I agree that you might want to look at lighter fivers. Ours I consider at about the limit of what I'd like to tow with our truck. Not because of total weight. It is only a pin weight issue. Yes, I can easily stop my trailer with just the truck brakes.
I think the real issue here is the rear end gears.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
I had a Ford with 3.42 rearend and had it changed out for the 4.10 This made a considerable difference with no real fuel mileage difference. Used to pull a 28' Cherokee. You might check out the Open Range 5ers. I just bought one this year and love it. Granted I tow it with a 3/4 I have heard of a fella that has one of these and towed all over with a 1/2 and had no trouble. Just a thought. Nice built rig. Normally we have had to start a list of things the dealer needed to tweek but on this one we have pulled it almost 3000 miles so far and haven't got out the paper yet. Good Luck in the search.
Dandy Dan dan218b@tds.net
Dan and Lori Branson, Anna 1 (the rescue)
and Beau (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
2005 Dodge QuadCab 2500 4x4 Hemi
2009 Open Range 337RLS
RV.Net Ohio Rally Member
Your rear end ratio is your biggest problem, I might suggest that before you regear the rear that you try a set of tires that are of less overall diameter as this will give the same effect as a small change in gear ratios. Make sure the weight rating of the tires can handle the job. I have pulled a fifth wheel with an F150 super cab and also a dodge Dakota, now don’t panic on the Dakota because in 98 you could get optional payload weight ratings of 1800 or 2600 lbs. As far as breaks are concerned the trailer should be able to stop itself without depending on the truck.
Too much weight for too tall axle ratio. I've towed 4k dry with the 3.42 ratio and 5k dry (6550 lbs GVWR) with the 3.73 ratio. I was not that happy with the 3.42 combo while the latter setup worked pretty good. But I wouldn't tow with the combo you are considering and I doubt that you or your parents will be happy with it. Finding lite fivers today is a real challenge and you should consider getting the rear axle regeared to 3.73 or 4.10 depending on the weight of the fiver or TT.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'03 GMC 2500HD D/A EC SB, Jordan controller, custom RKI bed/hitch, Putco boards, TF 45gal tank, grey Speedliner
'04 CrossRoads Cruiser CF29RK, Mor/ryde IS, Carefree Eclipse 12V awning Rig Photos
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