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10-09-2014, 12:13 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
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5th Wheel Hitch Size
When we bought our first 5th Wheel, it had a GVWR rating of 12K and we had a Reese 16K hitch.
We upgraded to our second 5th Wheel with a 14K GVWR and used the same hitch.
Now we have (in December 2014) a RW36FB with a GVWR of 16K. Is the Reese 16K still usable?
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10-09-2014, 12:32 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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I would say its probably time to move up to a 18 or 20.
I bought a Reese 20K when we got the Redwood because of the gross weight of the Redwood, and it fit in my existing rails. Amazon - about $600 Prime I believe. Sold the old one (slider) for $250 Craigslist.
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Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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10-09-2014, 12:34 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,092
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You're either going to be right at the maximum or perhaps over depending on what you load in the rig. I have an FB, it's right around 17K [we are fulltime]. We have a 25K hitch.
Regardless, I've always understood that there should be around a 20% buffer on hitch rating, I would recumbent no less than 18K if you keep your personal belongings to a minimum, 20K is better.
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SOB
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10-09-2014, 02:24 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
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We had a 16K hitch we bought two 5ers ago, our 1st 5th Wheel had a gross weight of about 11,000 lbs. so we had plenty of margin.
Then a few years ago we bought a larger 5th Wheel and started to fulltime in it.
When we had it weighted we were at 15,800 lbs., not much margin left and the hitch had been service for 10 years between the two 5th Wheels so we upgraded to a Curt Q24 about a year ago, way higher than we needed and no thought about trading 5ers at the time.
Now that we have made the move to our RW, we sure are glad we got the higher rated hitch, now we still have plenty of margin. 
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch
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10-09-2014, 03:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,444
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boca_Shuffles
When we bought our first 5th Wheel, it had a GVWR rating of 12K and we had a Reese 16K hitch.
We upgraded to our second 5th Wheel with a 14K GVWR and used the same hitch.
Now we have (in December 2014) a RW36FB with a GVWR of 16K. Is the Reese 16K still usable?
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The only way to know for sure is to have the fifth wheel weighed. When I bought my 31SL I also had a 16k hitch. When loaded my fifth wheel weighed in at around 14,000 lbs, well under the 16k. I have upgraded to a 20,000 lb hitch because eventually I plan on pulling a Goldwing behind the 31SL .
__________________
 Rick and Mindy
Retired
2013 Redwood 31SL, 2011 Ford F350 SRW, 6.7, Crew Cab with Firestone Bags, Titan Disc Brakes
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10-09-2014, 05:26 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick and Mindy
The only way to know for sure is to have the fifth wheel weighed. When I bought my 31SL I also had a 16k hitch. When loaded my fifth wheel weighed in at around 14,000 lbs, well under the 16k. I have upgraded to a 20,000 lb hitch because eventually I plan on pulling a Goldwing behind the 31SL .
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That's an excellent point!
Don't forget you have an available 3,000 lb additional tow capacity with the rear hitch on the Redwood. I fully plan to pull another toy trailer someday with a boat, jetskis, ATVs, or maybe my wheelchair if that day comes. That quickly puts me into 20K "capacity", not necessarily "actual".
The downside for me is the tri-glide pin box is only rated for 18K. Man it looks like it is closer to 100K just by how heavy it looks. I know others out there have some rated at over 20K
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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10-09-2014, 11:06 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atom ant
The downside for me is the tri-glide pin box is only rated for 18K. Man it looks like it is closer to 100K just by how heavy it looks. I know others out there have some rated at over 20K
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Interesting, my Tri-Glide is rated at 21K. Guess they changed them at some point.
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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10-09-2014, 11:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
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Our Tri-Glide is also rated at 18K
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch
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10-09-2014, 11:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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I wouldn't have thought with a 3K capacity hitch that they would have had to include that with the GVWR to rate the pinbox. Probably overlooked by mistake.
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Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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10-09-2014, 11:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_fla
Our Tri-Glide is also rated at 18K
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When was yours built? I believe mine was built in June 2014. Wondering when they changed or if I just got lucky.
Funny thing is, an 18K king pin won't pull a Redwood AND the 3K that the hitch is rated for...
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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10-10-2014, 01:43 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 619
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I am running with a 25K Reese I was after a 20K but they didn't have one in stock so I convinced them to give me the 25k for the same price. My grandfather used to say find out what you need and then buy one size larger you will eventually need it, that man always seemed to be right
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07 Dodge 3500, Exhaust Brake, Edge Programer, Killer "B" Turbo
13 RL ALL options except Gen and W/D
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10-10-2014, 01:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwg
When was yours built? I believe mine was built in June 2014. Wondering when they changed or if I just got lucky.
