GEN 1 Raptor towing a fifth wheel

[mliberte]

Hello All,

I need to ask for some advice. I'm not new to this forum, but this is my first post. I'm on my second Raptor SCREW (first in 2011, current one in 2014). Here's the story and questions:

Recently I got a fifth wheel trailer (basically wife said "never again camping in a tent"). It being a fifth wheel, and Raptor being really limited on payload/towing capacity, I was sadly preparing myself to part ways with the Raptor and replace it with something bigger. So I went out and got myself a 2015 Ram 2500 with a Cummins diesel. The plan was for the Ram to replace the Raptor as my daily driver. Long story short, after a few days of driving it I said "no effing way I'm selling my Raptor, ever".

So now I have two trucks in my driveway, and I can really only afford one. Here's the question:

Is there any way to beef up or modify the Raptor to be able to tow the fiver, safely? Some numbers:

Dry weight: 8718 lbs
Tongue weight: 2532 lbs
Cargo weight: about 2000 pounds. This is a toy hauler, so most of the weight will be behind the axles - should be able to play with it to keep tongue weight to a minimum
Turning radius: shouldn't be a problem with short bed - the trailer has Reese Sidewinder hitch

I am assuming the answer is no, still wanted to check. Thanks!

 

[Jimbo]

lol

 

[2014RubyRed]

2,532 lb tongue weight? No way!

Sell the Raptor or buy a smaller camper. That trailer is way to big for the Raptor, regardless of where the weight is loaded.

 

[MTF]

I have a question, the only thing I see different between the two trucks is the leaf springs.
Brakes are the same size, the Raptor is still heavier than the Ram 2500.
And if the electronic brakes on the trailer are fitted to the Raptor I see no issue.
Granted fifth wheels do like duallies and is recommended.

Is there something I'm not figuring on or not seeing?

If he where to go to Deavers and ask for a set of rear springs to handle that weight, I'm sure they could make something up.
Get a set of Camburg rear shackles for added safety.

Ride quality would suck driving around unladen .
I know legally this is a no no.

 

[Dan06]

Something like this plus extra HD leafs "maybe"?

SDHQ Ford Raptor Rear Long Travel Air Bag System

 

[cgibs89]

Sell the Raptor or get a different trailer.

 

[John813]

Was it on here or the FB page of that Raptor with a fifth wheel?

Gotta decide if you want the truck or trailer.

 

[COBRA90GT]

Keep both trucks and sell something else?

 

[SchultzLD]

I think a lot you of are stuck on a Raptor can, shall, and only be used for off road. You are forgetting that some people could give two ***** about that and simply like the looks of the truck. Why must he chose between the trailer or the truck? Why is it SOOO wrong to modify the truck for what HE wants? Every time towing gets mentioned on this forum everyone gets their ******* in a bunch and the hurt feelings start flying.

To each their own.

To the OP, mod away, it's yours!

 

[EricM]

Why is it SOOO wrong to modify the truck for what HE wants?

What he wants is a higher payload rating on his Raptor. You can't change that no matter what you do. Having a tow vehicle overloaded can become a legal matter with lots of big boy stuff like lawyers, loss of property, personal injuries, death, and incarceration. Doesn't matter if it's your fault, doesn't matter if it's been modified to actually be a safer tow vehicle than one rated even higher. As long as that sticker reads lower than what you are hauling, you are opening yourself to liability- period. At best you might get a jury to agree you weren't at fault, but people are stupid in general and I'm not willing to put my destiny in someone else's hands.

I'm guessing you've never been in or had a family member in an "expensive" wreck. By brother was in one that totaled up well over $1 million dollars. Multiple vehicles, most were quite expensive- a trailer full of commercial mowers, and a bunch of construction equipment from road work that was going on. That was just the hardware. Throw in medical bills from multiple people as well. They were trying to pin it all on my brother at one point, and he did not have insurance that would cover all of that. Needless to say, I carry the highest coverage the available to me.