Pulling 5th wheel camper trailer with big truck

Those fifth wheel campers aren't even that heavy. Closer to 5 or 6k lbs. You can pull them with a half ton... tho its not something i would recommend.

But anyway, back to the jack knifing, or trailer coming around. It won't because the tires are free spinning. It will stay straight. There isn't enough weight there for it to push the truck sideways.

 

Generally, if you are stopping in a straight line, trailers wont try to pass you unless your on ice. Some how this time of the year I would say the ice factor is moot

 

I'm setting up an Isuzu NPR 14.5 GVW, 4 cylinder diesel / 4 speed, overdrive auto trans w/ ECM, to tow my 3800 Lb. 5th wheel trailer. Adapting a Reese 20K double oscillating (4 way) receiver to a class 8 air slider, allowing me to move the pin from 13 inches, or so, forward of the rear axel centerline to about 14 inches behind it. When I'm done, it should be easy to fine tune the ride hight, handling, axel weight distribution, leveling. Also replacing the stock springs with air bag's behind the axel centerline on a parallel 4 link setup. (mostly because the ride is much too harsh with the 14.5 GVW 10,000 Lb rear axel steel springs.)

Interestingly, Isuzu does not rate the "N" series trucks for towing, most of them are box trucks. Mine was a 20 foot box on a 167 inch wheel base. A local upfitter cut the WB to 120 inches and recalibrated the ABS system, along with adding a brake controller and a 7 pin plug and an ICC spec dock bumper.

Some of the landscapers, local to me, fill a dump bed with wood chips and tow a 8 or 9 K lb. chipper behind, with no ill effects and get high teens mileage doing it. Comments?

 

yes they need to work. If the brakes are on there. They will cite you and put you out of service for this.

 

Just a little experience offered. When I didn't have the electric trailer brakes hooked up, (wired thru a controller) My 5th wheel, yes it's pretty light, had a terrible chucking problem, mostly , under braking. Even on smooth roads, the bucking and bouncing was annoying/dangerous.

Hooking up the brake controller, and a proper adjustment made all the difference. Now I have to check the mirrors, to see if I've still got it.

I was towing with a 1 ton dually, short wheelbase GMC, more than enough truck for the trailer. Properly operating brakes make all the difference.

RED

 

I have often wondered how they would do. What is the HP/torque rating compared to say a 6 liter V-8 diesel in a GMC 3500. I would do a little cab over version, I think would be cool...

 

He needs to post some pictures

 

these 2 pic's ought to help.