First long distance tow with 5th wheel 7k lb RV

27125 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by innocentchukwu798, 2 mo ago

DC1

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2012

We just finished up our first long distance tow with my 2011 raptor, and my 7k 5th wheel camper. We left from Colorado to Nebraska to Iowa then to Kansas over to Lake of the Ozarks, phew what a trip and the raptor did awesome. I have averaged 9.2mpg to 11mpg depending on my speed 60-70, hills and air temp. I actually thought it was going to be worse so i am somewhat happy.

Highest i saw the tranny temps was 204 when it was 95 through Kansas. Otherwise the tranny performed perfect no sloppy misshifts or constant hunt for a gear in tow mode.

Overall what a blast to tow with a raptor, might need a s/c later on to help with mpg but other than that its just perfect to tow with.

dc

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Humvee21

· #2 · Jun 7, 2012

My Raptor loves to tow!

mustangbesos

· #3 · Jun 7, 2012

What have you done to the suspension on your raptor to enable it to tow a 5th wheel?

djchoma

· #4 · Jun 7, 2012

Yeah I second mustang. You have an air bag setup?

DC1

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 7, 2012

Nope i am using the timbrens bigger taller bump stops. I was waitng for the airbag setup from one of the vendors on here, but then i found out you lose the spare tire storage. With my setup i have no room for the spare tire anywhere else.

dc

djchoma

· #6 · Jun 7, 2012

did you look into sdhqs long travel air bag system? i believe itmounts all forward of the rear axel...

xcmiler707

· #7 · Jun 7, 2012

Do you any estimates as to what your weights were?

tom c

· #8 · Jun 7, 2012

Nice looking rig! Sounds like you had quite a trip. I also used Timbrens towing my trailer 2500 miles recently and had no problems at all. It only took 10 minutes to install them. Nice stable ride with them.

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DC1

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 8, 2012

djchoma, i did look at sdhqs airbag setup but you loose spare tire location.

As far as weight i am thinking i'm right below the 8k lbs, i travel fairly light since its just me and my wife. One of these days i am going to weigh the rig at truck stop.

tom c, nice aluminum trailer. I want to get one for my motorcycle.

Thrill

· #10 · Jun 20, 2012

I'll be putting in my Timbrens next week. I'm towing my 23ft Weekend Warrior Superlite from Las Vegas to Topeka, Kansas to spend 4th of July with my family that live there. I've towed my WW down to Lake Havasu and besides the rear being a little bouncy, I didn't think it towed too badly. I have an Equalizer sway control hitch, so sway wasn't an issue.

Rally Raptor

· #11 · Jun 20, 2012 (Edited)

How is the wind side push when you pass a simi truck in the cross winds.
I tow the Race Raptor with the work Raptor and I estimate the total weight to be approximately 7200 pounds (race truck & trailer) I'm stone stock on rear suspension and I use no equalizers, I do put the race truck on the trailer in a specific location to not load the tow vehicle too much.
It tows just fine at 70 mph:smileup:

DC1

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 20, 2012

Dont even notice the semi's with the 5th wheel, my last travel trailer weighing 4k lbs would get pushed around easily when passing a semi even with a load equalizer hitch.

dc

Rally Raptor said:
How is the wind side push when you pass a simi truck in the cross winds.
I tow the Race Raptor with the work Raptor and I estimate the total weight to be approximately 7200 pounds (race truck & trailer) I'm stone stock on rear suspension and I use no equalizers, I do put the race truck on the trailer in a specific location to not load the tow vehicle too much.
It tows just fine at 70 mph:smileup:

mustangbesos

· #13 · Jun 20, 2012

DC1 said:
Dont even notice the semi's with the 5th wheel, my last travel trailer weighing 4k lbs would get pushed around easily when passing a semi even with a load equalizer hitch.

dc

Sh-t man, you are lucky, I notice it with my trailer big time!! But my box is pretty loaded as well.

USCGSKCM

· #14 · Jun 20, 2012

DC1,

Please post a photo of the Timbren bump stops mounted on your truck. Is the air inside these adjustable? It sounds like you don't need to change them out when off-road. Is that correct?

Thank you,

Will

tom c

· #15 · Jun 21, 2012

3

I took a few pictures of the timbrens before I installed them. The kit that I ordered gave me too much clearance between the bottom pad and the rubber. I called customer service and they sent me a 1" spacer that looks like a hockey puck. The elastomers are hollow rubber that firm up your suspension after the truck squats down that 1". No air. I've driven the truck empty for 2 weeks with them still on driving mostly on the highway. On bigger bumps,they will hit. I jacked up the truck at the trailer hitch to fit my socket wrench and 10 minutes later, the stock bumpstops are on.Ready for off roading. I'm very happy with them with my towing situations. Roughly around $200.

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Thrill

· #16 · Jul 10, 2012

I got back Sunday night from my 3000 mile roundtrip. I towed my 23 ft Weekend Warrior Superlite with the Timbren's installed. The truck was superb. Even crossing over the Rockies with heavy rain, I never had an issue.

Wind push when passing semi's didn't feel any worse than when I towed the WW with our Sequioa. I do use a weight distribution hitch, though.

My Timbren Aeon rubber springs sat about 2 inches above the axle when installed. After hitching the WW, compressing the rear suspension, the Timbrens sat directly on the axle. I'm not sure if I need the additional spacer or not, since my ride seemed fine.

NVRaptor

· #17 · Jul 19, 2012

Question, what average mileage are you guys getting. I don't mean downhill with a tailwind either. I'm getting 7.5 and really sweating between fuel stations. I carry 5 gals extra fuel but at 7.5 mpg that just gets me to the next rock.

brettbalsiger

· #18 · Jul 19, 2012

I thought the raptors bed was too short for a 5th wheel? any certain type of 5th wheel necessary? thanks!

Thrill

· #19 · Jul 19, 2012

NVRaptor said:
Question, what average mileage are you guys getting. I don't mean downhill with a tailwind either. I'm getting 7.5 and really sweating between fuel stations. I carry 5 gals extra fuel but at 7.5 mpg that just gets me to the next rock.

My MPGs were about the same, but I was also towing at around 75mph. That's a little faster than I normally would, but I had alot of miles to travel.

NVRaptor

· #20 · Jul 20, 2012

Thrill thanks for that -- I'm also running towards the upper range. I experimented today by dropping my speed a bit and it made a significant improvement in mpg relative to mph. Haven't found the sweet spot yet but its def speed related. I realize that sounds stupidily obvious now that I'm saying it... Thanks

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