Ram 1500 fifth wheel?

[4happyfeet]

Can I safely put a fifth wheel hitch in a 2021 Ram 1500 with 5.7L Hemi? Trailer weighs 8k.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[sourdo]

8000 lbs dry or wet? For my 5th wheel, that is almost 5,000 lbs different from dry to max weight. What brand? Those fiberglass units from Canada, I think they are called Carefree, are even lighter than 8000 lbs.

I've seen it done, with 5th wheels made for half tons. The axles are much farther apart than normal, over a foot. Mine are like two inches. This is like that lighten up the pin weight, where you're going to need to watch the weight there. I saw one and it looked scary.

I knew I was going to go to a 5th wheel, I stepped up to a '21 Ram 2500 6.7 L Cummins diesel added some air bags to the truck (something else for you to consider adding), and hit the road. You'll need the bags for sure.

And watch your engine oil temperatures in the hotter sun areas.

Also don't forget the weight of the 5th wheel hitch receiver and hardware under the bed.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[PCBLimey]

Wouldn't advise it. Looking up tow/weight capacities (in general) for your truck, the carrying capacity is about 1900 lbs. That is the number you need to watch. Even if the 8k is the Gross weight of your 5er that would give a pin weight of approx. 1600lbs. Your hitch, passengers, fuel and miscellaneous items are going to be over 300 lbs (1900-1600), which will put you over capacity for your truck.

Now, if 8k is the empty weight of your trailer (as is mine), when loaded to go camping it will be significantly higher, pushing you even further over the weight capacity of your truck. My 5er is advertsed at a "Half Ton" series. It is 8k empty and 10500 gross. I am not far off the weight capacity of my truck (Ram 2500 6.4 hemi) with this trailer and I have a 3050 carrying capacity.

IMHO you will really need a bigger truck if indeed the 8k is the empty weight of your trailer.

Can you do it - yes. Should you? That's your decision, but it would make for some uncomfortable driving and possible damage to your truck.

 

[DMW-5TH]

What are the maximum weights given by the manufacturers of the truck and trailer you might be considering?

A lot can be learned from the max weight figures of the vehicles. Include the max trailer weight and max axle weights given by Dodge.

Have you weighed the truck? I would guess by the time you put a 300 lb 5th wheel, 275 +/- lb of gas, you, and other paraphernalia in the truck, you may be getting close to only 1,000 lb available for the hitch weight. I agree with PCBLimey above on his estimate that the trailer will put perhaps 1,600 lb on the hitch, if not more. My 5th wheeler puts 21% of the gross trailer weight on the hitch. And all of that weight goes on the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

I would advise not even thinking about it any longer. Step up to at 2500 series truck if possible. Otherwise, step down on the trailer.

Dave

 

[Medic455]

Really comes down to payload and max tow ability. Can you yeah you could, I mean I do with my f150 but I also have a payload of 2200 pounds and tow of 12000 and v6 turbo. Should you? Well as the other post said, that is up to you. I mostly do flat land towing so it isn’t that bad, but if you are hitting mountains I would probably step up a size or two. Have I towed the mountains? Yes, do I have reservations, yes sometimes. But slow and steady wins the race. Lots of factors to think about.

 

[4happyfeet]

Thanks for your great advice, everyone. I ended up buying a Ram 2500 with 6.4L Hemi, fifth wheel prep.

 

[sourdo]

Thanks for your great advice, everyone. I ended up buying a Ram 2500 with 6.4L Hemi, fifth wheel prep.

You won't regret your decision with the 2500, nice call.

 

[DMW-5TH]

Good decision happyfeet! I agree, you won't regret stepping up to a 2500.

Dave