5th Wheel Set Up For 2500 GMC

[Busybeavers]

I've been doing a lot of research on a really good setup for my TV and 5th wheel since I have had TT prior to this. We ordered a '16 silverback 29RE and assume that it will be coming in Nov. (hopefully). My dilemma is with all the research and reading reviews, I think I have come up with a combo that would be good. The TV is a '12 GMC 2500 Duramax, 4x4, short bed 6-1/2'. I know that I need a slider and like the auto features and since we take long trips on the poor highways in VA. I thought I could benefit from a cushioned pin box. So I like the idea of a Pull-Rite, w/standard rails (vs the removable because of the 1-7/8" holes and cost); capture plate; a 5th airborne pin box; and ride-right air bags for leveling TV.

I am looking for input from all of you that have some experience under your belts. I want to do it right the first time with no regrets. Thank you in advance for your input and knowledge.

[Kenny kustom]

I'm quite fond of my bd3.
Simple manual slide, that works well.
It was amazing to see the kingpin just floating while going down the road.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[CWSWine]

I think you going to spend a lot money getting setup to pull a fairly light 5er and the setup like above is great for longer 5er that are over 12,000 lbs. I have short bed and don't use slider nor have I ever needed one. What I would stay away from are slide bar type hitch and get one with jaws. I ended with B&W but there lot good one on the market. Those are my thoughts....

[aceinspp]

You may be over doing it for that light of a 5er however maybe your thinking ahead to the future. I can relate to the poor roads in VA Later RJD

[Todouble]

I went with the pull rite auto slider that mounts with industry std rails. I absolutely love the hitch except for its weight. It's a beast to handle in/out of the truck. I know have a front end loader for my tractor that I pick it in/out with so no more lifting it for me. I could do it by myself but it was a bear. I have a short bed as well and my current fifth wheel claims to not need a slider hitch but I didn't want to chance it. I love not ever thinking if it's gonna hit the can or not. I also use a set of Firestone airbags which make the setup ride like a Cadillac. What a huge diff from no airbags. Hope this helps some.

[DocGTO]

The 6 1/2 ft bed is basically a standard bed. Less then 6ft is a short bed mostly found on 1/2 ton trucks (5.5 ft) but it is all relative LOL. My 5th wheel is a V nose to no need for any slider at all and I can go 90+ with zero issues. A lot of the new fivers are designed to do this with the 6.5ft beds. Is yours one of them?

I like B&W products so that is my vote but since I have 3 trailers and 2 of them are goosenecks so I did the Reese Goosebox swap on mine which is one of the few that is fully covered under the frame warranty.

[donniedu]

Wrong truck! I will be willing to bet you took the "dry" weight number from the brochure to make your decision. No one has ever towed a dry trailer. The 13,950 GVWR of this fiver is going to drop 2500+ pounds of pin weight on the truck. You will not be a happy camper with this combo. My 34ckts scales 13,500 pounds and my pin weight is north of 3000 pounds. I originally towed with a 2500HD. Three years of scared was enough for me. You really need at the absolute minimum a 3500 SRW and really a dually is a much better choice

[CWSWine]

Wow.. I take what I said back - I'm wrong with 1995 dry pin and 5er GVWR if 13,985 won't be a bad idea. That is a lot 5er and would probably benefit from the that setup. Sorry for the mistake.

As far as dry pin weights and FR goes don't trust them. My dry pin was 1950 and I added 1400 lbs cargo to 5er and the Cat Scale weight jumped to 2740.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by donniedu

Wrong truck! I will be willing to bet you took the "dry" weight number from the brochure to make your decision. No one has ever towed a dry trailer. The 13,950 GVWR of this fiver is going to drop 2500+ pounds of pin weight on the truck. You will not be a happy camper with this combo. My 34ckts scales 13,500 pounds and my pin weight is north of 3000 pounds. I originally towed with a 2500HD. Three years of scared was enough for me. You really need at the absolute minimum a 3500 SRW and really a dually is a much better choice

Oh I don't know, I bet he'll only be around 22 to 2300 lb hitch.

My pin weight dry is 1800 lbs
10,000 lb dry 14,000 gvwr on trailer.
Last checked pin weight was under 2000

I'd pull it with my 3/4 ton duramax with a 2500 lb ccc


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "27 nights"

[donniedu]

That fiver lists a 1985 pin weight with a 10,700 UVW. That translates to roughly 19% pin weight. 13,950 GVWR using those numbers turns into about 2700 pound pin weight. CC is infamous for heavy pins. That is one reason they tow so nicely. So IMHO 3000 is not out of the realm of possabilities. Dropping 3K directly over the rear axle of a truck with what? 6500 RAWR??? Yea, smart move! Heck my CKTS had a brochured 1750 pin and tips the scales north of 3000

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Oh I don't know, I bet he'll only be around 22 to 2300 lb hitch.

