What Truck do I buy?

[SummitPond]

Originally Posted by penra

... Does GVW = Dry weight + carrying capacity?

I believe the formula you stated is for GVWR.

For GVW, instead of "carrying capacity" (maximum you can carry) insert "payload" (what you actually are carrying).

[DanW]

I have been pulling with a 2018 GMC 3500 standard box SLT 6.6 ltr for 10 months now. I am looking to upgrade from my wildcat max to the trailers you are looking at and have full confidence in my truck to handle these 5th wheels. You may be close on payload but have plenty of room on trailer weight

[johnlewis]

Originally Posted by penra

So get a dually is your final answer? lol

Does GVW = Dry weight + carrying capacity?

Correct. The trailer sticker should list a GVWR, not just dry weight. Dry weight is what ships from the manufacturer. With all the stuff you are going to put in the 5er, you will probably have to be careful, or you will go over the GVWR.
Our 2012 Ram 3500 DRW towed a Montana that was around 15,500 GVRW. We weighed the 5er after we first loaded it, and were over by 1,000 lbs. We had to remove a lot of stuff, to get below GVWR. Stuff we never missed.
Our rig towed well. Very stable in windy conditions, and no problems when an 18 wheeler passed going the other way, on a 2 lane road.
If your considering either 5er, a DRW TV is more stable. I towed our Montana with a SRW once, and was surprised at the difference in stability.

[Alamen]

I have a 2018 Montana 3120RL. You will be overweight on payload capacity with an SRW 1 ton. I sold my 2016 SRW for a 2017 DRW and it's a major improvement in handling. Trailer was weighed 2 weeks ago at the scales and was as follows:

14134LBS loaded weight
3100LBS pin weight

If you buy a Ford and DEPENDING on your hitch you might need to move the pin box on the trailer to the top bolt holes or the trailer will be nose high. The newer Fords are tall. I moved my pin box up and trailer is now only 1/2" higher in the front than the rear loaded on the truck.

[Hamlej]

Having been there done that just get yourself a DRW with a 14k GVWR and don’t look back.

[idcruiserman]

Dually for the Montana.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by penra

So get a dually is your final answer? lol

Does GVW = Dry weight + carrying capacity?

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

Hahahaha, you will get a lot of “get a dually” for me
It is the answer.

Originally Posted by Hamlej

Having been there done that just get yourself a DRW with a 14k GVWR and don’t look back.

There is no Hahahaha about it just get a DRW with 14,000# GVWR and your will be much happier towing.
We have a DRW, we full time and it is our only vehicle AKA daily Driver, NO I Can't park in the space of a Smart Car, but can park in most any parking lot.

DD has a four horse with small living quarters GN, that she pulls with a 2004 Ram 3500 DRW, no issues driving and parking, just like the trailer you get use to the size.
When you start out with a 5,000#+ payload you can easily handle either of those 5er's.

This is our current combo.

[penra]

Originally Posted by Alamen

I have a 2018 Montana 3120RL. You will be overweight on payload capacity with an SRW 1 ton. I sold my 2016 SRW for a 2017 DRW and it's a major improvement in handling. Trailer was weighed 2 weeks ago at the scales and was as follows:

14134LBS loaded weight
3100LBS pin weight

If you buy a Ford and DEPENDING on your hitch you might need to move the pin box on the trailer to the top bolt holes or the trailer will be nose high. The newer Fords are tall. I moved my pin box up and trailer is now only 1/2" higher in the front than the rear loaded on the truck.

2019 GMC Specs - (Left is SRW, right is DRW)
The big problem is I am not really looking to spend $65-70 on a truck.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by penra

2019 GMC Specs - (Left is SRW, right is DRW)
The big problem is I am not really looking to spend $65-70 on a truck.
Attachment 22258

I would suggest you go look at real trucks and look at the stickers inside the driver door. I suspect you will find a large difference in what you find there vs what you see on that table.

[beeje]

Know one is saying you have to buy something NEW. In fact buying new is a HUGH mistake ( the #1 item you should NEVER buy new is a vehicle) Buy a 2-3 year old dually with low miles and save yourself $$$. I bought my 2014 GMC Denali dually in December of 14 for 50k with 25k on the odo and haven't looked back. Let some one else take the depreciation hit.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by penra

2019 GMC Specs - (Left is SRW, right is DRW)
The big problem is I am not really looking to spend $65-70 on a truck.
Attachment 22258

Originally Posted by sourdough

I would suggest you go look at real trucks and look at the stickers inside the driver door. I suspect you will find a large difference in what you find there vs what you see on that table.

X2!
Those numbers are the MAXIMUM tow and Payload for the lightest trim level (Stripper) version of that truck. As trim levels go up, payload goes down 4X4 deducts also. My 2016 Ram likely has a max payload approaching 6,000#, mine has a "Yellow Payload Sticker" payload of 5,411#and after all my stuff tools, jacks, hitch and other STUFF we a remaining payload of 4,050#.

[Alamen]

Originally Posted by penra

2019 GMC Specs - (Left is SRW, right is DRW)
The big problem is I am not really looking to spend $65-70 on a truck.
Attachment 22258

Door stickers and brochure weights DO NOT reflect what your truck really weighs and can carry. Our 2016 F350 SRW had a payload capacity of only 3100lbs once we filled with gas, loaded the hitch, dogs, tools and people. Seriously there was nothing in the truck that wasn't needed. Trim levels of the truck lower the carrying weight. Load your truck up and go to the scales and weigh it. Now you know what you can carry. It will be lower than you think. My truck takes 50 gallons of fuel so 8lbs per gallon x 50 means I just added 400lbs to my truck by filling the tank and took away 400lbs from carrying capacity.

