safn1949
Mankato,MN
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So here goes,I have a 1999 dodge 3500 duelly and we are getting an 07 Hornet 31 ft TT to replace our old 1991 27 footer.
The TV is a diesel 4 door and the TT is rated at 975 lbs tw dry and about 8000 empty. 10,000 loaded.
So after I get a class 5 hitch installed and a prodigy 2, what does everyone recommend to tow this size trailer. Keep in mind I drive an 18 wheeler so I know heavy trailers but this is all new to me.
Thanks
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path1
seattle
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Quote:have a 1999 dodge 3500 duelly and we are getting an 07 Hornet 31 ft TT
OK got it.
Quote:The TV is a diesel 4 door and the TT is rated at 975 lbs tw dry and about 8000 empty. 10,000 loaded.
I don't get this? Guessing here: You have a 4 door 1 ton dodge dually and the trailer has tongue weight of 975 and weighs 8000 empty? Was my guess right? If not I don't get your posting, maybe just me.
P.S. Before any truck driver pulls anything on vacation you have to get a vacation endorsement for your license.
Just joking. Now you can tow in style
(To cheap to buy new)
1990 37 ft 5th wheel that hasn't moved since 1996 (our best home)
1997 33 ft trailer (winter home in much warmer climate)
2005 25 ft M/H (our "stand up B" for traveling)
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2Macs
Indianapolis, IN
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Your tow vehicle is more than enough for your new TT. It will tow the new TT without a WDH if necessary although it is better to have one. The tongue weight will set the rear end down probably less the 5 inches and with a WDH, you may have a problem getting the TT to tow level or slightly front end low even at the minimum on the WDH.
I tow a Flagstaff 33' TT using a 2007 Chevy 3500 Dually Duramax/Allison. My dry weights are slightly less than yours and the TV handles the TT loaded as though its not there when on the highway.
Having a dually will provide more stability for the entire unit when towing.
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sharker6
fulltime KY, NC, FL, MA, TN
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There isn't a TT manufactured that a dually can't tow, with or without a WDH. Sounds like you have what you need.
2009 30' Fleetwood Wilderness, 2008 F-250 Super Duty FX4 stump puller
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haste maker
alabama
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Being a former truck driver myself (now retired after 42 years on the road) the only thing I would add to your rig is an engine brake....or as us truck drivers like to call them...Jake Brake
Retried Teamster
2007 Dodge
2012 Sierra
2002 Honda Goldwing
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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I have looked at a lot of 1 ton PUs. The only junk on the vehicle is the factory installed receiver hitch. Once changed out to a class 5 hitch it will be an awesome TV. You can buy those class 5 hitches in either a 2 inch receiver or a 2 1/2 inch receiver. I bought the 2 inch receiver Curt brand to install on my F250. The Curt hitch weighs more than twice what my Ford factory hitch weighed. My Ford factory hitch was really built cheap.
I would check the rating on the hitch though. Some PUs have an after market hitch that is higher quality than the factory installed hitch.
2013 Monaco Monarch motorhome
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safn1949
Mankato,MN
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path1 wrote:Quote:have a 1999 dodge 3500 duelly and we are getting an 07 Hornet 31 ft TT
OK got it.
Quote:The TV is a diesel 4 door and the TT is rated at 975 lbs tw dry and about 8000 empty. 10,000 loaded.
I don't get this? Guessing here: You have a 4 door 1 ton dodge dually and the trailer has tongue weight of 975 and weighs 8000 empty? Was my guess right? If not I don't get your posting, maybe just me.
P.S. Before any truck driver pulls anything on vacation you have to get a vacation endorsement for your license.
Just joking. Now you can tow in style
Working on that endorsement......you read it right. 
The hitch that is on it is labeled at 10,000 max and is old and a bit rusty,at the price of a new class 5 with grade 8 bolts I will replace it. Who knows what's holding it on now.
I am going to 1200 tw and 12,000 tow. Thanks fellas for the advice.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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I would add an integrated sway/WD hitch like the Reese Dual Cam sized for your load.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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gmw photos
midwest
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As you no doubt already know, these pickup trucks with diesel engines are more "nose heavy" than the same truck with a gas motor. Because of that, before I would spend the money ( and added time to hitch and unhitch ) on a WD hitch, I would hook up the new trailer and head for the scales.
I'm normally a strong proponent of WD hitches ( I use use one, but it's on a 1/2 ton Nissan truck ), but in your case, you might not need it. At least that's my thoughts on it, based on my experience pulling various trailers with our F-350 PS dually.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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I would estimate that his tongue weight on that trailer is going to be right around 1300lbs when it is ready to go camping. That is very similar to my rig both in "dry" tongue weight and GVWR. My tongue weight is 1280lbs as weighed with a Sherline tongue weight scale.
His receiver on that year Dodge is rated for only 500lbs in weight carrying mode just like most other trucks of that vintage. He MUST use a WD hitch with the stock receiver.
If he gets an aftermarket receiver as he mentioned, he still should use the WD hitch even if his receiver is rated for his tongue weight in weight carrying mode. This is because his front axle will be unloaded by over 500lbs or so and that weight will be added to his rear axle load. The WD hitch will restore his front axle to the unloaded weight to keep his steering geometry correct and his front braking to be normal.
I second the recommendation to get the Dual Cam sway control system installed also.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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