Help Don't know if my truck will pull a 5th wheel!

[Johnnie]

We are looking at a Seirra 365SAQ or Wildcat 344QB. My husband's truck is a 2006 Silverado 2500 chevy 4x4 HD. Will it pull these campers or do we need to step back. I don't see any reason why we need a 2nd bathroom or outside kitchen. I know this adds to the weight! Can someone advise me? His pin weight is 1100 I think.

[golfmedik]

There is no way you can get a pin weight of 1100 from a 365SAQ. I have one and my pin weight is right at 3100 pounds loaded. As far as pulling a 365, lots of people do it with 250/2500 series trucks and do it pretty well. But they are over the RAWR(rear axle weight rating) and most likely the gross combined weight rating for the truck. That being said, 3/4 ton trucks run out of payload capacity first due to not having the other one or two leaf springs in the back. But, like I said, will it pull it? Yes. Should it? That would be up to the individual and it is done all the time.

[speedcat]

I tow the equivalent to the Sierra in our Sabre36qbok. Our TV is a 2004 SilveradoHD 8.1l gasser and have been very satisfied with our towing experience. The pin weight of the Sabre is 1850 and Im rated for 2500. I did install Firestone airbags and that was a tremendous help.It will depend on your typical towing route. I tow mostly close to home on relatively flat to rolling terrain even though in have towed about 1500m this past year and over Jellico Mtn twice.

[SKnight]

I found the pin weight on the Sierra is 2,060 pounds and the Wildcat is lighter still, per the site below your fifth wheel pin weight max is 2450 pounds so you should be fine there. However the same site shows 9800 as your max towing weight and I can't believe that one. 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Specs: Crew Cab 153" WB 4WD LT3 Other Specs
This site shows the specs as 3163 max payload and 14,600 pounds as the max.

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Specs: Crew Cab 153" WB 4WD LT3 Other Specs

I'd check the owners manual if you still have it, that should have it all in there for sure.

But depending on how you load it you should be ok.

[jevanb]

we have the 344QB without the rear kitchen, yes your truck will be ok. it will drop about 2 inches from factory, if it is a 6.0 gasser it will also be ok on the flats but hit the hills and you might not like the sound of the engine too much.. The 2nd bathroom is standard and does not add too much weight but since it is a bunk house you must have kids and will need it

[rpbscm06]

I have a 2014 GMC sierra 2500HD duramax diesel 6.6L V8 turbo crew cab has GCWR of 24,500,max trailering weight 17,400 and looking for a fiver also

[AquaMan]

An '06 2500 with a 6.0l gasser will not pull this camper, other than moving it around a parking lot. I have 365saq, had an '06 2500 6.0(it struggled with 8k tt), pulled the 365saq with '11 2500 CC LB 4x4 Duramax(pulled fine, rode fine, but was at or just over payload specs), now have '13 3500 DRW, but not because the '11 2500 didn't do the job.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

An '06 2500 with a 6.0l gasser will not pull this camper, other than moving it around a parking lot. I have 365saq, had an '06 2500 6.0(it struggled with 8k tt), pulled the 365saq with '11 2500 CC LB 4x4 Duramax(pulled fine, rode fine, but was at or just over payload specs), now have '13 3500 DRW, but not because the '11 2500 didn't do the job.

X2...
I wasn't happy when I towed a loaded 9500lb TT with a GMC 6.0 gasser in the past...truck handle the loaded weight fine on flats but hills and any faint hearted mountain climb...it was red faced in keeping up!
I couldn't imagine asking the gasser to handle more weight.

[davel1971]

X3 on the 6.0. Although a very good engine, heavy towing is not its friend, and its very fond of gas stations. When I had my gasser I was towing a 8000lb bumper pull and getting 7mpg. Hills required LOTS of throttle just to try to maintain speed. Now I have a Duramax and a 11,000lb 5th wheel. Get 12-13MPG and terrain not an issue.

[Talonman]

I had the 6.0l in a 1500HD and it was a dog and returned nothing for the poor power but worse mileage, I towed up hills in 2nd gear often.

[speedcat]

Yes, the 6.0 will struggle with grade. The 8.1L with Allison transmission in my TV takes the grades fine. Maxes out at about 3500rpm on steep grades without a substantial decrease in speed. However my average is 8mpg. I will upgrade to a 350/3500 or 450/4500 when it's time for my next TV.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by speedcat

I tow the equivalent to the Sierra in our Sabre36qbok. Our TV is a 2004 SilveradoHD 8.1l gasser and have been very satisfied with our towing experience. The pin weight of the Sabre is 1850 and Im rated for 2500. I did install Firestone airbags and that was a tremendous help.It will depend on your typical towing route. I tow mostly close to home on relatively flat to rolling terrain even though in have towed about 1500m this past year and over Jellico Mtn twice.

