I just towed mine home on sunday (empty). No problems with my 2003 Ram 1500 Quad cab 4.7. (This is with a programmer, dual exhaust and a K&N cold air intake, but it also has 35" tires with 3.91 gears. This has virtually no tongue weight empty. I had to be careful taking off from stops not to spin the tires. but it still pulled great. I don't see any problems pulling it with 2 sportsmans on it. This was my first trailer with brakes. (That is definately nice) We can't wait for the snow to melt in MN so we can actually go camping!

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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites

2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition

Your 4.7 shouldent have any troubles w/ this kinda trailer until you start pulling realy steep passes like the one we have in here in CO. Personally I am waiting till 2010 for the new 5.6 Cummins V8 in a half ton truck, then I'll need to change my user name to CUMMINS56DODGE lol.

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

Yeah I have taken it to colorado pulling a smaller trailer and it had to really work to get up some of those mountains. But I know that my next truck won't be a diesel! With diesel prices what they are and the horsepower that they are getting out of the 2009 Hemi I would stay with a gas. Several of my buddies have diesels, some dodges and some fords and for the extra cost of the truck and the fuel, you can drive the gas truck for a long time before you ever see any benefits of the increased fuel mileage. Just my 2 cents.

-------------------------
2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites

2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition

Edited: 04/15/2008 at 03:56 PM by 1M800

If you don't like having the quads transported where you're going to sleep, you need to have them up front like mine, or go to a longer trailer with garage.
I don't need more trailer, it's just my wife and me and sometimes a couple grandkids. Having the wieght over the front, if your truck can handle it, is WAY better than having it in the rear. I have pulled mine through the mountians in 50 + mph winds with no trailer sway, you won't do that with a longer trailer and lighter tounge wieght. I have several thousand miles with this unit and love the way it pulls.
As far as going a 5th wheel and utility trailer, that would be a PITA for me. The only other option I would chose is an aluminum flat bed truck to hold the quads and pull a trailer behind. With that set up you could leave the trailer and still haul the quads to the staging area. Before you go pulling two trailers I would sure give it a try, backing up is crazy, you almost have to unhook one before backing. Fueling is even more fun, plan on using only truck stops. JMHO

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2-2008 500 EFI touring
jeep wrangler rock crawler
2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton
30 ft toy hauler
too much fun....not enough time

When it comes to towing esp if you do it allot you will never go wrong w/ a diesel truck. In CO 92% of 3/4 truck sales are diesel becuse of the types of roads that we have here. If you keep your truck more than 8 years it will pay for itself, this is why I want one that and the fact no gas engine will match the torque of a diesel at low RPM.

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

PITA ?

I'm sure gas stations will be fun. May not have to worry about it with gas prices going the way they are.

We had talked about trading trailers and getting a toy hauler type but my 5th wheel is paid for. We deliberately stayed away from the RV show this year because
I didn't want to end up buying one. We looked at them last year and decided it would be awsome.

We really liked the longer models where you can use the garage as a screen room and not have to use it as sleeping quarters. (it's just me and her, kids are gone)
Would not have to have a monster trailer.

I already bought a small utility trailer for short trips that do not require overnight stays. At least for this year, I think I am going to add a hitch on the back of the 5th wheel.
My 460 gets 8 miles to the gallon no matter if I am pulling a house or running empty. Not planning any long trips for this year, just a couple of short trips to see if we actually
enjoy it. (ok, a couple of short trips to see if she actually enjoys it, I already know I will)

-------------------------

• 97 F250 4x4 460 K&N Air
• 2003 Ozark - Mods: ITP Mud Lites, Mile Marker Winch
• 2006 Ozark (for the wife) No Mods
• 2006 Honda Metropolitan 75MPG

PITA = pain in the a$$
I camped next to two families with 5th wheels with garage in back. They were big! One was being pulled by a duelly, the other a 3/4 ton. I don't think the 3/4 ton was enough truck as it was in a "v" when they pulled out. Be sure you cjeck the garage dimensions if you have large quads. One of the guys told me he could not put larger tires on his wifes quad as it would be too wide for the garage. My platform is 8'4" wide and I have just enough room for my two 500 Touring models.

