Towing questions

[MMoulton]

We have owned our 2012 redwood 36fl for about 2 years. It was delivered by our dealer and we haven't ever towed it. We have a redwood 36fl, and we're assured that our 2006 dodge ram 2500 4wd diesel would be enough to pull our 5th wheel easy.. Anybody else have any advice regarding this.

Also, we would like to know if any of you have had issues with tires blowing out. Our tires are the original.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by MMoulton

We have owned our 2012 redwood 36fl for about 2 years. It was delivered by our dealer and we haven't ever towed it. We have a 2006 redwood 36fl, and we're assured that our 2006 dodge ram 2500 4wd diesel would be enough to pull our 5th wheel easy.. Anybody else have any advice regarding this.

Also, we would like to know if any of you have had issues with tires blowing out. Our tires are the original.

First off the 2500 CAN tow your unit BUT I would only tow a VERY short distance where there are now hills.

Second tires over 5 years are marginal, side walls rot out and alot of time from the inside


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[Char & Steve]

I'm not going to get into the truck wars since many have different opinions on this site but if you have the original tires and especially if they are the Marathons, I would replace them asap. You will find many threads on this site about both your questions if you do a search.
We also have an FL.

Steve

[travelin' texans]

Assured by a salesman? That says it all if that's the case. Most don't know how the equipment their selling works let alone what it takes to tow it.

[Rick and Mindy]

Do your own research, don't let a salesman tell you what will work. I found even the truck salesman has no clue! As for tire blowouts, I had 2 Marathons with only approximately 6000 miles on them blow within 30 miles of each other. They were 4 years old and looked like new! $5000 damage. Get new tires and upgrade to "G"s or "H"s!

[Shane Wood]

1st thing is definitely get new tires as said above minimum G rated.
Yes your truck will tow it but if you check your pin weight you will find it will overload your rear and tires.

[Jim & Mary]

I don't know the weight differences between the FL and RL like we have, but one thing an owner should do is weigh the rig as you will be towing it down the road, with propane, water if you choose, and all our "stuff", to see where your weight is. One of our members, Ron Russell has posted some valuable information on this website about the various tire weight capacities, and some have found that the G series tires are around 80-90% of their capacity, while most of our vehicle tires are much less than that. Search for his posts (his name on here is Titan Guy) for specific different tire capacities, compare it to your coach's weight and use that to decide, not some salesman who may not be well informed. We had Goodyear G614 tires on ours for the first couple of years, but after reading information on here, opted to purchase four new wheels and H rated 17.5 Goodyear tires from Ron, and I'm so relieved not to have to worry about tire safety anymore.

[atom ant]

The FL has one of the lightest pin weights of the entire fleet. You may be OK with the 2500.

Those tires are time bombs if they are original. 2012, all they had were Marathon.

[rob_fla]

I agree about the FL having the lightest Pin Weight of the Redwood Fleet.
My 38 FL weighted in a approximately 16,800 lbs. with a Pin Weight of only about 3000 lbs.

Still a lot of Pin Weight for a 2500 SRW Truck

[mhs4771]

It would be pushing the limits of the newer breed of 250/2500 series trucks, but with a 2006 most likely well over the GVWR and probably the GCWR.
There will be those that say they've been doing it for ever, but that doesn't make it right. Load everything up for a trip and go across the scales and see where you are, then make your decision if you feel you're safe.

[5th_Time]

Wow... Finally Brad is wrong... that's a shocker.
Goodyear G614s were an option on the '12s and my RL came with them & the upgraded wheels.
Many people have gotten away with using the Marathons - until they didn't. (Just like Redwood...)

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

Wow... Finally Brad is wrong... that's a shocker.
Goodyear G614s were an option on the '12s and my RL came with them & the upgraded wheels.
Many people have gotten away with using the Marathons - until they didn't. (Just like Redwood...)

You got me! I'm sorry I did not know that. I thought 2013.

[hoosierguy]

Yes that is true................the first thing I asked for in the way of upgrades, when I ordered my 2012 36RL in July 2011, was disk brakes. The second thing was upgraded wheels to GY G614 and corresponding rims. Affirmative response on both.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by hoosierguy

Yes that is true................the first thing I asked for in the way of upgrades, when I ordered my 2012 36RL in July 2011, was disk brakes. The second thing was upgraded wheels to GY G614 and corresponding rims. Affirmative response on both.

I did the same on my 2012

[travelin' texans]

I also ordered both tires & disc brakes, but the RW area rep at the time talked me out of the disc as they were having all sorts of issues with the controllers & the new integrated brake controls on the newer trucks, but I got'em now.

[mhs4771]

We also ordered our '12 36RL with Disc Brakes and G614 Tires. Never a problem with either, but after a year I upgraded to G114 17.5 Tires and Wheels.

[proteus]

Scaling mine when I hitch up next time, 36 RE
13200 empty plus washer dryer and all my full time stuff

B&W hitch is nice with Firestone air bags r essential to save Springs and prevent chucking too.

Next tow rig is a dually even though srw is my favorite and paid for, those 2 more rear tires r safer in crosswinds and windy roads

Short haul 2500 dodge did ok but cross country would be questionable.

And I'm due for a truck upgrade soon too.

Karl

[piper guy]

My next truck will be a Volvo. Been inside and driven a friend's Volvo 630 medium height and love it. Weight concerns no longer a problem, gets as good mpg as the F350 and you can put one together including a custom built bed for about the same price as a Dually. And it doesn't even care if the coach is behind it ........

[Dan]

Originally Posted by piper guy

My next truck will be a Volvo. Been inside and driven a friend's Volvo 630 medium height and love it. Weight concerns no longer a problem, gets as good mpg as the F350 and you can put one together including a custom built bed for about the same price as a Dually. And it doesn't even care if the coach is behind it ........

With the 630 could you extend the frame and carry a small car or a pair of motorcycles???


.

[spindrift]

Here's a Volvo 610. It's not unusual to see a Smart car on the back of one of these trucks. This particular truck has a 235" wheelbase.