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Post by eastexhorn on Jun 25, 2018 16:47:30 GMT -5
I had a salesman at Athens RV tell me I would not need a slider hitch towing a Durango 2500 with a short bed truck. He said the way the cap was designed, I could turn 90 degrees without the slider hitch. Anyone know if this is true?
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cloud
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 54
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Post by cloud on Jun 25, 2018 17:51:51 GMT -5
I'm assuming your referring to a 6' and not the 5'3". I pull a Durango 1500 with a truck with a 6' bed and can turn Without a problem.
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Post by joecamper on Jun 25, 2018 20:39:39 GMT -5
I have the same type of camper as you do. I was told that a slider was a must. And after several close calls I can say that I doubt you can make a 90 degree turn without hitting the truck without a slider. I have the SuperGlide and wouldn't be without it. If for peace of mind if nothing else. My truck is a 2004 GMC short bed.
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ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Jun 26, 2018 4:42:35 GMT -5
Not sure about a 2500 but a 366 Gold will touch with a 6 1/2 foot bed.
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Post by eastexhorn on Jun 26, 2018 8:52:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. We haven't actually purchased truck or trailer yet, but were considering buying a Durango 2500 325 RLT and a Ram 3/4 ton short bed. I was originally considering buying a Durango Gold and towing it with a dually until I found out that in Texas you need a Class A non-commercial license if your combined GVWR is over 26000 pounds. I don't have any problem getting the Class A license, but there is no way the DW is going to do that and I don't want to be the only driver.
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Post by rvdude on Jun 26, 2018 13:17:16 GMT -5
With a dually and a 5th wheel, you should be a LONG WAY from 26000 pounds. My Silverado dually weighs around 6300, my Durango Gold weighs around 12500 empty, probably 14500 loaded (just a guess). That gives me about a 4000 pound cushion on the 26000 pound weight limit. And I live in Texas.
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Post by eastexhorn on Jun 27, 2018 13:10:47 GMT -5
With a dually and a 5th wheel, you should be a LONG WAY from 26000 pounds. My Silverado dually weighs around 6300, my Durango Gold weighs around 12500 empty, probably 14500 loaded (just a guess). That gives me about a 4000 pound cushion on the 26000 pound weight limit. And I live in Texas. The actual weights do not matter. It is the gross vehicle weight ratings that matter. The GVWR of your Durango is 14995 pounds. If the GVWR of your truck exceeds 11005 pounds, you need a Class A license in the state of Texas. If your GCWR is over 26000 pounds and you do not have a class A license, you can be cited for driving without a license and your insurance company could deny any claims. The information can be found here. |
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Post by rvdude on Jun 27, 2018 22:17:12 GMT -5
Yeah... I did some checking today and found that out. I knew about the 26000 lb limit, but I always thought it was the actual weights. Soooo... that's one more thing I have to take care of. Thanks for bringing it to my/our attention. I would bet probably 80% to 90% of people don't know about this.
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Post by nvguy on Jun 28, 2018 0:31:52 GMT -5
OK, back on track..you might not need a slider-if you only back up on perfectly flat terrain, once you start baking up an incline (like into the RV spot next to my house) the gap between the cab and 5th wheel decreases and you get to find out that you should have gotten a slider.
