Towing Cardinal 30WBLE

[littlefoot2]

Am thinking about buying a Cardinal 30wble my tow truck is a 2002 Chevy HD with 6.0 motor and the 4:10 rear end the 5th wheel is 9600 lbs
empty weight. Does any on have any suggestions or comments?

[Future Fulltimers]

Sounds like you wouldn't have any problems.

[Luizianna]

We have the 30 foot and pull with a F250...have not had any problems. The only time you know it's back there is on I-55 headed North from here. Butit's a rough ride even when you aren't pulling anything. I doubt anything would be a smooth ride on that road!!

BTW...welcome to the club! We love our 30' LE...ours doesn't have the wb on it...just the 30 LE next to the door.

[campswithcritters]

Am thinking about buying a Cardinal 30wble my tow truck is a 2002 Chevy HD with 6.0 motor and the 4:10 rear end the 5th wheel is 9600 lbs
empty weight. Does any on have any suggestions or comments?

You will need to know the weight of your truck, it's rated towing capacity, & it's GCWR (gross combined weight rating). To get an accurate weight take it to a truck stop with scales and get it weighed full of fuel and with normal passenger load. The rated towing capacity can be a bit misleading but should be contained in your owners manual, they tend to give bumper pull numbers and can be hard to locate for 5th wheel ratings. The most important number is the GCWR, it will be located on a sticker in the drivers door frame or on the door itself normally. You really don't want to exceed that number as it reflects how much weight the truck can safely handle and stop in emergency situations. The weight of the truck plus the weight of the camper should not exceed GCWR. Also keep an eye on the pin weight of the camper as it is possible to exceed the truck rear axle rating (also on that door sticker).
In general I think your truck will do the tow safely and legally if you don't load the camper too heavy. The 6.0 will struggle some in the mountains, but if you're not in a hurry will likely get you there, the 4.10 rear end will be helpful getting it rolling. I have never pulled a 5th wheel with a gas engine so am no expert, we do have some members pulling with gassers so give it a couple days and get more opinions and advice.
Bruce

[Rob & Cathy]

I certainly agree with Bruce, be sure to check the GCWR. Also, if you have over size tires that will reduce your towing capacity.

I traded a diesel for a gas engine. My V10 has 362hp with 457 lbs of torque and as you can see I pull a 29' (actually closer to 32') trailer. I have to say that I don't miss the diesel at all. However with that said, I don't think I would want to be pulling a 34' triple slide without at least going to 4.56 rear end or going back to a diesel.

Rob

[Wadcutter]

I'm pulling a 30WBLE with a F-350, 4X4, crew cab, long bed, 7.3L PSD, 3.73 axles and Hypertech III programmer. Don't even know the 5er is back there even before I installed the programmer. When sitting on flat gound, putting it in gear and not giving it any fuel, while at idle it will roll on as soon as I take my foot off the brake.

[Shields]

Shoot! My Dodge has to be tied to the rail to keep it from moving at idle with my 31RKLE!

[CritterRenter]

Engage the clutch in low, shift to 2nd & 3rd, and idling along a little under 10 without ever touching the throttle. Sometimes the park guides will break their own rules and leave ya behind if you don't keep up.

[Rob & Cathy]

Am thinking about buying a Cardinal 30wble my tow truck is a 2002 Chevy HD with 6.0 motor and the 4:10 rear end the 5th wheel is 9600 lbs
empty weight.

To get back to the original question, if it's within the GCVW of the truck I say give it a try. If your unhappy with the way the truck pulls your new bird you can always upgrade later.

Rob

[pops91710]

I have a 2006 30 WBLE and we love it! One thing in your favor is those Chevy engines can really wind up the rpm's. Personally, I think the engine is a bit on the small side, but if you are not going to pulling steep grades in higher elevations, you just may get by with no problems.

However, be doubly sure your rig is rated for the trailer, and don't believe those numbers FR tosses about on weight. Those trailer weights are "calculated", and often do not include options.

I tow with a V10 (6.8l) and 4.30 gears, On steep (over 6 percent) grades I use 2nd gear a lot or second gear with my over-drive GV. I would never give up those 4.30's .They work so well with the tight winding V10. I can pull heavy grades in first/overdriven at 55 mph and 5k rpm.

I consistently find myself towing in elevation between 6,000 and 8,500 feet since my favorite camping spots are in the western U.S. mountains.

Good luck, and hope you go for that WBLE!

[Don Wilson]

Litefoot2,

I have included a link to an Rv dealer in my area who has a chart for towing load ratings for 1999 thru 2006 vehicles.

http://www.brawleysrv.com/

http://www.brawleysrv.com/tow.html

The second link will take you to the chart but I included the first link in case the second link with the chart doesn't work. The first link will take you to their webpage and then click on tow chart in the columns on the left side of the page, when the years come up click on the year of your vehicle and scroll down to the vehicle and it gives you options such as engine size and rear end ratio and 2 wheel drive or 4x4. The letter behind each will correspond with the descripition at the end of the catagory.

I hope this helps you to make your decision!

Don

[Chief409]

Hauling my 30WBLE up US395 to June Lake we went up the 6% 8 mile long grade from Bishop to Toms Place at 45 to 50 with some stiff head winds without the V10 working up a sweat.

[Rob & Cathy]

without the V10 working up a sweat.

Shhhhh...(that's a secret) everyone knows a gas engine can't tow.

Rob