Tow Vehicle Question for 29RLI

weberdennisd

New Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2025
Messages
3
Location
Waynesville
Looking on purchaseing a new Cougar 29RLI. I currently have a 2022 2500HD. I currently have a 22' TT that I tow with this vehicle and have no issues. My question is a 2500HD truck ok to tow the 29RLI? Keep in mind we are only going camping 3-7 days at a time and not a full time camper.

Truck Specs
6.6 Duramax
GVWR: 11350
GCWR: 27500
Curb Weight: 8098
Max Payload: 3252
GAWR Front: 5600
GAWR Rear: 6600

Cougar 29RLI specs (from website)
Shipping Weight: 8893
Cargo Cap: 2107
Pin Weight: 1630


Beside the trailer I would have me my wife and 2 very small dogs.

When i look at the specs of the 29RLI it seems to me i will be within spec of the truck just not 100% sure if the truck will tow good for long trips (6hr +)
 
Without actual weights, which is impossible with a trailer you don't own, you have to make some educated guesses/calculations. You also always use full gvwr numbers vs empty - since it will never be empty and if you don't load to full capacity using the max numbers gives you a little more safety cushion. In this case;

The trailer gvwr is 11000lbs. Rule of thumb is to use 23% of the gvwr to estimate a pin weight = 11000 x .23 = 2530lbs. Payload of truck is 3252 - 2530 = 722lbs. (I am assuming from placard on truck and not online). Don't know the weights of occupants or doggies but deduct that from the 722. The other things to consider are; 5th wheel hitch which can weigh from 45lbs. to 250lbs (which comes off that 722 + people weight), items carried in the bed; tools, bbq, ice chests, firewood etc.

First blush says you will be OK unless you really fill the cab/bed with a lot of stuff, or heavy stuff. The hitch is a big consideration that will require thought. There are also different kingpins that can be installed that save weight and eliminate the heavy 5th wheel hitches. There are lighter 5th wheel hitches you can look into as well. I went with an Andersen due to weight considerations. I would not use one these days due to the warranty being voided but there are other options.
 
Wel ome to the forum.

You stated truck curb wt as 8098 and payload as 3252.GVWR at 11350. Im' not aware of a 34ton DEISEL with that kind of capacity. Where did those numbers come from? I know newer 3/4 trucks have an increase in payload but for a diesel the sounds very high to me.
 
As Marshall posted, the GVWR of that 2022 2500HD seems extremely high.

I'd ask if those specifications came from the yellow sticker on the driver's door or from some other location?

According to what I can find with a quick search, the GM websites I checked indicate that a GVWR of 11350 is well above the maximum listed by GM.

The websites I checked indicate the following:

2500HD 9,900 to 10,850 lbs
3500HD 10,750 to 11,500 lbs

Just doing some "quick look calculations", with a GVWR of 10850 and a curb weight of 8098, the payload for trailer pin, hitch, cargo and passengers would be 2752. If these figures are close to being correct, then it would be "almost impossible" to stay under GVWR with 2 passengers, a 200 pound fifth wheel hitch, "some" cargo and the estimated 23% trailer pin weight.

If the data presented in the first post is correct, there "should not" be a problem, but if the data reflects what the GM websites to be correct, then there is very likely to be no way to stay under GVWR with that truck/trailer.

So, what do the decals on the OP's truck state, not what some website suggest as "maximum available GVWR" could be ???
 
I’ve been looking at chevy trucks for a little while now and and they do have multiple options on 2500 gvwr. looks like the standard gas engine gvwr is 10850

the diesel is 11350 standard and if you go to the max trailering package increases it to 11750 which gives you a 12” rear,and a 3500 frame and suspension…The picture shows a dually but it is for srw trucks it also requires and includes the diesel engine option

Ford has something very similar and you have to be very careful when buying a truck off the lot because it could (Ford) have the 10000 gvwr

Ford calls it the High capacity axle upgrade package to give a higher gvwr.but that have 10000 and 10600 or 800 as standard and the package gives you 11400

Ram still keeps it around 10000 for 2500 trucks. think they may have increased by 200 lbs for 2025

It would help in Maryland because trucks with 12000gvwr or higher has a higher registration fee and has to be paid yearly instead of every two years

One thing to note is everyone that says a 2500 is no different from a 3500 should notice that at least with chevy/gmc the 3500 frame and rear axle are very different
 

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Whoops! As has been noticed, a diesel 2500 won't have the large payload. I missed the subtle distinction because I didn't pay attention and just took the numbers as fact - distractions and an apology.

