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Old 08-13-2015, 12:40 PM   #1
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2012 2500HD Duramax and Chapparal 360IBL

First, let me explain I am new to 5th wheel towing and to this forum. I have found it very useful. I know the question of towing vehciles is well documented on this forum. However, I am a slow learner and more confused than when started researching this question.

I am days away from purchasing a Coachmen Chaparral 360 IBL 5th wheel in the Houston area. Trailer specs are: Hitch Weight 2060; UVW 11390; GVWR 14000. I see several people pulling with a 1-ton diesel. According to the GMC specs (the max. trailering is 17500) am I going to be OK comfortablly pulling this trailer.

Any advise is appreciated. Thanks
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Old 08-13-2015, 12:46 PM   #2
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you may want to post the specifics of your Tow Vehicle as well
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Old 08-13-2015, 12:52 PM   #3
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Trailer specs are: Hitch Weight 2060; UVW 11390; GVWR 14000; Cargo capacity 2610.
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Old 08-13-2015, 12:55 PM   #4
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MChat, not your trailer... What are the specs for your TRUCK? there is a sticker on the inside of the door that should list your weights, etc.
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:02 PM   #5
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Opps... GVWR 10000; GAWR Front 5200 and rear 6200. GCWR 24500; and max trailering 5th wheel is 17400.
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:19 PM   #6
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Payload is where the weight police on this forum are going to nail you. That said, I pulled almost the exact weight 5er with my 2011 2500, which had slightly less figures than your truck. My truck was crew cab 4x4 with 8' bed and pulled great. My only white knuckle moment came from a bad bridge approach that bounced the truck pretty hard. Was never out of control or felt like it was going out of control, it just hit harder than I liked. If you're going to full time in this, I would consider a dually in the near future, but IMO, you'll be fine.
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:51 PM   #7
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You will be fine, but the weight police on here will scare the hell out of you, I would just keep the speed down to around 60 until you get accustomed to the fifth wheel. Then you can decide if you need a bigger truck


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Old 08-13-2015, 02:52 PM   #8
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Can't say anything about the weight, etc just that we got a 2014 Ram 3500 dually in May. It was brand new with 29 miles on it. It was just a late year one and the dealership gave us a fantastic deal on it.

And Congrats on the 360IBL. We are really, really liking ours!!
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Old 08-13-2015, 03:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scootingranny View Post
Can't say anything about the weight, etc just that we got a 2014 Ram 3500 dually in May. It was brand new with 29 miles on it. It was just a late year one and the dealership gave us a fantastic deal on it.

And Congrats on the 360IBL. We are really, really liking ours!!

Sounds like a great deal on the truck, everyone is different but I am glad I choose the SRW. If I had got a dually I would have already traded for a bigger camper


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Old 08-13-2015, 04:41 PM   #10
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Your sadly mistaken if you believe those numbers.
First, that is "TOWING", not loading a fifth wheels pin. There is a world of difference between towing a 14000 pound trailer and dropping 2800 to 3000 pounds in the truck bed then trying to pull 14000 pounds. First thing you MUST do is load your truck like your going camping and go to the scales. To your scaled weight add 250 pounds for hitch. Subtract this from your trucks GVWR as listed on the drivers door post. That is the maximum weight you can place in the truck bed (pin weight). Since you do not own a trailer yet, take 20% of the intended trailers GVWR as your pin weight. Now you have your answer in real world terms
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Old 08-13-2015, 09:27 PM   #11
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You'll be fine...I towed a similar (unloaded weight) fiver with a 2005 Duramax SRW and I felt perfectly fine wherever we towed!
Did add a pair of rear airbags to truck to level out the ride and smooth the tow experience
Enjoy!!!


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Old 08-13-2015, 09:28 PM   #12
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I work on these trucks for a living and have been doing it for 24 years. You will be fine with a 2500 srw pulling that weight. I pulled 15k with my 08 2500 with a pin weight of 2500lbs. You have a 12 2500 witch has bigger rear springs then my 08 had and more towing cap. I did upgrade to a 3500 drw only because I plan on upgrading my camper at some point and because of the roads here in Louisiana.
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Old 08-13-2015, 09:50 PM   #13
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Here is one of the better site to play with the numbers and see what you can tow and stay within manufacture specs.

Towing Planner - towing capability calculators
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Old 08-15-2015, 09:54 AM   #14
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My weights.

My 2012 2500 LTZ c/c 4x4 has a grwr of 10,000lbs. Same as yours. My truck, with full fuel tank, my wife and and I, weighed 8100lbs.
Pin weight was only 1700lbs. Trailer gvwr 15,500.
That being said, we've had no troubles other than our aforementioned Louisiana roads. I'm going with Timbrens.
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Old 08-15-2015, 12:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D-maxx dave View Post
My 2012 2500 LTZ c/c 4x4 has a grwr of 10,000lbs. Same as yours. My truck, with full fuel tank, my wife and and I, weighed 8100lbs.
Pin weight was only 1700lbs. Trailer gvwr 15,500.
That being said, we've had no troubles other than our aforementioned Louisiana roads. I'm going with Timbrens.
1700 lbs pin on 15,500 lbs 5er is less than 12% pin weight, normally pin weights on 5er that heavy runs 20% plus. What model 5er gives you than low of pin weight?

My 11,180lbs 5er has a pin weight of 2780 lbs and that from weighing on scales and not guessing.
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Old 08-15-2015, 02:37 PM   #16
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2015 Sandpiper 355RE. Ependad helped figure this from cat scales. Have the tickets. No guessing.
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Old 08-15-2015, 02:42 PM   #17
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Sorry!

Trailers gvwr is 15500. As weighed, a little more than 12,000.
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Old 08-15-2015, 03:21 PM   #18
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Forest River site has dry weights for 355RE is 12,080 with dry pin weights of 2084 lbs. That's odd the pin weight is lighter loaded then dry!

http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...elID=1010#Main
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Old 08-15-2015, 03:26 PM   #19
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We didn't get washer/dryer combo, don't know if this matters. Two big opposing slides behind the trailer axles.
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Old 08-15-2015, 03:41 PM   #20
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Just doesn't sound right with that 1700 pin weight- 300 lbs less then dry.. You said you have the weight tickets you could double check them by putting tne numbers in link below just to double check the math.

Actual Weights - Fifth Wheel Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner
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