Funny thing is, an 18K king pin won't pull a Redwood AND the 3K that the hitch is rated for...
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Our 2014 model was build the last week of October 2013
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch
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10-10-2014, 05:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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In reality, even the 20K would not be heavy enough if I added the full 3K for the hitch.
Reese came out with a 26.5K for the F450, and my Ford Dealer sold it to me thinking it was the 25K. He said the part number I had was old, and this was the replacement I said fine and walked out with a hitch worth $400 more.
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Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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10-11-2014, 10:32 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16
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I have the luxury to put whatever hitch I want on my new 2014 Ram 3500 dually. We are in the process of finding the 36FB that meets our needs but my question is with this truck and this trailer what would be the perfect hitch? I am looking at the B&W Companion but installation cost is pretty high and having rails in the bed not a big deal for I do not use the truck to haul much but gardening and camping stuff.
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Fred & Eileen
Lamy (Santa Fe), NM
2014 Ram 3500 Dually
Redwood 36FB (still looking for the right one)
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10-11-2014, 11:42 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wileysantafe
I have the luxury to put whatever hitch I want on my new 2014 Ram 3500 dually. We are in the process of finding the 36FB that meets our needs but my question is with this truck and this trailer what would be the perfect hitch? I am looking at the B&W Companion but installation cost is pretty high and having rails in the bed not a big deal for I do not use the truck to haul much but gardening and camping stuff.
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We went with the RAM adapter that fits in the puck holes and a Reese 20K. Both pieces can be manhandled out and in without too much problem. Pulls just fine
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2014 38GK, disc brakes, MorRyde SRE 4000, 2-Yamaha 2000 gennys, G14's, dual awnings, Progressive EMS.
2014 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW with Luverne Bull Bar and skid plate.
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10-12-2014, 12:10 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16
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Did your truck have the 5th wheel RAM OEM hitch platform? My truck does not have this even though it has the rest of the tow package.
__________________
Fred & Eileen
Lamy (Santa Fe), NM
2014 Ram 3500 Dually
Redwood 36FB (still looking for the right one)
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10-12-2014, 12:41 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wileysantafe
Did your truck have the 5th wheel RAM OEM hitch platform? My truck does not have this even though it has the rest of the tow package.
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No, got it through a RAM dealer. Fits right in the puck holes and the Reese sits on top.
__________________
2014 38GK, disc brakes, MorRyde SRE 4000, 2-Yamaha 2000 gennys, G14's, dual awnings, Progressive EMS.
2014 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW with Luverne Bull Bar and skid plate.
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10-12-2014, 01:39 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16
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Hope I am not being to nosey but what did the RAM dealer charge you?
Thanks
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Fred & Eileen
Lamy (Santa Fe), NM
2014 Ram 3500 Dually
Redwood 36FB (still looking for the right one)
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10-12-2014, 02:02 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wileysantafe
Hope I am not being to nosey but what did the RAM dealer charge you?
Thanks
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Not being nosy at all. However, I can't remember---maybe about $350 or so
I bought the truck from a local guy who got it from a dealer in Denver. The Dealership where we got the RW included the 20K Reese in the deal. I had a 15K before. So when we got everything together, the local guy called his RAM guy and got the adapter. I don't think it is a real negotiable item, but you could probably check around.
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2014 38GK, disc brakes, MorRyde SRE 4000, 2-Yamaha 2000 gennys, G14's, dual awnings, Progressive EMS.
2014 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW with Luverne Bull Bar and skid plate.
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10-12-2014, 11:23 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,136
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The Trail-Air on my '12RL is 18K and says "L05" on it. What model number is the 21K?
I installed the Reese Elite 18K because the Trail-Air was only18K capacity.
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Mike & Pam '12 36RL, Kodiak Discs, 17.5" G114s H-Rated, SRE4000 w/HD Shackles, Joy Rider Shocks, Flex Air, 5.5 Onan, W&D, DW, 4 Scare Lights, (2) 6V Trojan T-145s; Progressive EMS-HW50C, Winegard DTV Sat, Sony/Denon 4K Home Theater, WiFiRanger EliteAC Pack, weBoost 4G-X Cell Booster.
2022 RAM 3500 Limited CC, LB, 4x4, DRW, Max Tow, Cummins HO, AISIN, 4.10, Mopar 30K w/OEM Prep, Transfer Flow 70gal Aux Tank/Toolbox.
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