Others have brought the discrepancies to light. The OP will have to clarify..and I'm still dealing with the "distraction".
 
Thank you for all of your responses. The information that was posted on the truck was taken from the door stickers I have attached 2 pictures as well. As far as the payload goes it will be me and my wife and 2 small dogs about 340#. As far as the hitch goes i was going to convert the standard hitch on the trailer to a Reese goose box and just use the goose neck ball in my bed. From what i understand is that the frame will be still covered under warrenty with this hitch set-up.
 

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interesting thing to note about the payload spec sticker posted above …Shortbed gm trucks have the factory fifth wheel puck system mounted slightly behind the rear axle…the longbed i believe is centered on the axle.
i guess thats why the max payload is reduced per the sticker for gooseneck towing

Dont know if they do that for cab clearance or under bed frame clearance on short beds
 
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I posted pictures of the stickers in the door frame. And exact #'s for the payload for the me my wife and dogs. I usually don't put anything in the truck but the camper but it is usually a min as we purchase food and wood at the local parks and area that we go. So i would venture to say we probably put no more than about 1,000 #'s in the trailer beyond the dry weight when traveling. Also all tanks are empty when traveling.
 
The guidance given by Danny in post #2 should be pretty much applicable. The only thing I would say is that the 1000 lbs of stuff will surely grow some as RVs tend to collect "stuff" but with the numbers/calculations given you should be OK.
 
Keep in mind we are only going camping 3-7 days at a time and not a full time camper.

When i look at the specs of the 29RLI it seems to me i will be within spec of the truck just not 100% sure if the truck will tow good for long trips (6hr +)

You've gotten a bunch of good answers so far but just wanted to mention that time and distance are not factors in the formulas in determining what was asked.
 
I’ve been looking at chevy trucks for a little while now and and they do have multiple options on 2500 gvwr. looks like the standard gas engine gvwr is 10850

the diesel is 11350 standard and if you go to the max trailering package increases it to 11750 which gives you a 12” rear,and a 3500 frame and suspension…The picture shows a dually but it is for srw trucks it also requires and includes the diesel engine option

Ford has something very similar and you have to be very careful when buying a truck off the lot because it could (Ford) have the 10000 gvwr

Ford calls it the High capacity axle upgrade package to give a higher gvwr.but that have 10000 and 10600 or 800 as standard and the package gives you 11400

Ram still keeps it around 10000 for 2500 trucks. think they may have increased by 200 lbs for 2025

It would help in Maryland because trucks with 12000gvwr or higher has a higher registration fee and has to be paid yearly instead of every two years

One thing to note is everyone that says a 2500 is no different from a 3500 should notice that at least with chevy/gmc the 3500 frame and rear axle are very different

This all started about 2019 or 2020, when Ford and GM upped the GVWR past the 10,000# limit of a Class 2 truck. These 250/2500's are in reality Class 3 one ton trucks, with many having GVWR of 350/3500 SRW of less then six years ago.
Up until about 2016 to 2018 the max GVWR on a F350 SRW was about 11,500#, Ram had raised the GVWR of their 3500 SRW to 12,300# back in 2013 with a major frame upgrade, but continue to keep the 2500 GVWR at 10,000#.

I reality a 250/2500 is not a de-rated 350/3500, BUT a 350/3500 is an upgraded 250/2500!
I think Ram had it right until 2003, before that they didn't have a SRW 3500, if you wanted a 3500 you got a DRW.

Many now days think I have a 350/3500 SRW I can tow anything as it is a One Ton!
 
Thank you for all of your responses. The information that was posted on the truck was taken from the door stickers I have attached 2 pictures as well. As far as the payload goes it will be me and my wife and 2 small dogs about 340#. As far as the hitch goes i was going to convert the standard hitch on the trailer to a Reese goose box and just use the goose neck ball in my bed. From what i understand is that the frame will be still covered under warrenty with this hitch set-up.

The Reese Goose Box is covered by Lippert, the frame manufacturer. About the only "roadblock" I can foresee is a probable "blame game" between Keystone and Lippert with who is going to actually pay for the repairs. It'll eventually get fixed if you have a frame issue, but it won't be a "one call approval" because both will want the other to pay.... I'd almost bet you are the one that's going to be "caught in the middle" until they decide who's paying. That means your trailer "sits on the lot waiting for approval" rather than "on the road behind your truck"...

