Need some pre 5'er advice.

[Briorick]

I have been contemplating, in the not so distant future, of possibly getting a "small" 5'er. By small I mean approx. 4000 pounds dry weight. I have seen and looked at a few older nice models, in excellent condition, in that weight range with slides. Currently I am looking at a 1999 Nomad 245LT.

My question is I have a 2003 Silverado 1500 ext cab, 5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, short bed with z71 ( z82 trailering package ).

My HTT ( 2000 Shamrock m-18 ) I tow now is roughly 3000 pounds fully loaded ( we travel lightly ) for camping and it travels smoothly down the road when pulling, and using a WDH. Although I know this a bumper pull and there is variances in pulling a 5'er vs. a HTT.

I have done some extensive reading on the internet and some forums, now I am asking for first hand advice.

Can I haul a "small" 5'er I this weight range with my vehicle. I have seen mixed reviews on this albeit mainly due to the 5'er weight. And also the suggestions of the need for a "slider" hitch for short beds.

I am looking at 2500 TV's as well, but still only want to get a "small" 5'er, regardless of vehicle.

Any, and all, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Computer Nerd]

First of all, you'll need to look at the GCWR of your Truck, then weigh it with a full tank of gas and packed the way it normally would be when you are on a camping trip, including people, dogs and grills, don't forget to add about 100 lbs for your 5ver hitch . . Then subtract that wright from the GCWR, that's your true tow weight.
Second don't look at your potential trailers dry weight, look at its GVW. Compare that to your tow weight.
Third, since you're looking at 5vers, hull need to look at the Gross rear axle weight rating. 15-20% of your 5ver's weight will be going over the rear axle.

Hope this helps.


Computer Nerd
2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax
2016 Sandpiper 35ROK

[bikendan]

The biggest weakness of 1/2 tons towing a 5th wheel, is payload capacity.
Post what your door sticker says it is.

[merrykalia]

Just curious, but do they make 4,000 lb fifth wheels?

[OldCoot]

The weight police say I can't pull a Flagstaff 8528RKWS, so I guess I haven't pulled it over 40k thru the Appalachians, Ozark and Smokey mountains from Concord to Goshen to Moline, IL, to Trenton, MO to Lonoke, AR to Davenport, FL, etc. with a 5.3L, 3.23 rear 1500 Extended cab 05 Silverado.

[aquaholic3]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

The weight police say I can't pull a Flagstaff 8528RKWS, so I guess I haven't pulled it over 40k thru the Appalachians, Ozark and Smokey mountains from Concord to Goshen to Moline, IL, to Trenton, MO to Lonoke, AR to Davenport, FL, etc. with a 5.3L, 3.23 rear 1500 Extended cab 05 Silverado.

Amen to that. Apparently I never pulled my 8528IKWS 5er with my 2011 F150 either. No max tow, no HD package and just a 5.0 engine. It pulled it VERY well and I never had one "white knuckle" experience. I know I was over the cargo capacity a bit but you cannot tell me a truck will self destruct if you're at the limit or a bit over. The brakes worked well and I didn't get blown all over the road as the weight police will have you believe. Actually it was a more pleasant ride than my F250. Yes the Super Duty pulls it easier but I didn't get the F250 because I didn't feel safe. I got it because I was made a deal I couldn't refuse.

[OldCoot]

I will say this tho', if I were starting out without either a truck or a 5er and was buying both, I would buy a 3/4 T Duramax, BUT, I wasn't I had the 05 1/2 T and haven't had a single bit of trouble pulling it at 60-65mph. Don't go up hills/mountains in the fast lane, but in the semi lane. Pass a few and get passed by a few, but I still make it to the top and never exceed 3500 rpm. Just not in a hurry anymore.

[Briorick]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Just got back from a wonderfully relaxing weekend getaway. A little rain last night, but not enough to upset the evening under the awning. After downing a couple Red Apple Ales, we really didn't feel much anyways. LOL.


