First time towing Pinnacle

[krbrat]

I would like some feedback on towing my 2017 Pinnacle with my 2016 Dodge Ram HD Diesel 2500 4x4 long bed. I just had airbags installed and have a new B&W 25,000 lb hitch. The guys at the hitch store and the dealer said I should have no problems. But I drive an 18 wheeler for a living and would like some feedback due to this is my 1st 5th wheel RV and my home.
Thanks

[SkyBound]

Which Pinnacle do you have?

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by krbrat

I would like some feedback on towing my 2017 Pinnacle with my 2016 Dodge Ram HD Diesel 2500 4x4 long bed. I just had airbags installed and have a new B&W 25,000 lb hitch. The guys at the hitch store and the dealer said I should have no problems. But I drive an 18 wheeler for a living and would like some feedback due to this is my 1st 5th wheel RV and my home.
Thanks

We don't have a Pinnacle, but we do have a bit of experience pulling larger 5th wheels with a late model Ram 2500 and 3500 SRW.

First off, you don't have to worry about cab clearance issues on tight turns with the long bed. Make sure you have at least 6" of clearance between your 5th wheel and the top of the truck's bed rails though. Anything less and your 5th wheel may contact the bed rail on uneven pavement---not a good thing. My guess you probably won't have this issue, since the B&W sits so high---but thought I'd mention it. Some folks do have issues leveling their 5th wheels with some late model Rams. Does your Pinnacle sit relatively level with the B&W? An inch or two rise in the front is ok, much more and you may want to address it.

Good idea installing the airbags. Not sure which Pinnacle you have, but chances are the pin weight is enough to make your Ram sag a bit without them---enough that folks will flash their brights at you.

Hopefully you have G-rated tires on the Pinnacle. If not, suggest getting some asap.

All-in-all, sounds like you're good-to-go---especially since you drive 18 wheelers for a living. Your 5th wheel has the same effective pivot point as an 18 wheeler. Turning, maneuvering, and height precautions with a larger 5th wheel should all be second nature for you.

Congrats on your 1st 5th wheel! Enjoy!

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by CampNow

Hopefully you have G-rated tires on the Pinnacle. If not, suggest getting some asap.

If his Pinnacle still has the original tires, it should have been equipped with Jayco's 5 Star handling package, which would have included Goodyear Endurance E rated tires.

While not G rated, they are US made and good for 4,000lbs each (in a 255 size), and are proper spec for the rig in my opinion.

[Watsons]

Pinnacle and 2500..???
Age old comments from dealer and hitch shop..."no problems..you will be fine"
Please...please...look at your weights very carefully..
Being a professional driver you understand payload, axle and tire ratings.
Are they all within limits?
Cheers

[jsk]

Originally Posted by Watsons

Pinnacle and 2500..???

Age old comments from dealer and hitch shop..."no problems..you will be fine"

Please...please...look at your weights very carefully..

Being a professional driver you understand payload, axle and tire ratings.

Are they all within limits?

Cheers

What he said. Example. A 14k GVWR fifth wheel where 20% is pin weight gives 2800 lbs. Take that and add people, hitch, other times in truck. If you are now at 3200 add the rear axle weight of the truck and compare that to payload sticker on truck and then compare to tire/axle ratings. The truck will probably pull it but what is the weak link.


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[DownTheHighway]

Originally Posted by krbrat

I would like some feedback on towing my 2017 Pinnacle with my 2016 Dodge Ram HD Diesel 2500 4x4 long bed. I just had airbags installed and have a new B&W 25,000 lb hitch. The guys at the hitch store and the dealer said I should have no problems. But I drive an 18 wheeler for a living and would like some feedback due to this is my 1st 5th wheel RV and my home.
Thanks

A Pinnacle is out of the 2500 range and adding air bags won't add payload to your truck. I would go with a 3500 or different fiver. You'll run out of payload before anything on the 2500

[eharris205]

If I am not mistaken the 2017s did not come with the 5 star package.

[DownTheHighway]

They didn't call it that, but most of the options were there for the '17 models:
https://www.jayco.com/tools/archive/...s-and-options/

[Raspberry]

This thread is a duplicate thread. Read it and realized it sounded familiar. The other post was title "first time towing" and by the end of the thread the originator of the post had took everyones advise and traded in his 2500 for a 3500 to tow his Pinnacle