dhamblet
Well-known member
I pull my 15,000 lb Dutchmen 35SRV with a Dodge SRW, 4WD, 6 speed manual, Longbed, Quadcab.
I have learned a lot about trucks and fifth wheels that I didn't know 4 years ago.
The Trailer
When looking at trailers I first thought the open plan trailers would work fine. But if you're going to live in the trailer for any period of time they suck. Ypu will get fuel and oil smells and spills plus the decor is cheap, tacky, and by and large uncomfortable. So we compromised and got trailer with a separate garage that would haul 2 toys. My motorcycle and my quad. When you buy make sure that when loaded the trailer can haul the weight you plan to put in it. Some fifth wheels with slides weigh so much empty that adding one dirt bike will put them overweight.
Since buying the trailer we have broken off 3 spring hangers because the ones Lippert puts on the frames (they make most of them) are too small and poorly designed and break off - usually at the most inoppertune times. So plan on meeting some welders on the road if you are loaded out.
The Truck
My first truck was a 2005 Dodge Cummins 3500, 4wd, SRW, AT, Quad Cab, shortbed. When pulling with this truck I had a couple of painful learning experiences. I hit the cab twice with the nose of the fifth wheel causing mionor body damage and major repair bills. First time I had installed a Reese 15k with a slider hitch. When pulling out of a service station I hit the left cab corner putting a dent in the cab. FIxed that and bought a Pullrite automatic slide hitch. When backing into an uphill spot in a RV park I hit the left cab corner again denting the cab. I also had a problem slowing the load on down grades and realized I needed an exhaust brake.
I sold the truck a year later. Problems with the Dodge is the short bed is shorter than either Ford or Chevy. The rear axle is also closer to the cab by 6" to 1' than a Ford or Chevy short bed. Since thats where your hitch is centered is causes problems with big fivers.
So I looked at Fords and Chevys -- and DOdges. Ford was very proud of their product tp the tune of about $10,000 more than a comparably equipped Dodge. They also are reputed to have transmission problems with their AT. Chevy also was a bit higher than Dodge and I was bothered by the aluminum heads and cast iron block - recepie for head gasket failures. I also learned the "Allison" tranny they use is Allison only in name. Its not the beefy Allison most people expect when they hear the name. Its a specially constructed tranny specifically designed for light duty pickups - I was not impressed. But it did great on down grades slowing the load. ALso Chevy did not claim the GCVW rating that Dodge did. I like the ergonomics of the Chevy cab and I think the Ford is a very nice truck.
But I bought another Dodge CTD Quad cab but this time I got a long bed with a 6 speed manual. Since used Dodge trucks hold their value pretty well I didn't lose much between the 2005 and the new 2006 truck. Thats why I bought new anyway because I could buy a new one for not much more than used ones were selling for. Shop around and dicker a lot. Then I installed a Pacbrake - its fantastic. The new truck also came with Sirius Radio and a sunroof and little more cost - the 2005 did not have these options available.
Denny
2004 Dutchmen 35SRV Toy Hauler (38.5')
2006 Dodge CTD, Quad Cab, SRW, 4wd, LB, 6 speed., pacbrake
2004 Harley Ultra Classic
2006 CanAm 400 Max
I have learned a lot about trucks and fifth wheels that I didn't know 4 years ago.
The Trailer
When looking at trailers I first thought the open plan trailers would work fine. But if you're going to live in the trailer for any period of time they suck. Ypu will get fuel and oil smells and spills plus the decor is cheap, tacky, and by and large uncomfortable. So we compromised and got trailer with a separate garage that would haul 2 toys. My motorcycle and my quad. When you buy make sure that when loaded the trailer can haul the weight you plan to put in it. Some fifth wheels with slides weigh so much empty that adding one dirt bike will put them overweight.
Since buying the trailer we have broken off 3 spring hangers because the ones Lippert puts on the frames (they make most of them) are too small and poorly designed and break off - usually at the most inoppertune times. So plan on meeting some welders on the road if you are loaded out.
The Truck
My first truck was a 2005 Dodge Cummins 3500, 4wd, SRW, AT, Quad Cab, shortbed. When pulling with this truck I had a couple of painful learning experiences. I hit the cab twice with the nose of the fifth wheel causing mionor body damage and major repair bills. First time I had installed a Reese 15k with a slider hitch. When pulling out of a service station I hit the left cab corner putting a dent in the cab. FIxed that and bought a Pullrite automatic slide hitch. When backing into an uphill spot in a RV park I hit the left cab corner again denting the cab. I also had a problem slowing the load on down grades and realized I needed an exhaust brake.
I sold the truck a year later. Problems with the Dodge is the short bed is shorter than either Ford or Chevy. The rear axle is also closer to the cab by 6" to 1' than a Ford or Chevy short bed. Since thats where your hitch is centered is causes problems with big fivers.
So I looked at Fords and Chevys -- and DOdges. Ford was very proud of their product tp the tune of about $10,000 more than a comparably equipped Dodge. They also are reputed to have transmission problems with their AT. Chevy also was a bit higher than Dodge and I was bothered by the aluminum heads and cast iron block - recepie for head gasket failures. I also learned the "Allison" tranny they use is Allison only in name. Its not the beefy Allison most people expect when they hear the name. Its a specially constructed tranny specifically designed for light duty pickups - I was not impressed. But it did great on down grades slowing the load. ALso Chevy did not claim the GCVW rating that Dodge did. I like the ergonomics of the Chevy cab and I think the Ford is a very nice truck.
But I bought another Dodge CTD Quad cab but this time I got a long bed with a 6 speed manual. Since used Dodge trucks hold their value pretty well I didn't lose much between the 2005 and the new 2006 truck. Thats why I bought new anyway because I could buy a new one for not much more than used ones were selling for. Shop around and dicker a lot. Then I installed a Pacbrake - its fantastic. The new truck also came with Sirius Radio and a sunroof and little more cost - the 2005 did not have these options available.
Denny
2004 Dutchmen 35SRV Toy Hauler (38.5')
2006 Dodge CTD, Quad Cab, SRW, 4wd, LB, 6 speed., pacbrake
2004 Harley Ultra Classic
2006 CanAm 400 Max