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2-2008 500 EFI touring
jeep wrangler rock crawler
2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton
30 ft toy hauler
too much fun....not enough time

Good post, wanted to share my experince for the diesel crowd. Prior to a couple years ago I was driving a 93 Ford F350 7.3 manual. Great truck would puull anything. Went through a couple differnt gas trucks then bought a 36 ft trailer and needed more power. Always heard about how great the cummings was, took a chance on the Dodge and to date am very happy with my choice. My trailer empty is 8000 lbs, I haven't pulled one this big before so was nervous. After getting familer I love the pull with a four wheeler in the bed. I understnad the price vs gas but diesel is way better pull IMHO than gas will ever be.
Concerning the toy hauler, tried to get my wife to buy one but she wanted more room. I I didn't love her I would have one. Just my thoughts

What year of Dodge did you buy? I have two brothers w/Cumming's in my family 96 310.000 miles and 01 w/ 320.000, mine is Hemi w/ 60.000 the 96 has been fixed up by Dr. performance and is putting out 1200ft lbs torque. Dad has a 04 w/65000. All of us are proud Dodge owners!

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

Edited: 04/16/2008 at 10:35 PM by DODGE57HEMI

This is my first Dodge, 07 3/4 ton heavey duty. My uncle is suggesting I get the chip for 600 bucks. Will give me better fuel and more power. So far this truck is wonderful to drive, great pull, ride could be a little better. One of my friends has always driven didge, I ask his opion before buying and he highly recomended. I have always heard doge was a good motor but the body fell down around them, guess I'll see but so far I'm really enjoying this truck, except for the 100 buck fill ups.
Oh yeah, I understand theres and issue with the fresh air intake, seems it gets clogged up if you go daown dusty roads often, heard anything about this ?

Also love your saying " Please don't be the one who ruins it for the rest of us". Great

At one time, me my brother and my Dad all had F250 Supercabs w/460's. Dad is gone now and all 3 trucks are gone. When Dad got sick, I drove his truck and pulled his 5th wheel to my house to sell it for him. He had a 35' Coachman with a standup bedroom and 16' slide out. OMG He and Mom pulled it to Texas every winter for 5 years. I only pulled it 50 miles and it just beat you up every step of the way. Trailer wheels were too small and only 2 axles (10,000 lbs) should have had 3 axles. No problem getting it rolling or driving whatever speed you wanted but you could run over a dime with the trailer and tell if it was heads or tails.

I still run a 460, my brother just traded his 95 for a 2000 with a Triton V10. Neither of us pull much anymore except utility trailers. In years gone by, when gas was under $1.50, I put about 8000 miles on our 5th wheel with my 1st 460 and my brother put about 3000 on my trailer using his 460. Never had any problems. The 460 loves gas but doesn't lack anything on power.

My new to me 97 Supercab has the E4OD with a 410 rear end so I am anxious to see if it pulls any different. The truck I killed in December was a 96 Supercab with a C6 and 355 rear end.

I looked at some toy haulers on ebay but even used they seem pretty pricey. I think for now, I'll sit tight with the 5th and see what happens come November.

-------------------------

• 97 F250 4x4 460 K&N Air
• 2003 Ozark - Mods: ITP Mud Lites, Mile Marker Winch
• 2006 Ozark (for the wife) No Mods
• 2006 Honda Metropolitan 75MPG

The 460 is like the Chev 454, greatest engine I ever owned but you right the loved the gas. Could pull the house off the foundation.

I had a mid 70's GMC with a 454 and a mild cam. I like the 460 better (prolly coz of fuel injection) but the 454 was incredible. Pistons were the size of a 5 gallon bucket.

-------------------------

• 97 F250 4x4 460 K&N Air
• 2003 Ozark - Mods: ITP Mud Lites, Mile Marker Winch
• 2006 Ozark (for the wife) No Mods
• 2006 Honda Metropolitan 75MPG

07 was a half and half year. The first half was 5.9 second was 6.7 witch do you have? This will also make a diff on trans! Not a big fan of chips for a Cummins I like programmers such as Edge or Banks, these company's do allot of reaserch on there stuff before releasing to the public. One of the first thing you need to do is a new exhaust this alone w/ air intake make a big diff.

At this point and time the 5.9 is alot easier to build than a 6.7 because of all the emmission garbage they have on them. You can also do things like bigger injectors and bigger tubos quite easly. It just depends on how much you want to spend

As for my tag line, there are to many people that just dont care about anything else but themselves and they now who they are!

Thanks D57H

-------------------------
08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

I wanted to make an amendment to my earlier post about diesel trucks... Yes I will admit for some trailers you will need the diesel. I was just saying for what I use it for and the trailers I pull I wouldn't buy the diesel. I bought the Wolf Pack toy hauler that this thread was started about, and you don't need a diesel to pull that. I just wanted to clarify what I was talking about. I'm not saying there is no place for diesels...I just don't need one.

