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01-06-2012, 11:12 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: mn
Posts: 3
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Towing Springdale with 1/2 ton??
Hi everyone,
I am looking for people who own the Springdale 249 fifth wheeler and tow it with a half ton pickup truck. I need your input on how a half ton handles this 5th wheel camper.
The Springdale 249 FW I'm looking at is 6300 lbs and has a pin weight of 1105 lbs. A 2012 year model!
I have a 2001 GMC 1/2 ton extended cab (80,000 miles), 6.5 ft box, 5.3 V8, 3.73 ratio, tow package w/ a heavy duty transmission cooler I put in, not the factory one that came with the truck. My max trailer weight is 8000 lbs and a fifth wheel hitch weight of 1500 lbs max. Per my owners manual.
Will my truck be able to handle this camper and will it be safe? Or do I need to update my truck?
I'm looking for some input here...
Thanks for the feedback!
JN
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01-06-2012, 11:55 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: California
Posts: 47
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Springdale 249 Fifth Wheeler pulling with Half ton
Hi JN
My research shows that your traiker weighs about 8100 pounds fully loaded. It is difficult to find the specs on your truck but what i did find is that the standard engine (4.3 liter) will pull a fifth wheel up to 5000 pounds. Your owners manual should have charts in the back that will tell you what your truck can safely pull with the options you have. Just as important is the pin weight or hitch weight. Your truck specs state 750 pounds and the Springdale specs say that the hitch weight is 1105 pounds. Many people tow fifth wheels and TT with 1/2 ton pickups. I do not suggest going over the manufactures recomendation. there are several disscussions on this forum that talks about towing capacities and vehicles, with people that are alot smarter than I am explaining the pros and cons of towing with different vehicles. Hope this helps. My 2 cents.
__________________
Jeff R.
Fir Na Tine
Ora et labora
2011 Cougar high country 299 RKS
2014 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 L Duramax
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01-06-2012, 12:14 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 97
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Sounds like a good excuse to buy yourself a new truck!
__________________
Exsailor from MS
2008 35 Ft Montana
2012 GMC Duramax Diesel
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01-06-2012, 01:07 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jramsey
Hi JN
Just as important is the pin weight or hitch weight. Your truck specs state 750 pounds and the Springdale specs say that the hitch weight is 1105 pounds. Hope this helps. My 2 cents.
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jramsey, I think you may have confused hitch weight (max for bumper pull) with Payload (max pin weight not considering loading of truck)
JN, I think you will be running very close to your trucks limits and will most likely not be satisfied with it's (3.73 rear) performance. As suggested by Exsailor ... you may want to start convincing Mrs. JN that a ¾ T truck could be in your future. ............. JM2¢, Hank
The ½ ton battle lives on ........ JN if you do a search of this forum you will find many threads on this subject and some rather heated debates. Good luck with YOUR decision.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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01-06-2012, 01:23 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 478
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Don't have the spec for your year TV, but per the 2010 owners manual, max pin weight for the 1500s is 1500 Lbs. With a dry pin weight of 1105 (generally very much on the light side) by the time you load up with gear and supplies you will most likely be right at max or slightly over (we're 800 to 900 Lbs over dry on ours). I would say it can be done, but it won't be an enjoyable tow.
__________________
2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Ext Cab LT DRW Duramax/Allison pulling a 2012 SOB (still Thor, but not a Keystone), Dual ACs, 4 Door Fridge, Fireplace, Sleep Number Bed, Level-Up Auto Levelers, Disc Brakes, Winegard DirecTV SlimLine Auto Dish, Onan 5.5K, Splendide Combo Washer/Dryer, GY G114s on HiSpec 17.5 wheels, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Mor/ryde IS.
Michelle & Ann Sullivan and 4 American Shorthairs
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01-06-2012, 02:23 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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If you do a search of this forum using the SEARCH feature and look in the Towing and Tow Vehicle section, you will find all kinds of threads and posts about towing - many of which deal with the topic of towing with a 1/2T.
We have been asked that same question numerous times by other members and the responses have been just as numerous and often times varied and lively.
