Advice needed use to pull 5th wheel

shawn30 · 04-17-2009, 10:37 PM

Hello All -
New around here but needed your input; we have been looking for a nice reliable 2500 diesel. We will be using it for general farm chores and pulling a two horse trailer. So we found a 2004 with 114k miles that was very nice; only thing is its prior owner used it to pull a 5th wheel. Does anyone have any input on possible issues or what, if anything, we should have checked out prior to purchase?
thanks for your help

silverhairdeere · 04-18-2009, 02:42 AM

automatic or stick .

shd

leolkfrm · 04-18-2009, 04:28 AM

got any pics? general condition? where is it at? for weather related issues(salt)

bradrhale · 04-18-2009, 07:12 AM

just because he used it to pull a fiver doesnt mean that something might be wrong. that just means that he didnt overload the bumper and bend it down. 114K in 5 years sounds kinda high but this might be in your favor and be all highway miles. how does the tranny shift??

shawn30 · 04-18-2009, 11:11 PM

It is an automatic, shifts great, tranny seems fine. Also the truck is in great condition overall. Also it is located in Kansas

J2727 · 04-18-2009, 11:16 PM

did he have a chip on it...

chickenbone · 04-21-2009, 07:51 PM

What kind of 5th wheel set-up does he have mounted? Remember on some Dodges n F-250's the clearance on your Trailer can mean alot to what he was pulling.

Also check his frame mounts for cracks and rips, broke welds etc..

One good helpful tip is! Check the top of the bed for scrapes or deep scratches??? This will tell you if he ever pulled the wrong trailer or if the 5th wheel turns both ways easy and does not fetch up. Thats always a good indicator of the wrong 5th wheel set-up.

mrjohnwayne · 04-21-2009, 09:04 PM

the only thing I'd be leary of is the tranny, but if it shifts good and the fluid is good and doesn't smell burnt you should be ok.

hotrodpc · 04-21-2009, 09:21 PM

I agree John. I answered this thread when I thought it was a GM truck we were talking about. Either the 4L80-E or the Allison, I would say NO problem, but the Dodge Auto trans is not as tough in my opinion. Not a bad trans, but not bulletproof enough to handle all the abuse a 4L80-E or Allison will take.

shawn30 · 04-22-2009, 03:16 PM

thanks for all your help.

the fifth wheel setup is not on the truck, i can just see in the bed there was one there at one time.

The truck is in such great condition, we will probably take it to the shop and make sure the tranny checks out and we may go with it. The tranny sure seemed better than any of the used F-250s we drove.

The Diesel Cummins engine is a huge selling point for us, it is hard to find a used one.

Thanks for all your input, we will check for cracks as well.....

Any other advice is welcome.

04-17-2009, 10:37 PM	#1
shawn30 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Advice needed use to pull 5th wheel Hello All - New around here but needed your input; we have been looking for a nice reliable 2500 diesel. We will be using it for general farm chores and pulling a two horse trailer. So we found a 2004 with 114k miles that was very nice; only thing is its prior owner used it to pull a 5th wheel. Does anyone have any input on possible issues or what, if anything, we should have checked out prior to purchase? thanks for your help

04-18-2009, 04:28 AM	#3
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,225	got any pics? general condition? where is it at? for weather related issues(salt) __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

04-21-2009, 09:04 PM	#8
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,710	the only thing I'd be leary of is the tranny, but if it shifts good and the fluid is good and doesn't smell burnt you should be ok. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Advice needed on hesitation	Case 7230	Chevy Truck Forum	6	05-17-2008 05:35 AM
wheel advice	tmilless	GMC Truck Forum	1	02-24-2007 09:19 AM
18" Rim advice needed	V-max	GMC Truck Forum	3	11-13-2006 09:41 PM
18x9" Rim advice needed	V-max	Introductions	0	10-02-2006 02:35 AM
Honda's Ridgeline Carves Out Another Niche in Market; Four-Door, All- Wheel Drive Pickup Truck With Plenty of Pull (American International Automobile Dealers Association)	trucknews	Truck News (headlines)	0	04-25-2005 07:30 AM

04-18-2009, 02:42 AM	#2
silverhairdeere Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: land between the lakes tn Posts: 1,118	automatic or stick . shd

04-18-2009, 07:12 AM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	just because he used it to pull a fiver doesnt mean that something might be wrong. that just means that he didnt overload the bumper and bend it down. 114K in 5 years sounds kinda high but this might be in your favor and be all highway miles. how does the tranny shift??

04-18-2009, 11:11 PM	#5
shawn30 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	It is an automatic, shifts great, tranny seems fine. Also the truck is in great condition overall. Also it is located in Kansas

04-18-2009, 11:16 PM	#6
J2727 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5	did he have a chip on it...

04-21-2009, 07:51 PM	#7
chickenbone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 56	What kind of 5th wheel set-up does he have mounted? Remember on some Dodges n F-250's the clearance on your Trailer can mean alot to what he was pulling. Also check his frame mounts for cracks and rips, broke welds etc.. One good helpful tip is! Check the top of the bed for scrapes or deep scratches??? This will tell you if he ever pulled the wrong trailer or if the 5th wheel turns both ways easy and does not fetch up. Thats always a good indicator of the wrong 5th wheel set-up.

04-21-2009, 09:21 PM	#9
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,858	I agree John. I answered this thread when I thought it was a GM truck we were talking about. Either the 4L80-E or the Allison, I would say NO problem, but the Dodge Auto trans is not as tough in my opinion. Not a bad trans, but not bulletproof enough to handle all the abuse a 4L80-E or Allison will take.

04-22-2009, 03:16 PM	#10
shawn30 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	thanks for all your help. the fifth wheel setup is not on the truck, i can just see in the bed there was one there at one time. The truck is in such great condition, we will probably take it to the shop and make sure the tranny checks out and we may go with it. The tranny sure seemed better than any of the used F-250s we drove. The Diesel Cummins engine is a huge selling point for us, it is hard to find a used one. Thanks for all your input, we will check for cracks as well..... Any other advice is welcome.