Just so the OP has the info he is searching...your posted pin weight of 1850 is the unloaded number...right (most likely just over 2K loaded)?
Your 2500lb truck payload number is before you subtract the weight of your cab gear, people and bed gear/hitch...right?
Again...If OP has similiar truck to yours it'll be good for him to see how the numbers wash out, whether it be over or under so they decide if they feel safe with the calculated weights

[speedcat]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Just so the OP has the info he is searching...your posted pin weight of 1850 is the unloaded number...right (most likely just over 2K loaded)?
Your 2500lb truck payload number is before you subtract the weight of your cab gear, people and bed gear/hitch...right?
Again...If OP has similiar truck to yours it'll be good for him to see how the numbers wash out, whether it be over or under so they decide if they feel safe with the calculated weights

Correct you are in each case. I typically don't travel with excess weight (water in tanks etc). I am pushing my max if not over a tad. I know the argument that air bags do not technically offset pin weight but I do know, by towing at different PSI's on my air bag, the towing experience is much better and I feel more comfortable. I also have noticed I tow smoother when I have a full load on the bike rack as a counter balance. It definitely is a judgment call based on your towing experience and comfort level. As stated, my next TV will definitely be a 350/3500+ but the DW won't approve at this time . I think the OP's equal if not larger issue is the 6.0 engine. In my set up as it is now, I would not be happy with less than the 8.1

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by speedcat

Correct you are in each case. I typically don't travel with excess weight (water in tanks etc). I am pushing my max if not over a tad. I know the argument that air bags do not technically offset pin weight but I do know, by towing at different PSI's on my air bag, the towing experience is much better and I feel more comfortable. I also have noticed I tow smoother when I have a full load on the bike rack as a counter balance. It definitely is a judgment call based on your towing experience and comfort level. As stated, my next TV will definitely be a 350/3500+ but the DW won't approve at this time . I think the OP's equal if not larger issue is the 6.0 engine. In my set up as it is now, I would not be happy with less than the 8.1

Sounds good!

[D-maxx dave]

Not to butt in, but how about a Sandpiper 355RE (11838lbs dry, 15500lbs maxx, advertised pin wt 2015lbs) behind a 2012 Silverado 2500. Max pin 3000lbs, max trailer wt 15700. Even with kitchen sink, we won't load 3662 lbs. Never have water in tanks. Only she and I in the truck now. Had a 28' TT til now. Relieve my mind!

[OldCoot]

Also remember there is no law that says you have to tow 55-65 mph in the mountains. Semi's don't, so why do you? We've towed in the Appalachians, Ozark & Smokey mountains with a 5.3L and a 3.23 rear end. I just get in the truck lane and can usually stay with or pass the semis.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by D-maxx dave

Not to butt in, but how about a Sandpiper 355RE (11838lbs dry, 15500lbs maxx, advertised pin wt 2015lbs) behind a 2012 Silverado 2500. Max pin 3000lbs, max trailer wt 15700. Even with kitchen sink, we won't load 3662 lbs. Never have water in tanks. Only she and I in the truck now. Had a 28' TT til now. Relieve my mind!

You can use this tool to get a good feel for what your pin weight may be by using the dry pin weights and extrapolating from there (I've already punched in the numbers for the 355RE in this link):
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

You can adjust the estimated loaded weight in the form to see changes in the pin weight.

Finally, you can get a feel for what your actual usable payload on our Silverado is by either weighing the truck or using the "Tire & Load Capacity" sticker on the doorjamb:
Getting weighed
Using Sticker

On edit- to caveat, this just tells you if you're within the ratings of your truck. It's up to you to decide if you're going to adhere to them or exceed them. It doesn't give a lick of indication for how your experience will be (positive or negative) or if it'll fit your expectations or not.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by speedcat

I tow the equivalent to the Sierra in our Sabre36qbok. Our TV is a 2004 SilveradoHD 8.1l gasser and have been very satisfied with our towing experience. The pin weight of the Sabre is 1850 and Im rated for 2500.

I see that you clarified this later in that the 1850 number is the unloaded pin weight. Your real world pin weight is likely somewhere between 2,200-2,500 pounds depending on how heavy you load. My highest was 2,540 lbs of pin weight with my 36qbok (but, I also know that we a) pack heavy and b) carry some water and c) everyone is different ).

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by D-maxx dave

Not to butt in, but how about a Sandpiper 355RE (11838lbs dry, 15500lbs maxx, advertised pin wt 2015lbs) behind a 2012 Silverado 2500. Max pin 3000lbs, max trailer wt 15700. Even with kitchen sink, we won't load 3662 lbs. Never have water in tanks. Only she and I in the truck now. Had a 28' TT til now. Relieve my mind!

If you're driving a diesel...the engine & tranny will handle the weight and even heavier...it's the suspension/axle components that you are trying to stay somewhere within it's limits as rated for your particular truck build...again, it's all up to you how to read into the numbers and derive what you're comfortable with

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Also remember there is no law that says you have to tow 55-65 mph in the mountains. Semi's don't, so why do you? We've towed in the Appalachians, Ozark & Smokey mountains with a 5.3L and a 3.23 rear end. I just get in the truck lane and can usually stay with or pass the semis.

you and the OP pretty much have the same HP but he will be towing 4-5k lbs more. I had a 2004HD 4x4 CC with the 6.0 and it was a slug in any hill I also did not like 2nd gear and 5000 rpm to make the top, the flats were ok towing..