Questions from a soon-to-be new fifth wheel owner

broskee · 09-30-2009, 11:33 AM

I'm looking at purchasing a used 2008 Keystone Raptor toy hauler (3814SS) and need to know if my chevy 2500 HD duramax (shortbed) will be able to pull it? Also, besides the hitch is there anything else I need to do to my truck to get it ready. Is there any way to get decent ball-park pricing for these, I want to make sure I'm not getting taken to the cleaners?

Any thoughts will help as I'm new to this.

Flyguy · 09-30-2009, 01:46 PM

Best thing that you can do is to clean up your 2500HD and trade it for a 3500HD Dually, the gross weight of your Raptor 3814SS is 16500lbs with a pin weight of 2635lbs and that's too much for the 2500 IMO. Looks like NADA book retail will be $36400 clean and with no problems, dealers will want more than this when you are buying and give you less than this if you are trading, oh and BTW, welcome to the forum.

Festus2 · 09-30-2009, 02:10 PM

I have an "05 GMC 2500 Duramax and pull an '08 Cougar 27RKS with no problem but its GVW is considerably lower. However, if you are looking to buy the unit you described in your post, I wouldn't want to be pulling it with your Chev 2500 Duramax - regardless of its age. You should really be looking to buy a 3500 dually. You will be happy you did! Let us know what you have decided to do and let me join with Flyguy in welcoming you to the Forum.

broskee · 09-30-2009, 02:47 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome and quick response. I just looked up keystone specs and it says the GVW is arounds 12,000, am I missing something?

**hankpage** · 09-30-2009, 03:26 PM

broskee, I don't know where you got that figure from ... it may be shipping weight with different options.

Keystones numbers are,

Shipping weight:
11,770 lbs
Carrying capacity:
3,975 lbs
Hitch weight:
2,760 lbs

At any rate the hitch weight is too high for a 2500 or maybe even a 3500 SRW. Best bet would be a dually as mentioned above.
Welcome to the forum, Hank

Festus2 · 09-30-2009, 03:31 PM

Broskee: I just looked at the maximum towing weight for my truck ------ the manual says 12000 lbs for an '05 2500 shortbox 6.6 diesel. I don't have specs for the the toyhauler but let's say that it is 12000 lbs. That puts you right on the edge - you have reached the limit. I guess it depends somewhat on your comfort level. If you are okay with being maxxed out-at the limit- on the edge - then it will work for you IF the GVW is as you say - 12000 lbs.
Also, according to my truck manual, even the 3500 has a maximum towable limit of 12000 lbs. I cant see anything beyond the `12000 lb limit ------- 2500HD or 3500HD. Both have the same maximums. Strange, I would have thought the 3500 would be greater. What does your truck manual say regarding the maximum GVW?

broskee · 09-30-2009, 03:40 PM

I will look at my manual tonight and get back to you guys.

Flyguy · 09-30-2009, 04:04 PM

These figures that I am now quoting are from the 2008 Raptor Brochure for the model 3814SS as published by Keystone.

Shipping Weight = 12045 lbs
Carrying Capacity = 4455 lbs
____
Total GVW = 16500 lbs

Hitch (Pin) Weight = 2635 lbs (Fully Equipped Coach)

The Highest tow rating that I could find from the Trailer Life 2009 towing guide was for a 2500 Reg Cab LB 2WD 6.6L V8 TD and it was 15,800 lbs and would not carry the pin weight listed above.

rvinman · 09-30-2009, 04:56 PM

You need to look at the towing capacity for a fifth wheel, not a trailer. On my 01 2500HD, with the 8.1 / 4.10 the fifth wheel towing capacity is 15300 lbs.

Festus2 · 09-30-2009, 05:02 PM

It might be worth your while to go to the Trailer Life website and do your own research. You know what vehicle you have. Find your vehicle on that site and see for yourself what the limitations are - according to Trailer Life. While at their website, you can go to other sections there and find a whole bunch of information about towing. It seems that the posts you are reading so far are suggesting a tow vehicle larger than what you have now IF you are going to being pulling the 5th wheel that you described.
I think the information about towing and tow vehicles that you will find on this site will help you make up your mind. Take what suggestions you are finding here and do some research on your own. Good luck in choosing both. Richard.

sunshine10 · 10-01-2009, 08:06 PM

I pull a 2009 Everest with a Dodge 2500 Mega-cab diesel and have had no problems. You will probably need a slider hitch and air bags help. You may check out ebay for hitch.

randy69 · 07-18-2012, 12:38 PM

My opinion find the biggest baddest deisel out there. At least bigger than a 6.4. If you drycamp go fully loaded your heavy. F 350 will work but the engine on the 250 or 350 with same years, Have equal engines. 6.0, 6.4, 6.7 Even the 450 Has the same engine. But beefer brakes and frame.

You may also like: