Towing heavy 5th wheel with SRW

[nayther]

Didn't read every response so don't know if this was addressed or not. But for me a long bed dually crew cab is out of the question as the truck is my daily driver in and around L.A. It's hard enough to find places to park my truck due to height, then add in length and girth and I'd be totally screwed 90% of the time. Hence I'm limiting my fifth wheel to 15k, although our new one is down around 10k.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by nayther

Didn't read every response so don't know if this was addressed or not. But for me a long bed dually crew cab is out of the question as the truck is my daily driver in and around L.A. It's hard enough to find places to park my truck due to height, then add in length and girth and I'd be totally screwed 90% of the time. Hence I'm limiting my fifth wheel to 15k, although our new one is down around 10k.

X2. My Cedar Creek 32RL has a GVWR of 15,750lbs, I would trade for a 36CK2 which has a GVWR of 16,500lbs. My Silverado 3500 SRW can tow 16,700lbs. The Cardinal 3350 has a GVWR of 16,216lbs. These two campers I can tow with my SRW. A dually is nice but just not for me, I would like to put another 150,000 miles on this Silverado, that five hundred dollars a month payment pays for right many nights at campgrounds

[Jhernandez1304]

I am also looking to upgrade to a Sabre 36BHQ 5th wheel. My tow vehicle will also be my daily driver, do you guys think I would be ok towing this size 5th wheel with a srw ram 3500 or F350?

Dry weight of trailer is 12k with a pin weight of 2095. It’s almost 42’ long.

[MikeRP]

Yes you will be fine. Just don’t take stuff you don’t need and be mindful to understand the payload of any truck you buy. But your trailer is about 14500 GVWR and that’s not a problem for a 3500 Ram or a 350 Ford SRW.

[Jhernandez1304]

Thank you for the quick reply. I do not see us adding more than 700-800lbs to camper. Tanks will always be empty as we mostly camp loca campgrounds in florida. I just don’t want to buy a truck and end up not being able to tow the camper we want.

[67L48]

This is why you should post your own question in your own thread, rather than piling onto others' threads. Again, not bothered by this, but you'll scatter your answers about and won't get as many pointed answers.

I posted a reply in the other thread you hijacked. Again, I'm not offended here, just encouraging you to get even better, more consolidated responses by asking your own question in your own thread.

Good luck.

[mckormicnavistar]

In some states you need to pay attention to the gvw of the tv .

[hognuts1960]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

If it scares you that much, then it's a good thing you don't try it. I think if 'weight police' like yourself minded your own business more, you wouldn't be so scared....

People don't care until God forbid there is an accident. Insurance may not cover and the Lawyers Love it.
Also, if you get pulled over by trooper in some states if you are over weight it is a big fine or in some cases they won't let you continue with your journey.


2021 Ram 3500 HO CTD CC DRW 4X4 4.10

Voltage Triton 3551

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by hognuts1960

People don't care until God forbid there is an accident. Insurance may not cover and the Lawyers Love it.
Also, if you get pulled over by trooper in some states if you are over weight it is a big fine or in some cases they won't let you continue with your journey.


2021 Ram 3500 HO CTD CC DRW 4X4 4.10

Voltage Triton 3551

Hognuts, you have reawakened a 2 year old thread.
Not sure if anyone is even following this one anymore.

[zs325RES]

Yes, this is somewhat dated, but it gives me a chance to offer an update for those interested.



After a full season with my new setup, I'm VERY pleased with the performance.

We purchased a 2020 Jayco North Point 387RDFS which is 44' long and ~16,000# GVW and are pulling it with a 2018 Denali HD Duramax CC SRW. Very impressed with this TV. I added air bags for leveling, but they are not even needed, however they do smooth out the ride with only 30 psi. It should also be noted that I upgraded the stock 20" G/Y Wrangler SRAs to somewhat larger Michelin Defender LTX which raised the loading capacity and improved the ride.





We took 6 trips last summer, including a long week into the UP of Michigan. I have no issues with handling this rig, even better than my old 2006 2500HD and 36' Crusader.


Thanks again to all that provided feedback.

[MikeRP]

Very nice setup! Glad it is towing well.

[Hclarkx]

Impressive and good to hear. Do you know how close you are to the rear axle rated capacity (before the air and tire upgrades)?

I followed this thread early on and get emails when new posts occur. Also, doesn't the thread show up again at the top of the Sub-forum list at least briefly when a new post is added?

[zs325RES]

Originally Posted by Hclarkx

Impressive and good to hear. Do you know how close you are to the rear axle rated capacity (before the air and tire upgrades)?


I followed this thread early on and get emails when new posts occur. Also, doesn't the thread show up again at the top of the Sub-forum list at least briefly when a new post is added?

I do - the rear axle rating is 10,000# (AAM 11.5). This is the same axle used on ALL GM HD trucks WITH a Duramax.
For my Denali I've got a 2,750# dry curb weight on the rear +300# hitch + 3,000# pin weight for a total of 6,000# (round numbers). This gives me plenty of extra payload available - for the axle.

