moving to a 5ver. How big can I go?

[mic1hael]

Bare with me I want to give you all the numbers I can on my truck in order to get the best advice possible from everyone who wishes to reply. I have a 2012 GMC 2500HD Denali 4x4 with a Duramax 6.6L Turbo Deisel which puts out 397hp@3000rpm and 765ftlbs torque@1600rpm with Allison 1000 6 speed transmission with 3.73 gears.Stock curb weight is 6,562# with a payload of 2,938# and GVWR is 9,500#. I say stock because I added 22" rims with nitto duragrappler tires which are rated E and a 4" leveling kit so I figure that brings my curb weight up to 7,000# or so. The max that GMC says the truck can tow in a FW is 14,700# but the GCWR is 29,200#. RGAWR is 6,200# and FGAWR is 4,400# Wheelbase is 153.7". OK PHEW now my question is can this truck tow a FW the size of a Montana 3750FL dry weight 12,597# GVWR 15,770# hitch weight is 2,270# or comparible most likely a little lighter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[SteveC7010]

You're quoting a payload capacity of 2,938# for the truck and a pin weight of 2,270# for the trailer. That leaves 668# for driver, passengers, pets, fuel, and what ever stuff you might want to carry in the truck. Solid fact is that loaded pin weight is always greater than factory numbers. Factory pin weight is based on the dry weight of the trailer. It won't take much of a load to move your pin weight up to the point that you've got no capacity for anything else in the truck.

You're pushing it on max tow, too. The truck is rated to pull 14,700# fifth wheel, and the trailer GVWR's at 15,770#. While you may never load the trailer to the max, you're likely to carry at least 1,000# of "stuff" and probably more. That puts you awfully close to GMC's limit for the truck.

Your 4" lift can be a problem because it changes the geometry between the trailer and the truck when driving through dips and grades and such. Clearance between the truck bed and the trailer may or may not be a problem. We had a thread a while back where we really chewed on that issue. I am not a big fan of pulling large trailers with trucks that have customized out with lifts and such. Remember that fifth wheel trailers are designed around average standard pickup truck heights.

You will find a lot of experienced trailer folks that would run a rig like you propose. The key word there is experienced. I am personally uncomfortable recommending a trailer that big with your truck. You'd probably find just as many that will tell you that a trailer that big is really more suitable for a 1 ton duallie.

If I had your truck, I'd be looking at trailers with GVWR's no larger than approximately 13,000# and dry pin weights around 1,700# or so. But I am very conservative on these things and like to see a safety margin of +/- 20% between the truck and trailer's GVWR's and pin weights.

[hankpage]

Also remember that 2270 pin weight does not include what Steve mentioned plus 60lbs. of propane, 60lbs. of battery and the weight of your entire hitch 100 - 150lbs. .... You will be pushing ALL the limits. JM2¢, Hank ............... The 3:73 rear will be the weak link especially since you also increased tire size.

[therink]

Hi
I believe the loaded pin weight on the 3750FL is going to be around 3,000, which will be too much for the payload rating of any 3/4 ton.
My 12k gvwr fiver has a 2,400 lb loaded pin weight. I was pulling it with 2008 Silverado 3/4 ton and when I hit the scales ready to camp I found I was about 200 lbs over my trucks payload rating. I ended up moving to my current 1 ton truck and am now well within my limits. My biggest fear was if I was to ever be in an accident while towing wbile exceeding any of the ratings on the yellow sticker, my insurance would decline coverage or lawsuit. I also wanted to make my travel as safe as possible.
I have heard many folks in the forums say the a fiver with a 3,000 pin is 1 ton dually territory.
If I were you, I would likely choose a fiver with a loaded pin not exceeding about 2,200 lbs or upgrade to a 1ton. FWIW, my 1 ton tows my fiver noticably better than my 3/4 ton did. The ride and handling is so much better.
Steve

[mhs4771]

You're looking at all sorts of problems. The bed rails on the newer GM are higher than the older trucks. We had a 2010 Montana 2955RL and with a stock 2011 Dually had about the bare minimum clearance of 6 inches. You've got bigger tires and a lift, so you
'll be close to dragging the rear of that Montana because you'll be very "Nose High" in order to get clearance. Now for weight, Montana brochure weights are very low compared to real world weights, by any where from 500 to 1000 Lbs low. So yes that rig will be pushing 3K pin weight easily. Now no one here can tell you not to do it, and in fact if you go over to the Montana Forum you'll find plenty that are towing the heavier Montanas with 250/2500 series TVs. You have to make the call, me I wouldn't do it and that's why we have a 3500 Dually and with our RW we're pushing the limit on it, but I know of other that are pulling with 250/2500 and think they're fine.

[X-Treme]

Also, check your rear axle weight rating. Chances are, that now that you have 22" wheels and tires, they are probably rated at no where NEAR what the OE size were. I bet if you add up the ratings on the 2 tires, you are now much lower that your RAWR.

[fla-gypsy]

You will run out of payload, a common issue on diesel powered, heavily optioned trucks

[mic1hael]

Thank you for your feedback. That's kind of what I figured but I wanted to get a second opinion. I'm sure I can find a FW that will fit my truck and have all the emenities my DW and I want without buying a new truck. Thanks again.

[KanTC]

Originally Posted by mic1hael

Stock curb weight is 6,562# with a payload of 2,938# and GVWR is 9,500#.

mic1hael,

Just out of curiosity..... are you quoting the payload number shown in the literature -or- the actual load/payload sticker on your truck?

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot

[gkainz]

I took the opposite approach. How "small" a 5er can I go with and still have enough space and not get claustrophobic.

I sold our 26' Class C and went shopping for a truck camper. We didn't find any that fit our wants, needs, desire or price range, but my wife found a 24'5 5er that she fell in love with, which is what we have now. I like boon docking, hunting and fishing and wanted as small as practical.

BTW, I'm still shopping for a truck camper on the sly.

[Pmedic4]

For my Dodge RAM, one feature I like on their website is the "Towing Calculator". It takes the guess work out of figuring all the payload, and towing capacity. Even makes you put in your correct personal weight...

[mr.windows1]

I own a 2012 Montana 3750 fl I would not in my opinion tow it with a 2500 HD I am currently towing it with a 2011 F-359 SRW and she handles her fine but I would not go with nothing less I had a similar truck as yours an 06 2500 duramax the power is fine but payload is not enough so opted for a 1 ton making me feel much safer!

[SAABDOCTOR]

HI FROM EXPERIANCE I own a 2010 375 montana. i towed with a 2000 dodge 2500 5.9td 3:51 axle an a 2005 dodge 3500 dually td with a 4:10 axle. the 2k pulled it stopped it just fine. however stability was something less than wonderfull the dually is the way to go much much better.