Changes in tow vehicle

[Paul Canaris]

Just changed tow vehicles from a RAM 2500 diesel to a RAM 3500 Diesel Dually for reasons unrelated to RVing. Hitch receiver height is identical on both. Using a Blue Ox chain style weight distribution hitch. Any reasons for concern in terms of adjusting the hitch links or anything else? We have a Globetrotter 27 FB.

[S1njin]

With that kind of tow vehicle, I'd think a friction sway bar or something of the like would be all you need. I can't see your AS making your rear end squat given its a 3500 dually.

[LNBright]

I would suggest trying an identical setup to begin with; you obviously could then slacken the chains a bit, wouldn't need much WD return at all, but, having a little tension on the bars would help w/ any sway...

[Keys Dave]

I will be very interested to see if you can find a good sway control only hitch for your new rig. I have looked for such a thing and can't find a good one. My F350 tows the 25FC fbq fine. I have added Silastic shackles and Bilstein shocks for ride improvements. I use the truck for hauling many other trailers. I really don't want to put a $ 1000.00 into a hitch just for the AS.

[BigAl]

The Hensley or Pro Pride hitch eliminate sway without using the weight distribution bars. On my setup with a Hensley, I just take the slack out of my weight distribution bars. To counter the droop in my setup I use airbags to raise the rear of the truck when towing. Makes for a very soft ride and little stress on the trailer.

[ONESICKPUPPY]

With a dually try taking all that stuff off and just using the ball. I have the same truck with a 28’ International. Pulls great.

[Life is a Highway]

Red Shocker hitch with a drag friction sway link. There is a good video of a Ram owner with your rig and why it worked best for his Airstream. Company is good for tech support if you call

[Paul Canaris]

Thanks to all for the information.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Paul Canaris

Just changed tow vehicles from a RAM 2500 diesel to a RAM 3500 Diesel Dually for reasons unrelated to RVing. Hitch receiver height is identical on both. Using a Blue Ox chain style weight distribution hitch. Any reasons for concern in terms of adjusting the hitch links or anything else? We have a Globetrotter 27 FB.

I'm thinking you dont need weight distribution, but thats dependent on the 3500 rating. I would think not. Just make sure your 27 footer does not have a warning against using such a heavy duty tow vehicle. I know the smaller ones, do.

I would however use a sway control arm. Your tow vehicle can't prevent sway, but a damper designed for that, can and sway could still cause a huge problem since the 27 footer is so long.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by ONESICKPUPPY

With a dually try taking all that stuff off and just using the ball. I have the same truck with a 28’ International. Pulls great.

Not using any sway damper is great, until you need it.

[jcl]

When you hook up, the starting point for your setup should be to restore 50% of the load to the front axle, as measured at the front fender, through application of weight distribution equipment. That is directly from RAM, specific to the 3500 model, and is in the owner's manual. This applies to any trailer over 5000 lbs GVWR.

RAM cautions that reducing the load on the front axle by not using WD will negatively impact the stable handling of your vehicle, and you could lose control and cause a collision.

I see the recommendations posted above to tow on the ball, but just be aware that that is not the recommendation of the manufacturer of your tow vehicle, or of towing professionals.

It is difficult to translate a setup from one vehicle to another without confirming things like bar tension. There are too many variables. If the ball height is at a good height to start, then it is just the rearward tilt of the WD head, and the bar tension, that you should need to worry about.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by jcl

When you hook up, the starting point for your setup should be to restore 50% of the load to the front axle, as measured at the front fender, through application of weight distribution equipment. That is directly from RAM, specific to the 3500 model, and is in the owner's manual. This applies to any trailer over 5000 lbs GVWR.

RAM cautions that reducing the load on the front axle by not using WD will negatively impact the stable handling of your vehicle, and you could lose control and cause a collision.

I see the recommendations posted above to tow on the ball, but just be aware that that is not the recommendation of the manufacturer of your tow vehicle, or of towing professionals.

ut.

I tend to agree with you here. I've never owned a 3500 frame, so I dont know how it affects a dual wheel rear end which I assume can take quite a bit . The tongue weight is key to needing any WD hitch however. If you arent applying a weight to the rear that needs distributing, the WDH system won't do anything. However I assume a 27 footer will be applying 1000LB or more. Which might well need a WDH. I don't know. I've never towed with one but I assume bumper pull has more restrictions and requirements vs a gooseneck/5th wheel system as it is 'payload' not a bumper hitch.

I would as you said defer to the MFG and what they recommend based on the weight being applied to the bumper. The load being that far back, probably needs a WDH.

[Paul Canaris]

Spoke to Airstream. The shop manager did not seem too concerned with situation. I tow it to AS DFW next week, 2 hour drive, so I guess I'll see how it feels on road and have them look at how level it is towing when I get it there.

[Waypt47]

Originally Posted by Paul Canaris

Just changed tow vehicles from a RAM 2500 diesel to a RAM 3500 Diesel Dually for reasons unrelated to RVing. Hitch receiver height is identical on both. Using a Blue Ox chain style weight distribution hitch. Any reasons for concern in terms of adjusting the hitch links or anything else? We have a Globetrotter 27 FB.

I used a Blue Ox weight distributing/ sway control hitch for 12 years and loved it. I pulled with a Ram 2500 HD. If nothing has changed I would keep the same bars and chain length. I found that if I wanted to change how the the trailer felt, which was seldom, I would decrease or increase the chain by one link. It may also depend on the difference between the suspension on your 2500 compaired to the new 3500.

[Paul Canaris]

Originally Posted by Waypt47

I used a Blue Ox weight distributing/ sway control hitch for 12 years and loved it. .

Ditto, we have the Blue Ox and like it.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Paul Canaris

Spoke to Airstream. The shop manager did not seem too concerned with situation. I tow it to AS DFW next week, 2 hour drive, so I guess I'll see how it feels on road and have them look at how level it is towing when I get it there.

From what I've seen the dealers are the wrong people to ask.

I was at the dealer last week sitting waiting for a warranty repair and a guy with your 3500 was going to tow on the ball only 3 hours away and he was confident that it would ' handle the weight ' by itself because the truck is rated to 5000 pounds on his gooseneck... He was going to pull a 30 footer bumper pull now.

I almost piped up but its not my job.... As you know the payload tow rating is not the same as the bumper pull rating, and he absolutely needs some kind of sway control and likely a WDH as we've all discussed here, even on a big 3500 frame due to the bumper pull location, vs the gooseneck rating being different.

Going a short distance, at like 55mph? I would tow it on the ball only if I had to. But not any distance or speed on the highway.