The tires are still the limiting factor. The 10 ply Michelins (LT285/60R20) are rated for 3,640# each = 7,280# total.
Given this, I still have 1,200# more payload available for fuel, passengers and gear.
This pic I shared was when we picked up the new North Point, and I have no air in the bags. Still pretty level.


On a side note - The Duramax (L5P) / Allison (1000 6 speed) setup is amazing. I typically tow in 5th gear at 65mph at 1700rpm and I never had the trans downshift once. Michigan isn't by any means mountainous, but I towed this rig up some of the biggest hills in the state at speed with ease. I couldn't be happier.


I can't comment on how the admins have the forum set up regarding new posts on Sub-forums.

[Hclarkx]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

I do - the rear axle rating is 10,000# (AAM 11.5). This is the same axle used on ALL GM HD trucks WITH a Duramax.
For my Denali I've got a 2,750# dry curb weight on the rear +300# hitch + 3,000# pin weight for a total of 6,000# (round numbers). This gives me plenty of extra payload available - for the axle.

The tires are still the limiting factor. The 10 ply Michelins (LT285/60R20) are rated for 3,640# each = 7,280# total.
Given this, I still have 1,200# more payload available for fuel, passengers and gear.
This pic I shared was when we picked up the new North Point, and I have no air in the bags. Still pretty level.


On a side note - The Duramax (L5P) / Allison (1000 6 speed) setup is amazing. I typically tow in 5th gear at 65mph at 1700rpm and I never had the trans downshift once. Michigan isn't by any means mountainous, but I towed this rig up some of the biggest hills in the state at speed with ease. I couldn't be happier.


I can't comment on how the admins have the forum set up regarding new posts on Sub-forums.

Nice. Is that 10K axle rating from the door sticker on your truck? I'm wondering how that rating could be applied if the tires don't support it ... unless the tires are undersized.

Also, I'm curious as to whether those tire ratings are at max pressure or the recommended pressure (or whatever pressure you run).

My 2500 HD axle is rated 6600#. My tires are 3750# each at max pressure (80 psi) or about 3460# at the 70 psi that I run (from the door sticker). So the tires are about 300# above the axle rating.

[zs325RES]

Originally Posted by Hclarkx

Nice. Is that 10K axle rating from the door sticker on your truck? I'm wondering how that rating could be applied if the tires don't support it ... unless the tires are undersized.

Also, I'm curious as to whether those tire ratings are at max pressure or the recommended pressure (or whatever pressure you run).

My axle configuration (thus rating) comes from the VIN code for my truck. I wanted detail so I dug deep into the build sheet.
My Michelin load E tires are rated at full pressure = 80 psi, where I run them while towing. I'll run them much lower in back unloaded for a better ride, typically around 50 psi.


GM simply adds an overload leaf spring (each side) and 18" 'E" tires with better loading to configure the 1T trucks. This is the only difference for trucks with the Duramax engine. This is true for my 2018 - I can't confirm this for the 2020 and newer models as there were a lot of changes after 2019.

I hope this helps.

[Hclarkx]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

My axle configuration (thus rating) comes from the VIN code for my truck. I wanted detail so I dug deep into the build sheet.
My Michelin load E tires are rated at full pressure = 80 psi, where I run them while towing. I'll run them much lower in back unloaded for a better ride, typically around 50 psi.


GM simply adds an overload leaf spring (each side) and 18" 'E" tires with better loading to configure the 1T trucks. This is the only difference for trucks with the Duramax engine. This is true for my 2018 - I can't confirm this for the 2020 and newer models as there were a lot of changes after 2019.

I hope this helps.

It does help. Thanks. I'm interested because I'm helping a neighbor search for a truck and we are looking at the certification label located on the driver door or doorframe and have find nothing as high as your VIN shows. I gather that the certification label RGAW takes into account handling and reliability and such that may make the certified RGAW less than the rating of the axle itself. This is why I was asking about your certification RGAW (or meant to, I might not have been specific). Can you please provide that? It would make our shopping a lot easier.

I carry up to 100 gallons of water in my bed along with 40 gallons of waste. The neighbor wants to carry even more and a lot of firewood and a much larger generator ... etc. And he will have a much heavier 5er than I do. Not my cup of tea but he's going to need a lot of truck.

BTW, when I ordered my recent truck, I started looking at Chevys and that required starting with an LTZ and adding a lot of options. One of those was 20" wheels instead of stock 18". That option increased the payload a bunch, up around 250 lbs IIRC.

I went with the GMC Dinali because I only had to click one box to get the truck I wanted.

[zs325RES]

HClarkx - I sent you a PM

[walaby]

What??!?!?!!!

You didn't explode in a fiery ball while pulling out of your driveway for the first time?

Nice rig.

Mike