That's only if you have a frame problem and the repairs get contested.

Now, just so you know, your truck is a "unicorn" !!!!!

I tried finding a similar GVWR in a F250 or in a GM 2500. There are none on any dealer lot within 500 miles (the search engine max distance) from Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta or Richmond. That said, your truck should have no issues carrying the load placed in the bed by that trailer....

A "consideration in your thoughts on how you pack for towing"... You "might stay below 1000 pounds of additional cargo" but probably not. Just adding camping gear, tools, cooking equipment, dry goods, and a jack/lug wrench (in case you have a flat tire) will consume that 1000 pounds or even more...

And, your intention to "always travel with empty tanks" might be the plan, but when you dry camp at a "pristine no facilities campground" what you take in you tow out. With no dump station at many of the "no facilities campgrounds" or even in some "on the lake campgrounds with a dump station" if they have an issue with the dump site and close it (happens more than you might think) then you're faced with towing with full tanks or sitting until the dump station is back open....

Things happen, ALWAYS plan for the worst conditions and you'll ALWAYS be prepared.....

Bottom line, I think you'll be "good to go" with that truck/trailer combo...
 
Does anyone see 2500 badging on the truck/data plates? I thought GM let those slide.

The badging is there on the 23 and 24 models...

And the VIN 6th digit denotes the class (1500/2500/3500)

The OP marked out his VIN, so yes it's on the data plate and the truck body, but marked out in the photos of the data plate.
 

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Here is the door sticker for a truck i was thinking about…didn’t like the 18” wheels though and this particular shade of white is a little too plain for me

2024 2500 with diesel and max trailer package gives you 11750
 

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Thank you for all of your responses. The information that was posted on the truck was taken from the door stickers I have attached 2 pictures as well. As far as the payload goes it will be me and my wife and 2 small dogs about 340#. As far as the hitch goes i was going to convert the standard hitch on the trailer to a Reese goose box and just use the goose neck ball in my bed. From what i understand is that the frame will be still covered under warrenty with this hitch set-up.

Thanks for posting. These manufacturers are "doing" a lot with the gvwrs these days which makes the payloads jump all over the place. The placard you posted has the defining numbers.

Also keep in mind that a 5th wheel has a lot of storage compared to a TT. With that comes the seeming inevitable creep of "stuff" in the trailer. Figure an upgraded mattress from the TT will add quite a bit, clothers, bedding, linens, pots, pans, panini press, pressure cooker, popcorn popper, food processor, silverware/knives/forks/misc. kitchen tools, DVDs, blankets, bbq pit, necessary tools and spare equipment etc. etc. etc. 1000lbs. doesn't go far at all - which is why you want to use the gvwr for calculations....the stuff WILL grow.

As far as empty tanks, I always said I would not travel with anything in the tanks until..... Trying to make a multi day trip to "somewhere" where you use the black tank once or twice and then drain is NOT a good idea; it needs to fill a reasonable amount with water or you're just leaving more "stuff" in the tank due to reduced/now water flow when draining. I take 3-4 days to go to FL each year. I now wait until I get to the destination before I drain the black tank (barring any unusual usage) so it will "self clean" as much as possible. Now I usually do the same with the gray tanks. Made me very nervous at first but it works better. Just a thought.
 
I'm not going by numbers, here.
I think that's already been pretty well covered.
I just know the difference between pulling a 10,000+ pound trailer with a ¾-ton, and pulling it with a 1-ton.
I have a whole lot more confidence, pulling with that F350 than I did with the F250.
On a long day, with a little bit of traffic, a lot of hills, and some wind, that 1-ton beats a 3/4-ton hands down for comfort and confidence. I don't feel as tired. I actually have something left, so I don't have to take a break to do set up when we get to the destination.
All I can say is, "Confidence is key".
 
I'm not going by numbers, here.
I think that's already been pretty well covered.
I just know the difference between pulling a 10,000+ pound trailer with a ¾-ton, and pulling it with a 1-ton.
I have a whole lot more confidence, pulling with that F350 than I did with the F250.
On a long day, with a little bit of traffic, a lot of hills, and some wind, that 1-ton beats a 3/4-ton hands down for comfort and confidence. I don't feel as tired. I actually have something left, so I don't have to take a break to do set up when we get to the destination.
All I can say is, "Confidence is key".

But you are basing your experience with an 18 year old truck.
Today's new 3/4 ton trucks are much more capable with a 10,000 LB trailer than they were 18 years ago.
 

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