rig you can't control.

ON EDIT: AM not trying to jump down your throat here -- but encourage you to listen hard to what these bigger rig drivers have to say ... don't just look for a random dealer page somewhere that might justify what you have as safe. If all you want to do is find something that says you're okay - just ask the salesman and you'll find the answer you want. But if you want to drive a safe rig -- that means feel comfortable with a grin on your face, and no "white kuckles" -- then listen carefully and pay attention to these road warriors that have been out there and done it.

rvbasics.com/techtips/weighing-your-rv.html

www.trucktires.com/bridgestone/us_eng/press/zip/WeighForm.pdf

www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Our TV is a stock Dodge with a HO diesel that produces 325 of HP and 605 lbs of torque. Our transmission is automatic and we use 4.10 gearing. In 2004 no Dodge came off the line with more factory installed towing options than this one. Your pin weight alone is to heavy for my truck. When loaded with passengers and cargo my max pin weight is 2700 lbs.. For every lb of weight I take off the cargo load I can add a lb of tongue weight and that's basically how that works. Your rear axle may support the extra weight but how about those tires? What tire will be strong enough? In a DRW truck we seldom have to worry about that. I use regular LT tires with a 10 ply rating - load range E. I use an 18K hitch (220 lbs) which is 4K above my max load. It was only a few $$$ more and I feel safer with it. My brake controller is a prodigy and it has never failed.

I hope some of this information will help. You are starting out with a rig that will get very heavy once in regular use and having the right TV is mandatory equipment for safety.

www.everest-owners.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=1142

FastEagle