Will it tow...

[alpine 1]

was just reading a thread about towing more than the truck can handle Can someone tell me in simple language will my 2011 2500hd 4x4 8feet box handle the new 5th wheel it is a 2012 alpine 3500re (12287lb)+(3213c/c)hitch 2235 HELP...... YES/NO

[f6bits]

You’ll need to post engine size and axle gear ratio. The door sticker is usually a pretty good indicator. There should be a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR), and a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight. Or maybe not. Mine doesn’t have the combined weight. But my owner’s manual does. It’s still based on your info PLUS engine size and axle ratio.

[Bob Landry]

In a nutshell, if the triailer is within the tow rating of the truck, the pin weight does not exceed the rear axle rating of the truck, and the combined weight of the hitch, passengers and gear in the truck does not exeed the payload capacity of the truck, it should be able to tow it safely. You can not do anything to increase the capacities of the truck. It is what it is.

This is a pretty generic response, but you did not give a lot of information in your post.

[alpine 1]

Sorry 6.6 with 3.73 and the spec is 15.600 and max tongue load is 2,113

[2011 keystone]

Will it tow it SURE it will.
Will it tow it SAFE well that depends on how you drive it.
You will be at or over your max limits for sure.

[Paddler]

Sorry to say, you will be over your payload limits. I purchased a similiar rig last spring, and thus my new 3500 dually.

[Festus2]

alpine 1
If you obtain and apply the numbers that Bob Landry referred to in his post above, then you should be able to decide whether or not you can safely tow your Alpine with your truck. If you are over your payload limits or capacity of the truck, then you will not be able to tow it safely.
Towing it safely does not entirely depend upon how you drive it. If you are over your limits, driving it more carefully, for short distances, slowly, etc., doesn't make it by itself any safer to drive.
While the size of the engine is obviously an important consideration in towing, knowing the engine size isn't a big factor in the equation when determining if a tow vehicle will safely tow an RV. The prime considerations are the various weights and ratings of the two units - not engine size. The tow vehicle's towing capacity will have already taken the engine size into account. The fact that your engine size might be a 6.6 isn't what you need to be looking at in answering your question.
My simple answer to your question based on the information you have provided thus far and without knowing all of the necessary numbers would be no. Your truck will not be able handle it safely.

[mhs4771]

If i'm understanding your numbers, you answered your own question: 5er dry pin 2235, TV max pin weight 2113. You're already 100 Lbs over and trust me that 2235 dry pin weight will be closer to 3000 by the time you get loaded up for travel. Our wet pin weight is almost 1000 Lbs more than the spec'd dry weight.

[CarKath]

Here is a link to GM Canada's posted specs. Engine sizes does indeed make a difference by there spec. As does many other factors. Your exact configuration will determine what what truck can handle as per spec.

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...t/specs/search

I can for sure. The low for a spec like my truck is 16000 max gvw with a 6l engine, it can go as high as 24500 gvw with the 6.6l

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...vehicleId=3211

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by CarKath

Here is a link to GM Canada's posted specs. Engine sizes does indeed make a difference by there spec. As does many other factors. Your exact configuration will determine what what truck can handle as per spec.

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...t/specs/search

I can for sure. The low for a spec like my truck is 16000 max gvw with a 6l engine, it can go as high as 24500 gvw with the 6.6l

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...vehicleId=3211

24500 is GCW ... that is not what it will tow ... take around 7000 off for the weight of the truck ..... the pin weight on a 24000 lb 5er almost 3 tons.

[CarKath]

I bet we can take off more than 7000 for truck weight.

When I referred to GVW, I was referring to Gross Vehicle Weight, or in another way............what the total combination can weigh. Truck, trailer and all the junk we all drag around with us.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by CarKath

I bet we can take off more than 7000 for truck weight.

When I referred to GVW, I was referring to Gross Vehicle Weight, or in another way............what the total combination can weigh. Truck, trailer and all the junk we all drag around with us.

GVW (or GVWR) refers the gross vehicle weight of a single vehicle be it car, truck, or trailer.

GCWR is the combined gross vehicle weight rating of the tow vehicle and trailer.

I think it is important for all of us to use the correct terminology, especially when discussing towing as there are so many different ratings to take into account.

[CarKath]

Where I come from GVW means this. There is no doubt it gets confusing. And each region having it's own set of laws and regulations. Never mind regional terminology.

"gross vehicle weight" or "GVW" means the total weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles,
including its load, transmitted to the road by its axles;

Source: Government of Manitoba

http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/mcd/mce/pdf/gotwdcg.pdf


The original poster is best to scale the unit when they get it. From there they can work it out how legal they are.

There truck capacities will be clearly marked on door post. Simple math after that will determine everything.

