Ram 5500

[TooTallInTexas]

Hello all, new to the Forum and new to Ram. We have a 2020 Ram 5500 we use to pull our 27,000 lb fifth wheel RV. Looking for advice/tips regarding the truck pulling a heavy coach. The truck includes a hauler bed made by Classy Chassis.

 

[flan]

Beautiful hauler, welcome aboard! Any pics with the 5er hooked? 27k

 

[whitexc]

It’s has to be a beast!

Gorgeous truck. The bed is art.


Sent from me

 

[Buckrub]

27,000 lb 5th wheel??? WOW! Can I guess??? New Horizon maybe?? I thought mine was huge at 16,500 loaded.

 

[TooTallInTexas]

Hi all, thanks for the messages. Yup, it's a New Horizons coach we pull. I have attached a few photos of the rig. Thanks for the responses! Happy I stumbled upon the group.

 

[buzzuti]

Nice! More 5500 peeps!

Nice setup, Classy Chassis does a great job!

 

[KitkatD]

Husband is longtime semi driver & we have a 3500 Ram with a “half ton” towable (as advertised) Jayco 5W. He says if a trailer is over 26k, you must have a CDL license to haul it. Best is to go to school & learn all the safety protocols to ensure you, passengers & your rig stays safe on the road.

 

[KitkatD]

Oh & if it’s only personal use, there is another category of license like a cross between a reg class D & a CDL class A where you’re required to test on safety laws & best practices when driving a heavy vehicle. Each state is different in law on what license is needed. But your local DMV office may not even know about the hybrid type being available, or if one is required in your state. Probably because big RVs were never as popular as they are today & change comes slow, safety being a lesser focus. But staying alive & out of preventable accidents is always a great choice. All that weight changes so many dynamics so understanding how to anticipate & deal with them is vital prep.

Good luck & have fun with your big 5W once you get traveling.

 

[Buckrub]

In every RV website I've even been on, this continues to come up. I am not going to say I know the requirements for each state. But while most states, including mine, state a CDL is required for towing 26,001 total pounds, RV users who are Not-For-Profit and Non-Commercial are exempt from needing a CDL. Here is the specific excerpt:

• Arkansas Recreational Vehicle Operators:​

  Drivers operating recreational vehicles (RV's) for their own non-commercial use can be exempted from CDL requirements.

I can't speak for other states, but I can tell you that I personally know dozens and dozens of RV 5th wheel owners from all over America who tow packages over 26,000 lbs counting truck and camper, and not one of them has ever needed a CDL.

The other point that keeps coming up is whether an RV is required to stop at Commercial Truck Weigh Stations. Yes it says "All Trucks Must Stop" on occasion, but they mean COMMERCIAL trucks only. I don't personally know anyone who tried to stop at one pulling a 5th wheel, but I have read of many who did and got chewed out.

YMMV.