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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites

2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition

FIrst off, this entire line of trailers is built with the half ton truck in mind.... Second, with a weight distributing hitch, you can transfer a lot of the tongue weight to the front wheels of the tow vehicle. 3rd, on any trailer, you wan't a minimum percentage of weight up on the hitch to keep sway down. This has been designed in planning for two machines up front to counter the weight of the camper unit. I am surprised though about the over all weight. That is as much as a regular toyhauler. FOrest River makes a cherokee Wolf pack line that has a 27 ft camper style that weighs in that range empty.

-------------------------
Lets just say these old bones have buckets of experience...
Yamaha Warrior
Yamaha Blaster
Yamaha Raptor 660
Yamaha Raptor 80
Honda Rubicon
Yamaha 450 IRS 4x4

The 7500 lbs is fully loaded, that includes 1700 lbs of quads. The "dry" weight of the trailer is about 5000 lbs. I agree with the ½ ton plan, but I don't think they were counting on two quads that weight over 800 lbs a piece. If I were hauling sport quads my weight would be considerably less, even hauling large quads other than Polaris would reduce my weight by at least 400 lbs. The tongue weight on this unit as I have it is close to 1500 lbs! that's 20% where the preferred is 10% to 15% max. I'm not sure if I read you right on tongue weight and sway, but the more tongue weight, the less sway. A heavy tongue weight means a light front end which causes steering and brake problems, but not sway. Sway by weight distribution is caused by a light tongue and heavy rear of trailer. The 3/4 ton truck can handle the heavy tongue, heck it sits level before I hook up the WD bars. A ½ ton would probably need 1500 lbs bars and even then may need helper springs or air bags to move some of that weight back on the front tires and trailer axles.

-------------------------
2-2008 500 EFI touring
jeep wrangler rock crawler
2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton
30 ft toy hauler
too much fun....not enough time

Agree, that is what I inferred. you need tongue weight to keep the trailer steady. Using a weight distributing hitch will significantly help the light front end feeling too.

I hear you on the 3/4 ton not being phazed. My 2500 Dodge/Cummins wouldn't break a sweat. I pull a 9000 trailer (see personal page) in a side business I run and the diesel loves it. I tried to pull it with my old 1500 Hemi and it was too much for it. It was only 4500 then (Empty) and is still struggled with it. I swear, the heavier you pull, the more the truck likes it. I guess it must be because you keep in in boost that way.. I know going up hills, I sure pass a lot of gas vehicles on the way up, and I sure like that Jake brake coming down. I doubt I will ever get rid of my diesel. I am definately hooked.

-------------------------
Lets just say these old bones have buckets of experience...
Yamaha Warrior
Yamaha Blaster
Yamaha Raptor 660
Yamaha Raptor 80
Honda Rubicon
Yamaha 450 IRS 4x4

Just to answer your some what of a question yes that is why your diesel tows better as the heavier the weight does keep up your boost. Another thing that does help is a higher gear ratio{ 3.73 vs 4.10} as the engine has to work harder to move a heavy load making it boost faster. Allot of guys use realy high gears in drags like 3.25 or 3.55 for the exact same reason!

-------------------------
08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

Drag racers use higher numbers to get more revs and put the motor in the power band. The higher the number, the lower the gear ratio. It has been a while, but when I was a kid in the muscle car era, everyone would change gears to at least a 4:10, or a 4:56 to launch the car. You would be turning 6000+ in the lights. But for street use, you had to go easy.. maybe a 3.90 or lower. Course gas was 17 cents a gallon then too. Man, I thought I was going to die when it went to 25 cents a gallon. The guys with the big dollars used to get a gear venders overdrive and have the best of both worlds. Me? I stuck mostly with the small bolcks and high revs. My brother had a big block Dodge charger that was pretty quick. I used to smoke him with my 68 Camaro with a stroked small block. He still hates me. Take a look at my newest toy on my personal page... 485 HP at the rear wheels of rotary power with a HUUUUge single turbo turning 45 lbs of boost. It doesn't live very long at those boost levels though. It lives at 25 though. Makes the z-06 guys walk with the tails between their legs... All that power and only 2200 lbs. Yeah, and it can carve a mean corner too....

-------------------------
Lets just say these old bones have buckets of experience...
Yamaha Warrior
Yamaha Blaster
Yamaha Raptor 660
Yamaha Raptor 80
Honda Rubicon
Yamaha 450 IRS 4x4