2016 3500 HD SRW duramax

[Jas1234on]

My towing capacity is 17,200 and payload is 4000 lbs. I was planning on getting airbags

I am thinking of buying the keystone carbon. Dry weight is 12,700. Max is 17,000

Everything looks good but wanted advice on this before I purchase something like this. Any help?


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[chuckster57]

Air bags do nothing for payload.

[Outback 325BH]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Air bags do nothing for payload.

Actually, they do. Maybe not from a technical/"legal" standpoint... but they do increase the load carrying ability of the vehicle. As long as you don't overload other components, you are fine.

The trick is knowing whether or not you are overloading the other components. Tires and wheels are easy. The rear axle is trickier.


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[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Outback 325BH

Actually, they do. Maybe not from a technical/"legal" standpoint... but they do increase the load carrying ability of the vehicle. As long as you don't overload other components, you are fine.

The trick is knowing whether or not you are overloading the other components. Tires and wheels are easy. The rear axle is trickier.


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I think if you read the documents from Airlift, Firestone etc. they tell you implicitly that the air bags DO NOT increase payload capacity if I recall.

[xcntrk]

I tow a similarly sized 5'er with a similarly equipped SRW. Depending on the load in garage and overall crap in the truck, I'm right at max GVWR, sometime slightly under, other times a couple hundred pounds over. Here's a couple things to help you with your decision.

First, consider weighing your truck the next time you're loaded down with people and gear. Consider this your "realistic" running weight. Meaning the weight the truck would normally see, heading out on a trip with your occupants and misc. gear in the rig. I bet you'll find that your remaining available payload goes way down from what's on the door sticker. You'd be surprised how much a bed cover, full tank of fuel, and 4 passengers eat into the available capacity.

Secondly, shop long and hard for the right hitch. I didn't see if you had a short or long bed, but the lighter the hitch the less payload consumed by it. For me with a short box, my only option was a slider hitch - and I chose to use an auto unit (of which there's only 2 to choose from) and both are incredibly heavy. I lose probably 250# to the hitch alone. In comparison an Anderson hitch is like 50# but may not work in a short bed.

Lastly, to answer your question, the pin weight does decrease when hauling a load in the garage for sure, but keep in mind the overall GCWR will go up (and potentially push you over). I've heard many toy hauler owners say they'll bring along that toy (golf cart, atv, bike, etc) just for a smoother tow than to haul an empty hauler. My pin weight goes down 2~300# with my 1k# cart in the garage.

Air bags are great, help to level the ride and smooth out the bumps.
Good luck!

[Jas1234on]

Originally Posted by xcntrk

I tow a similarly sized 5'er with a similarly equipped SRW. Depending on the load in garage and overall crap in the truck, I'm right at max GVWR, sometime slightly under, other times a couple hundred pounds over. Here's a couple things to help you with your decision.

First, consider weighing your truck the next time you're loaded down with people and gear. Consider this your "realistic" running weight. Meaning the weight the truck would normally see, heading out on a trip with your occupants and misc. gear in the rig. I bet you'll find that your remaining available payload goes way down from what's on the door sticker. You'd be surprised how much a bed cover, full tank of fuel, and 4 passengers eat into the available capacity.

Secondly, shop long and hard for the right hitch. I didn't see if you had a short or long bed, but the lighter the hitch the less payload consumed by it. For me with a short box, my only option was a slider hitch - and I chose to use an auto unit (of which there's only 2 to choose from) and both are incredibly heavy. I lose probably 250# to the hitch alone. In comparison an Anderson hitch is like 50# but may not work in a short bed.

Lastly, to answer your question, the pin weight does decrease when hauling a load in the garage for sure, but keep in mind the overall GCWR will go up (and potentially push you over). I've heard many toy hauler owners say they'll bring along that toy (golf cart, atv, bike, etc) just for a smoother tow than to haul an empty hauler. My pin weight goes down 2~300# with my 1k# cart in the garage.

Air bags are great, help to level the ride and smooth out the bumps.
Good luck!

I have a 8foot bed. Was going to use the Anderson ultimate aluminum. Was going to test first of course. But looks like it works on 8foot beds.


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[Jas1234on]

Right I know. Just level it out.


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[sourdough]

Lot of trailer for a SRW. I'm guessing it's the 357?

With a GVW of 17000 and a pin weight of 25% you will be at 4250 vs a 4000 payload - just to start; no hitch, no people, no stuff

[Jas1234on]

Good to know. So looking at hitch weights at different fifth wheels the percentage of hitch weights changes per model. (Using dry weight stats) some look to be as low as 20%. Also with toy haulers a lot of the weight besides liquids and stuff will be in the garage. Toy weight is 1300. So using the percentage based on dry weight to calculate fully loaded pin weight confuses me.


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[Jas1234on]

Like for example the 357 dry is 12,500 and hitch is 3000 roughly. If I put the 1300 in the garage would that decrease hitch weight.


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[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Jas1234on

Like for example the 357 dry is 12,500 and hitch is 3000 roughly. If I put the 1300 in the garage would that decrease hitch weight.


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Yes but not by the same weight. I don't know the formula or even if there is one.

[sourdough]

Others will chime in on this I'm sure but .....

The dry weights of the 357 put the pin weight at approx. 24.48% of dry weight. Optimally, that percentage would then remain approx. the same as you loaded to GVW. You can reduce the pin weight by loading anything and everything in the back; I suppose you could reduce it to 0; but you just wouldn't be able to pull it and control it.

As far as I know the accepted parameters for the hitch weight on the 5th wheel should be somewhere in the 20-25% range; from my experience I think it tends to be toward the 25% mark. You need that weight to stabilize the towing of the trailer/truck combo. Some feel that everything works great at around 20%, others want more.