I would recommend that you do some research on your own - by browsing through the posts here. It takes time but it will be time well spent. You should also look and take note of the weights listed on the stickers - of your GMC and of your Springdale. Another site you may want to visit is trailerlife.com. Also, don't forget to check your owner's truck manual for the capacities and limits listed there by the manufacturer.
(As a side note, I have moved this thread to the Towing and Tow Vehicle section.)
There is a difference between towing and safe towing. I would always opt for the latter. You asked, "will my truck be safe?" I think the more important question should be, "Will I, my passengers and others on the road be safe?"
Good luck in your research.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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01-08-2012, 06:54 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: California
Posts: 47
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Towing Springdale with 1/2 ton??
Sory if I have misled anyone. The info i got on pin weight was from an internet search for a 2001 1500 GMC. I guess you can't trust everything you read on the internet.
__________________
Jeff R.
Fir Na Tine
Ora et labora
2011 Cougar high country 299 RKS
2014 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 L Duramax
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01-08-2012, 02:39 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: West Lebanon PA
Posts: 350
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Exsailor
Sounds like a good excuse to buy yourself a new truck!
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X2
upgrading is always fun
__________________
2006 Springdale 295bh TT
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel TV(Babe, the Blue Ox), tuned, cold air, high ram, open pipes, 6 spd., 3 inch lift, running on 35's and lovin' it
Me-26, Wife-26, Boy-4, Girl-2
Dogs
Buddy-beagle hound mix
Emily-beagle hound mix
Sadie-boarder collie (my amish one)
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01-08-2012, 05:35 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jramsey
Sory if I have misled anyone. The info i got on pin weight was from an internet search for a 2001 1500 GMC. I guess you can't trust everything you read on the internet.
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You wouldn't believe how many times I've done that.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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01-09-2012, 04:45 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 863
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stewart1940
Hi everyone,
I am looking for people who own the Springdale 249 fifth wheeler and tow it with a half ton pickup truck. I need your input on how a half ton handles this 5th wheel camper.
The Springdale 249 FW I'm looking at is 6300 lbs and has a pin weight of 1105 lbs. A 2012 year model!
I have a 2001 GMC 1/2 ton extended cab (80,000 miles), 6.5 ft box, 5.3 V8, 3.73 ratio, tow package w/ a heavy duty transmission cooler I put in, not the factory one that came with the truck. My max trailer weight is 8000 lbs and a fifth wheel hitch weight of 1500 lbs max. Per my owners manual.
Will my truck be able to handle this camper and will it be safe? Or do I need to update my truck?
I'm looking for some input here...
Thanks for the feedback!
JN
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I tow with a 1/2 ton TV and a 249 Springdale FW and have had zero problems. I get 12mpg and the trailer handles like a dream.
__________________
2005 Springdale 249BH FW
2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7L
Tow package
Timbrens
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04-08-2012, 04:38 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: mn
Posts: 3
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Update, April 1, 2012
We bought a 2011 Chevy 2500HD Crew with the 6.0L V8 with 4.10 gears! Pulls the 249 Fifth Wheeler just fine. I did not want to chance it with the half ton when the wife was driving!!!
Thanks for the input.
JN
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04-08-2012, 05:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: West Lebanon PA
Posts: 350
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just seen a guy roll in this weekend with a newer GMC pulling this trailer, first i seen it, not as large as i was expecting. his truck looked nice pulling it. didn't sag or seem to bog down any while moving in the campground. didn't talk to him, he hid in his trailer the whole time and was gone before me and the dog could get by him this morning.
__________________
2006 Springdale 295bh TT
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel TV(Babe, the Blue Ox), tuned, cold air, high ram, open pipes, 6 spd., 3 inch lift, running on 35's and lovin' it
Me-26, Wife-26, Boy-4, Girl-2
Dogs
Buddy-beagle hound mix
Emily-beagle hound mix
Sadie-boarder collie (my amish one)
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04-10-2012, 09:21 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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I tow a Springdale 242 which is essentially the same size and weight as the trailer you're considering. I've towed with an F150 for nearly 5,000 miles and zero problems. No "western mountains" but the Smokey's through West Virginia/Kentucky/Ohio were no problem. Just watch your truck loading, it's pretty easy to let the total payload creep up on you with extra stuff in the bed and the front of the RV.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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