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Post by johnr on Jun 28, 2018 6:55:56 GMT -5
Ohio has the same restrictions, Ohio CDL Classes. I'd better check the GVWR on my vehicles to make sure I'm good. Edit: Sorry, I retract my initial post, Ohio says Recreational Vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements. Ohio CDL Exemptions |
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Post by ronc on Jun 28, 2018 11:53:52 GMT -5
Ohio has the same restrictions, Ohio CDL Classes. I'd better check the GVWR on my vehicles to make sure I'm good. Edit: Sorry, I retract my initial post, Ohio says Recreational Vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements. Ohio CDL ExemptionsBe careful here. Texas has similar exemptions from COMMERCIAL Drivers License requirements ... but still requires a NON COMMERCIAL class A for vehicles whose total GVWR exceeds 26,000 lbs. So to be exempt from the Commercial rating doesn't necessarily mean exemption from the class A drivers license requirement. That's how it is in Texas ... not sure about anywhere else. Now on the short bed/slider hitch question ... there is always a potential clearance issue with short bed trucks that the slider style hitches can overcome, so I would suggest a slider if you have a short bed truck. There is one other point to make about truck lengths. The longer the wheelbase the more stable the towing experience. Plus you can get a lot more stuff in an 8 foot bed :-) |
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Post by ronc on Jun 28, 2018 12:03:26 GMT -5
Yeah... I did some checking today and found that out. I knew about the 26000 lb limit, but I always thought it was the actual weights. Soooo... that's one more thing I have to take care of. Thanks for bringing it to my/our attention. I would bet probably 80% to 90% of people don't know about this. Since you're in Houston, the best place for you to get your non commercial class A is in Livingston. Not every DL office does the test so make sure they do. TX has reduced the number of DL testing places for the CDL test. Livingston doesn't require you to parallel park your rig, just back it up in a straight line for 50-100 ft. They also understand the RV community better than many and are more "forgiving" than a place that mostly tests commercial tractor/trailer rigs. <style></style> |
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Post by johnr on Jun 28, 2018 14:30:35 GMT -5
Ohio has the same restrictions, Ohio CDL Classes. I'd better check the GVWR on my vehicles to make sure I'm good. Edit: Sorry, I retract my initial post, Ohio says Recreational Vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements. Ohio CDL ExemptionsBe careful here. Texas has similar exemptions from COMMERCIAL Drivers License requirements ... but still requires a NON COMMERCIAL class A for vehicles whose total GVWR exceeds 26,000 lbs. So to be exempt from the Commercial rating doesn't necessarily mean exemption from the class A drivers license requirement. That's how it is in Texas ... not sure about anywhere else. I saw on the Texas website that it stipulated that you still had to have the Class license for whatever you were driving. I didn't see anything on Ohio's website, so I called the local testing office and they said all I needed was a regular driver's license, no class rating required. |
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Post by skismuggs on Jun 28, 2018 14:42:28 GMT -5
I tow my Max Turn rated fiver and got about 80 degrees with a standard Reese hitch on my 6'9" short bed. I changed to an Andersen Ultimate and can get 90 degrees on a flat surface. Be advised that the Roto Flex requires special attention for the Andersen Ultimate.
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Post by ronc on Jun 28, 2018 15:19:19 GMT -5
With a dually and a 5th wheel, you should be a LONG WAY from 26000 pounds. My Silverado dually weighs around 6300, my Durango Gold weighs around 12500 empty, probably 14500 loaded (just a guess). That gives me about a 4000 pound cushion on the 26000 pound weight limit. And I live in Texas. rvdude ... I know you "full time" in place, and may have a storage shed that you keep some of your stuff in, but I strongly recommend you weigh your rig. As you know, we full time travel, so ALL our stuff is either in the 5er or in the truck ... with that disclaimer, I probably am heavier than you are ... but my truck (Crew Cab F350 Dually with a 8 ft box) weighs (CAT scales) 9,380 lbs full of fuel and ready to travel. As you can see this is 3,080 more than you estimate your truck weighs. With regard to the trailer ... we added the 8K morRyde IS axles and disc brakes, and that added 900 lbs to my rig (but it is unsprung weight and the frame doesn't have to carry it) but nonetheless, we are right at, or a little over on the trailer's GVWR  . I know my number, but I don't want to start a contest with the weight police. Suffice it to say I might be borrowing a little from the safety factor. But my point is, you don't know what you weigh until you weigh it. With your dually, I'm sure you are OK ... but I got into the dually business because my SRW F350 was over weight by nearly 1,000 lbs. Your actual weights are only important to you ... the police will only look to see your weights on the stickers of the truck and trailer ... if they even do that. I've never known an RVer to be stopped for weight or even checked for weight, so it's more about peace of mind than breaking the rules. Along with the IS and disc brakes, we also upgraded our wheels and tires to 17.5 inch hi spec aluminum wheels and Goodyear G114 H rated tires. Every body has an opinion on this stuff, but it's hard to make good decisions without information ... which is why I recommend actually weighing your rig. Safe travels and see you August my friend.<style></style><style></style> |
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Post by joecamper on Jun 28, 2018 15:37:35 GMT -5
Quick note, the GMCs and Chevys weigh a lot less than a Ford or Dodge. Mine weighs about 6500 and I've checked that many times over CAT scales. I also take my trash to the dump to dispose of it (I have a compacter at home) and get weighed both coming and going so I know it only weighs that much. Mine is not a dually though and only 3/4 ton. Also my hitch is always in the bed of the truck and it's well over 100 lbs so figure that in also.