My pin weight dry is 1800 lbs
10,000 lb dry 14,000 gvwr on trailer.
Last checked pin weight was under 2000

I'd pull it with my 3/4 ton duramax with a 2500 lb ccc


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "27 nights"

Really depends on the 5er. I have friends that have 38 foot that lower pin weight then mine. The numbers I list below are with me and wife and cooler in the truck and bed has two chalks in it. Dry pin was 1950 and weight on the 5er yellow sticker is 10,025.

I think that FR dry pin weights are suspect...

http://www.towingplanner.com/ActualW...&w2da=3480&a=2

[RubberNail]

I have a 2007 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax with 50 gal auxiliary fuel tank towing a 2008 Montana 2955 w/ 5.5 Onan Genset, W/D, GVWR 13725. I use a Pullright SuperGlide with rails, and a MoRyde pin box. Works great, no chucking and when I pull the hitch, clean bed for hauling. Advertised 5r empty weight is 9800, pin 1750. My full tanks weights, everything in, 2 of us on board and ready to camp weights are 5r axles 10540, T RAW 6160. T before pin RAW is 3040, so pin + hitch weight is 3120. I'm slightly over on the RAWR (6080 I think), but went up one size on tires, so they are good. Good solid tow.

I've put over 60,000 miles on this rig, most states, Canada and Alaska. Never a problem with the truck or hitch. I've done most of the same roads with a Cummins Dually LWB and slightly heavier 5r and can not say towing was any better - much worst for chucking. My GCW is about 21400. As I remember, GCWR is about 22k, so close.

For what it is worth.

[Mikehend]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Attachment 90829

I'm quite fond of my bd3.
Simple manual slide, that works well.
It was amazing to see the kingpin just floating while going down the road.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

I have had the same setup as above for over 2 years, although without the slider on my 2500 HD short bed, and have yet to see a situation where I've neede to jackknife to the point where the slider is neede.

(Love the hitch too!)

[Burk]

I don't know where you are located but I have a very nice Superglide 3300, slider, 16,000#Gross trailer wt. Pin weight 4,000# for sale. 5er hitch came off my HD 2500 Silverado and has all need parts. I am in Northern California.
Burk
captnburk@gmail.com

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Burk

I don't know where you are located but I have a very nice Superglide 3300, slider, 16,000#Gross trailer wt. Pin weight 4,000# for sale. 5er hitch came off my HD 2500 Silverado and has all need parts. I am in Northern California.
Burk

You two couldn't be further apart
Virginia!

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "27 nights"

[hbillsmith]

I went with the Andersen Ultimate on my 2015 GMC with Standard 6.6ft box. The Wildcat's scuplted front nose combined with the Andersen which has enough adjustments, I just didn't need the slider.

As for cushioned pinboxes. I too thought I wanted a cushioned pin box and in talking to Andersen, they have folks that use one and Andersen supports it no problem.

The issue for me was a disire to tow the 5er as level as possible. The GMC's sit pretty high and with the Andersen adjusted low and the pinbox moved up to the top holes I'm still 1 to 2 inches off level. It tows very nice at that, but.. I thought a nice TrailAir would make it even better.

Then I spoke with the TrailAir guys and they confirmed it does indeed raise the trailer nose 2 or 3 inches. Thus I would be even less level. Now I could go down the road of raising the trailer suspension and who know some day I might. But for me now, the Andersen is providing a nice smooth slider-less ride. Lastly, as a bonus, since the Andersen is only 32#, I saved probably 100# to 200# of payload.

[palmetto rogue]

busybeavers, I have a 29rk and 2011 f250, superglide, airbags. I think you are right on with your setup. I would not omit the airbags. Run mine at 50psi and it handles like a dream. I bought the pullrite before I bought the trailer and found it needed only a couple time but it takes any chance of an accident out of your mind. The pinbox would be a nice improvement for a perfect ride.

[stormy2000]

We have 2015 silverado duramax 4x4 6.5 bd cc, pulling 2015 silverback 31RK pullrite superglide and we don't even know its there. Pulls great slide works perfect. So with your air bages and airborne, it will only be a more perfect ride.

[fvstringpicker]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

As far as dry pin weights and FR goes don't trust them. My dry pin was 1950 and I added 1400 lbs cargo to 5er and the Cat Scale weight jumped to 2740.

How did adding 1,400 lbs of cargo add 790 lbs to the hitch weight? Was it loaded in the front of the unit? Seems it should have added about 350 lbs to the pin.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by fvstringpicker

How did adding 1,400 lbs of cargo add 790 lbs to the hitch weight? Was it loaded in the front of the unit? Seems it should have added about 350 lbs to the pin.

You are right and I have the tickets from two scales if you would like to see them. I suspect the dry pin weight is way off, it was at just under 20% and loaded and now it is 24.1%. The only thing was in the basement was standard hose to hook up the 5er, two chairs, barbeque grill, and couple fishing rods. On my first weight there wasn't any clothes or really anything in the bed room since it we were not going camping. Most of the weight went to the rear living room and kitchen that is aft and over the wheels. I have found two others with this model 5er that the numbers did the same thing so it is not just me. One of those are on this forum maybe he will chime in.

The bottom line is you can't figure pin weights on paper you have to scale it (period)