New Truck now which 5th wheel

[Learnites]

Hello all, I just picked up my new 2015 GMC Duramax crew cab with the standard short bed and I am looking for a toy hauler to replace my 2013 Tracer 2950BHS travel trailer. I was wondering how big I can/should go. Couple of questions for you.
If I keep the pin weight and rear axle weights within limits and do not exceed any limitations, can I buy a trailer that has greater max gross weight rating then my truck can pull if I keep it light and stay within the tow limits of the truck? The book says max 5th wheel trailer weight is 17100, Max pin weight 3000 and the max rear GAWR is 6200. I will use airbags to keep the truck level. I see some that some shipping weights for the trailers are in the 10-14000lbs range. I have listed the truck specs in my signature.

Thanks for the ideas and knowledge,

Jim

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forums.

It's nice to see someone ask how much weight BEFORE buying. What you should do is install the hitch and then load your truck with everything that would be in it for a trip with the fiver. Then go to a certified scale and get weighed.

Using the scale numbers and a little math will tell you how much weight you can put in the truck. I don't know what state laws are in place where you live but some require an endorsement or different class depending on the trailer GVWR. The GVWR of the trailer is what I would use as a limiting factor, not its dry weight plus what you think you might add. If you are involved in an accident your fault or not, those money hungry lawyers are sure going to look at those numbers. If your over....you most likely lose.

Enjoy your shopping. Post up what you find.

[therink]

If you don't want to exceed the 9900 gvwr or 2793 max payload of your truck, I suggest loading up your truck with weight equal to going camping including passengers, wood, 200 lbs for hitch related hardware, full fuel etc, and hitting a scale this will give you your true weight and what you have left for pin weight. My guess is that figure will be around 2000 lbs. The loaded opin weight of most fivers is around 20 percent of the loaded weight of the trailer. This would mean that the optimal loaded weight of a fiver for your situation would be around 10k.
If you are ok with exceeding your truck gvwr and using rawr of your truck then you can go heavier, however you would be over the trucks posted gvwr of 9900. This likely won't hurt anything.
I was in that boat once, so moved up tor to a 1 ton SRW which in my case has allowed me to be within all truck ratings. I feel better knowing that I am within the rating. My concern was if I had accident and was overweight, I would be inviting law suit or insurance coverage issues or other liability issue. I will say that my one ton handles the same weight fiver much better than the 3/4 ton did.
If you are considering a toy hauler fiver greater than 13000 gvwr I would seriously consider a DRW 1 ton.
Welcome to the forum.

[Terry W.]

Which fifth wheel to get? You better get the one your wife likes. I'm just saying.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Terry W.

Which fifth wheel to get? You better get the one your wife likes. I'm just saying.

My wife liked a few different ones, I told her if she was willing to tow it (drive) she could have any one of them. WE decided the one we have satisfied both of us....been together for 20 years and she has yet to sit in the drivers seat with a trailer.

[gearhead]

I would guess that that finding a toyhauler that your 2500 will tow legally will be a challenge.

[mguay]

Originally Posted by therink

If you don't want to exceed the 9900 gvwr or 2793 max payload of your truck, I suggest loading up your truck with weight equal to going camping including passengers, wood, 200 lbs for hitch related hardware, full fuel etc, and hitting a scale this will give you your true weight and what you have left for pin weight. My guess is that figure will be around 2000 lbs. The loaded opin weight of most fivers is around 20 percent of the loaded weight of the trailer. This would mean that the optimal loaded weight of a fiver for your situation would be around 10k.

Steve hit it right on the money with the above statements!

The key here is the 10K...that is a fully loaded figure...NOT the shipping weight!

I will say this... my current 5er fully loaded on the scales is total 11,900 with 1900 on the pin. Before jumping to a DRW I started with a 09 2500 HD. It had more than enough power to pull it but it rode like a bucking Bronco at bridge abutments and cracks in a concrete road.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by mguay

I will say this... my current 5er fully loaded on the scales is total 11,900 with 1900 on the pin. Before jumping to a DRW I started with a 09 2500 HD. It had more than enough power to pull it but it rode like a bucking Bronco at bridge abutments and cracks in a concrete road.

My buddy who tows a lot commercially tells me air bags will dampen that out. Have you ever tried bagging it? Might be cheaper than buying a new truck if the current truck is within it's weight limits.

Will most likely bag mine.

[mguay]

Originally Posted by Desert185

My buddy who tows a lot commercially tells me air bags will dampen that out. Have you ever tried bagging it? Might be cheaper than buying a new truck if the current truck is within it's weight limits.

Will most likely bag mine.

I did put bags in the 09...all it did was take out the porpoise and make your teeth chatter and pain shoot up my spine!

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by mguay

I did put bags in the 09...all it did was take out the porpoise and make your teeth chatter and pain shoot up my spine!

Hmmm...he was specifically talking Dodge Ram. Maybe different results on a Chevy?