My 2 cents.
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Post by rvdude on Jun 28, 2018 18:55:19 GMT -5
Ron, a trip to the scale was already on my list... and now that I have combined the two trailers into one, and gotten rid of a bunch of stuff, and taken some stuff to storage, it will happen before I leave for the rally. I've looked on some websites and saw the posts about Livingston and it does sound a lot easier there. I will be in Columbus this coming week with the trailer and plan to take the written part while there. The DPS website is very non-user friendly and calling in to ask a question is even worse. I've done both of those today. I was going to try to do the driving test while in Columbus, but their site won't let me register for it.
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Post by ronc on Jun 29, 2018 19:10:16 GMT -5
I fretted over that test far more than I should have. There is good info over on the escapees website. I even worried that they would ask me how I got my rig there without a license (like a gotcha). But that never came up. They know you are trying to do the right thing ... as you pointed out, many others drive without knowing. Once you know better you do better. It’s a journey.
couple of tips for when you take the driving test. Use your mirrors and make it obvious that you are using them. Use your turn signals. Stay in your lane unless changing lanes. Following distance is very important. My examiner was very friendly, liked my rig, and my truck ... 😎
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Post by Chuck on Jul 1, 2018 10:47:22 GMT -5
eastexhorn I would say you need a slider hitch towing a Durango 2500 with a short bed truck, but saying this what models is the 2500 an what are the weights, as well what model an brand of truck are you going to use ... I'd ask the salesmen would he guarantee that you would not have a problem an put in writing if you do will he pay for the fix ... I'd bet he will start to studder an say "well no one can guarantee anything" or "Well lots of people do it", then you ask the question who, an can I talk with them about such ... As you have more than likely read here GVWR is import for the safety of your family as well as others around you while traveling ... Can you pull it, sure, but can you stop it is the major problem ... As well turning with a short bed truck is allot different than turning with a long bed turn an even then depending on the turn you can get into trouble with a long bed truck if you do not watch what your doing an cut to short ...
Again for peace of mind an get ahead of the game I would go with a slider if I had a short bed truck to get ahead of the game ...
Safe Travels 
Chuck
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pawpawcamper
Newbie RV’er
2017 Durango 2500 - 2017 F450 Ford - Sailun Tires
Posts: 22 
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Post by pawpawcamper on Jul 9, 2018 20:00:56 GMT -5
I have a f250 with 6 3/4 ' bed. I installed a B&W slider but have never used the slider part. I have a 2500 Durango D347BHF . it just gives me sense of having it available if needed.
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. I know my number, but I don't want to start a contest with the weight police. Suffice it to say I might be borrowing a little from the safety factor. But my point is, you don't know what you weigh until you weigh it. With your dually, I'm sure you are OK ... but I got into the dually business because my SRW F350 was over weight by nearly 1,000 lbs. Your actual weights are only important to you ... the police will only look to see your weights on the stickers of the truck and trailer ... if they even do that. I've never known an RVer to be stopped for weight or even checked for weight, so it's more about peace of mind than breaking the rules. Along with the IS and disc brakes, we also upgraded our wheels and tires to 17.5 inch hi spec aluminum wheels and Goodyear G114 H rated tires. Every body has an opinion on this stuff, but it's hard to make good decisions without information ... which is why I recommend actually weighing your rig.
