Sir Slink
Mo
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Joined: 02/08/2007
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Hello all you learned 5th wheel owners. I am not new to trailering as I have had many over the years, however I am new to 5th wheeling. In Dec 07 I purchased a Chevy HD2500 4X4 Silverado SLZ with a VORTEX engine with all the trimmings, it was a great deal so I could not turn it down. Since my bride and I ride motorcycles and that is how we have been vacationing for the past 5 years, even had a camper built to suet our needs including A/C but I'm getting up there in the years so we decided to buy a Toy Hauler, not right of way but down the line. Well lo and behold another deal crops up on a 2006 Raptor 37 foot new or should I say used 1 or 2 times at an incredible price due to someones misfortune but my gain.My question is he added a 5th 5th wheel am I going to need to put in a slider because of a 6 foot bed or is his add on enough. To those that have a similar unit and truck what kind of fuel mileage are you getting, I'm used to filling 2 motorcycles every 200 or so miles, so I'm sure this is gonna be a killer.lol.
Also do you folks leave the tailgate on or remove it, any other advice you want to render have at it I will appreciate it.
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hyattjlbb
Minot, ND
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Joined: 05/21/2006
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I am not sure what kind of mileage you will get as I have the Duramax but others will let you know how they are doing. As for the slider hitch, I have the 6.5 foot box and I do fine but it will vary by camper style as the nose caps can be significantly different. A lot of people go with the slider to have peace of mind and you may end up going that route as well. The killer will for sure be at the pump pulling this TH, be prepared for it but at three bucks a gallon at around 8-10 miles per gallon with the gasser (I am guessing) just the math will put you on the floor before ever seeing the total on the pump! However, it will all be worth it, after the luxury of the TH, who cares!?
2007 Jayco Jay-Flight 31.5BHDS
2006 Chevy Silverado CC/SB 2500HD, Duramax/Allison
Beautiful Wife of only 12 Years
Boy - 10yrs
Boy - 4yrs
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captain037
Montgomery, AL
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Joined: 07/09/2007
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Sir Slink, my first concern would be of a lack of power in the Vortex. It really takes a diesel to pull all that weight and while the Vortex will get it moving the transmission will really suffer. I had a gasser before and pulled a 10k Bobcat on a utility trailer. The engine was constantly in a strain and the transmission was constantly downshifting. Not good for either. Check the weight of the Raptor, you may be ok though.
I have the 6 foot bed in my 2500HD and do have and use the slider on occasion. I don't use it all the time but do have to slide it back to get in my driveway. It all depends on how much you want to be able to turn without getting the camper into the cab of the truck.
As far as fuel, my Durramax gets 10 MPG while towing. I leave the tailgate on.
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silverfoxn
Georgia
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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I have a short bed Dodge and I have a sliding hitch. With the hitch in the travel position it takes me four or more lanes of the highway to make a 180. With the hitch in the maneuver position I can make the turn in three lanes or sometimes less. Another thing is; when the slider is in the aft position the trailer is easer to back. If it is in the forward position the front of the truck has to turn really far when backing the trailer into a tight spot. I can go 250 miles without filling up. If I push it I can go 300 miles. If I am just going a short distance I leave the tailgate on. If I'm going to be away from home for months, I leave it at home. Anything that you leave in the bed of the truck that weighs less than five pounds will be sucked out with the fiver hooked up. Lot of suction there so I have installed tool boxes to store things in. I would load the truck and trailer just like I was traveling and then weight them. You just may be supprised at the weight. You'll have to keep within the weight limits for the truck and trailer. Search this forum for weight postings. Hope this helps.
Jesse & Karen Norris with Kirby our chow-chow
2005 HitchHiker II LS 29.5 LKTG
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel
Martinez, Georgia
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Sir Slink
Mo
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Joined: 02/08/2007
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Captain O37,thank you for your advice, I'm hoping your wrong about the engine cause this truck was set up to tow heavy duty stuff according to GM. It has a Tow/Haul mode which is manual it has a 6 speed auto and then a manual covertion. Book says I can tow 12700 or 18000 combined. Since it's a tri axle I'm hoping that will spread the weight out a little better. Without towing I get a little over 16mpg I'm sure that that will go down to 10 or less hope not too much less.lol
Thanks folks keep all this good stuff coming.
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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SS - think you are going to be WAY overweight . . . and WAY under-powered!
(especially when the trlr is loaded!)
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What it can tow is diff than the load! What's the pin weight?
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So, if you can't pass it up - or don't want to pass it up - be thinking,
planning and searching for your next tow vehicle.
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Try a search (or post) on the Tow Vehicle forum for more info on
what the "toy hauler crowd" are towing with.
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Yes you should get a slider if your current truck is a short-bed.
(not quite sure of your wording in your post).
JC
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CC-skipjack
Portage, MI
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Joined: 10/11/2005
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Sir Slink... For what's it's worth, I'm pulling with an 01 2500HD, 6.0 lit engine. The 5er is 30'. This combo I would have to say is right at the upper limit of what the truck wants to pull. Hill's have it really spinning.
As far as the slider goes, as above, a lot will depend on the nose of your rig. I also have the short box without a slider and have as yet needed one.
Charlie K
CC-skipjack
2000 Cedar Creek 30RL / 2001 GMC 2500HD
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obrn59
Jacksonville, FL
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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My brother-in-law had to replace the rear window after clipping it with the trailer trying to get into a tight spot. He has a sliding hitch now.
Steven, Lesa and Taylor
2004 Potomac 5333RL
F350 Dually 4X4
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Snow Dog
Regina, SK Canada
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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I just went on the Keystone site and looked at the Raptor 3712TS. I know this is not the same year, but you can look it up and see what yours is for sure. This one comes in at 12820 empty. It can carry up to 3755 in additional weight. You stated you can tow 12700 with your truck. You will be very over weight if you tow this trailer with your bikes and gear. If your trailer is much lighter then forget I said this, but otherwise you will need a different tv.
1998 Dodge 3500 dually turbo.
1999 Nu Wa Snowbird Legend 31 + 2 RLTGBW
1998 12' Porta-Bote with 5HP Nissan and Electric motors
2 X Honda 2000EU
Years and years of experience to gain!!!
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Away2Maine
Not Exactly Where I Want To Be
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Joined: 03/04/2003
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Sir...
If you want to be overweight, that is your choice. Although few would recommend it, many people do it.
I have had a GMC with the 6.0 and 8.1 gasser, and now own a 6.6 Duramax. I will never go back for two reasons.
First, towing something of that weight is pushing the 6.0 and 8.1 very, very hard. The 6.0 would struggling mightily in any hilly terrain, the 8.1 would do okay, but labor in these areas. The Duramax would handle just about anything you would throw at it.
Second, the fuel mileage difference is huge at weights like that. During the three years I was experimenting with gassers vs. diesel (dad works for GM...it's not always a good thing) I towed one unit with all three. This was a basic travel trailer loaded to about 10,000lbs. With the 6.0 and 8.1 I would average around 8-9 mpg, with the Duramax I would average around 11.5mpg. At $3.00 to $3.50 per gallon, that adds up pretty quickly on long trips.
It seems the challenge you may have is that they just don't make many lighter weight toy-haulers.
As I said at the beginning, do what you want...just be careful doing it ;-)
Later...
Shawn, Jennifer, The Boys, and Gypsy
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Combo
2006 Cedar Creek Silverback 33LBHTS
Banks PowerPDA 6 Gun Tuner - Sweeeeeet
Husky Fifth Wheel Slider
Prodigy Brake Controller
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