jpdriver1 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 anyone toyed with the idea of hauling a small/med sized 5th wheel camp trailer with our trucks? of course the brake upgrade (including rear disk), gearing change would need to be done. I think the 44's would be up to the task -- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 When I picked up my 86 rig for parts/scrap it had a 5th wheel mount in the bed, welded to the fender humps. Not sure how safe it'd be but it can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue XJ Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I would think any 5th wheel camping trailer would far exceed the payload of the Jeep. Both in pin weight and overall trailer weight. Just because it can and has been done, doesn't mean it's a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f51/vw-beetle-with-5th-wheel-35577.html If the 5th wheel was built small and light specifically for a small truck it will work I just don't know of anyone building one. Have you seen the old videos of the VW Beetle with 5th wheel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Check this one out. http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/02/05/the-quantum-5-contempo-fifth-wheel-fiberglass-trailer/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 This was for sale as a package some time ago on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Properly equipped an MJ can tow 5,000 pounds per the owners manuals for my '88 & my '91. Do not exceed the specs and you should be fine. The recommendations are the 4.0, auto, tranny cooler, "big ton" axle, heavy duty cooling (aux fan)& power steering. Unless the Big Ton includes an unmentioned upgrade from the 3.55's of the 4.0/auto then 4.10's would help but not be required. I would be comfortable with an 8.25 rear swap. The dual diaphragm booster upgrade would be a good idea but it is for all MJ's. People flip out over towing but it is perfectly safe to the 5,000 # trailer/9,200 # GCWR. For a 5th wheel the GCWR would be more important due to the hitch location eliminating tongue weight issues which should also increase the trailer weight capacity as long as the overall weight is not exceeded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Used to work with a fellow who had an 87 Comanche and a small 5th wheel trailer. He took the wife and daughter camping in it regularly. This was 1988-90, long before I had any interest in the Comanche. But as Incommando says, it can be done as long as the GCVW is not exceded. One additional point, the Dana 44 rear brakes are 3/4" wider than the stock rear drum brakes. A big part of why the Dana 44 is required for trailer towing or the "Big Ton/Metric Ton" factory package. Getting a loaded truck to move forward is the easy part. Stopping a 9000 lbs load is the hard part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 the rear axle is not a prob, both mj's are metric ton --- the 89 has deaver overloads on is also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejum57 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Check out Casita trailers. They have a 5th wheel, very light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 thanks -- they look great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Those are niyfy and light weight. Heck I could tow one for me and the misses with the Patriot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRM1988 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 This was for sale as a package some time ago on the forum. Was for sale. But this pic was from after I drove it home to southern Indiana from Denver Colorado. Still used to this day. 175,000 miles stock everything except larger tires and still runs great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRM1988 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRM1988 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Here is a pic of the combo in question in this thread. Pic was taken 4th of July weekend so it is still pretty much being used quite often. As far as the truck it is still stock with the exception of tires are larger than stock and added spring stiffeners to the rear. The camper weighs about 2500 lbs with 300 on the fifth wheel. Pulls good once you learn what RPM's to run when changing gears and pulling hills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 excellent -- thanks CRM1988. Btw what brand trailer is it --- my old eyes and tired glasses can't make it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRM1988 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 It was MFG by California Coachman out of Santa Ana California 1980 model #25 out of I think about 500 or 600 from what i have read, I think they made some in 81 also. The model is called a Contempo, Quantum 5. Here is a few pics of the camper and the fifth wheel. Sorry couldn't get better of the camper kinda of hard parked in the driveway..... :hmm: have more of the camper if your interested I can post on another day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 thank you for your help -- those pics are wonderful. the one of the actual hitch in the bed answered my next question.. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 CRM1988 thanks for those posts. As you can plainly see an MJ cannot possibly pull a fifth wheel or any trailer larger than a red flyer wagon as they are way too heavy and the MJ would be destroyed in short order. Death and havoc would ensue from the failure of every major component and fatal carnage would be the obvious end result. :rotf: Every towing thread has so many who sell the MJ short even though the trailering specs are in every owner's manual to see. Seriously that is a very cool set-up. I am way jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 for anyone following this for "just because" here is a website dedicated to fiberglass trailers -- http://www.fiberglassrv.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRM1988 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I see you found more pics of my little jewel. As you see they are very few and far between in finding one of those campers :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 There are few times where I'm jealous of the 4.0 guys. This is one of those times. It'd be pretty fun to cart one of these around the country with an MJ. :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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