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Old 05-20-2018, 03:03 AM   #1
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Tow Vehicle suspension upgrades

So after towing my 12000# Fifth wheel for the 1st time it was apparent that I may need to upgrade suspension. Once the TT was hooked up, the bed was fairly level. While taking her home I didn't get that warm and fuzzy that everything was normal. Could be that this is my first ever fifth wheel. The Duramax had no issues getting up to speed, but it was a fairly bouncy ride.

My Tow vehicle is a 2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax High country, I was thinking of adding some Firestone airbags and upgrading the rear shocks. I'm interested in hearing what others have done and any suggestion for my situation.


TT is hooked up and all 2800# is on my truck;








TIA,
Mike
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Old 05-20-2018, 06:20 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by mzodarg View Post
. While taking her home I didn't get that warm and fuzzy that everything was normal. Could be that this is my first ever fifth wheel. The Duramax had no issues getting up to speed, but it was a fairly bouncy ride.
You are probably several hundred pounds over the payload capacity of that truck ... What is the payload capacity of the truck?
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Old 05-20-2018, 06:21 AM   #3
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I’m a poor one to say this but you are overloaded. You are pulling a three axle trailer with a 2500 Silverado, you need a dually to pull that trailer and a long bed.
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Old 05-20-2018, 06:27 AM   #4
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The manufacturer lists that trailer at almost 13000 empty with a pin weight of over 2900 pounds. The manufacturer dry weights are generally way less than reality. I would suggest going to a CAT scale and figuring out your true weights for your truck and your truck and trailer together. Search the forum for msny posts on how to do this. You need to understand the gross axle weights and gross vehicle weight for your truck too. You will get lots of opinions on this but a tri-axle toy hauler is a lot for a 2500. Particularly a diesel with a high trim level. Your truck probably has less than 2300 pounds of payload (look at the yellow sticker inside the driver door jamb). I know none of this solves your immediate concerns but understanding weights is really important. FWIW I tow a fiver that weighs just under 12000 with a 2017 Silverado 3500 and it tows very well.
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Old 05-20-2018, 06:50 AM   #5
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That is one heavy trailer for a 3/4 ton truck. The high country options took away a lot of Payload. Later RJD
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:15 AM   #6
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Copied from GM Sight.

Year 2015, model:High Country, Engineuramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

Max Towing Capacity: 17,900 lbs
Max Payload: 3,501 lbs
Max Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 10,000 lbs

sticker in the glove box state max payload 1498 lbs looks like I need to start looking for a dually. I had no idea
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:22 AM   #7
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I don't do this often, but, I think you are up there with your weight, I'm towing a cedar creek 33IK and I use a Hensley BD3 air hitch and have no problem towing, I have exactly the same truck as you. It may be that you will be able to balance it out a bit as you go.
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:24 AM   #8
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I would look at the weights on your door sticker instead of the GM sight.
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:26 AM   #9
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I have a 2011 2500 Sierra with the allison trans and duramax diesel. I Checked with my dealer and the 2500 diesel is essentially the same as a 3500 except for the suspension. So any suspension enhancement will increase your payload. But as others pointed out find out how much you need then talk to your dealer
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:29 AM   #10
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Have loaded out the trailer for traveling yet? I know mine pulled a lot different coming home from the dealer but settled down after I got loaded out. A good set of airbags will take care of a lot of bounce. Don't let the naggers get ya down. Running a truck like that at close to max gvw is what it was built for. Too many people expect their truck to ride and handle just like it does empty vs. hitched up.
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:30 AM   #11
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i don't have near the size TT you have nor do i have a 3/4 ton however i was experiencing some porpoising going over rough roads, bridges, etc. i bought a Roadmaster active suspension kit (on the advice of another Forum member) it all but cured my problems, and was an easy instal, took about an hour all you need is a couple of jack stands and a good floor jack and a few wrenches too install. it could help with your problem

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Old 05-20-2018, 07:49 AM   #12
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It’s your camper and you aren’t ever going to be checked by DOT but if if was me the only way I would pull that camper is with a long bed dually. I think to much of me and DW to pull a camper like you have with a 2500 but it’s your camper be happy. Do what you want to do.
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Old 05-20-2018, 07:58 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mzodarg View Post
Copied from GM Sight.

Year 2015, model:High Country, Engineuramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

Max Towing Capacity: 17,900 lbs
Max Payload: 3,501 lbs
Max Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 10,000 lbs

sticker in ther glove box state max payload 1498 lbs looks like I need to start looking for a dually. I had no idea
Your truck has a specific rating unique to that truck. Check the stickers on the inside of the door...it will tell you exactly what your truck's payload capacity is...
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:00 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by spock123 View Post
I’m a poor one to say this but you are overloaded. You are pulling a three axle trailer with a 2500 Silverado, you need a dually to pull that trailer and a long bed.