Anyways, here are the numbers for you to ponder for me.

Door Jam weights;

6400 GVWR

Axles;
Front - 3925 lbs.
Rear - 3750 lbs.


GCWR is 13,000 lbs. for my TV.

Cat Scale readout of TV fully loaded and with full tank of petro is 5660 lbs.

Steer Axle = 3380 lbs.
Drive Axle = 2280 lbs.


Am I safe to assume that given 20% of 4000 ( tongue weight 800 lbs. )
would put my total weight on the rear axle at roughly 3K, and leave me roughly 750 to spare. Am I calculating this correctly? Of course, not taking into account the added weight of additional contents, gear, etc.

Thanks in advance, much appreciate the input.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by Briorick

Thanks everyone for the advice. Just got back from a wonderfully relaxing weekend getaway. A little rain last night, but not enough to upset the evening under the awning. After downing a couple Red Apple Ales, we really didn't feel much anyways. LOL.


Anyways, here are the numbers for you to ponder for me.

Door Jam weights;

6400 GVWR

Axles;
Front - 3925 lbs.
Rear - 3750 lbs.


GCWR is 13,000 lbs. for my TV.

Cat Scale readout of TV fully loaded and with full tank of petro is 5660 lbs.

Steer Axle = 3380 lbs.
Drive Axle = 2280 lbs.


Am I safe to assume that given 20% of 4000 ( tongue weight 800 lbs. )
would put my total weight on the rear axle at roughly 3K, and leave me roughly 750 to spare. Am I calculating this correctly? Of course, not taking into account the added weight of additional contents, gear, etc.

Thanks in advance, much appreciate the input.

Wrong. Gvwr 6400 - actual weight 5660= 740 lbs available payload for hitch and pin weight. As said above estimate 100 lbs for the fiver hitch alone which would bring your available payload down to 640 lbs. This means you would need a loaded pin weight of less than 640 lbs and you just won't find that. As stated above your cargo capacity is your weakest link here.

Now if you are in the class that ignores payload, which I don't recommend, then let's look at your rear axle capabilities. Gross RAWR 3750 - actual RAWR 2280 = 1470 lbs available on the rear axle for hitch and pin.

Now keep in mind the fiver will have a higher profile than the tt and will work your truck a bit harder because of that. Personally given the payload deficit, I wouldn't do it. You could get a better equipped 1/2 ton such as the Ford eco boost HD with max tow but pay close attention to payload on any truck you get as even some 3/4 tons can be light on payload....

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by asquared

Wrong. Gvwr 6400 - actual weight 5660= 740 lbs available payload for hitch and pin weight. As said above estimate 100 lbs for the fiver hitch alone which would bring your available payload down to 640 lbs. This means you would need a loaded pin weight of less than 640 lbs and you just won't find that. As stated above your cargo capacity is your weakest link here.

Now if you are in the class that ignores payload, which I don't recommend, then let's look at your rear axle capabilities. Gross RAWR 3750 - actual RAWR 2280 = 1470 lbs available on the rear axle for hitch and pin.

Now keep in mind the fiver will have a higher profile than the tt and will work your truck a bit harder because of that. Personally given the payload deficit, I wouldn't do it. You could get a better equipped 1/2 ton such as the Ford eco boost HD with max tow but pay close attention to payload on any truck you get as even some 3/4 tons can be light on payload....

Thanks for the great explanation. I see where I was miscalculating now. Definitely a "learning curve" here. All advice truly appreciated and helps me to better understand when making the upgrade.

[dcheatwood]

Check out Scamp and Escape small 5ers. Really light weight.

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Check out Scamp and Escape small 5ers. Really light weight.

Thanks for the heads up on those units. We have a Midwest RV Show going on from Sept. 13th -15th in the St. Louis area, ( Hazelwood to be exact ) so I am going to do some serious browsing.

My curiosity, and the interior space of the 5'ers have me looking for the distance future. Lots of questions to be asked.

Thanks again.