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Old 09-08-2011, 08:09 PM   #1
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1989 35' Argosy 5th Wheel
houston , Texas
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Towing a Jeep behind AS fifth wheel?

What are yalls opinion on towing a jeep behind an AS fifth wheel. What does AS
recommend? Im looking into "stiffening up the rear bumper...maybe welding in 3/16 square tubing @ 6' in front of the existing bumper and then tying in with shorter sections of square tubing @ 5". A hitch was welded on by a prior owner but I think i might grind these welds out and weld myself.

Any thoughts??
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Old 09-08-2011, 10:42 PM   #2
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What are you towing with? Will you have a brake buddy for the jeep? How will you determine if something is going wrong with your hitch setup way back there as you motor down the freeway? Is it legal in the states that you will travel?

Its all tug weight and no tongue weight but it will add considerable stress to the frame of your airstream.

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Old 09-09-2011, 11:41 AM   #3
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my 07 chevy duramax is plenty capable. Im more worried about the existing bumper even though like you say its only tug weight. Do you think a brake buddy is necessary Vinnie?
I wonder if I could rig up a camera to my existing navigation unit on my truck...
lol that would be bada$$
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Old 09-09-2011, 12:22 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcm83houtx
my 07 chevy duramax is plenty capable. Im more worried about the existing bumper even though like you say its only tug weight. Do you think a brake buddy is necessary Vinnie?
I wonder if I could rig up a camera to my existing navigation unit on my truck...
lol that would be bada$$
I think in most states, braking control with a breakaway for the Jeep would be legally required.
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Old 09-09-2011, 12:36 PM   #5
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The last I checked, double towing is allowed in Texas and more than half of the other states. Texas requires brakes on anything 4500# or more. Many other states require them at 3000#.
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Old 09-09-2011, 01:03 PM   #6
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I know also all the light laws are applicable, and there is a 65' (I believe ) maximum combined length.

I've done it in the past towing a 24' Argosy, and a 17' boat with a 3/4 ton Chevy truck. However, I did not like it, it was very hard to hold steady, and I would not do it again.
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Old 09-09-2011, 01:57 PM   #7
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my jeep weighs about 4k. I think it would be much more stable compared to a bumper pull... reason i got a fifth wheel.
xtra safety devices cant hurt though right
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Old 09-09-2011, 02:42 PM   #8
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An AS 5th wheel??? where have I been?
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Old 09-09-2011, 02:44 PM   #9
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An AS 5th wheel??? where have I been?
I believe it was an Argosy (by Airstream) back in the late 80's, early 90's.
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Old 09-09-2011, 02:52 PM   #10
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An AS 5th wheel??? where have I been?
Fred's Airstream Archives - 1996 Airstream Integrity 5th Wheel Travel trailer (A)
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Old 09-09-2011, 03:05 PM   #11
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Well, I was wrong on that one. Looks like it was part of the "Squarestream" effort.
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Old 09-09-2011, 03:08 PM   #12
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Well, I was wrong on that one. Looks like it was part of the "Squarestream" effort.
They did Argys too.

Both definitely in the Square look.
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Old 09-09-2011, 04:09 PM   #13
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I would be concerned .. The side to side pressure exerted by a tow bar is quite a bit more than that of a regular trailer hitch. It is enough to actually slide the front tires of the towed Jeep sideways because the tires cannot track perfectly.
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Old 09-09-2011, 04:23 PM   #14
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there was a guy that was camped next to us last year in a campground in nc. he said he was a full timer. anyway he towed a 5th wheel with a jeep towed on the back of the trailer. he said he had to take it back to the factory for them to rebuild the whole rear inside the 5th wheel. everything was comeing apart. i told him that was because the jeep on the rear bumper would not let the rear of the trailer bounce like it should and it was takeing a pounding . read up on hitch carriers for scooters and motor cycles and it will warn you about that, same is true on towing behind a trailer. it don't matter what your towing with.
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Old 09-09-2011, 04:59 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcm83houtx View Post
What are yalls opinion on towing a jeep behind an AS fifth wheel. What does AS
recommend? Im looking into "stiffening up the rear bumper...maybe welding in 3/16 square tubing @ 6' in front of the existing bumper and then tying in with shorter sections of square tubing @ 5". A hitch was welded on by a prior owner but I think i might grind these welds out and weld myself.

Any thoughts??
Since you asked my thoughts:
1) I think you'll be making a mistake.
2) The dealership I work for will be happy to perform the repairs that will be required after you do this. They will no doubt be expensive.
3) There will be no warranty on those repairs.
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Old 09-11-2011, 11:53 AM   #16
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1989 35' Argosy 5th Wheel
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overlander, what would you do to reinforce the frame.
angle in the corners?..crossbracing?..flat bar along the sides of the frame?
What would you do?
btw, I weld high pressure vessels at oil refineries for a living.
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