In the most basic terms:

If you do not exceed any one of these weights, you are legal.

gross truck is rated for, say 10000lbs

combination of truck axle weights not to exceed this number.

each individual axle within rated capacity. ( these are on door post )

total combination weight(truck and trailer) not to exceed rating , say 24500lbs

trailer weight rating not exceeded, say 15500

trailer axle weights not exceeded, say 6840 per axle ( these numbers are on side of trailer )

I hope the O/P finds this helpful and enjoys there new unit for many years.

[jq1031]

Originally Posted by alpine 1

was just reading a thread about towing more than the truck can handle Can someone tell me in simple language will my 2011 2500hd 4x4 8feet box handle the new 5th wheel it is a 2012 alpine 3500re (12287lb)+(3213c/c)hitch 2235 HELP...... YES/NO

I contacted GM with the same type question back in October. They told me that my truck with the 6.5 ft bed has a cargo volumn of 60.7 cubic feet and a max payload of 2,959 lbs. The towing capacity is 15,600 lbs with the 6.6 diesel/allison combination. From a payload capacity I would thing that an 8ft bed has more cargo volumn but the payload weight will not change much if at all. Your Alpines gross weight is 15,500 lbs so you are definately maxed out on towing capacity (100 lbs to spare). Your hitch weight is 2235 lbs so technically you have enough cargo weight capacity left in the truck for 724 lbs of people & equiptment before maxing out at 2,959lbs. The bottom line here is you are at the very top of your capacity limits in all areas.

[alpine 1]

Originally Posted by CarKath

Here is a link to GM Canada's posted specs. Engine sizes does indeed make a difference by there spec. As does many other factors. Your exact configuration will determine what what truck can handle as per spec.

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...t/specs/search

I can for sure. The low for a spec like my truck is 16000 max gvw with a 6l engine, it can go as high as 24500 gvw with the 6.6l

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/traileri...vehicleId=3211

thanks very much for the link ; it will be fine still 1000lb under

[Paddler]

Empty, without the hitch and passengers you will be <1000 lbs under. Loaded, you will be over. Per JQ1031, you will have 724 lbs of reserve payload capacity, 200 lbs for the hitch, 350 lbs for driver and passenger, got kids? add up their weight, got animals add'm up, throw in some tools.....then put your stuff in the trailer (around 1000lbs on average) Guess what...you are exceeding your truck's max payload rating.

Will the truck pull it, and stop it, yes it will. Will your insurance cover your expenses if you are involved in a minor accident and you get cited for an overload truck....nope.

I've been where you are headed, loved my 2500 D/A, but it isn't enough truck. Keep your trips short.

[captbru]

I had a 2500HD D/A, with the new trailer I was close or maybe a shade over the limits on the truck. First long trip 300 miles round trip it just didn't feel right, you get to know your truck. It made be nervous and we traded for a 3500HD, don't push it go for the right truck. You need a one ton.....

[LittleJoe]

The DOT does not keep lists of various truck build setups for all the different manufacturers. The GVWR of the truck is a manufacturer recommended number.

What matters is that you are not over the max weight of any axle rating on the truck and trailer (this includes tires). You must be plated for the weight of your combination (a certified scale ticket comes in handy).

With the trailer weights you are talking, I would think you will be over your rear axle/tire max. Only a scale will tell you for sure. It is quite common for the trailer to be at or over (in some cases) the max axle weight rating if you are not careful in your loading.

IMO if you have ever driven a DRW truck in bad weather conditions compared to a SRW with a heavy trailer this question would answer itself quickly

Having too much truck is much better than not enough when conditions are less than ideal.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

With the trailer weights you are talking, I would think you will be over your rear axle/tire max. Only a scale will tell you for sure. It is quite common for the trailer to be at or over (in some cases) the max axle weight rating if you are not careful in your loading.

One other critical point: Aftermarket helper springs or airbags are great for leveling out a fifth wheel setup, BUT they do not and can not increase the manufacturers stated axle rating. That rating is set by the manufacturer based in part on both the carrying capacities of the axle itself and of the wheels and tires.

This is easily verified by comparing the rear axle ratings for SRW and DRW one ton trucks. In nearly every case, the DRW's increase the SRW by almost exactly the max weight ratings of the tires. That is because the springs, shocks, and axle are the same. All they do is add the second pair of wheels and tires plus the fender extensions.

[alpine 1]

Engine: Duramax 6.6L V8
Horsepower: 397 @ 3000
Torque (lb-ft): 765 @ 1600
Transmission: MW7
Axle Ratio: 3.73
Trailering Package Which gives me 4 leifs instead of the standard 3
Max Trailer Weight kg (lb)
Ball Hitch: 5897 (13000)
Fifth Wheel: 7802 (17200)
GCWR Kg (lb): 11113 (24500)
Thanks guys very much for all the information, I have been into the dealership where I purchased my vehicle and they have instructed me that I will be just fine according to the specs of the vehicle. They have also told me that the vehicle came with the trailering package which gives me an additonal spring / leif and told me that I will be just fine.