My DRW F350 with trailer on it weighed 12320lbs. Minus 3100lbs for pin weight (3120RL Montana) means my trucks actual carrying capacity with hitch in the bed is 4780LBS. Remember the gross vehicle weight is 14000lbs. So to stay in the numbers you subtract your vehicle loaded weight (mine is 9220lbs) from that number and you get your load capacity as long as you do not exceed the axle capacity.

As I have said before, load your truck and go weigh it then you know exaclty where you stand and it's so easy to go do that I don't know why more people don't. Do not fall for the fake door sticker load capacity that doesnt take into account all the fluids the trucks needs, trim level, people etc. I hope that helps.

Its really the reason most people here keep saying if you are starting off with 12000lbs dry weight in trailer that will prob be like ours 14000lbs loaded, BUT could weigh up to 16000lbs requires a dually for load capacity. SRW will pull the trailer no problem but will be over loaded in box. Guaranteed. Buy a new used with extended warranty. It's cheaper than new by far.

Our dry sticker pin weight on the trailer said 2200lbs. LOL. We don't even carry water HAHHAHAH.

I am not American, but we have seen and been informed that your scales are adding lanes now at toll booth areas that will require passenger trucks with trailers to scale. Nevada to California on the Donner pass has a passenger truck lane. Canada is considering doing the same as well as requiring driver license certification to haul trailers. The last part is handled by the provinces, but most are opting to make it mandatory.

Don't forget that if you exceed 26000lbs combined GVW you will require a CDL.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by penra

2019 GMC Specs - (Left is SRW, right is DRW)
The big problem is I am not really looking to spend $65-70 on a truck.
Attachment 22258

I fell for that trap too. Let me help you out with a few real world door stickers!

2018 GMC 2500HD Denali Duramax: Payload 2144#
2019 GMC 3500HD Denali Duramax SRW 6.6 ft bed: Payload 3501#
2019 GMC 3500HD Denali Duramax DRW: Payload 4525#

These are real world numbers from the door jam stickers. Chevy/GMCs are currently rated lower than Ram and Fords but drive better unloaded as a result as well. The 2020s coming out now will even things out (drive quality unknown). The 2144# above, that was my first truck. According to the online guide from GMC I should have had 2530# - that was a big letdown. Apparently the Denali niceties cost me nearly 400#!

Only the most modest of fifth wheels would work for the 3500 SRW in my opinion, pretty much, if you are looking at a fifth wheel, get a dually and do not look back. They cost about the same. The only way to not have buyers remorse is to get a truck that exceeds your requirements (now and possibly in the future).

As you noted, new diesel trucks are expensive, no shame in looking for used. I went with new because the gap was only like $5k between what was on the Carmax lots with 35-40k miles and a brand new unit on a dealer lot. They are expensive, but hold their value pretty well.

[cookinwitdiesel]

You only need a CDL in some states. I live in VA for example, they will let me do anything on the roads with a standard license....it is scary!

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

You only need a CDL in some states. I live in VA for example, they will let me do anything on the roads with a standard license....it is scary!

Same here in Oregon, I contacted Oregon DMV to see if with a TV with a GVWR of 14,000# and a 5er with a GVWR of 12,360# told as long as private RV, no restriction.

[Laredo Tugger]

Alamen quote: "I am not American, but we have seen and been informed that your scales are adding lanes now at toll booth areas that will require passenger trucks with trailers to scale. Nevada to California on the Donner pass has a passenger truck lane".

What??? Who "informed" you of this? Our road enforcement agencies have their hands full regulating commercial trucking. I guarantee you they do not have time to monitor and regulate private RVs.
But if this is our future, then bring it. I'm legal on all weights and have no plans for "expansion". Just don't see it happening though.............
RMc

[beeje]

Cookinwitdiesel, I am not necessarily disputing your stated payload capacity #s of the new trucks, but I just went out an looked at the sticker on my 2014 GMC Denali dually and it states 4946#s. Cant see the #s going down for newer trucks ?

[cookinwitdiesel]

Is yours a diesel?

[notanlines]

Alamen, I find your statement "We have seen and been informed that your scales are adding lanes now at toll booth areas that will require passenger trucks with trailers to scale" moderately interesting. However I have seen no evidence of this. DW and I have been coast to coast in both the US and Canada in the last three years and never saw this happening. Can you fill me in with some proof of this where I might have something to back this up when I pass the word in our RV'ing world? Thanks....

[falcondan95705]

Never EVER listen to a salesman! They are not RVers. I see folks pulling big 5vers with 2500 ,250, pickups and it seems they are fine. I have done it as well but with a srw 17 ram3500.. i did not feel comfortable pulling a large rv with the srw. Found a used 17 ram longhorn dually with the aisin, auto level, 4:10s for 61000. It had 1200 miles, and the dealer gave us book for or srw. Best purchase I have ever made!. Could not be happier. There are the GM AND FORDS.. ITS what you like. But my recommendation is a dually. Buy it once... Dont be a Dan,,,,i did it twice..lol.