Regardless of how you slice it, if the trailer is loaded properly, I think you are going to be overloading the truck or very close. Others may have different opinions and they will comment so hang on...and keep reading

When getting to that size of trailer you did the right thing by just asking - the smart thing. Whatever decision you make you will make it with your eyes open - can't ask more than that.

[Jas1234on]

Need to get is weighed. Thanks for the help!! Possible the dealer can weigh it for me.


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[roadglide]

Originally Posted by Jas1234on

Need to get is weighed. Thanks for the help!! Possible the dealer can weigh it for me.


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What is the index tire rating you have on your TW? I have experiance 3000 lbs is nothing on my 2500 The only reason I have 5000 air rite air bags on my 2500 it dont have the overload springs even before the bags the sag was margina its nice to know your not weaking the springs with bags. I now load everything in the back and its easier on me. With the garage empty I can feel the pin weight a lot. When loaded I Im at 10500 lbs on the rv axles cat scale way under the sailun 14 ply tires. My 311 is 16000 GVW witch would be impossible unless you where hauling lead because 2700 is on the truck.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by roadglide

What is the index tire rating you have on your TW? I have experiance 3000 lbs is nothing on my 2500 The only reason I have 5000 air rite air bags on my 2500 it dont have the overload springs even before the bags the sag was margina its nice to know your not weaking the springs with bags. I now load everything in the back and its easier on me. With the garage empty I can feel the pin weight a lot. When loaded I Im at 10500 lbs on the rv axles cat scale way under the sailun 14 ply tires. My 311 is 16000 GVW witch would be impossible unless you where hauling lead because 2700 is on the truck.

Hmmm, what kind of 2500 do you have? What does the door sticker say? 3000 lbs pin weight "is nothing" ....on a 2500? Not trying to be argumentative but the OP is looking for safe numbers.

[Jas1234on]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Hmmm, what kind of 2500 do you have? What does the door sticker say? 3000 lbs pin weight "is nothing" ....on a 2500? Not trying to be argumentative but the OP is looking for safe numbers.

I have a 2016 gmc 3500hd crew cab 8 foot box 4x4 duramax. SRW...I think my truck payload is roughly 3800. So minus people stuff and hitch I think I have 3100 lbs left.

So what I need to find out is on the manufacturer website when they list the hitch weight of 3000lbs is this based on the the UVW or the GVWR.

Thanks for your help guys!!!


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[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Jas1234on

I have a 2016 gmc 3500hd crew cab 8 foot box 4x4 duramax. SRW...I think my truck payload is roughly 3800. So minus people stuff and hitch I think I have 3100 lbs left.

So what I need to find out is on the manufacturer website when they list the hitch weight of 3000lbs is this based on the the UVW or the GVWR.

Thanks for your help guys!!!


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The dry (unloaded) pin weight of the 357 is listed at 3060 lbs. This will go up significantly when loaded.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Hmmm, what kind of 2500 do you have? What does the door sticker say? 3000 lbs pin weight "is nothing" ....on a 2500? Not trying to be argumentative but the OP is looking for safe numbers.

One that exceeds the door sticker , The one ton has a better pin weight then the 3/4 ton . The real concern is what is the load rating on the tv tires. Some one is going to roll over in there grave because a accident happened and the rv is splattered all over the road, or some body slams me from the back and cry 200 lbs over the pin weigh and the insurance wont pay. 1 ton is more then capable of handling 3060 lb pin weight.

[Jas1234on]

Originally Posted by roadglide

One that exceeds the door sticker , The one ton has a better pin weight then the 3/4 ton . The real concern is what is the load rating on the tv tires. Some one is going to roll over in there grave because a accident happened and the rv is splattered all over the road, or some body slams me from the back and cry 200 lbs over the pin weigh and the insurance wont pay. 1 ton is more then capable of handling 3060 lb pin weight.

True but what I learned today is my 1 ton truck payload has roughly only 3180 left after myself, wife, full gas, hitch.. And dry pin weight of 3000 lbs will increase as you add weight to trailer....could add another 1200 lbs. I would be over real fast.


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[sourdough]

Originally Posted by roadglide

One that exceeds the door sticker , The one ton has a better pin weight then the 3/4 ton . The real concern is what is the load rating on the tv tires. Some one is going to roll over in there grave because a accident happened and the rv is splattered all over the road, or some body slams me from the back and cry 200 lbs over the pin weigh and the insurance wont pay. 1 ton is more then capable of handling 3060 lb pin weight.

The exact reason prudent folks drive down the road marveling at people like you and wondering when you're going to kill someone or yourself. The rating on your TV tires is, literally, the smallest of your/our (other drivers) concerns. You do a great disservice to someone asking legitimate questions about weights and trying to be safe. Lord knows I've done it when I was "ignorant" (35 years ago), but I've never, and won't, advocate that a person drive in a dangerous fashion because "I did, used to etc.". The poster is concerned about his, and his family's well being and doing the right thing. Because those things mean nothing to you....please, don't willingly lead him in the wrong direction. He is trying to do the right thing.

Your lack of knowledge, and concern is very disconcerting. Worried about your "RV spattered all over the road"? No, I'm worried about you getting me, my family or some else splattered all over the road.

"The one ton is more than capable of handling a 3060 pin weight". Please tune in. That is the dry pin weight. The truck has a max payload of 4000 lbs. The dry pin weight will grow substantially. Please, if you like putting yourself, your family and others in jeopardy, keep it to yourself. The OP is looking for info to keep him safe - let's try to give him good, safe info - not, "hell yeah, it's a one ton....it'll pull the shuttle...you're good to go". He deserves better.