Ditto! You are overloaded and need a long bed dually.
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:08 AM   #15
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Lots of good advise here. I have pulled my 5r (for over 4000miles) from Chicago to Brownsville TX, and several states in between.

I had Tembrens and added extra leafs to the pack.
- it did stiffen the ride but you don't feel that much in the front seats.
- It's not a if those air bags fail, it's about when.

Not sure what that did for allowable tong weight or cargo weight.
- This is the only difference between the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton super duty.
It did raise the rear to a level pull.

Although the gear ratio and tranny is different, my 6.7 diesel is the same engine used in all Super Duty platforms. 850 foot pounds of torque.

Your 2500 is plenty adequate for your 5r. But you will need to readdress the cargo capacity.
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:24 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by camper1999 View Post
I have a 2011 2500 Sierra with the allison trans and duramax diesel. I Checked with my dealer and the 2500 diesel is essentially the same as a 3500 except for the suspension. So any suspension enhancement will increase your payload. But as others pointed out find out how much you need then talk to your dealer


Mechanics will tell you suspension modifications do not increase your payload. If you put or pull more that the sticker on the truck you void your warranty.
Yes it will stop the bouncing and level out the load .
Dealer once tried pushing me into a 3500 single axle with payload lower than I needed. He advised air bags, the mechanic at the dealership told the sale guy it voids the truck warranty and creates safety issues if I towed something higher than advised by the manufacturer sticker.
Match the truck to the load.
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:52 AM   #17
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DRW = stability.
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:21 AM   #18
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Ditto! You are overloaded and need a long bed dually.


You are kidding
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:29 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by donanddona View Post
I had Tembrens and added extra leafs to the pack.
- it did stiffen the ride but you don't feel that much in the front seats.
- It's not a if those air bags fail, it's about when.

Not sure what that did for allowable tong weight or cargo weight.
Your modifications have done absolutely nothing to increase your payload capacity above the factory-certified numbers on the placard. Every airbag manufacturer will also state the same thing, adding their products will not increase your payload capacity. So, whether or not your truck is level if you're over the truck's GVWR or GAWRs then you are overweight.
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:50 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mzodarg View Post
Copied from GM Sight.

Year 2015, model:High Country, Engineuramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

Max Towing Capacity: 17,900 lbs
Max Payload: 3,501 lbs
Max Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 10,000 lbs

sticker in the glove box state max payload 1498 lbs looks like I need to start looking for a dually. I had no idea
Yup, that's the critical info right there, both understanding that "max" capacities are not "real" capacities and finding the payload capacity for your specific truck on the B-pillar placard. Many dealers/salespeople don't know or don't care about the real numbers, they just like to rattle off the big "max" numbers and then tell customers "Oh yeah, it'll tow that NO problem. You'll be fine!"

Unfortunately, we can't hold them liable for their lies/misinformation and it is up to us to ensure our vehicles aren't being operated outside of the limits. You found out the hard way that high-trim, 3/4-ton, 4WD, diesel trucks have very little payload capacity. Many times less than a gas 1/2-ton truck. Heck, some mid-size GMC Canyon/Chevy Colorado trucks have just as much payload capacity as your 2500. Mine, being a Denali and a diesel, I have 1,219LB payload capacity. Pretty crazy that my much smaller truck only has 279LB less payload capacity than your 2500.

So, while you're out looking for a 3500 dually now you know where to look to find out what that truck's specific payload capacity is. Subtract driver, passengers, gear in the truck, and the weight of the 5th wheel hitch gear itself from that number and that is about how much pin weight you can have max.

Let's get back to your other numbers, you say that 5er weighs 12,000lb and has 2,800lb on the pin. Who gave you those numbers? Those are way low, so unless you actually hit the scales with that trailer and saw the numbers yourself that means whoever told you those weights lied or had no idea what they were talking about.

That 37TXS13 weighs at least 12,687lb as it left the factory. We all know dry weights are useless and nobody will ever see the weight that low, but the point here is that even those fantasy dry weights are more than what you said. Even the dry pin weight is listed as 2,958LB.

Now, with 4,999LB of cargo capacity that means your trailer has a GVWR of around 17,500lb. It's always best to match a truck to the trailer's GVWR and pin/hitch weight based on GVWR. That means you should be looking for a truck that can handle 3,500lb on the pin. After adding yourself, passengers, gear, and hitch that means you really need a truck that has over 4,000lb of payload capacity on the placard.

That gets us to what you already know. You need a 1-ton dually minimum to get that kind of payload capacity.

Hopefully this will help you while looking for a larger truck and help anyone else that is in the market for a truck or trailer. It just sucks that you ended up where you are and having to spend even more money just to get the proper setup.

Good luck and keep us posted!
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