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Unknown 5th Wheel Use

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by Butlerb4, Jul 6, 2018.

  1. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:27 PM
    #1
    Butlerb4

    Butlerb4 [OP] New Member

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    A sold 2001 Tundra, looking for the next one
    Folks,

    I've sold a 2001 Tundra and am now in the market for the next one. I've got a lead on a 2012 DC 4x4. It has close to 100,000 miles. I talked to the owner and I think we could come to terms on a close to book value price. The current owner is a second owner. He bought it approximately 4 years ago, with nearly 60,000 miles on the vehicle. It had holes drilled in the bed for a 5th wheel and airbags for the rear suspension (done by the previous owner). It is unknown exactly what the first owner towed or how much. The engine is the 5.7, 8. The truck has the tow package with transmission cooler, etc.

    I don't have much experience with 5th / goose hauling, and wanted to get some opinions as to how much of a red flag this historical towing set up should be.

    Walk away because the risk is too high, or proceed under the thought that most problems would have surfaced by now and a dealership inspection could alleviate concern about any monsters lurking under the hood?

    Thanks for any advice you can offer.
     
  2. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:45 PM
    #2
    Tundra Fan

    Tundra Fan Got 17's?

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    We have some towing gurus here, unfortunately I'm not one of them. Someone will chime in.
    @ColoradoTJ
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  3. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:51 PM
    #3
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Any idea how much pin weight or camper the previous owner had?
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2018
  4. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:55 PM
    #4
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    It would have to be a killer deal to roll the dice on that.

    Does a fifth wheel exist that doesn't overload the payload weight?
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  5. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:16 PM
    #5
    Butlerb4

    Butlerb4 [OP] New Member

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    That's the hard part on this one - no idea what the first owner pulled with the truck (weight or camper). The current owner bought it from a dealership. So I only know that the first owner drilled holes in the bed for a fifth wheel. The current owner claims to have only pulled a boat locally and less than five times.

    I guess this is why folks tout 'One Owner' vehicles.

    What are the potential long-term problems one might see in a truck which was overloaded early in its life? Can they be inspected or are there warning signs to look for to see if that damage was done?
     
  6. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    #6
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    I had a 97 Silverado 1500 that I bought from 1st owner. It was set up for a gooseneck hitch. I worked with him but never asked exactly what he pulled w it. It had 125k on it. I drove/abused the hell out of it. Sold it w 220k on it. Ran great.
    If the trick you’re looking at drives well, feels solid, I say go for it. Just change all fluids, check brakes, and see if timing belt has been done.
     
  7. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:43 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    And on a 1st gen....:eek:
     
  8. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:53 PM
    #8
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    I thought the op was looking at a 2012, isn’t that 2nd gen???
     
    SnowroxKT and ColoradoTJ like this.
  9. Jul 6, 2018 at 6:18 PM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Yep, my mistake.

    Either way, the pin weight would be over easy.

    I think the lightest 5ver pin weight I’ve seen is just over 1600 lbs, then add hitch.
     
  10. Jul 6, 2018 at 6:59 PM
    #10
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    hence the air bags.
     
  11. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:40 PM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Which doesn’t improve your load rating.
     
  12. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:47 PM
    #12
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    I’ve never pulled a 5th wheel or from a gooseneck hitch. I’ve seen large ones of both and small. Smallest gooseneck one I’ve seen is a two horse trailer. I have no idea of the weight of that.
    I live in snow bird country/ AG country so I see all various sizes and shapes of trailers.
    Like I said though, don’t know weights of them.
     
  13. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:51 PM
    #13
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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  14. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #14
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    5498080E-6594-4029-A531-5007F0A248BE.jpg
    Personally I’d try to go with a bumper pull w a weight distribution hitch. So much more options out there.
    I wouldn’t worry too much about what the truck was used for previously as long as it looks ok and drives ok. Ask for service records.
     
  15. Jul 6, 2018 at 9:21 PM
    #15
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Agreed.

    I could see someone going way over payload and just bandaiding it with airbags.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Jul 6, 2018 at 10:06 PM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Exactly.

    The crap I did with airbags should be illegal...probably was.
     
  17. Jul 9, 2018 at 5:12 PM
    #17
    Butlerb4

    Butlerb4 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks to everyone for the input. I'm probably too risk adverse and mechanically illiterate to take a chance on this one. My search will continue....the right one is out there.

    Again, thanks for the thoughts.
     
    ColoradoTJ and NewImprovedRon like this.

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